COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Crew announced today that Rob McBurnett has been appointed Vice President of Communications. In the role, McBurnett will report directly to President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko, and President of Business Operations Kristin Bernert to oversee all media relations and logistics, public relations and broadcast operations for the club, as well as contribute to the team’s commitment to its supporters and community relations initiatives.
McBurnett joins the Crew following 10 seasons with the Cleveland Browns – also owned and operated by Haslam Sports Group (HSG) – after initially starting as a communications coordinator in July 2013.
“I have had the opportunity to work with Rob on several corporate and community projects with the Crew and Haslam Sports Group during the past year, and I am confident he will help us advance our mission to be leaders in the City of Columbus and in the sports industry,” said Bernert. “In addition to his significant communications experience at the league and team levels, he is a consummate professional who prioritizes meaningful relationships and serving others, which will help strengthen our business and community efforts.”
“Rob has inherent knowledge of the Crew, our one club mindset and our leadership’s dedication to excellence on the pitch, with our supporters and in the community due to his time with the Cleveland Browns and Haslam Sports Group,” said Bezbatchenko. “As someone who grew up playing and personally benefitting from the beautiful game, he is passionate about soccer and will bring great energy while promoting our teams’ devotion to the game at all levels of competition.”
“During my time at OhioHealth Performance Center and Lower.com Field, it has always been clear that the entire Crew organization has an incredible passion for soccer, the supporters and the City of Columbus, which makes joining the team such a special opportunity,” said McBurnett. “Haslam Sports Group leadership, Tim and Kristin are dedicated to winning, the fans and the community, as well as staff development, and I am grateful to continue that focus and assist our media members with the Crew thanks to the Browns investing their time in my personal and professional growth during the past 10 seasons.”
McBurnett most recently served as the Browns Director of Community & Corporate Communications, a position that encompassed communications and media relations efforts for football, philanthropic and business objectives. As the main public relations contact for HSG’s non-football events at FirstEnergy Stadium, he was highly involved in media logistics and local publicity in Cleveland for the 2021 NFL Draft, the 2017 & 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cups and other major concerts and sports contests. Additionally, he helped direct communications strategies and media operations for FirstEnergy Stadium and CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
From 2010-2013, McBurnett worked at NFL Headquarters in New York City. He was a member of the organization’s corporate social responsibility group and contributed to the league’s football information, community and corporate communications staff. He also managed media credentials for various major NFL events, including the NFL Combine and Super Bowl Day Passes.
McBurnett launched his sports communications career as a student with University of Michigan Athletic Media Relations and ultimately supported more than 15 varsity sports, including the Wolverines’ football, men’s and women’s basketball and men’s gymnastics programs. He also gained professional experience as a full-season intern for the Denver Broncos in 2009 and as a summer intern for the Houston Dynamo in 2008.
A native of Sugar Land, Texas, McBurnett graduated from Michigan in three years with a communications degree. A first-team all-district honoree at goalkeeper for the Fort Bend ISD Clements Rangers when they reached the Texas 5A state semifinals in 2006, he now resides in Lewis Center, Ohio, with his dog, Max.
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