President & CEO
Sam Kennedy is in his 22nd season with the Red Sox and his eighth as President and Chief Executive Officer. Since joining the club, he has played a key role in the renaissance of the Red Sox that has included four World Series Championships, the preservation and protection of Fenway Park, and the expansion of its operation beyond baseball.
With nearly 30 years of experience working in Major League Baseball, Kennedy joined the Red Sox in 2002 after six years with the San Diego Padres from 1996-2001. He began his career as an intern for the New York Yankees in 1993.
Kennedy serves as Chairman of the President's Working Group (PWG), a sub-committee of Major League Baseball's Business and Media Committee convened at the direction of the Commissioner to identify and address critical business issues facing the game, facilitate communication amongst Clubs, and identify best practices and strategic goals throughout the industry. He also serves on MLB's International Committee, charged with growing the game across the globe.
In addition to leading the Red Sox front office and his expanded involvement with Major League Baseball, Kennedy oversees Fenway Sports Management (FSM) and serves as Chief Executive for the global sports marketing firm. FSM specializes in partnership sales, consulting, and the pursuit of new lines of business for parent company Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
Kennedy also holds the role of Chief Executive of Fenway Sports Group Real Estate (FSGRE), which oversees the real estate acquisitions, development, and management of properties owned by FSG in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston and in Southwest Florida.
In March 2021, Kennedy became a partner in FSG, formally joining the ownership group alongside new investors RedBird Capital, LeBron James, and Maverick Carter. Since that time, he has established and led a strategy and business development team made up of FSG executives and partners charged with researching and exploring opportunities for the company's future growth.
During his tenure, Kennedy has received many recognitions including Boston Business Journal's 40 under 40 Award. He was later inducted into the Sports Business Journal's 40 under 40 Hall of Fame, comprised of multi-year recipients of the honor who are among the most influential and creative young professionals in the industry.
Kennedy serves on the Board of Trustees for the Winsor School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Camp Harbor View.
A native of Boston, MA, who grew up within walking distance of Fenway Park, Kennedy is a former captain of the baseball team at Brookline High with friend and classmate Theo Epstein. Kennedy graduated from Trinity College (CT) in 1995. He and his wife of 24 years, Amanda, reside in the Boston area with their 19 year-old son, Jimmy, and 18-year-old daughter, Ally.