Malibash Sports & Entertainment

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Connect with Ryan: Roasted Snow Horror Show | Podcast on Spotify | roastedsnowhorror@gmail.com  | Available on all podcast platforms

When fans pack into an NHL arena for a Stanley Cup Finals game, they witness the culmination of months of intense competition on the ice. But behind the scenes, an entirely different team has been working tirelessly to ensure every aspect of the game day experience runs flawlessly. On a recent episode of Sports Spotlight Podcast, host Ashley Marie sat down with Ryan Rostad, a former arena manager with 15 years of experience at Ball Arena in Denver, to explore the fascinating world of professional hockey arena operations.

From Youth Hockey Dreams to NHL Arena Management

Ryan Rostad’s journey into professional hockey began like many young fans, with dreams of playing in the NHL. He started skating at just three years old and spent his childhood playing street hockey with his brother, breaking windows and denting garage doors along the way. His passion for the sport only intensified when the Colorado Avalanche arrived in Denver in 1995, and he watched them win multiple championships throughout his formative years.

Like most aspiring professional athletes, Rostad eventually faced the reality that making it to the NHL as a player was statistically improbable. However, his love for hockey remained unwavering. While studying sports industry operations at Metro State University in Denver, he found a part-time position in retail at Ball Arena, which sits right across from his campus. This opportunity would prove to be the perfect entry point into a career that would span over a decade and include some of the most exciting moments in Colorado sports history.

The Path to Professional Sports Management

Rostad’s break came during an NBA lockout when a full-time management position opened up in the retail department. Faced with a critical decision between continuing his formal education in sports industry operations or learning through hands-on experience in a management role, he chose the latter. This decision launched him into a 15-year career managing retail operations at one of the busiest multi-sport venues in professional sports.

Working at Ball Arena meant juggling the demands of both the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets, with occasional lacrosse games thrown into the mix. The schedule could be relentless, with back-to-back games requiring the arena to transform from a hockey rink to a basketball court overnight. This constant rotation presented unique challenges in space management, staffing coordination, and inventory control that most single-sport venues never encounter.

Inside Stanley Cup Finals Preparation

The pinnacle of Rostad’s career came in 2022 and 2023 when he worked both the Stanley Cup Finals and the NBA Finals. These championship runs transformed what were already demanding jobs into marathon events requiring meticulous planning and exceptional flexibility. Game days during the playoffs stretched to 12 to 14 hours, sometimes longer, with Rostad and his team arriving as early as 5:00 AM and leaving well past midnight.

Managing championship merchandise presents its own set of complex challenges. Arena space is always at a premium, and when championship gear arrives, finding storage becomes a logistical puzzle. Championship merchandise must be kept sealed and secure before games to prevent any leaks to the media or public. On the night the Denver Nuggets won the NBA championship, Rostad’s team faced an unexpected crisis when New Era, the company producing the championship hats, called to inform them that only 200 of the expected 4,000 hats would arrive on time.

The NBA’s security protocols meant that all traffic in and out of the arena was shut down during games, so the remaining hats couldn’t physically reach the venue. They eventually arrived days later, but for that championship night, the limited supply meant that most of the hats went to staff rather than fans. These are the types of high-pressure situations that arena managers must navigate while maintaining composure and finding creative solutions on the fly.

The Reality of Working in Professional Hockey

When asked about advice for aspiring sports industry professionals, Rostad shared wisdom he received from Vic Lombardi, a prominent Denver radio personality. The advice was simple but profound: if you want to work in professional sports, you have to decide whether you want to make money or have fun. While exceptions exist, most positions in arena operations and team management don’t offer the lucrative salaries that many people assume come with working in professional sports.

However, for those passionate about hockey and sports in general, the trade-off is worthwhile. Rostad emphasized that if you love going to the arena every day, talking sports with colleagues, and being part of something bigger than yourself, then a career in sports management can be incredibly fulfilling. The key is understanding that flexibility is essential, working holidays and long shifts is the norm, and family support becomes crucial as responsibilities grow.

The lean years taught Rostad and his team valuable lessons. During the Colorado Avalanche’s infamous 48-point season, the team had plenty of time to refine their processes and build strong relationships across departments. These relationships proved invaluable when both the Avalanche and Nuggets became competitive simultaneously, creating unprecedented demands on arena operations. The management team, who had worked together for over a decade, often joked about imagining what would happen if both teams made deep playoff runs. When it actually happened, they discovered just how much their preparation and teamwork mattered.

The Human Side of Arena Operations

One aspect of arena management that often goes unnoticed is the importance of cross-departmental relationships. Rostad highlighted his friendship with an engineer named Z, who became an invaluable resource whenever technical issues arose. In the high-pressure environment of professional sports venues, having someone you can call who will prioritize your urgent needs can make the difference between a smooth operation and a potential disaster. This underscores an important lesson: treating everyone with respect and building genuine relationships matters far more than titles or hierarchies.

Managing 35 to 40 staff members across nine retail locations during games requires strong leadership and clear communication. Each location needs to be stocked appropriately, but without knowing exactly when or if a championship will be clinched, managers must prepare for every scenario. This preparation involves coordinating with offsite warehouses, managing inventory from multiple vendors, and ensuring that merchandise can be deployed quickly when the moment arrives.

Beyond the Arena: The Roasted Snow Horror Show

Outside of his hockey career, Rostad has channeled his creative energy into a passion project that might surprise sports fans. Along with co-host Chris Snow, he runs The Roasted Snow Horror Show, a podcast dedicated to discussing horror films. The name plays on their last names, Rostad (often mispronounced as “roasted”) and Snow, and their logo features a fiery skeleton battling a snowman in a boxing ring.

The podcast reflects Rostad’s lifelong love of horror movies, which began at age seven when he and friends watched the original “Scream” at a sleepover. His approach to discussing horror films mirrors his approach to sports management: he values authentic conversation, respects different perspectives, and believes that everyone’s opinion matters as long as they can explain why they feel that way. The podcast releases two episodes weekly, with Wednesday episodes exploring themed content and Friday episodes reviewing new theatrical releases.

Rostad’s editing skills, honed through film school experience, shine through in the podcast’s production. He incorporates movie quotes, custom sound effects, and even creates AI-generated songs based on his former boss John’s text message reactions to scary movies. This segment, called “John’s Jingles,” exemplifies Rostad’s creative approach to content creation and his ability to find humor and connection in unexpected places.

Lessons from Championship Celebrations

Working the Stanley Cup Finals and NBA Finals gave Rostad memories that will last a lifetime. The energy inside Ball Arena during championship games is electric, and being part of the team that helps create that experience holds special significance. He witnessed firsthand how championship victories unite communities and create moments that fans treasure forever. From a management perspective, these events also represented the ultimate test of his team’s preparation, adaptability, and resilience.

The experience taught him that no amount of planning can account for every variable. When unexpected challenges arise, whether it’s missing championship merchandise or last-minute changes to game schedules, the ability to remain calm and solution-oriented separates good managers from great ones. The best arena managers understand that their role is to solve problems invisibly, ensuring that fans never know about the chaos happening behind the scenes.

Career Advice for Aspiring Arena Managers

For those considering a career in professional hockey arena management, Rostad emphasizes the importance of starting wherever you can get your foot in the door. His journey began with a part-time retail position while he was still in college. That entry-level job provided exposure to arena operations and allowed him to build relationships with full-time staff who eventually became colleagues and mentors.

He also stresses the value of persistence and genuine passion. The sports industry is notoriously competitive, with many people vying for limited positions. Those who succeed are typically the ones who are willing to work holidays, handle unglamorous tasks, and maintain a positive attitude even during challenging stretches. The ability to work well with diverse personalities across multiple departments is equally important, as arena operations require constant collaboration and compromise.

Education in sports management or related fields certainly helps, but Rostad’s experience demonstrates that hands-on learning and relationship building can be just as valuable. Understanding the practical realities of game day operations, space constraints, vendor relationships, and staff management comes from experience rather than textbooks. The combination of formal education and practical experience creates the strongest foundation for a successful career in sports venue management.

The Future of Arena Operations

As professional sports continue to evolve, so too will the demands on arena management teams. Technology integration, enhanced fan experiences, and increasingly complex logistics will require managers who can adapt quickly and think creatively. The lessons Rostad learned during his 15 years at Ball Arena remain relevant: build strong relationships, stay flexible, prioritize effective communication, and never lose sight of the fan experience that makes professional sports special.

His story serves as an inspiration for young hockey fans who dream of being part of the NHL world, even if they won’t be skating on the ice. The behind-the-scenes roles in professional sports offer their own rewards, from the satisfaction of executing flawless game day operations to the thrill of celebrating championships alongside the teams and fans you’ve worked so hard to support.

Connecting with Ryan Rostad

To hear the full conversation with Ryan Rostad and learn more about his experiences managing arena operations during some of Colorado sports’ most memorable moments, listen to the complete episode of Sports Spotlight Podcast. For those interested in Rostad’s horror podcast, The Roasted Snow Horror Show is available on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Fans can also reach out via email at roastedsnowhorrror@gmail.com to share movie recommendations or join the conversation about all things horror.

Whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan curious about what happens behind the scenes, an aspiring sports industry professional seeking career guidance, or simply someone who appreciates the dedication required to pull off major sporting events, Ryan Rostad’s insights offer a valuable glimpse into a world that most fans never see. His journey from youth hockey player to Stanley Cup Finals arena manager proves that passion, persistence, and a willingness to learn can open doors to extraordinary opportunities in professional sports.

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