Eternal Fan® Accelerates Growth

Eternal Fan® Accelerates Growth With Key Executive Appointment

Veteran Sports Executive Payne Named Chief Revenue Officer

Cedar Rapids, IA — June 6, 2025 — Eternal Fan®, the industry leader in commemorative fan experiences and pioneer in the Afterlife Experience (ALX) marketplace, has appointed Mark Payne, a proven innovator in college sports revenue generation, as its new Chief Revenue Officer.

With 30 years of success in driving revenue and building partnerships, Payne brings strategic vision and a deep understanding of the sports marketplace. His leadership will be key as Eternal Fan® enhances its presence in the collegiate and professional ranks.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to our leadership team,” said Matt Linn, Founder and CEO of Eternal Fan®. “His expertise, relationships, and innovative mindset will help propel us toward new milestones as we continue to grow our brand domestically and abroad.”

“I am excited to be part of this dynamic team in a perfect moment for this company,” said Payne. “Eternal Fan® is poised to change the sports industry and this category.”

Most recently, Payne served as Associate Principal – Director of Business Development at AECOM, focusing on college athletics. His career has also included leadership positions with Learfield, Viacom/CBS Sports Properties, Rockbridge Sports, ISP Sports, and the athletic departments at Georgia Tech, the University of Richmond, and Coastal Carolina University. He holds a master’s degree from the Ohio University Center for Sports Administration and a bachelor’s from Stetson University.

Eternal Fan® has successfully implemented similar initiatives, such as the Fan MemoriesⓇ program at NASCAR’s Richmond Raceway (VA), which features the iconic 21-foot “World’s Largest Piston” monument.

The development of the ALX category marks a significant evolution in fan engagement, offering a heartfelt avenue for supporters to remain an enduring part of their team’s narrative.

For more information about ALX: After Life Experience and how to create a lasting tribute, please visit http://goeternalfan.com.

About Eternal Fan®:
Eternal Fan® is the global leader in commemorative fan engagement experiences, offering customized, enduring tributes inside the sports and entertainment venues fans love most. Through the category of ALX: After Life Experience, and other legacy programs, Eternal Fan® helps individuals and families tell their stories in the most meaningful places—forever, with installations at iconic locations such as NASCAR’s Richmond Raceway, and others to be announced later in 2025. Eternal Fan® continues its mission to honor passion, preserve memories, and redefine how we celebrate our fandom in the spaces we love most.