Frank Viverito
Chief Advisory Officer
(314) 345-5150
Frank Viverito is the chief advisory officer of the St. Louis Sports Commission, the privately-funded nonprofit organization that makes St. Louis a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports. Attracting, creating, and managing major sporting events for the St. Louis region, the organization uses the power of sports to enhance the area’s quality of life and generate economic and social benefit for the community.
Viverito served as president of the Sports Commission from 1995-2022. During that tenure, his guidance, perspective, and personality steered the organization and the region on a path of success. Thanks to the support of the area’s fans, civic partners, and business community – along with the Sports Commission’s board, members and volunteers – the organization helped position St. Louis among the nation’s premier sports destinations.
The Sports Commission’s accomplishments during Viverito’s tenure included hosting such high-profile events as the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours, NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships (9 times), NCAA Frozen Four, SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, PGA Championship, Missouri vs. Illinois Arch Rivalry football series, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, U.S. Olympic Diving Trials, and the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials. Overall, Sports Commission events brought more than $1 billion in economic development / visitor spending to the St. Louis region.
Reflecting Viverito’s vision for the Sports Commission to be a leader and innovator – beyond simply an event producer – the organization developed an impactful initiative that promotes sportsmanship in the community, creates positive environments for kids to play sports, and helps children lead healthier, happier lives. Viverito was at the forefront of creating the Musial Awards, a nationally acclaimed event that celebrates the year’s greatest moments of sportsmanship and those in sports who embody class and character. The organization’s entrepreneurial spirit also is behind its efforts to raise the profile and impact of St. Louis’ Olympic legacy.
Under Viverito’s direction, the Sports Commission was recognized as a leader in its industry and in the community. The organization was selected as the national “Sports Commission of the Year” three times. Additionally, Viverito has been honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Massachusetts Sport Management program. Locally, Viverito and the Sports Commission have been honored by the Missouri Athletic Club, the Baseball Writers Association of America, the National Football Foundation, Rotary, Epworth Children & Family Services, the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club, the Italian Open, the Saint Louis Attractions Association, FOCUS St. Louis, Downtown St. Louis Inc., and others. He also was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, and the Sports Events and Tourism Association Hall of Fame.
A native of New York City, Viverito earned a bachelor’s degree at Rutgers University and a master’s in sport management from the University of Massachusetts. He began his professional career in minor league baseball as assistant general manager for the Tidewater Tides, the New York Mets’ Class AAA affiliate. He also was the athletic promotions director at Old Dominion University, where he helped stage the first-ever NCAA Women’s Final Four. Upon moving to St. Louis, Viverito served as the sports information and development director for the University of Missouri—St. Louis, and he also managed marketing and promotions for Civic Center Corporation / Busch Stadium. In 1986, Viverito joined the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, and subsequently became the organization’s vice president of public relations and development.
Frank is married to Patty Viverito, who has had a distinguished career in intercollegiate athletics with the Missouri Valley Conference and the Missouri Valley Football Conference. They have two sons, Greg and Matt.
