As vice president of digital business development, Chris Foster manages the National Hockey League’s existing digital syndication portfolio and oversees digital fan engagement projects in collaboration with the League’s key innovation partners. He also oversees the business strategy for key third-party digital content partners including Apple, Google, YouTube, Yahoo, and Amazon.

Last season (2022 – 2023), Foster’s portfolio expanded to include oversight of the NHL’s FAST (free ad-supported streaming) Channel strategy – an addition to the League’s content distribution portfolio serving NHL content to an expanded audience. He led the debut of the first-ever NHL FAST Channel on The Roku Channel, as well as on Amazon platforms. Foster also oversees the relationship with NHL FAST channel technology partner Amagi, a global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for FAST, broadcast playout in the cloud, and global distribution to connected devices.

Foster is the project lead for the NHL’s partnership with SAP, the enterprise application software and database leader, and oversees this partnership’s fan-facing, digital initiatives for the League. This includes the innovative SAP Coaching Insights App for iPad which provides access to real-time, customized data and player statistics during the game on home and away benches in all 32 NHL arenas.

Prior to joining the NHL, Foster worked for various digital and mobile startups in the sports and lifestyle verticals in capacities such as product manager, creative director, and marketing lead.

Foster holds a M.S. in sports management from Columbia University and a B.A from Georgetown University.

Featured in: Monday Digital Engagement Workshop (12/11)