Business people : Former NFL Commissioner Joins Netshoes Board ( Brasil)

Netshoes announced that former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will join its board of directors and serve as the company’s global ambassador, working to bolster its industry ties in the U.S. and around the world. Twelve years after its founding in a parking lot in downtown São Paulo, Netshoes is already one of the world’s largest online sports and leisure retailers – even though its operations are currently limited to Latin America. Tagliabue joins the company as it prepares for expansion into new markets.

“Netshoes has shown a tremendous capacity for innovation in the online marketplace,” said Tagliabue. “I am extremely pleased to join Netshoes Board of Directors and I’m very impressed by Netshoes services in online retailing and look forward to helping Netshoes expand as a brand and continue its success as an industry leader.”

Paul Tagliabue is one of the most influential leaders in the business of sports. He served as NFL Commissioner for nearly two decades, overseeing an extended period of labor peace and revenue growth in professional football. Under Tagliabue’s leadership, the NFL grew from 28 to 32 teams, secured the largest television contracts in entertainment history, supported the construction of more than 20 team stadiums, and expanded the league’s global reach.

Prior to leading the NFL, Tagliabue was a partner at the well-known Washington D.C. law firm, Covington & Burling. Before practicing law, he served as a policy analyst in the U.S. Department of Defense. He is currently the Chairman of the Georgetown University Board of Directors and earlier chaired The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Independent Advisory Committee.

As a Netshoes Board Member, Tagliabue will also help bolster the company’s industry ties with corporate partners and the sports business community.The company is already one of the largest retailers in Latin America of many global brands, including Nike, Adidas, and Puma.

“We believe Paul will be a valuable asset to our growth in Latin America as well as internationally, and we look forward to working with him for many years to come,” says Marcio Kumruian, CEO and founder of Netshoes. “His track record at the NFL and in business make Paul an ideal partner as we seek to expand,” added Jose Rogerio Luiz, Vice President of Netshoes.

About Netshoes:
Established in 2000, Netshoes is Latin America’s largest operator of online stores for sporting and leisure goods. With operations in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, its mission is to provide best-in-class, innovative e-commerce service, 24-hours a day, and seven days a week. In addition to owning and operating Netshoes websites in each of the three countries of operations, the company manages several official online soccer club stores: Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras, Santos, Cruzeiro, Vasco, Coritiba, Atlético-PR, Monterrey, and América-MEX. In Brazil, Netshoes manages the NBA Store and other online stores for brands such as Puma, Havaianas, Globo Esporte, Saraiva Esportes, Timberland, Topper, and Mizuno. The company is a major supporter of sports, sponsoring Brazilian soccer clubs Atlético-PR, Bahia, and Santos; the NBA in Latin America; Novo Basquete Brasil (New Brazilian Basketball, orNBB); the Circuit Corpore of Running; and the Mixed Martial Arts Academy of Corinthians.