SOUTHLAKE, TX — With a growing roster of sports clients, TrailRunner International and global experience company Legends have jointly launched a new business unit specializing in serving the sports sector.

TrailRunner Sports, which will operate as an integrated business unit of TRI, is focused on delivering communications and business strategy support to clients including sports leagues, professional teams, educational institutions, owners, investors, and brands.

TRI has already launched a search for a TrailRunner Sports president. The sports unit leader will report to TrailRunner CEO Jim Hughes.

“We are very excited to join with Legends, the world’s premier sports and entertainment experiences company, to launch TrailRunner Sports and expand our joint businesses further into the global sports industry,” said TRI executive chairman Jim Wilkinson (pictured).

“Decisionmakers in sports today face an unprecedented set of reputational and strategic challenges. These challenges no longer fit into neat categories and strategic communications plays a more important role than ever in business success. TrailRunner has a strong and proven track record of delivering results for our sports clients, and this new joint venture will allow our firm to expand our core offerings into new areas of exciting service and growth," he said.

TRI, which was launched in 2016 by Wilkinson, already is steeped in the sports business, having worked on significant sports transactions and growing a roster of sports clients including professional teams, conferences, investors and educational institutions.

Earlier this year, Wilkinson and trailRunner investor Franklin McLarty announced their purchase of the Dutch professional football team MVV Maastricht. Wilkinson also serves on the Women’s Sports Foundation board of trustees. <