Sportech’s Bump 50:50 Strengthens Leadership Team, Names New Division President

Sportech PLC is pleased to announce key changes to its Bump 50:50 team, including the promotion of Dave Kurland to the position of President, to create the charitable raffle industry’s most experienced and innovative leadership team.

Bump 50:50 (“Bump”) is a leading provider of digital fundraising raffle solutions to philanthropic organizations with clients across the US and Canada, many affiliated with professional sports franchises. Bump also enjoys a rapidly-growing list of nonprofit clients in healthcare, the arts and human services.

Dave Kurland joined Bump in 2011 as its first Director of Business Development. Dave’s deep roots in professional sports, philanthropy and fundraising raffles greatly informed the design and execution of Bump’s successful growth strategy, helping the company grow from just one client in 2011 to over 120 today. For 22 years prior to joining Bump, Dave led the Community Relations Department and team foundation for the Chicago Bulls and in 1995 helped develop the first 50/50 raffle for a professional US sports team, raising tens of millions to support charitable causes in the Chicago area.

The Company also announced the elevation of key commercial team members to senior roles to align with Bump’s growth and online raffle expansion strategy.

Dennis Sampier has been named Vice President, Bump Nonprofit Division to spearhead the continued growth of Bump’s non-sports related charity clients. Bump has recorded significant  growth in its nonprofit client base, delivering solutions to over twenty additional nonprofit clients for Bump’s online 50/50 and progressive raffle platforms in the last few months.

Dennis spent 20 years with the Detroit Pistons, where he oversaw their social responsibility platform. He led community programming and fundraising, collaborating with nonprofits in metro Detroit and across Michigan to develop innovative partnerships in support of health, education, basic needs, and volunteerism. To help generate additional funding and awareness for nonprofits, he was pivotal in introducing the electronic 50/50 raffle concept to the broader Detroit sports market, including the Tigers, Red Wings, Lions and Michigan International Speedway, all of which are now Bump clients. Dennis has been with Bump since 2015.

Jeff Schultz has been named Vice President, Bump Sports Division. In this role, Jeff will maintain the company’s focus on delivering innovative platforms and unmatched services for in-stadia and web-based 50/50 raffles that have produced record-setting jackpots for clients. Jeff is an experienced and talented sports industry veteran who, prior to joining Bump in 2015, spent 17 years with the Chicago Bulls, playing a key role in driving their successful raffle platform.

Rounding out the commercial team, Bump welcomes Chris Mallory as Director of Business Development and Activation. Chris brings 17 years’ experience working in the professional sports industry; 14 years with the NBA® Phoenix Suns and three with the NFL® Las Vegas Raiders.

The changes to Bump’s commercial team complement enhancements made on the technology side with the 2019 appointment of Bump CTO Matt Annis. Matt is one of the original architects of the GLI-31 Electronic Raffle Systems Technical Standard and his years of experience in raffle technology, including 20 years in software development and 7 years in 50/50 raffles, along with his track record of innovation and strategic planning, have placed Bump on a strong technological footing.

Richard McGuire, Chief Executive Officer of Sportech PLC, stated, “We are delighted to strengthen our Bump 50:50 team with an unmatched group of specialists who, combined, bring decades of direct experience in the sports, raffle and nonprofit fundraising sector. This team have been pivotal to the growth of Bump. Their dedication to client service and product innovation aligned with the highest level of integrity continues to deliver impressive results and stronger relationships.”

“Sportech continues to invest in Bump’s talent, technology and infrastructure and as a result the division is recording unparalleled client growth, particularly online and with nonprofit organizations. I can think of no stronger professional than Dave Kurland to lead the division and of no greater commercial and technical team of dedicated professionals to propel Bump 50:50 forward.”