"If you’re looking to work in or understand the business of sports entertainment, this book should be required reading." JIM STEEG, former senior vice president for special events, NFL; inaugural member of the Special Events Hall of Fame
Coming September 9, 2025
Preorder Today!
About Beyond The Scoreboard
From a longtime NBA and MLB professional sports event director—the ultimate insider guide to creating an event presentation that delivers excitement, engagement, and memorable moments for fans, sponsors, and participants.
In today’s entertainment-driven world, fans, sponsors, and participants expect more than just a game—they want an immersive experience that begins the moment they arrive at the venue and lingers long after the final buzzer.
While enhancements like cutting-edge graphics and other digital assets, control room equipment, or facility upgrades like Wi-Fi, expanded concourses, or new food and beverage options can undoubtedly improve the fan experience, it’s the strategic execution and seamless integration of all elements that truly elevate an event.
Drawing on more than thirty years of experience directing iconic events from the NBA Finals to the World Series and global sports brands, event presentation expert Don Costante takes readers beyond the scoreboard to provide an in-depth look at each key element of gameday operations—including proper communication, entertainment resources, music, digital production, promotions, and staffing.
Beyond the Scoreboard is the ultimate guide for anyone involved in event presentation, offering a comprehensive approach to building fan excitement, driving engagement, and creating lasting memories that include:
- Detailed strategies and tactics for engaging fans, energizing players, and satisfying sponsors through creative and coordinated event elements.
- Real-world insights from the professional sports industry to help you elevate your event presentations, delivering a polished and professional experience at any level.
- Tools and templates to customize for your organization, covering everything from building fan engagement to maximizing sponsorship value.
Whether you’re running a high school, collegiate, or professional event, Beyond the Scoreboard equips you with the essential tools and strategies for elevating your events into unforgettable experiences that build fan excitement, drive engagement, and create lasting memories for everyone involved.
About Don Costante
Don Costante is a distinguished sports and event presentation expert with more than thirty years of experience transforming live events into immersive, fan-centered experiences. Throughout his career, he has directed, produced, and managed more than 2,500 live events, including three NBA Finals, two World Series, and thirteen NBA All-Star Jam Session Center Courts. His work spans major organizations across the NBA, MLB, WNBA, AHL, NCAA, NAIA, EPL, and NASCAR, where he has consistently elevated the quality and impact of event presentations.
As president of Costante Group Sports & Event Management, Don has collaborated with globally recognized brands like Manchester City Football Club, Derby County Football Club, Milwaukee Brewers, University of Kansas athletics, Connecticut Sun, Major League Baseball Special Events, University of Texas athletics, and NASCAR Event Experience, creating unforgettable experiences for fans, sponsors, and teams alike. Known for his creative direction, strategic insight, and meticulous attention to detail, Don is dedicated to setting new standards in game operations. This book brings his expertise to life, offering readers the essential tools and strategies for creating powerful, engaging, and memorable event presentations.
Connect with Don
Advanced Praise for Beyond The Scoreboard
"If you’re looking to work in or understand the business of sports entertainment, this book should be required reading." Read Full
JIM STEEG, former senior vice president for special events, NFL;
inaugural member of the Special Events Hall of Fame
"At Disney, we’d say ‘it’s not magic that makes it work; it’s the way we work that makes magic.’ In Beyond the Scoreboard, Don Costante shows us that this principle holds true for any successful event." Read Full
LEE COCKERELL, former executive vice president, Walt Disney World Resort, and author of Creating Magic
"I have seen Don execute perfectly planned events time and again. If you want to pick the brain of someone who has been there, done that, and still pushes the boundaries of “wow,” read this book!" Read Full
LAUREN THOMPSON, host, Golf Channel’s Morning Drive and NBC’s The Champion Within
"As a sport management professor, one of the highlights of my classes was Don’s guest presentations. This book is truly a gem for the study of sport management." Read Full
DR. BERNIE KISH, Sport Management professor emeritus, University of Kansas
"Don is one of the best in the business. Beyond the Scoreboard is the ultimate guide to sports event presentation at the major league level." Read Full
SCOTT CUNNINGHAM, vice president of broadcasting & fan experience, Atlanta Braves
“Don’s approach to event presentation—particularly his focus on timing, flow, and communication—has always stood out to me. His attention to detail, commitment to preparation, and ability to adapt in real time make Beyond the Scoreboard a must-read for anyone starting their journey in live programming or seeking to deepen their understanding of best practices in event presentation.” Read Full
JOSHUA RICHARDSON, executive producer, New Orleans Pelicans/New Orleans Saints
Drop Don a Line
Have questions?
Want more information on the book?
Contact Don directly using the form below.
"*" indicates required fields
“When I was managing the Super Bowl for the NFL, my main goal was to make sure that if you went to the game, you left with a once-in-a-lifetime memory. Don Shula once told me that the smallest detail could change the outcome of a game. That’s not only true of the game on the field but also of the fan experience. Every attendee had a different experience that needed to be planned for. In Beyond the Scoreboard, Don Costante proves (like Shula) to be an ultimate ‘details guy’—and it’s the importance of the little things that shines through in this wonderful handbook on how to leave fans with those lasting memories. If you’re looking to work in or understand the business of sports entertainment, this book should be required reading.”
JIM STEEG, former senior vice president for special events, NFL;
inaugural member of the Special Events Hall of Fame
“At Disney, we’d say ‘it’s not magic that makes it work; it’s the way we work that makes magic.’ In Beyond the Scoreboard, Don Costante shows us that this principle holds true for any successful event and that, as with the athletes on the field, it’s not just what we do during the event but how we prepare that ensures an excellent experience for everyone involved. Remember— everything matters.”
LEE COCKERELL, former executive vice president, Walt Disney World Resort, and author of Creating Magic
“I have seen Don execute perfectly planned events time and again. It wasn’t until late 2020, when everything was shutting down and he stepped up to rescue an annual event for tens of thousands of people, that I saw how effective his strategies could be—regardless of circumstance. Virtual? Yes. But it left people inspired and feeling like they were a part of something when we needed it most. If you want to pick the brain of someone who has been there, done that, and still pushes the boundaries of ‘wow,’ read this book!”
LAUREN THOMPSON, host, Golf Channel’s Morning Drive and NBC’s The Champion Within
“I taught sport management at the University of Kansas for fifteen-plus years. One of the highlights of my classes was the guest presentations by Don Costante. My students were fascinated by his experiences in both collegiate and professional sports. I highly recommend his new book. If I were still teaching at KU, I would include it in my syllabus. It is truly a gem for the study of sport management.”
DR. BERNIE KISH, Sport Management professor emeritus, University of Kansas
“As professional event producers, creating an atmosphere where memories can be made is not only our passion but our duty—an outcome achieved only by extensive planning, tedious coordination, and precise execution among a thousand other details! This book covers all aspects of the job and reveals the battle-tested and highly effective processes that Don developed over decades and made him one of the best in the business. Whether you are established in this industry or just getting into it, Beyond the Scoreboard is the ultimate guide to sports event presentation at the major league level.”
SCOTT CUNNINGHAM, vice president of broadcasting & fan experience, Atlanta Braves
“I had the honor of collaborating with Don Costante during his time with the San Antonio Spurs, at NBA All-Star Weekends, and working with the Manchester City Football Club. His approach to event presentation—focused on timing, flow, and communication—has always impressed me, as has his attention to detail, dedication to preparation, and ability to adapt and navigate live situations with ease. For anyone beginning their journey in live programming or looking to expand their knowledge of best practices in event presentation, I highly recommend reading Beyond the Scoreboard.”