Sportradar Chooses Craig Felenstein as the New CFO

The 2011-founded global sports technology company that creates immersive experiences for sports fans and bettors, Sportradar Group, has appointed Craig Felenstein as its new chief financial officer. 

Felenstein, who previously embraced the same role with the global leader in expedition cruises and adventure travel, Lindblad Expeditions, will start to exercise his duties effective June 1. 

Felenstein will report directly to the company’s chief executive officer, Carsten Koerl.   

Close to Three Decades of Experience 
Felenstein will put close to three decades of experience in senior finance and operating for publicly listed entertainment, media, digital content, and experiential companies in the US to work from his new position based in New York. 

Primarily, he will be responsible for leading the company’s global investor relations, finance, and accounting functions.

Using his one-of-a-kind blend of operational insight and financial rigor, the new CFO will work together with the rest of the execs to advance the strategic initiatives of the group and help the business grow while maintaining close ties with investors.

Before he joined Lindblad, Felenstein was also Shutterstock’s senior vice president of investor relations and strategic finance. From his position, he was responsible for overseeing all interactions with the investment community while managing corporate development and financial planning and analysis. 

Before his tenure at Shutterstock, he also had different management roles at Discovery Communications, LLC, including a position as executive vice president of investor relations. 

Felenstein was also an executive for a few of Discovery‘s businesses. The list includes roles like chief financial officer of digital, chief financial officer of US Network Revenue, and chief financial officer of Animal Planet.  

Before Discovery, Sportratar’s new CFO held senior positions at Arthur Andersen & Co, Viacom Inc., and News Corporation. 

“Instrumental” to the Group’s Continued Success
CEO Koerl spoke about Felenstein’s appointment, praising his “deep international experience and successful track record building finance organizations.” 

He also expressed his confidence in his ability to become “a strong addition” to the team while using his impressive track record to drive financial strategy and build shareholder value, proving to be “instrumental” to their ongoing success. 

Felenstein took the opportunity to talk about Sportradar’s “impressive leadership position in the rapidly growing global sports technology market” along with its ideal position to deliver “sustained growth” via its powerful portfolio. 

He also spoke about the company’s “unmatched product offerings and commitment to industry innovation” while expressing excitement to be working with Carsten, the team, and the Board of Directors. 

Toward the end of last month, Sportradar posted exceptional Q4 and full-year 2023 results.

Previously during the same month, the company announced forging the path to better fan engagement via a new partnership with the NBA.