Rob Higgins

Bio

Executive Director

In June of 2004, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission named Rob Higgins as its Executive Director. Higgins’ primary responsibility is to promote the development of the Tampa Bay area’s sports scene, as well as leading the Sports Commission as the principal organization that bids on and hosts sports and entertainment events in Tampa Bay.

In the 20 years that Higgins has held his position, Tampa Bay has successfully hosted and/or been awarded the following events: 2007 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament, 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, 2008 NCAA Women’s Final Four, 2008 and 2009 ACC Football Championships, 2009 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, 2009 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship, 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Second and Third Rounds, 2012 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, 2015 NCAA Women’s Final Four, 2016 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, 2018 NHL All-Star Weekend, the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four, 2021 NFL Super Bowl LV, 2022 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, WrestleMania 37, 2023 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, 2023 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship, 2025 NCAA Women’s Final Four and 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds.

Higgins led the bid effort and served as the President/CEO of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee in addition to serving on the bid and operations committee which successfully landed and hosted Super Bowl XLIII in 2009. Higgins has an impressive list of personal accolades including being named to Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 30 under 30 list and the Tampa Bay Times named Higgins as one of the top 10 difference makers in the Tampa Bay area.

Most recently, Higgins has been named to Tampa Bay Business Journal's Power 100 for each of the last three years, while also being selected for the prestigious Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal “Forty Under 40”. He was recognized as one of the most influential sports figureheads in the history of Tampa Bay by CBS Radio, one of the top 10 most influential people in Tampa Bay by WTSP 10 News, and Huffington Post listed Higgins as one of the top 30 sports marketers in the world.

Prior to his time at the sports commission, Higgins worked for the USF Athletics Department helping oversee their facilities and event management. In addition to his regular department duties, Higgins served as the tournament manager for the 2003 NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds.

Higgins is a graduate of the University of South Florida, where he was inducted into their School of Advertising’s Hall of Fame. Rob is married to his wife Casey and they have two children, Laney and Landon.

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Written by Joey Johnston