Katie Keenan (NYRA Photo)
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the appointment of Katie Keenan as Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer (CXO).
Keenan is a global live event and venue operations executive with two decades of sports industry experience. Prior to joining NYRA, she was Vice President for Live Events & Operations at the National Football League (NFL), where she led the planning and delivery of the NFL’s marquee events including the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, and NFL International Series Games.
“Katie Keenan understands the elements required to create dynamic venues and pairs that knowledge with an operational skillset developed around some of the biggest events in sports,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “She joins NYRA at an opportune time as we look forward to opening a new era of thoroughbred racing in New York.”
As CXO, Keenan will develop and implement strategies aligned with NYRA’s commitment to provide a premier on-track experience for fans, racing participants and stakeholders. Accordingly, she will oversee NYRA’s hospitality offerings and guest-facing operations at the new Belmont Park and historic Saratoga Race Course.
NYRA’s ongoing $455 million redevelopment of Belmont Park will result in a world-class racing and entertainment destination on Long Island. Centered around a 300,000-square foot building, the new Belmont Park will offer reimagined hospitality options, and the modern amenities sports fans deserve. Belmont Park will re-open for live racing in September 2026 with the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets set to return to Long Island in 2027.
In May, NY Governor Kathy Hochul joined the Breeders’ Cup to announce the new Belmont Park as the site of the 2027 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be held Oct. 29-30, 2027 in Elmont, N.Y. Belmont Park last hosted thoroughbred racing’s annual year-end championship event in 2005.
A native New Yorker, Keenan earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in Sports Management from the State University of New York at Cortland. In addition to the NFL, Keenan previously worked at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. and with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.
