What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Partnerships - Critical Basketball LLC position at Critical Sports and Entertainment?
Head of Partnerships – Critical Basketball LLC
Location: Remote (U.S.-based preferred)
Compensation: Equity-based executive role in Critical Basketball LLC with high commission structure; salary to follow upon division funding
Industry: Sports, Basketball, Live Events, Sponsorship Sales
About Us:
Critical Basketball LLC, a division of Critical Sports & Entertainment (CSE), is building a powerful basketball platform that combines athlete representation, semi-professional team ownership, elite scouting, and national-scale events. Our division is backed by high-value individuals, industry leaders, and former professional athletes, creating a unique network for building sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
Within Critical Basketball, our portfolio includes:
- Two semi-professional basketball teams (men’s and women’s) owned by the agency
- The Global 75 Combine, a high-profile national combine attracting top domestic and international talent
- A growing roster of professional and emerging basketball talent
- Exclusive NIL and international player development programs
With strong momentum and an expanding footprint in both domestic and international basketball, we’re now looking to scale our partnerships strategy to match the division’s potential.
The Role:
We are seeking a Head of Partnerships to lead sponsorship, brand, and strategic partnership initiatives for Critical Basketball. This equity-based role offers a high commission structure on all partnerships closed, providing strong near-term earnings potential alongside long-term equity growth.
The Head of Partnerships will work closely with the Chairman of Basketball, CEO, CMO, and other CSE executives to develop high-value relationships, secure strategic sponsorships, and position Critical Basketball as a premier property for brands and partners in the basketball ecosystem.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead sponsorship and partnership sales for all Critical Basketball properties and events
- Develop a strategic pipeline of brands, corporate partners, and institutional supporters aligned with our vision
- Negotiate and close multi-year, high-value sponsorship deals
- Work with marketing and creative teams to develop partnership proposals and activation plans
- Cultivate relationships with decision-makers at brands, agencies, and industry organizations
- Represent Critical Basketball at industry events, games, and conferences to expand our network
- Collaborate with the CSE partnerships team to explore crossover deals across multiple divisions
- Provide ongoing reporting and analysis on partnership performance and ROI
Ideal Background:
- 8–12 years in sponsorship sales, brand partnerships, or business development—preferably in sports, basketball, or live events
- Proven track record of closing six- and seven-figure partnership deals
- Strong existing network of brand and agency decision-makers in sports and entertainment
- Experience building partnership programs for teams, leagues, or large-scale events
- Entrepreneurial, driven, and comfortable operating in an equity-first, high-growth startup environment
- Excellent communicator with strong negotiation skills and a collaborative mindset
Why Join Critical Basketball:
- Equity in a basketball division with strong leadership and high-profile stakeholders
- High commission earning potential on all closed partnerships
- Opportunity to help shape one of the fastest-growing divisions within CSE
- Work with a network of respected athletes, executives, and cultural influencers
- Be part of a basketball platform with both domestic and international reach
If you’re a dealmaker who thrives in high-growth environments and wants to build lasting partnerships in basketball—let’s talk.