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Mr. Benz has been at the forefront of sports business issues for more than 14 years. At AVP, Mr. Benz is responsible for business, legal, and government affairs, strategy, international, and business development. Prior to joining AVP in May 2007, Mr. Benz was VP of Business and Legal Affairs and corporate secretary at A2 Holdings, LLC, a startup boxing and media venture. Before joining A2, Mr. Benz was the General Counsel, Secretary, Managing Director of Government Affairs, and Ethics Officer for the United States Olympic Committee, where he served in a variety of business and legal roles (including overseeing HR, anti-doping, and international). He was involved in managing nearly all US Olympic issues during his 5 year tenure. In 1998 and 1999, Mr. Benz was a member of the Special Bid Oversight Commission, headed by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, appointed by the USOC to investigate allegations concerning bidding for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and to make recommendations for reform. Prior to joining the USOC, Mr. Benz was engaged in law practice in San Francisco, where he represented athletes and sports bodies in disputes and sponsorships. Mr. Benz is a member of the panel of arbitrators for the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the boards of the Sports Lawyers Association and National Sports Law Institute. Mr. Benz received his B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from the University of Texas. | 