Global sports organizations now operate as digital-first enterprises. From live broadcasts and fan engagement platforms to athlete data, ticketing, and global events, the cyber risk surface is enormous, and constantly visible. The security leaders below protect not just systems and data, but the integrity, continuity, and trust behind the world’s most influential sports brands.
Tomas Maldonado – Chief Information Security Officer, National Football League (NFL)
Tomas Maldonado operates at the intersection of cybersecurity, data, cloud, and artificial intelligence for one of the most visible organizations in the world. As CISO of the NFL, his remit extends far beyond traditional security, encompassing technology architecture, data risk, AI governance, and enterprise resilience across the league’s global digital ecosystem.
He is responsible for protecting the personal data and digital interactions of tens of millions of fans, securing SEAR 1–designated Super Bowl operations, and enabling international expansion through initiatives such as the NFL International Series Games. Tomas regularly briefs the NFL’s 96-member Board of Directors, aligning cyber risk, innovation, and operational resilience at the highest levels.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning financial services, media, manufacturing, and technology, including senior roles at JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, and Schroders, he brings a rare, multi-industry perspective to digital trust at global scale.
Steve Grossman – Chief Information Security Officer, National Basketball Association (NBA)
Steve Grossman serves as Senior Vice President and CISO of the NBA, overseeing global cybersecurity across fan platforms, broadcast systems, events, regional offices, teams, and league operations. With more than two decades at the NBA, he has built and evolved a best-in-class security program designed to operate at the speed and scale of global sports entertainment.
Steve has led the strategic adoption of virtualization, containerization, platform consolidation, and public and hybrid cloud architectures, ensuring secure, resilient, and fiscally responsible operations. His leadership has positioned the NBA as an industry leader in secure digital transformation, balancing innovation with availability and redundancy across high-visibility events and media platforms.
His long tenure reflects deep institutional knowledge, trusted executive partnership, and a consistent focus on keeping the NBA ahead of emerging cyber threats.
Neil Boland – CISO & SVP, Technology & Security, Major League Baseball (MLB)
Neil Boland has served as CISO and Senior Vice President of Technology & Security at Major League Baseball for over 16 years, making him one of the longest-tenured cybersecurity leaders in global sports. He is responsible for securing MLB’s technology platforms, digital media operations, and league-wide systems that support teams, fans, and partners worldwide.
Beyond MLB, Neil is a trusted industry advisor, serving on advisory boards for Zoom, Okta, Palo Alto Networks, and previously Carbon Black. His influence extends into shaping how leading technology providers approach security at scale. With a background spanning consulting, technology leadership, and entrepreneurship, Neil is widely respected for his ability to communicate complex risk to executive audiences while maintaining a strong operational foundation.
His career reflects sustained leadership in a sector where availability, trust, and brand protection are paramount.
Jorge Oliveira e Carmo, CIPM, CISSP – Head of Data Protection & Cybersecurity Risk, FIFA
Jorge Oliveira e Carmo leads FIFA’s global data protection and cybersecurity risk function, securing one of the most complex and high-profile digital ecosystems in the world. Since 2020, he has built and led a high-impact team responsible for protecting FIFA’s infrastructure across ticketing, media, partnerships, esports, and international tournaments.
Jorge plays a central role in securing major global events, safeguarding billions of digital interactions while collaborating with law enforcement, regulators, technology partners, and FIFA’s Member Associations. He also leads engagement with regulators worldwide, ensuring compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and emerging AI regulations.
With experience across healthcare, energy, finance, sports, and international events, and credentials including CIPM and CISSP, Jorge is known for embedding privacy and security as strategic enablers of digital transformation at global scale.
Jerome Demolis – Head of IT Governance and Security, UEFA
Jerome Demolis oversees IT governance and security for UEFA, ensuring that both corporate systems and major event technologies operate securely, efficiently, and in full regulatory compliance. His role spans enterprise architecture, data governance, information security strategy, and crisis management across UEFA’s global operations.
With more than 20 years of experience in IT and digital transformation, Jerome has led large-scale governance programs, security initiatives, and regulatory compliance efforts, including GDPR and data protection frameworks. He is deeply involved in stakeholder management and change leadership, guiding complex transformation programs while maintaining operational stability.
Known for his hands-on leadership style and agile mindset, Jerome brings a balanced approach to governance, risk, and innovation, critical for securing football’s most prestigious competitions and digital platforms.
Protecting the Game Beyond the Field
From Super Bowls and World Cups to global broadcasts and fan platforms, these leaders protect far more than networks; they safeguard trust, continuity, and the global experience of sport itself. Their work ensures that innovation, competition, and connection can thrive securely on the world’s biggest stages.