Mike Bartlett (BBA ’00): Leading through relationships, purpose and the power of sport

June 25, 2026

For Mike Bartlett (BBA '00), president and CEO of Canada Basketball, success in sport has never been just about the scoreboard. It’s about building teams, earning trust and creating moments that bring people together. Recognized as the 2024 Laurier Alumnus of the Year, Bartlett’s impact reflects both his leadership in sport and his commitment to community.

His journey from the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics to leading one of Canada’s premier national sport organizations reflects the value of experiential learning, strong relationships and a willingness to embrace opportunities that don’t always follow a straight path. Bartlett points to his time on campus — particularly his involvement in Shinerama and student clubs — as the foundation for how he leads, builds teams and creates impact.

A student experience that shaped a career

At Laurier, Bartlett immersed himself in student leadership. In his role as vice-president of student activities in the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Association, he learned how to mobilize teams, deliver complex events and create shared experiences at scale. Those early leadership roles built the practical skills and confidence that would define his career.

“The practical job opportunities you get from the program — those are the same door-opening opportunities that we've always needed in this industry.”

The throughline is clear: experiential learning mattered. It taught Bartlett how to lead people, manage uncertainty and deliver meaningful outcomes — often in fast-moving environments.

“My last title [at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment] was VP Community Affairs and Events. The first job title I ever had was at Laurier: VP of Student Activities. They were the same job description, different scope, different environment.”

A career built on purpose and community

Bartlett began his career in the non-profit sector, leading fundraising, partnerships and community engagement initiatives with organizations including Cystic Fibrosis Canada and the Oakville Hospital Foundation. Those roles sharpened his ability to build relationships and lead with empathy.

“Little did I know that that niche skill set that I was going to develop over a 10-year period in philanthropy was my way into MLSE.”

His experience demonstrates that careers in sport are rarely linear. Leadership, collaboration and relationship-building can open unexpected doors.

“All the way through my career, I’ve been able to use those values — valuing people, valuing process, valuing ambition — to unlock opportunity.”

A transition that changed the game

Bartlett transitioned into sport through Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), taking on leadership roles across community affairs, partnerships and events, including work with the MLSE Foundation. He helped connect sport, brand and community impact — positioning fans not just as spectators, but as participants in shared experiences.

He now serves as president and CEO of Canada Basketball, leading the organization at a time of significant growth and global visibility for the sport in Canada.

For Bartlett, working in sport means embracing uncertainty.

“There are very few products that you can work for, put your blood, sweat, tears and energy into, and you have zero control of the outcome.”

The unpredictability of performance creates a unique leadership challenge — and opportunity.

“You can be the best seller in the sports business. But your team can also not score the winning goal — and it doesn’t matter on the headline the next day. You don’t learn that in the textbook. You learn that by feeling it.”

Sport also brings emotional extremes. At Canada Basketball, Bartlett has experienced the disappointment of near-misses, including the team’s quarterfinal exit at Paris 2024.

“I have never in my life felt that pain… You do everything you can to get your athletes to that point. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.”

Through both success and setback, his focus remains on team culture and collective performance.

An iconic fan experience

One of the defining experiences of Bartlett’s career came during the Toronto Raptors’ 2019 NBA Championship run, where he played a key role in shaping the Jurassic Park fan experience.

Jurassic Park became a national gathering point. Tens of thousands of fans came together, extending the game beyond the arena and into the city and country. Delivering that experience required logistics, partnership coordination, risk management and an understanding of what fans value most: connection.

“Our job in sport, ultimately, is to create a moment you never forget.”

For Bartlett, it underscored the power of sport as a shared, live experience — and the responsibility of leaders behind the scenes to create environments where those moments can happen safely, inclusively and memorably.

“Sport is maybe the one thing left in life where you hug a stranger because you're excited and consuming it together.”

A human business in a data-driven era

Even as analytics and technology transform sport, Bartlett believes people remain at the centre of every great organization.

“There’s more data than you can imagine… But sport will always rely on a human decision and human instinct in the moment.”

Preparation has evolved, but leadership still depends on judgement, relationships and trust.

“The winning team is rarely the best athletes put together… It’s the best team. The best team will be the best business.”

A message for the next generation

Bartlett encourages students and alumni to embrace imperfect progress and stay resilient.

“There’s not a single person in the Hall of Fame with a 1,000 per cent batting average… Let’s stop expecting perfect and just celebrate progress.”

He also emphasizes the importance of relationships in building a career.

“Sports is a relationship job. You have to pay attention to relationships. You’re going to need them to get that first job.”

And he reinforces that there is no single path into the industry.

“You can have absolutely no talent in the sport that you work in and still work in that sport.”

An MBA designed for the future of sport

Bartlett’s story reflects what defines the Lazaridis experience: learning by doing, building meaningful relationships and developing the leadership skills needed to thrive in dynamic industries.

Those same principles are embedded in the new Lazaridis MBA in Sports Management, delivered in partnership with the Global Institute of Sport. Combining rigorous business education with immersive industry experiences, mentorship and direct access to Canada’s sports ecosystem, the program prepares graduates to lead in one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors.

Whether creating unforgettable fan experiences, managing high-performance organizations or shaping the future of sport business, tomorrow’s leaders will need more than technical expertise. They will need the ability to bring people together, build trust and lead with purpose.