Damani Leech enters his first season as President of the Denver Broncos in 2022 after he was named to that position by Owner/CEO Greg Penner on Aug. 11, 2022.
Reporting directly to Penner, Leech is a highly respected sports executive and innovator with 25 years of experience at both the professional and collegiate levels. He joined the Broncos after serving as Chief Operating Officer of NFL International for the last three seasons as part of eight years at the league office.
Leech leads the business operations of the Broncos and Stadium Management Company, which operates Empower Field at Mile High. Collaborating with the ownership group and the Broncos' Executive Team, he maintains a presence at both UCHealth Training Center and Empower Field at Mile High with responsibilities focused on business development, fan engagement and organizational innovation.
Leech's role with the Broncos includes oversight of all areas pertaining to the fan experience, revenue generation, finance, corporate partnerships, ticketing, facilities and stadium management, information technology, communications, marketing and community development.
A rising executive with the NFL since 2015, Leech spent the previous eight years in leadership positions at the league office with a key role in growing the game internationally as well as through business development and strategy initiatives. He joined the NFL after more than 17 years of experience at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis.
Serving as COO of NFL International from 2019-22, Leech oversaw all of the league's international operations in key markets—part of an international NFL fan base exceeding 200 million people—that include Australia, Africa, Brazil, Canada, China and Mexico. He guided the creation and execution of various NFL international initiatives, leading a diverse and talented team of more than 40 staff across offices in Toronto, Mexico City, Shanghai, Los Angeles and New York.
Additionally, Leech was heavily involved in the expansion of the NFL's International Games—as the League committed part of its expanded, 17-game season inventory to international games—as well as its International Player Pathway program to identify and develop elite international prospects who, as "local heroes" in their home countries, help the NFL grow fandom abroad.
Joining the NFL in 2015 as Vice President of Football Strategy and Business Development, Leech spent five years developing strategies and innovations that positioned football for future growth and enhancements. Working collaboratively across various departments, Leech led the development of numerous programs to drive growth for the league, including its Football Quality Index, expanded distribution of Next Gen Stats, the re-birth of the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown and leading the creation of a Future of Football committee of club representatives.
Beginning his career at the NCAA in 1998 as an intern, Leech progressively increased his responsibilities and ascended to its Managing Director of Championships role from 2013-15. In that role, he provided strategic oversight and direction for eight NCAA championships, including football, baseball and key Olympic sports, while managing the postseason bowl certification process.
Leech also was involved in fan development and engagement initiatives with the NCAA, including the rebranding of the College World Series and the development of a new $140 million stadium to host college baseball's premiere event.
A Sports Business Journal "40 under 40 winner" in 2014, Leech received the NFL Commissioner's Award for helping launch the Black Engagement Network at the League office in 2018. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in public policy and international affairs from Princeton University in 1998 before receiving a master of arts degree in higher education administration from Indiana University in 2004.
At Princeton, Leech was a three-time first-team All-Ivy League selection as a defensive back who earned third-team All-America honors.
A native of Tacoma, Wash., Leech is married to Dr. Tamara Leech with two daughters: Brianna and Simone.
