Black History Month Spotlight: Topps Events Marketing Manager Carley Fort

Building Live Experiences for All Fans

At 29 years old, Carley Fort is helping shape some of the most dynamic fan experiences in sports and entertainment as an Events Marketing Manager at Fanatics. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Carley has built a career rooted in creativity, strategy, and a deep commitment to community engagement.

From leading marketing efforts for large-scale activations to overseeing key event logistics, she plays a central role in bringing immersive experiences to life for thousands of fans. Her favorite project, Fanatics Fest NYC, represents both the scale of her impact and her passion for creating unforgettable moments. Through her work behind the scenes, Carley embodies the power of representation, leadership, and innovation in an industry where visibility and voice matter more than ever.

RIPPED: Can you walk us through your career journey and how you found your way into Marketing and Events work at Fanatics?

Carley Fort: My career journey has truly been a journey. In college, I was deeply immersed in the agriculture industry, which led to my first job after graduation in transportation marketing and logistics at Union Pacific Railroad. Over time, I realized the role wasn’t fueling my passion in the way I had hoped. In the middle of the pandemic, I took a leap of faith, left my job, and started over.

I was fortunate to join Verizon’s AdFellows program, which broadened my network, helped me cultivate my passion for blending creativity with logistics, and propelled me into the sports and entertainment world. After the program, I entered the agency space, creating experiences for clients such as Meta, Etsy, Carol’s Daughter, Planet Fitness, and more. I found my true calling in designing meaningful, lasting experiences and wanted to do so on an even larger scale.

From there, I transitioned to the NFL, where I supported communications and fan experiences for Super Bowl LVII and LVIII, the Pro Bowl, and the NFL Draft. That’s where my passion for fans and creating unforgettable sports moments truly sparked. When the opportunity arose to join the newly formed events team at Fanatics, I was ecstatic to help build something new and engage with fans in innovative ways. While my path has been unorthodox, each step has shaped me and contributed to my personal and professional growth.

What does your role as a Marketing Manager in events look like day to day, and what excites you most about bringing large-scale experiences to life?

No two days look the same, especially in a startup-style events department. I wear many hats. Our team produces two major events: WWE World and Fanatics Fest NYC. For WWE World, I lead marketing efforts including website updates, graphic and mobile app design, email development, announcement strategy, and identifying new opportunities to drive awareness and ticket sales.

Across both events, I also help manage ticketing pages, oversee customer service communications, and handle credentialing for thousands of staff, partners, and special groups. The work requires constant adaptability and staying on our toes as plans evolve.

While the long hours and tight deadlines can be demanding, watching a large-scale event come together is incredibly exciting. There’s nothing like seeing fans experience something you helped bring to life. It’s challenging, but to me, it’s exhilarating.

As a Black woman working in Marketing & Events, how has your perspective shaped the way you approach storytelling, community engagement, and live experiences?

As a Black woman, I strive to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. That includes working with diverse influencers and creators, ensuring accessibility across our events, and, as the great Shirley Chisholm said, bringing my folding chair to the table when there isn’t a seat so I can speak up and share a different perspective.

If you ask anyone I’ve worked with, they’ll tell you I’m not afraid to share ideas or push for innovation. In an industry that highlights predominantly Black and Brown athletes, I believe it’s especially important that our work and our people reflect and respect those communities.

It’s also important to me to show up physically and represent on-site. Through credentialing and registration, I’m often one of the first people attendees encounter, whether they’re excited, frustrated, or in a rush. I see those moments as opportunities to lead with empathy, be a welcoming presence, and demonstrate what diversity, advocacy, and leadership look like in action.

Events play a major role in how fans connect with brands. What makes an event feel authentic and meaningful rather than transactional?

This is a question our events team keeps front of mind. From my perspective, three key elements make an event feel authentic: the staff, intentional content, and ease of navigation.

First, welcoming and diverse staff signal thoughtfulness and inclusivity. When fans see themselves reflected in the people assisting them, it creates comfort and connection.

Second, intentional content matters. We strive for diversity across sports, consistently highlight women’s sports, and celebrate the ways athletes and celebrities impact their communities beyond the game. Our content team collaborates closely with the entire events team to ensure we continue to innovate and grow. When I see something or have an idea, they are always open to exploring how we can incorporate it into the event experience.

Finally, ease of navigation is critical. From the moment fans enter the perimeter, we want them to feel that their experience has been thoughtfully designed through clear pre-event communications, app maps, and accessible information. When fans can plan their day and move confidently through the event, they get more value from their time.

These elements aren’t everything, but they go a long way in creating experiences that feel authentic, enjoyable, and truly fan-first.

Have there been moments where you had to carve out your own space or advocate for yourself, and what did you learn?

Absolutely. As a Black woman in a male-dominated industry, advocating for myself has always been essential. I ask questions, observe, and look for opportunities to create meaningful change. I strive to bring solutions, maintain a positive attitude, and lead with confidence — all values my parents instilled in me at a very young age.

I’ve learned that it’s not just what you do, but how you do it and how you communicate. When I advocate for myself, I frame it in terms of how my growth benefits the team. I come prepared, work hard, and tackle challenges head-on.

Speaking up has been critical, but speaking with confidence and influence has made the difference. Building authentic relationships allows people to know me not only as a professional but as a person. Growth doesn’t happen in a silo or within comfort zones, and I’ve embraced that truth throughout my career.

What has been the most rewarding event or campaign you’ve worked on at Fanatics, and why?

Being part of Fanatics Events since the beginning and helping bring Fanatics Fest NYC to life has been incredibly rewarding. Watching the show grow from concept to execution was surreal. People often joke that you have to be a little crazy to work in events, and honestly, it’s true.

The long nights, constant changes, and creative problem-solving are exhilarating to me. This event ignited my passion for what’s possible and showed just how much we can achieve when we push boundaries and work together. I can’t wait to see where we go from here.

How important is representation behind the scenes, and what does visibility in leadership mean to you?

Representation matters now more than ever. Behind the scenes, it shapes how athletes and celebrities perceive the organizations they work with. Internally, representation in leadership shows employees what’s possible for their own careers.

We work in an industry that highlights predominantly Black and Brown athletes, so our workforce and leadership should reflect that reality. True diversity isn’t just about optics; it’s about bringing different backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives into positions where they can create real impact.

When I was younger, I didn’t even know careers like this existed. I want to be an example for Black and Brown kids, showing them there are many paths to success and encouraging them to find passion beyond the glitz and glamour of the sports and entertainment industry.

Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to make, and what advice would you give to young Black women interested in marketing or event production?

I hope to continue being the representation I speak about. Whenever our team hosts events in the community, I am the first to raise my hand to participate because I want people to see diversity and possibility reflected in our work.

To young Black women interested in marketing and event production, there is no single “right” path. Don’t forget to pull up a seat at the table, even when it feels uncomfortable. We’re often told to shrink because we’re “too much,” but that “too much” is exactly what the right spaces need. When that energy is cultivated and nurtured correctly, there’s no telling what can happen.

From my own experience, I have felt the impact of strong mentorship and support systems that helped propel me to new heights. Don’t be afraid to try new things, make bold moves, and take leaps of faith. Lean on your community. So many Black women have helped me along my journey, and I hope to continue lifting others as we climb together.

Topps Black History Spotlight FAQs

• Who is Carley Fort at Fanatics?
  • Carley Fort is an Events Marketing Manager at Fanatics who oversees marketing strategy, ticketing communications, and on-site logistics for large-scale fan events like Fanatics Fest NYC and WWE World.
• What events has Carley Fort worked on?
  • She has supported major events including Super Bowl LVII, Super Bowl LVIII, the Pro Bowl, the NFL Draft, WWE World, and Fanatics Fest NYC.
• What does an Events Marketing Manager do at Fanatics?
  • The role includes marketing strategy, website updates, mobile app planning, email campaigns, ticketing oversight, credentialing management, and ensuring seamless fan experiences from entry to exit.
• Why is representation important in sports marketing?
  • Representation ensures diverse voices shape experiences in an industry centered around diverse athletes and fan communities. It builds trust, authenticity, and long-term engagement.

Key Facts:

• Events Marketing Manager at Fanatics
• Leads marketing for WWE World and Fanatics Fest NYC
• Former NFL events contributor (Super Bowl LVII & LVIII)
• Verizon AdFellows alum
• Advocate for diversity and representation in sports marketing

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