Thanks for stopping by everyone! My name is Mark Binetti, and I am the Senior Director of Communications & Team Services/Broadcaster of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.
This change of pace came after I finished one season as the Director of Broadcasting and Community Relations for the Stockton Heat, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, which followed eight seasons in the CHL and ECHL as the Senior Director of Communications/Broadcaster of the Rapid City Rush. To say I've been blessed to do what I do professionally for over a decade is an understatement. I've traveled North America and seen some incredible athletes watching outstanding competition in a multitude of sports for my livelihood. In my final two seasons in Rapid City, I was humbled and honored to finish as a finalist for 2020 and 2021 ECHL PR/Broadcaster of the Year. In my first season as a professional, I was floored to receive the inaugural CHL “Rookie of the Year”/Rising Star Award.
Currently, I’m responsible for broadcasting all Swamp Rabbits games on the Swamp Rabbits Radio Network, presented by Bon Secours, and on ECHL.TV through FloHockey. I also handle all website maintenance, communication, and team services (immigration, travel, and other accomodations) for the organization. I assumed the role in January of 2024 after spending the last year and a half full-time with the ownership group, Spire Sports + Entertainment, assisting in a multitude of obligations related to finance and corporate hospitality for the groups NASCAR Cup Series No. 77 Chevrolet.
As a freelancer with Gardner-Webb University, I broadcast a number of sports on ESPN+, most notably men’s and women’s soccer, baseball, softball, and women’s lacrosse. I also contribute heavily on The Runnin’ Bulldogs Sports Network on radio, providing play-by-play for men’s and women’s basketball. In the 2022-23 season, I had the privilege of telling the story of the Gardner-Webb women’s basketball team and their historic run in the Big South. The team scorched the competition, earning an undefeated record in conference play which culminated in a Big South Tournament Championship, the latter of which I was blessed to provide play-by-play for alongside two-time Emmy Award winner Reginald Walker Jr.
My duties as the Director of Broadcasting and Community Relations for the Heat involved calling play-by-play on radio, internet stream, and AHL.TV video stream for all preseason, regular season, and postseason games. Additionally, I was tasked with growing community support through various methods, including unique local partnerships and hockey development with youth programs and local recreational leagues and players, forming friendships and relationships representing the organization.
Before earning my AHL opportunity, I was the Senior Director of Communications and Broadcaster with the Rapid City Rush for eight seasons, calling 585 consecutive games over that timespan. On March 22 and 23, 2019, I made my television play-by-play debut, calling the Rush’s weekend series against the Idaho Steelheads on Midco Sports Network. Outside of the Rush office, I partnered up with the Post 22 American Legion Baseball team to call Hardhats baseball, a role I held for four seasons.
Prior to joining the Rush, I started my career at home, interning in the broadcast booth of the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League for two seasons in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Additionally, I was fortunate enough to spend two years with ESPNU in Charlotte as a freelance contractor, performing duties ranging from production as a tape edit operator, to screening as a game logger, and to statistics and research assisting with ESPNU's National Signing Day coverage for college football.
I hail from Tappan, NY, but I've called Charlotte, NC home since moving there in the summer of 2002. I am an alumnus of the University of South Carolina (the REAL USC...GO COCKS!), where I earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences, graduating in 2010. While at South Carolina, I performed as a four-year member of “The Mighty Sound of the Southeast”: the South Carolina Marching Band as a trombone section captain and also performed in the University of South Carolina Concert Band as a clarinetist. I'm a proud brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Fraternity for College Bandmembers.
When not broadcasting Swamp Rabbits games, I enjoy playing hockey and watching all sports. I'm a fan of just about any team across all leagues, including the New York Rangers, New York Yankees, Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and especially my alma mater and the South Carolina Gamecocks. I'm also a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and enjoy performing service with my fellow Knights in the community. Music is also a major passion of mine, whether it be writing it, or performing clarinet, trombone, bass guitar, or piano.
Photographer: Mike Crook - Free Sports Press