Ryan Walsh named new CEO of the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority

HOUSTON – A new CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority has been named Friday.

The board of directors voted to approve Ryan Walsh as the new chief executive officer of the HCHSA.

The announcement follows a month after former CEO Janis Burke stepped down after serving 18 years in the role.

READ: CEO of Harris County-Houston Sports Authority steps down after 18 Years; Interim CEO named

Walsh will step into the role of CEO, taking over for Chris Canetti who has served as interim CEO of the HCHSA since Oct. 14. Canetti will continue to serve as president of the FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host Committee.

In this role, Walsh will guide the organization to continue focusing on financing the capital improvement and maintenance of several of Houston’s professional sports venues and supporting sports-related events in Houston and Harris County, contributing to the region’s economic development and quality of life.

RELATED: Juan Garcia named chairman of Harris County-Houston Sports Authority

“I’m excited and humbled by this incredible opportunity to lead the HCHSA,” Walsh said. “As I get started in this new role, I look forward to fostering community engagement, working with our partners at the city, county, and our professional sports teams, and finding ways to increase the HCHSA’s oversight and contributions to the development and maintenance of our world-class sports facilities. Together, we’ll continue to elevate our region in the sports world. I’m ready to get to work.”

Who is Ryan Walsh?

Walsh is currently the CEO and executive director of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (Sports Corporation), a position he has held since 2018.

During his time with the Sports Corporation, Walsh led the management, operations, maintenance and development of the Harris County-owned NRG Park, one of the largest and most active complexes of its kind in the world. His leadership and track record for results will enable the HCHSA to bring efficiency and transparency to position the region’s sports facilities for maximum community benefit.

Under Walsh’s leadership, the HCHSA will continue to collaborate with key stakeholders and the community to ensure Houston and Harris County continue offering sports facilities and events that serve the public and contribute to the regional economy, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We are lucky to have Ryan lead HCHSA as we enter a very important time for sports in our region,” said Juan Garcia, Chairman of the Board of the Directors for the HCHSA. “Ryan’s experience and his track record of success at NRG Park line up with the mission of the HCHSA as we continue to ensure our venues are maintained at the highest level in the increasingly competitive sports entertainment world.”