Steve Mayer

Steve Mayer joined the NHL in December 2015 as executive vice president and executive producer of programming and creative development. Shortly after his appointment, he was promoted to chief content officer and senior executive vice president. In his role, Mayer oversees the Events & Entertainment department at the NHL, as well as the production and distribution of all original NHL content. Since joining the NHL, he has been the creative force behind several of the league’s most buzz-worthy moments and storytelling initiatives.

As the head of NHL Original Productions, Mayer has delivered a myriad of successful NHL projects from concept to completion, including the Emmy-nominated Quest For The Stanley Cup, Road to the NHL Winter Classic, The Great One on 1 with Wayne Gretzky, Hockey 101 with Snoop Dogg, Skates Off, Cup Confidential, Behind the Glass, Lazlo Holmes (featuring Chance the Rapper), and many others.

Mayer is the executive producer for each NHL tentpole event, including the NHL Winter Classic, NHL All-Star Game, NHL Stadium Series, NHL Heritage Classic, NHL Awards, and NHL Draft. Due to his strong connections in music and entertainment, Mayer and his team have organized and booked notable celebrity talent and music artists for NHL initiatives. His “out of the box” innovative thinking is his signature and has won kudos from critics and NHL fans alike, as the NHL events have become known as “some of the best in all of sports.”

During the 2019-20 season, the NHL suspended play due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mayer, under the leadership of commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly, was instrumental in the NHL’s return to play in the summer of 2020. Mayer and his staff of more than 150 people spearheaded the creation and administration of two secure zones (bubbles) in Edmonton and Toronto to the successful conclusion of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Over the course of 65 days, 130 games were contested in Edmonton and Toronto and 33,394 COVID-19 tests were administered – with zero positive results – enabling the NHL to crown a 2020 Stanley Cup Champion. With no fans in attendance for the games, Mayer was the creative visionary behind the fan-focused elements of the made-for-television game broadcasts.

Prior to joining the NHL, Mayer spent 20 years with IMG. Most recently, he served as IMG’s executive producer and SVP of IMG Productions, the world’s largest producer of sports programming.

Mayer was the producer of several network variety specials, including the NHL Awards (NBC), NBA All-Star All-Style (TNT), Hall of Game Awards (Cartoon Network), Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (CBS), Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials (CBS), Tony Awards Preview Show (CBS), Miss Universe (NBC/Fox) World’s and Year’s Funniest Commercials (TBS/ Spike), and Christmas at Rockefeller Center (NBC).

Mayer also has a number of highly acclaimed reality and documentary shows on his production resume, including A Season with Notre Dame Football (Showtime), Hoops U (Showtime), NHL Revealed (NBC/CBC), Race to the Altar (NBC), I’d Do Anything (ESPN), Manhunt (Bravo), Battle of the Network Stars (NBC), Better Half (Bravo), Battle of the Gridiron Stars (ESPN), and Beer Money (SNY). In addition, he has produced hundreds of live sporting events, including the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement, Ryder Cup Opening/Closing Ceremonies, and numerous halftime shows for the NFL.

A winner of nine Emmys and three Ace Awards, Mayer has produced five Olympic games, including Bravo’s Olympic coverage from London in 2012. He also produced the Morning Show at the Olympic games in Sydney for NBC. Other notable industry honors include Sports Business Journal’s "Most Influential in Sports Business", and The Hockey News’ "Top 100 People of Power and Influence", among others.

Over his career, Mayer has produced hundreds of tennis events and has been lead producer for the Australian, French, and US Opens. For ten years, he was the executive producer of the New York City Marathon for ESPN. Mayer is a graduate of Ithaca College. A native of Union, NJ, he currently lives in West Caldwell, NJ.

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