On Thursday, the University Athletic Association announced it hired Michael Ceilley as Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Commercial Officer.
The position opened following the $2.8 billion House Settlement that was approved in June.
Since the decision, the university has sought ways to compensate their athletes and maximize revenue streams.
Ceilley will take on the newly created role to expand the economic opportunities for Gators athletics.
"This is an exciting time for Florida athletics as we continue to look for innovative ways to grow and support our programs," UF athletic director Scott Stricklin said. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael and his family to the Gator Nation."
Ceilley will be responsible for identifying, developing and executing integrated strategies to increase revenue streams across Florida's athletic department. His role includes working alongside internal and external stakeholders to provide oversight of marketing, communications, NIL opportunities and other factors connected to the financial success of the UAA.
The 46-year-old brings 27 years of experience, including stints as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Partnerships and Media Sales of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. Ceilley provided consistent revenue growth, product innovation and strategic expansion of worldwide franchises for SKE, per a Florida press release.
"Michael brings a proven track record of success in building partnerships and creating revenue-generating opportunities across a multitude of assets and organizations," Stricklin said.
Before his professional career, Ceilley grew up surrounded by collegiate sports in Iowa. He also played tennis for the University of Denver, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in marketing and business.
Ceilley said that to start, his eyes were set on a potential renovation of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
"To me, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – "The Swamp" – is akin to Fenway Park or Wrigley Field as one of the most iconic sports venues out there," he said. "To be a part of that project in a way that's going to add value for the fans and everyone who engages with the university is an incredible opportunity for Gator Nation and also for someone like myself."
Ceilley said Florida has one of the best commercial brands among all collegiate universities and looks forward to bringing his new perspective.
Contact Jeffrey Serber at Jserber@alligator.org. Follow him on X @JeffreySerber.
Jeffrey is the Fall 2025 enterprise and men's basketball beat reporter and a second-year journalism sports & media major. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends and family, and rooting for the Miami sports teams.
