Rob Stecklow: Scoring Big in Sports Marketing

2026

by Alisha Katz, APR, MAMC

A veteran in sports and entertainment marketing, Rob Stecklow, has seen the landscape evolve dramatically over the past two decades.

“The industry has grown so much and there’s so much change…I’ve really tried along my career to be someone who can adapt with that [change],” said Stecklow, the senior vice president of marketing at Paramount+.

Today, he oversees marketing for Paramount+ streaming service for all CBS content, encompassing news, primetime, original content and his passion – sports. Notably, in his role, he supports some of the industry’s high-profile sporting events, including the NFL and Super Bowl, March Madness, and the Masters.

But, in addition to producing multifaceted awareness campaigns and propelling Paramount+ forward, Stecklow finds the time to give back to the next generation of industry leaders by serving on the UF College of Health & Human Performance Department of Sport Management’s Industry Advisory Board.

“There are so many young students who want to work in sports now,” Stecklow said. “What we [the board] try to explain to students is that it’s not just [working with]sports leagues and teams.”

Working With the Big Leagues

During his tenure, Stecklow has worked for several sports, media and entertainment giants. Starting in television production at the UF College of Journalism & Communications, he has since ascended to more senior roles in marketing, like overseeing sporting event sponsorships at Verizon and developing advertising strategies for the NFL – testaments to the endless possibilities within the industry.

“A lot of the motivation has been [around] what kind of value can I bring if I move to a new place or stay within an organization and stay ahead of the trends,” Stecklow said.

In 2022, he joined Paramount+ to bolster the streaming platform in a saturated marketplace. This included adding global sporting events that are rising in popularity in the U.S., like the UEFA Champions League, to Paramount+ lineup.

“For a fan, you really have the ability to watch a lot of content from all over the globe, even if it’s a niche sport that maybe isn’t mainstream,” Stecklow said.

In addition to expanding content offerings, he has stayed relevant to trends, such as featuring passionate fans through influencer marketing, launching more sophisticated social activations and gathering existing customer insights in real time to market new promotions. Looking ahead, Stecklow is intrigued on how he may be able to tap into the potential use of AI for sports and entertainment marketing.

But when reflecting on his career in full, some of his most impactful experiences have extended far beyond strategic planning and centered around the greater good of the industry, like supporting the NFL’s Take-A-Player-To-School program with former professional football quarterback Donovan McNabb and helping to facilitate an NFL fundraising telethon shortly after Hurricane Katrina. 

Guiding Future Gators Grads

Now entering its third year, the department’s industry advisory board is focused on recruiting professionals, like Stecklow, who have a close pulse on the industry and are eager to see Gators thrive. Although he’s a Gator alum but not a graduate of the UF College of Health & Human Performance, his industry knowledge and passion for connecting with and preparing students post-graduation have helped shape the board’s priorities. This has included identifying potential industry partners for internship opportunities, educating students about “the massive ecosystem of sports jobs” and addressing industry needs with faculty. Additionally, Stecklow and the board have prioritized researching sporting events and industry conferences for student engagement opportunities and finding funding sources to support these students.  “For me, I love working with students,” Stecklow said. “I’ve seen students respond really well to talking to alumni and never seem to shy away from an opportunity to get on a Zoom. Whether you’re an alumni or you’re in this part of the business and you want to impact the future generation, it’s [board participation] a really great way to connect with students.”

Read more content from UF HHP’s Performance Magazine.