Charlotte Observer | 01/21/2006 | He helped to bring NBA, NFL to Charlotte; now he's looking for fun

"Max Muhleman, a dean of Charlotte's sports marketing community, is leaving the company he helped create to start his own boutique firm.Muhleman recently turned 69, and he said he's looking forward to 'working only on things that are exciting and stimulating to me.

Over the years, there have been five or six that you wish you don't have to do for every one that's fun.'His contract with IMG/Muhleman Marketing ran out Dec. 31, and Muhleman said he's looking to start Private Sports Consulting Inc. by next month.

Muhleman, whose firm was bought by sports-marketing powerhouse IMG in 1999, is perhaps best known for helping bring the NFL and NBA to Charlotte. He's also credited with helping to create personal seat licenses, a tool sports stadiums have used to raise money for construction"