Bottom Line: Cole was selected as one of “College football’s 25 most powerful people” in USAToday in its August 27, 2025 edition. Cole Gahagan, originally from Natchitoches, Louisiana, is a proven sports media executive who has transformed Learfield into college athletics’ dominant technology and media platform through strategic innovation, financial restructuring, and market expansion.
Industry Power & Influence
Cole has established himself as one of college football’s 25 most powerful people according to USA TODAY Sports, ranking 15th on their 2025 list. His influence stems from leading Learfield’s transformation from its origins as a farm radio network into a major player in the business of college sports, serving as a conduit for a variety of deals, from stadium naming rights to media rights to engineering more than $140 million in NIL sponsorship agreements in 2025. This recognition places him among the sport’s most influential decision-makers, alongside conference commissioners, television executives, and coaching legends.
Background & Leadership Experience
Cole was born and raised in Natchitoches, Louisiana, having attended Natchitoches Central High School where he was active in sports and represented the school at Louisiana Boys State where he was elected Lt. Governor. He subsequently graduated from TCU and received an MBA from SMU in Dallas, TX. Cole is the son of Coley and Sharon Gahagan who, until recently, resided in Natchitoches for over 55 years.
Cole is married to the former Jacqueline Copp and they are the parents of two children, Henry IV and Anabell. Henry IV has committed to Brown University in Providence R.I. where he has been accepted for admission as a pitcher for the “Brown Bears”. Cole and his family now reside in Dallas, Texas.
Currently serving as President and CEO of Learfield, the largest sports media and technology company in college athletics, Cole brought extensive experience from senior executive roles at major entertainment companies, including Chief Commercial Officer at Fanatics and leadership positions at Ticketmaster and Live Nation. His background spans revenue generation, strategy development, and commercial operations across the sports and entertainment ecosystem.
Strategic Achievements
Since joining Learfield in early 2020, Cole has spearheaded comprehensive business transformation across multiple fronts. He completed the Fanbase data platform, creating college athletics’ most robust data infrastructure serving 130 schools and reaching over 150 million fans. His launch of the proprietary Fan365 programmatic advertising product expanded digital programs by over 100% across 15,000+ brand partners. Additionally, he established Learfield Studios in 2021, which has become one of the largest content engines in US sports, producing over 1,500 content units and generating 435 million fan impressions.
Market Innovation
Cole positioned Learfield as the industry leader in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) monetization following the 2021 rule changes. Through Learfield Allied, he created comprehensive NIL programs spanning over 100 school properties, 2,300+ student-athletes, and 500+ sponsor campaigns. His partnership with the University of Alabama resulted in the groundbreaking Advantage Center, the first dedicated NIL campus content facility.
Financial Leadership
Cole demonstrated exceptional crisis management during COVID-19, maintaining business continuity and achieving record growth rates post-pandemic. He secured over $240 million in growth capital in 2021 and orchestrated a landmark 2023 recapitalization that reduced long-term debt by $600+ million while securing $150 million in new equity investment, significantly strengthening the company’s financial foundation.
Industry Recognition
His leadership has earned recognition through Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award, Leaders in Sport’s Leaders Under 40 Award. Ernest and Young, CPAs named Cole Gahagan, as the 2024 Southwest regional winner of the Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for revitalizing Learfield and reimagining the college sports industry through innovative data, media, and technology solutions. Additionally, Cole was included on Billboard Magazine’s Top 25 Digital Players in Entertainment list, establishing him as a visionary in sports media and technology innovation.
