The 18th Annual PrimeTime Sports Management Conference and Trade Show Presented by MLSE
November 2-4, 2025
Westin Harbour Castle Hotel
Toronto, Canada
Commissioner, Western Hockey League (WHL)
Dan Near was appointed Commissioner of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in January 2024. Prior to joining the WHL, he spent seven years at adidas, most recently serving as Global Head of adidas Hockey, where he led the brand’s global hockey business and its entry into the sport beginning in 2016. From 2006 to 2016, Dan held various roles at the National Hockey League (NHL) head office in New York, focusing on marketing, retail development, and consumer product licensing. He played a key role in enhancing the NHL’s consumer relevance through strategic partnerships with major retail brands, including SportChek.