About Greg Avioli
Greg Avioli, a seasoned CEO and adept attorney, brings extensive industry expertise to the table. He possesses a wealth of experience in successfully maneuvering through intricate regulatory finance and business matters. Above all else, Greg has a passion that led him to work extensively in the horse racing industry.
In 1998, Greg Avioli became a part of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), where he gained recognition for his multifaceted contributions. His roles within the organization spanned from general counsel to deputy commissioner, chief operating officer, and interim CEO.
Greg Avioli’s impactful tenure at the NTRA paved the way for his appointment as the CEO of Breeder’s Cup, Ltd in 2007. Over the subsequent six years, he dedicated himself to expanding the Breeders’ Cup Championship, transforming it into a two-day event with annual purses exceeding twenty million dollars. Greg’s achievements were acknowledged in 2008 when he was featured in Sports Business Daily’s list of “six people to watch in the horse racing industry.”
In 2011, Greg Avioli embarked on the next chapter of his career by assuming the roles of CEO and president at Stronach Group. In this capacity, he supervised MI Development’s racing properties and took on broader responsibilities. Subsequently, he transitioned to Managing Director at Teneo Strategy, where he played a crucial role in advising multinational clients in the gaming, entertainment, and sports sectors. A few years later, Mr. Avioli took on the role of Executive Vice President at b spot(™), overseeing licensing, regulatory matters, and government affairs for the US legal online gambling platform.
In 2015, Greg Avioli assumed the position of President and CEO of Thoroughbred Owners of California. In this capacity, he took the helm of the trade association, championing the commercial interests of more than seven thousand horse owners. His responsibilities included negotiating for owners’ shares in wagering and advocating with state regulators and legislators on various issues, including animal welfare.
Greg Avioli has seen horse racing from almost every angle through his work in forming and managing the sport’s first national league office (NTRA) and political action committee(HORSEPAC), then serving in succession as CEO for the Breeders Cup (world championships of horseracing), the Stronach Group (leading operator of racetracks in US) and the Thoroughbred Owners of California (largest horsemen association in the world). From those experiences, he understands both the beauty and power of the sport but also the serious challenges it faces in the 21st century with increasing competition from other forms of entertainment and gaming and animal welfare concerns. He has always stressed the importance for the industry to adapt, be open to change, and try to expand its fanbase. As one example, Greg Avioli is most proud of the remarkably strong partnership he personally forged between the NTRA and Breeders Cup and ESPN, which led to exceptional coverage and promotion from the world’s largest sports network for more than five years.
While Greg Avioli harbors various interests and passions, his calling has consistently been in business, finance, and law. Graduating at the pinnacle of his class at UNC Law with a focus on Constitutional law, one of his favorite subjects to discuss, Greg has wholeheartedly embraced the challenge of launching and nurturing new businesses from their inception.
Greg Avioli has always had a curious mind. As such, he loves learning and reading. Naturally, this love of reading has evolved into a love of writing, resulting in a forming novel and several worthwhile blogs (linked below).
To learn more about Greg Avioli, visit his Travel or Law and Legal Real Estate sites.
