John Riola

John Riola Adjunct | School of Business

jriola@linfield.edu

John Riola is executive vice president of strategy and innovation for the Orlando Magic, where he leads the organization’s business strategy and innovation efforts. His areas of oversight include data engineering, strategy and analytics, mobile strategy, CRM, digital marketing, marketing technology and a range of strategic initiatives and special projects.

Riola began his career with the Magic as an intern in 2006 and was part of the internal team that oversaw the design and construction of the Amway Center. Over the years, he has held multiple roles within the organization, playing a key part in growing the Magic’s data and analytics program from a small startup effort into a department widely regarded by sports industry professionals as best in class. In May 2022, Riola was named to the SportsBusiness Journal Forty Under 40 list, which recognizes the nation’s top sports executives under the age of 40.

In addition to his work with the Magic, Riola serves as an adjunct instructor teaching sport business analytics courses. He is also active across the sports business industry, serving on several boards and advisory committees. His roles include chair of the UCF DeVos Sport Business Management Program Advisory Board, involvement with Baylor University’s Center for Sports Strategy and Sales (S3), participation on KORE Software’s Customer Advisory Board and membership on the NBA Team Innovation Advisory Council.

Riola also serves on the board of Sports2Change, a nonprofit organization he founded to encourage volunteerism among youth student-athletes in Central Florida. He resides in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood with his wife, Julia, and their two children, Madeline and Mason.