Sean Dennison was named Northwestern Athletics’ Senior Associate A.D. of Strategic Initiatives & Communications in October 2023.
Dennison, who previously held leadership roles with the Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer, manages all athletic department communications functions, including public relations, media relations, sports information, social media and digital media. He also serves on the department’s leadership cabinet.
As the Fire's senior vice president of communications and media, Dennison was a member of the club's executive team responsible for day-to-day management of Chicago's Major League Soccer team. For four seasons, he led communications and broadcast strategy and planning for the club as it moved back to Soldier Field. He re-imagined the club's approach to broadcast, playing a leading role in aligning with WGN-TV and bringing streaming rights in-house so fans could watch matches for free on the club's website and app. He also served as Executive Producer for the club's first-ever regional Emmy nomination.
At Major League Soccer/Soccer United Marketing, Dennison oversaw all business and non-sports communications for the League and its commercial arm. He worked closely with all MLS clubs, as well as all prospective expansion groups, to support growth in each local market.
During his nearly 13 years at MLS/SUM, Dennison worked on a variety of properties including MLS, U.S. Soccer, the Mexican National Team's annual U.S. Tour, CONCACAF Gold Cup and the historic Copa America Centenario. He contributed to the success of MLS marquee events including MLS SuperDraft, MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup. He also helped launch MLS WORKS, MLS' community outreach initiative.
Dennison regularly worked with MLS media partners, including ESPN, FOX Sports and Univision, and MLS/SUM corporate partners. During his tenure, MLS was named 2008 and 2016 Sports League of the Year by Sports Business Journal.
A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Dennison earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from McGill University and a Master of Science in Sports Business from New York University. Prior to joining MLS, he held internship positions with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and IMG.
Dennison and his fiancée, Michele, live on Chicago's North Side.
Dennison, who previously held leadership roles with the Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer, manages all athletic department communications functions, including public relations, media relations, sports information, social media and digital media. He also serves on the department’s leadership cabinet.
As the Fire's senior vice president of communications and media, Dennison was a member of the club's executive team responsible for day-to-day management of Chicago's Major League Soccer team. For four seasons, he led communications and broadcast strategy and planning for the club as it moved back to Soldier Field. He re-imagined the club's approach to broadcast, playing a leading role in aligning with WGN-TV and bringing streaming rights in-house so fans could watch matches for free on the club's website and app. He also served as Executive Producer for the club's first-ever regional Emmy nomination.
At Major League Soccer/Soccer United Marketing, Dennison oversaw all business and non-sports communications for the League and its commercial arm. He worked closely with all MLS clubs, as well as all prospective expansion groups, to support growth in each local market.
During his nearly 13 years at MLS/SUM, Dennison worked on a variety of properties including MLS, U.S. Soccer, the Mexican National Team's annual U.S. Tour, CONCACAF Gold Cup and the historic Copa America Centenario. He contributed to the success of MLS marquee events including MLS SuperDraft, MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup. He also helped launch MLS WORKS, MLS' community outreach initiative.
Dennison regularly worked with MLS media partners, including ESPN, FOX Sports and Univision, and MLS/SUM corporate partners. During his tenure, MLS was named 2008 and 2016 Sports League of the Year by Sports Business Journal.
A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Dennison earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from McGill University and a Master of Science in Sports Business from New York University. Prior to joining MLS, he held internship positions with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and IMG.
Dennison and his fiancée, Michele, live on Chicago's North Side.