# Tony Knopp

> Tony Knopp is the co-founder and CEO of TicketManager, a Calabasas-based enterprise software company that helps organizations manage corporate tickets, guests and hospitality outcomes. After early roles with the Los Angeles Dodgers, AEG, the LA Kings and StubHub, he co-founded the business in 2007 around a recurring corporate problem: expensive tickets were going unused and their business value was largely unmeasured. TicketManager later acquired Sports Systems, grew to serve more than 500 brands, teams and leagues, and accepted a $110 million majority investment from Valeas Capital Partners in 2025.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at TicketManager
- **Organizations:** TicketManager, StubHub, AEG, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Dodgers, News America Marketing, University of Southern California
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree in business, University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
- **Known for:** Co-founded TicketManager in 2007 and developed it into an enterprise ticket and guest management platform., Helped grow StubHub's corporate sales and services department from inception and served as co-department head., Led TicketManager's 2021 acquisition of Sports Systems.

## Career timeline

- **2001** — Graduated from USC and began working at News America Marketing before taking a $10-an-hour role selling Los Angeles Dodgers season tickets.
- **2002** — Began working in live events at AEG, including corporate ticket and sponsorship sales connected with the Los Angeles Kings.
- **2005** — Joined early-stage StubHub, helping build its corporate sales and services function and later serving as co-department head.
- **2006** — Customer conversations at Bowne and CBS exposed the need to track ticket outcomes and reduce unused corporate inventory.
- **2007** — Co-founded the company that became TicketManager; its first day was September 27, 2007.
- **2012** — A difficult board review prompted Knopp to overhaul his approach to leadership and begin an extensive program of reading and development.
- **2016** — Spoke at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and was selected as a Techweek100 Ambassador.
- **2021** — TicketManager acquired Sports Systems, expanding into guest registration, credentialing and sponsorship asset management.
- **2025** — Valeas Capital Partners announced a $110 million commitment for a majority stake; Knopp and COO Ken Hanscom retained minority interests.
- **2026** — Sports Business Journal named Knopp among its Power Players in ticketing.

## Achievements

- Co-founded TicketManager in 2007 and developed it into an enterprise ticket and guest management platform.
- Helped grow StubHub's corporate sales and services department from inception and served as co-department head.
- Led TicketManager's 2021 acquisition of Sports Systems.
- Secured a 2025 majority investment in TicketManager backed by a $110 million commitment from Valeas Capital Partners.
- Selected as a Techweek100 Ambassador in 2016.
- Named a 2026 Sports Business Journal Power Player in ticketing.
- Created and hosts the Three Things I Learned in SaaS, Sports, Tech & Live Events podcast and newsletter.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Sports Business Journal included Knopp in its 2026 Power Players: Ticketing list.
- **2026-07** — Published new leadership writing on LinkedIn, including essays about poor leadership and emotional moments at work.
- **2026-05** — Published his list of 25 recommended leadership books after reflecting on the 2012 board meeting that changed his management approach.
- **2025-05** — TicketManager announced Valeas Capital Partners' $110 million commitment for a majority stake, with Knopp retaining a minority interest and continuing as CEO.

## Links

- Website: https://ticketmanager.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyknopp
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/tonyknopp
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TonyKnopp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpotlightTMS/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tony-knopp
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26