Cory Howerton

Director of Sales

PH: 414-908-6349

Cory Howerton joined the Milwaukee Wave in May of 2010 and serves as the team’s Director of Sales. Howertons’ responsibilities include oversight of ticket sales, retention and operations; sponsorship sales and development. . Prior to joining the Wave, Howerton served as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the St. Louis Cardinals class A affiliate located in Davenport, Iowa. There, Howerton was responsible for overseeing game operations, merchandise, public relations, suite, sponsorship and ticket sales programs. While in Iowa, Howerton directed an overall attendance increase of 56% in 2008, working through the most rainouts in all of minor league baseball. Under Howerton’s direction, the team drew 207,000 total fans, just under 3,500 guests per game . In 2009, total attendance increased to more than 236,000, the highest total attendance for the Davenport based club since 1995. Over those two seasons combined, attendance soared by 64 percent on a per-game basis (2,254 to 3,694) and 59 percent on a season-long basis (148,773 to 236,401), both the largest attendance increases in the country. In addition, Howerton spearheaded the team sponsorship programs which led to a double digit increases each season and a 97% retention rate, the highest amongst all Midwest league teams, and a merchandise program that more than doubled per cap revenue in 2009. Prior to his appointment in Davenport, Howerton spent time as the group sales director of the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics and WNBA’s Seattle Storm. During his tenure in Seattle, both teams saw increases at the gate, and twice set group sales records in both the NBA and WNBA. While leading an inside sales team of 15 and a group sales staff of 10, Howerton developed metric driven programs that are now used by a number of major league teams to track sales activity and success ratios. Howerton is a sought after speaker on a variety of topics, including sports management, team marketing, game presentation and event ticket sales. Howerton also is asked to speak frequently to members of the Autism community on a number of issues. Cory and his wife Melinda have two children on the autism spectrum, and are active in both fundraising and advocacy programs in the greater Milwaukee area. Cory and Melinda reside in Franklin, WI with their four children, Chandler, Alyssa, Spencer and Kadence.