Maryland alum and sports business executive leader Joe LaBue ‘01 was named Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Revenue Officer for Maryland Athletics on June 26, 2025, by Jim Smith, the Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics. LaBue is charged with formulating, communicating, developing, and executing strategies to optimize and diversify revenue streams for Maryland Athletics. He serves as a key advisor for Smith and have administrative oversight of various external areas, including revenue generation, commercial-related revenues, sponsorships, and partnerships.
With 25 years of experience in sports, revenue generation, business operations, sales and service, LaBue most recently served as President of Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer. He has been a fixture on the Charlotte sports scene for more than a decade, serving in executive roles with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and Tepper Sports & Entertainment. Prior to that, he worked in the DMV with Monumental Sports & Entertainment and the Washington Commanders franchise.
In his role as President of Charlotte FC from 2022-25, LaBue led the business operations of a new MLS franchise. During his time, the club ranked second in attendance for three seasons and dominated single-match tickets. Under LaBue’s leadership, Charlotte FC achieved a Top 5 gross and net revenue position while maintaining a match-day Net Promoter Score (NPS) of better than 60 (a score above 50 is generally considered excellent). The club secured the league's most valuable kit partnership and broke the single-match attendance record with 74,479 fans at its inaugural game. This foundation and community engagement set the stage for growth across the Carolinas.
LaBue was part of the sports fabric in Charlotte for 14 years. From 2019-22, LaBue served as Vice President of Ticket Sales & Services for Tepper Sports & Entertainment in Charlotte, working with Charlotte FC, Bank of America Stadium, and the Panthers. Between 2011-19, he served in various executive roles with the Panthers, including time as the Director of Ticket Sales & Premium Services and Sales & Suites Service Manager.
Prior to his time in Charlotte, he was a staple in the Washington D.C., market. From 2001-08, LaBue served as Director of Premium Seating with the then-Washington Redskins. Then from 2008-11, he worked as a Senior Account Manager, Corporate Sponsorships for Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which is the parent company of the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, and Capital One Arena.
Originally from Webster, N.Y., LaBue earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Maryland in 2001. He and his wife, Melissa, also a Maryland alum and former Terrapin club women’s hockey player, have three children: Ashlyn, Riley, and Lincoln.
