Stephen Black’s journey through the sports industry is defined by ambition, cultural immersion, and a relentless drive to excel. Living in Singapore offered a unique opportunity to experience life in Asia firsthand, fulfilling a long-held dream of combining work and global exposure after graduation. His professional path began in Japan with the Ryukyu Golden Kings, a top-tier B. LEAGUE basketball team. There, Stephen held roles in team management and the front office, gaining insights into both on-court operations and executive strategy. Working in a bilingual environment enhanced his ability to communicate across diverse cultures, deepening his understanding of global sports organizations.

Prior to this, Stephen cut his teeth in the O-League, a semi-professional basketball league in Okinawa. Starting as a statistician, he introduced innovative data analytics methods before being promoted to league manager, bridging communication between Japanese and American teams. This early exposure provided a foundation in sports management and operations. Stephen also interned with the J.LEAGUE in Tokyo as an International Relations Department intern, conducting research on global leagues, digital marketing, youth development, and sports technology. His reports were incorporated into the official 2016 PUB Report, and he networked with major organizations, including MLB Japan, Canon, Blippar, and the Rugby World Cup Organizing Committee. Bilingual skills allowed him to translate for foreign visitors, including the President of EKSTRAKLASA and delegates from the Asian Football Confederation.

Expanding his experience in golf, Stephen joined the PGA TOUR as an International Business Affairs intern, focusing on APAC and emerging Southeast Asian markets. He developed sponsorship prospecting reports, analyzed media landscapes, and contributed to the successful marketing campaign “#TopThisChallenge,” which won the inaugural PGA TOUR Internship Case Cup. At IMG Golf, he worked in Marketing and Business Development, supporting elite athletes like Hideki Matsuyama and Jordan Spieth. Stephen helped secure sponsorship opportunities for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and later continued with IMG in Singapore as Strategic Partnerships Manager, attracting new sponsorships for the Asian Tour.

Stephen’s connection to Japan runs deep. Born in America, he spent 19 formative years in Tokyo and Okinawa, guided by his Okinawan grandmother. This upbringing fostered fluency in Japanese and a profound appreciation for the culture, influencing both his personal and professional life. Among his proudest achievements, Stephen graduated as the Top Senior in the 2019 Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management at UMass Amherst. He also served as President of the Association of Diversity in Sport, an organization dedicated to fostering growth and inclusion within sport-oriented environments.

Outside the office, Stephen blends professional attire with Japanese-inspired urban streetwear, reflecting his appreciation for culture and his work in events spanning sports, concerts, and fashion. His musical tastes span alternative pop, rap, and country, influenced by his Texan family, with favorites including Juice WRLD, Post Malone, Eric Church, and Kenny Chesney. Stephen Black’s career trajectory exemplifies dedication, cross-cultural fluency, and a strategic approach to sports management. With every internship, role, and connection, he continues to shape his path as a leading figure in the global sports industry.