About Us
SOLUTIONS THROUGH SPORTS
Blake Sports Group was founded in 2007 by Dennis Blake as a full-service sports marketing agency specializing in athlete representation, corporate consulting, event management, and global concierge.
The company began by recruiting some of the top golfers on the PGA Tour and working with some of the best brands in the world on their sports marketing ventures. Blake Sports Group also was able to create and launch a brand new event on the Web.com Tour in 2008, the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic.
In the years since its inception, Blake Sports Group’s portfolio has grown to include some of the greatest athletes in sports–past and present–and partnerships with some of the most respected and recognized corporate brands throughout the world. Blake Sports Group hosts a wide-range of events for our corporate and charitable partners that are second-to-none and excels at providing experiences money can’t buy.
From conceptualizing ideas, to securing and contracting with venues and staffing, Blake Sports Group has the expertise to develop, manage and measure extraordinary and unforgettable events from big to small, customized to fulfill a company’s specific marketing and sales objectives.
MEET OUR TEAM
DENNIS BLAKE
Dennis founded and currently serves as CEO of Blake Sports Group, overseeing all Athlete Representation, Corporate Consulting and Event Management. Before launching Blake Sports Group in 2006, Dennis was an instrumental leader in the marketing and public relations departments for the Callaway, Top-Flite and Ben Hogan Golf Companies.
In 2009 Dennis was chosen to speak at the prestigious Babson Business School Entrepreneurial Forum and was featured in the best- selling book “50 Places to Golf before You Die.”
Dennis serves on the board of the New Jersey Coalition of Inclusive Education (NJCIE) and is a Co-Founder of the Gail Blake Foundation. Dennis is a 1998 graduate of the University of Maryland where he was a 4 year member of the Golf Team.
DARREN BLAKE
Darren has a diverse background in all areas of the sports business having served as Vice President of Operations for both the NY Rangers and NY Knicks before starting his career as a sports agent by joining WDG Enterprises as Wayne Gretzky’s agent in 2005.
In his role with WDG Enterprises, Blake has fostered relationships with some of the biggest names in business, sports, and entertainment, closing millions of dollars in business for the firm. Blake has brought many of those relationships to the BSG Team as he focuses on player representation and corporate consulting.
Darren is a 1995 graduate of the University of Vermont, where he earned a BA Degree in Business and served as captain of the baseball team.
MARK DHARTE
Mark is a PGA Professional who has worked for a few of the finest golf clubs and associations across the United States. He was the Tournament Director at Lost Tree Club in North Palm Beach, FL, Assistant Professional at The Bedens Brook Club in Skillman, NJ, and Director of Tournaments and Championship with the New Jersey PGA Section.
Mark is a graduate of Ferris State University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing/Professional Golf Management Option
GUNNAR VALENTINE
Gunnar joined BSG in 2019 after graduating from High Point University, where he majored in sport management. During his tenure at the university he interned with their D1 Athletic office earning an esteemed summer internship with The Miami Marlins. He worked on their strategy and development prior to his senior year.
Gunnar is a sports enthusiast with the NJ Devils, NY Mets, NY Jets. He played both hockey and golf through high school. He continues to hone his golf game and enjoys traveling to experience new courses.
TANK CAVANAGH
Tank is a PGA Class A professional who joined Blake Sports Group after a wonderful career as Director of Golf at the prestigious Hudson National Golf Club in Croton-on-Hudson NY. Through out Tank’s 25 plus years in the golf business Tank has focused on and developed a customer service standard that is second to none as well as enhancing the overall client experience.
Tank is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology and was a key member of the University’s Baseball team. Tank resides in Briarcliff Manor NY with his wife Tonia and their two sons Daniel and Henry. When not playing golf Tank is an avid New York Rangers and New York Yankees fan and he can be seen at a concert or two once in a while.
CHRIS NALLEN
Chris is a New Jersey native and former PGA Tour Professional. He attended The University of Arizona and gained recognition as one of the top amateur golfers in the country. After graduating in 2004 he went on to win his first professional golf event on what was once The Nationwide Tour (now Kornferry Tour).
From 2004-2011, Chris played at the professional level having earned status on The Nationwide Tour. During his time on tour Chris was represented by Blake Sports Group. However, in 2011, due to health issues he took a step back from playing and shortly after was offered the position as University of Arizona’s Mens Assistant Golf Coach. In addition to coaching and recruiting, Chris also helped with various young athlete clinics, as well as mentored and assisted with the NJPGA Special Olympics program.
In addition to his love of golf, Chris is most passionate for hockey and is a “die hard” New York Rangers fan. Whenever he gets the chance to come up to the NJ/NY area, a game at The Garden is always on his list of things to do.