Tameka Rish

SVP, Fan, Game, Associate and Ticket Experience

“Thank you, Tameka Rish, SVP of Fan, Game, Associate & Ticket Experience, for sharing your journey!

Tameka oversees the full fan experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium — from ticket purchase to game-day entertainment and the frontline associates who bring it all to life. With degrees in Journalism and Sports Management, she discovered her true passion in the business side of sports and grew her career by always saying yes to stretch opportunities and new challenges.

A true trailblazer, Tameka has helped clear the path for women coming behind her by leading without a traditional playbook. She believes sponsorship — leaders actively advocating for talent — is just as vital as mentorship, and that diverse voices make organizations stronger.

What she loves most is the competition, the team camaraderie, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Her advice: commit fully, don’t turn back when it gets tough, and keep pushing forward — this industry needs you..”

– Zara

Please describe your role & responsibilities at that position?

I oversee the driveway to driveway journey of the fans attending events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium including buying their ticket, working to solve issues on that journey, game day entertainment, and our associates experience bringing it all to life.

What did you study in college and how did your educational background shape your career in the sports industry?

I studied journalism in undergrad and sports management in grad school. I started working in football doing coaches video to learn the camera. I feel in love with the business of sports over covering sports.

Can you share the key milestones in your career that led you to your current position in the sports industry?

I would say always being willing to say yes to stretch assignments. Whether that was helping the sponsorship team with the Texans while I was working in customer service as an intern to taking on planning all of our events around our Super Bowl run. Getting different exposure to different people and having them see your capabilities in different lights.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in the sports business, & how have you overcome them?

I would say being a woman in sports often means being a trailblazer. I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, so I’m very familiar with trails. The longer a trail has been established, the easier it is to navigate. But being the first person to create it takes a lot of work. That’s what it has felt like at times in my career—there wasn’t always a clear path or a playbook for someone who looked like me in certain rooms. I understand why the word “trailblazer” is used, because it’s hard. But it’s also incredibly rewarding to look back and see other women coming behind you, moving forward with a little less friction because you helped clear the way.

​Balancing a career is demanding. How do you manage a work-life balance? What strategies have worked well for you?

Sports is not a traditional work–life balance career. We work when everyone else is off—weekends, holidays—creating the events people choose for their free time. I think you have to be honest with yourself about what you’re signing up for. Because we often work six days a week, we also tend to have more flexibility during the week to take care of the things we need to get done—but you still have to be very intentional. You have to determine the things that are most important to you and set boundaries around them so they don’t get lost in the schedule.

For me, traveling is my joy outside of work. I love going to new countries, and that’s how I truly unplug. I’ve also learned how important it is to have people in your life who understand the commitment. I would even say it’s often harder on the people we love than it is on us—we’re passionate about our work and genuinely enjoy doing it, and they are often the ones making the greater sacrifice in terms of time. My mom worked in healthcare when I was growing up, so we always planned holidays around her schedule—my family is used to that kind of lifestyle.

It’s just as important to find a partner who understands the lifestyle and to be intentional so they never feel like they’re on the sidelines. I love a rare weekend with no events, just doing normal, routine things with the people I love.

How important is mentorship for women in the sports industry? Have you had mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career and can give some details?

I think mentorship is great but sponsorship is better. Who is going to say I am going to take an active role in making sure this person is successful.

In a male-dominated industry, do you feel women are given equal opportunities? What steps do you think can be taken to promote gender equality in the sports industry?

In many male-dominated industries, women still don’t have equal opportunities because people tend to hire and promote those who look and think like they do. When organizations really embrace different perspectives, they get stronger and more competitive.

What aspects of your work in the sports industry do you enjoy the most? What parts do you find the most challenging ?

What I love most about working in sports is the competition. I love going head-to-head, on and off the field, with some of the most talented people in our industry every week and proving what we can do. I also love that we’re not just running events—we’re creating memories and experiences that people carry with them for a lifetime, from childhood all the way through the end of their lives. And I love my team. I’m incredibly proud of the people I get to work with on a daily basis and the way we keep raising our own bar—pushing each other to get better while still having each other’s backs.

What advice do you have for young women aspiring to build a successful career in the sports industry?

Do it. Commit to it and do it—we need you in this industry. Don’t turn around when it gets tough; that’s usually where the growth happens. You’ve got this, and I’ll be cheering for you every step of the way on your journey.

What is your long-term personal goal that you still want to achieve both business wise and personal?

From a business standpoint I would love to lead a team one day. From a personal standpoint I want to focus more on family and my time with them. They have sacrificed a ton for me to be where I am.

Any fun facts or interesting things you’d like the world to learn about you? Favorite food, hobbies, pet peeves, etc.?

Favorite food groups are cheese and chocolate. Love to travel to new countries and gain experiences over stuff. A dog mom to a boxer named Vader. I hate when people complain without a solution.