Last modified: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Successful sports and entertainment entrepreneur to address Kelley School of Business MBA graduates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Steve Bellamy, a sports and media entrepreneur who is chairman and chief executive officer of The Ski Channel television network, will speak on May 2 at a recognition event for MBA graduates of Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.
Steve Bellamy
The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the IU Auditorium, 1211 E. Seventh St.
In 2007, Bellamy founded The Ski Channel, which maintains distribution partnerships with Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Brighthouse Networks. It broadcasts events, movies, destination travel and news related to sports and activities that take place in the mountains in both the summer and winter.
Known for his forward-thinking entrepreneurial spirit, Bellamy also founded The Tennis Channel in a shed in his backyard with seed money acquired from credit cards and hocking his guitar collection. The Tennis Channel is available in every market in America and holds the broadcast rights to nearly every major event in tennis. Bellamy additionally owns and operates several other ventures in sports, television and film.
"We are honored that Steve has agreed to speak at the Kelley School of Business MBA graduate recognition event," said Dan Smith, dean of the Kelley School. "Steve is a model of all that we value at the Kelley School. He is a true visionary in the area of sports and entertainment and has the can-do entrepreneurial spirit that is the hallmark of the Kelley School. We are proud of all that he has accomplished thus far and grateful for all the many ways he contributes to the school's mission. He's an inspiration to us all."
Presented with the Kelley School's Distinguished Entrepreneur Award in 2005, Bellamy maintains close ties to the school.
"I am jazzed to get back to Bloomington to see the campus and meet the graduates," he said. "Some of my fondest moments in life were during my time in Bloomington."
Bellamy, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the Kelley School in 1986, spent his college years fronting Johnny Major and the Minors, a band that played the Bluebird, Jake's and many other venues around Bloomington and the Midwest.
He was the founder of The Tennis Channel Open Tennis Tournament in Las Vegas and was given the key to the city of Las Vegas from Mayor Oscar Goodman. In conjunction with the channel, he is launching Ski Channel Film Festival and is the owner of the Palisades Tennis Center, Westwood Tennis Center, LA Golf Academy and Atonal Films, which produces documentaries. Atonal's first film, "Mousetrap to Mars," was completed in March.
The Sports Business Journal added Bellamy to its list of the top 10 most influential people in tennis and he was named Tennis Person of the Year in 2005. That award has since been named "The Bellamy" in his honor. He has appeared frequently on television and radio and has graced the covers of Tennis Week and independent business magazines. Steve and his wife Beth, a former NCAA singles champion and top 20 professional tennis player, have four children. They reside in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
The Ski Channel (www.theskichannel.com) is an original, ad-supported network delivered via video on demand Web, wireless and other means of distribution. It is the only cable television network devoted to the wide variety of year-round mountain activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, backpacking and climbing, along with many off-slope activities. Its magazine and reality shows, movies, events and other programs also focus on destination travel, equipment, instruction and real estate. Its corporate partners include Time Warner Cable, Panasonic, Marquis Jets, Fender Guitars, Mirage Resorts, Rage Films and Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley.
