Red Sox executive to run Hartford team, venues

Red Sox executive Charles Steedman has been named senior vice president and general manager for Northland AEG LLC, a sports and entertainment company in Connecticut, today.

Steedman spent the last seven years marketing the Red Sox, negotiating movie and broadcasting deals that helped build the team into a global brand. Now Northland AEG wants him to do the same for the American Hockey League team it owns, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Steedman will be in charge of expanding the company's operations in Hartford, which including managing the city's sports and entertainment venues, the XL Center and Rentschler Field, as well as the business operations of the Wolf Pack.

"The Red Sox loss is certainly a big win for the Northland AEG team," said Larry Lucchino, president and chief executive officer of the Red Sox. "I'm confident that Chuck will put his fine skills to much needed use in making Hartford a true sports and entertainment destination."

Since 2001, Steedman has worked with New England Sports Ventures, the parent company of the Boston Red Sox, New England Sports Network, and Fenway Sports Group. Most recently, he has served a dual role as executive vice president of Fenway Sports Group and also vice president of Fenway Enterprises and broadcasting for the Red Sox.

While working for the team, Steedman brokered the largest radio broadcast agreement in major league baseball history and led the deal that landed the Red Sox being featured in the big-screen motion picture, "Fever Pitch."

Steedman started his career in sports and entertainment at the University of Connecticut, where he spent six years as a director of athletic marketing.

"His experience, knowledge of the market, strong UConn ties and proven marketing skills are just what Northland AEG needs to increase fan attendance and take Hartford to the next level," Northland's chief operating officer, Bob Newman, said.
(By Angel Jennings, Globe correspondent)