Matthew Higgins

Matt Higgins is the President and CEO of RSE Ventures, a firm developed to foster innovation within sports, entertainment and technology. Matt co-founded RSE in 2012 with Miami Dolphins owner and Related Companies founder Stephen M. Ross. In just a year's time, RSE has experienced explosive growth, breaking down boundaries across a space that is notoriously slow to innovate. RSE has made investments in many emerging technologies and launched numerous startups: Derris & Company, a communications and brand strategy agency boasting over 30 clients in entertainment, media, technology, finance and sports; Insignia SE, a sports marketing firm representing top sports properties and leading consumer brands; and Relevent Sports, an international soccer agency that launched the International Champions Cup, featuring the biggest teams in the world competing across the United States. Early stage investments include cutting edge companies such as Preplay Sports, Thuzio and Poptip. Higgins also serves as a Vice Chairman of the Miami Dolphins. Before co-founding RSE, Mr. Higgins served as EVP of Business Operations of the New York Jets, where he transformed the team’s business operations into one of the most innovative in sports. During his tenure, the Jets created a permanent home for the first time in franchise history by partnering with the Giants to build MetLife Stadium. Higgins also helped spearhead the effort to create the most state of the art practice facility in the NFL, building a headquarters for the Jets on 20 acres in Florham Park, New Jersey. His passion for innovation also led Higgins to elevate the Jets’ national profile through unorthodox brand extensions, including a partnership with Jet Blue to create a dedicated Jets’ jet flying routes around the country. By making team operations transparent and increasing access to its players, Higgins used social media to give fans and press unprecedented access to the team. Prior to his career in sports, Higgins helped lead the recovery effort in Lower Manhattan following 9/11. As COO of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the agency charged with rebuilding the World Trade Center site, Higgins helped implement programs and grants that revitalized Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of the attacks. In addition, he helped oversee the 9/11 Memorial design competition, which became the largest design competition in history with more than 5,000 entries from 63 countries. Prior to the LMDC, Higgins served as Press Secretary under Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, managing the City’s global media response to 9/11. In 2011, Higgins was recognized in Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 as one of the most outstanding executives in sports. Four years earlier, Higgins was honored as one of the top 40 executives under 40 in New York by Crain’s New York. Higgins holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Queens College, and a Juris Doctorate from Fordham Law. Higgins is a proud testicular cancer survivor who has taken up marathon running as a way to maintain a healthy lifestyle.