Paraag Marathe

Bio

Paraag Marathe (puh-rawg, muh-RAH-tay) enters his 14th year with the 49ers, and first as team President.

As team President, Marathe is responsible for all of the club’s business operations.  Marathe spent the three previous seasons as the team’s chief operating officer. Under his direction, the 49ers have experienced tremendous progress off the field, with the construction of Levi’s® Stadium being the focal point of the club’s efforts. His leadership has proven integral to the club’s short-term and long-term business strategy, as the team recorded consecutive years of Candlestick Park sellouts, and simultaneously launched a successful sales campaign for Levi’s® Stadium.

Marathe is charged with helping bring to life the vision of an unparalleled fan experience at Levi’s® Stadium. Levi’s Stadium will feature several innovative elements, including the new 49ers Museum presented by Sony, Michael Mina’s world-class restaurant - Bourbon Steak and Pub, a television and radio production studio, a 27,000 square foot green roof, and a mobile app allowing fans to personalize their visit to the venue. The stadium will also be home to a premium 49ers store, adding to the team’s budding retail sales initiative that already boasts three store locations throughout the Bay Area.

On the football side, Marathe is the club’s chief contract negotiator and salary cap architect, and also runs the team’s football analytics efforts. He is responsible for the 49ers compliance with the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement and works closely with general manager Trent Baalke within football operations.

Marathe has played an integral role in helping the 49ers maintain a solid veteran nucleus, negotiating contract extensions in recent years with a number of key players, including QB Colin Kaepernick, All-Pros LB Patrick Willis, DT Justin Smith, LB NaVorro Bowman, TE Vernon Davis, P Andy Lee, LB Ahmad Brooks and OT Joe Staley, Pro Bowler RB Frank Gore and Pro Bowl alternates DT Ray McDonald, OT Anthony Davis and G Alex Boone. Additionally, Marathe’s work during free agency has helped to land accomplished veteran players, such as S Antoine Bethea and K Phil Dawson.

Prior to joining the 49ers, Marathe worked at management consulting firm Bain & Company, as a Senior Associate Consultant, where he advised clients in a variety of industries including private equity, venture capital, computer software, retail, sports footwear, consumer products, and health clubs. Before that, Marathe worked in the sports consulting group at the International Management Group (IMG), where he concentrated primarily on stadium naming rights deals, corporate sponsorships, and athlete endorsements.

A native of Saratoga, CA, Marathe’s passion for the 49ers was instilled at a very young age. As an avid Bay Area sports fan, he has rarely missed any 49ers games since he was six years old. Marathe’s Bay Area roots run deep, having received his bachelor’s degree with high honors from the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley and his MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

Paraag Marathe (MBA 2004) is team President for the San Francisco 49ers. Marathe has been with the 49ers for 14 years and has held different management positions including three seasons as the team’s COO. Under his leadership and direction, the club has met ambitious goals as set in short- and long-term business strategy. Prior to joining the 49ers, Marathe held positions at Bain & Company and IMG. Marathe will co-teach, with George Foster, GSBGEN 561: Sports Business Financing, in spring quarter.

Academic Degrees

• BS, Haas School of Business, University of California-Berkeley
• MBA, Stanford GSB

Professional Experience

• President, San Francisco 49ers, 2001-present
• Senior Associate Consultant, Bain & Company, 1999-2001
• Account Associate, International Management Group (IMG), 1997- 99

Teaching

Degree Courses

2018-19

GSBGEN 339: Negotiation Dynamics in Sports, Entertainment and Media

Negotiation is a central part of business in the worlds of sports and entertainment. This course will examine negotiation dynamics and key takeaways for general management from multiple different settings where negotiations had an important role...

2017-18

GSBGEN 339: Negotiation Dynamics in Sports, Entertainment and Media

Negotiation is a central part of business in the worlds of sports and entertainment. This course will examine negotiation dynamics and key takeaways for general management from multiple different settings where negotiations had an important role...

2016-17

GSBGEN 539: Negotiation Dynamics: Lessons from the Sports and Entertainment Industries

Negotiation is a central part of business in the worlds of sports and entertainment. This course will examine negotiation dynamics and key takeaways for general management from multiple different settings where negotiations had an important role...

GSBGEN 561: Sports Investment Analysis

Course examines investment and financing issues that face a diverse set of participants in the sports industry (defined very broadly). A key theme is using general financial concepts to better structure decision making in the sports industry....