Vice President, Management and Director
Wasserman Media Group
The Globe and Mail’s 2011 Sports Power 50 list. The 2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Brock University. The youngest person on the National Post’s list of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential People in Canadian Golf. Despite only having been on the sports management scene since 2005, Chris Armstrong has proven himself a force to be reckoned with.
After studying commerce at McGill University and sport management at Brock University, Chris joined IMG and quickly rose through the ranks, representing professional golfers Stephen Ames, Anthony Kim and Morgan Pressel, among others. Last year, he decided to leave the sports agency to open the Canadian practice for L.A.-based Wasserman Media Group, where he manages global sports and entertainment accounts. Chris cites this as the most interesting and exciting project he has worked on due to the company’s strong corporate culture and the amazing vision of chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman.
In his spare time, Chris sits on the board of the Stephen Ames Foundation, which helps young people in both Canada and Trinidad and Tobago develop skills and confidence through golf. He also keeps busy planning his upcoming wedding, spending time with family and friends, and watching his favourite teams: the Canadians, Red Sox, Patriots and Lakers
A few questions with Chris…
What are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about enjoying life and making the most of every experience. I really make an effort to not say no to things where it might be easier to do so. I enjoy meeting new people and saying yes to as many opportunities as possible while still maintaining balance between my professional and personal life.
If you could have lunch with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Outside of my fiancée, Yael, who I don’t get to spend enough time with, it would have to be Mark McCormick, the founder of IMG. I wish I’d had the time to meet with him before he passed away as it would have been incredibly rewarding to pick the brain of the “Father of Sport Management and Athlete Representation”. Mark’s lasting influence on the business of sports has left a legacy that has helped to shape my career along with so many others.
What has been your greatest accomplishment, professionally or personally?
Assisting in the creation of “The Morgan and Friends Fight Cancer” Charity Event in Boca Raton, Florida, for our LPGA client, Morgan Pressel. Morgan founded this annual event to raise money for breast cancer awareness, detection and treatment. She lost her mother to breast cancer at 15 and has worked hard to ensure the success of the tournament which honours her mother. We have raised close to $2M in net proceeds since its inception in 2008. I have really developed a strong attachment to the cause, one that is certainly relevant to all of the important women in my life; I’m very proud to be part of it and what it represents to Morgan.
Learn more about Chris...
Golf Canada, January 2011: “Ames switches talent agencies”
Inside Golf Magazine, November 2010: “Canada’s Sean Foley Launches First Instructional DVD: The Next Generation”
SCOREGolf, September 2010: “Armstrong Leaves IMG for Wasserman”
