Rael Enteen has been a prominent figure in the digital content and sports media landscape, known for his innovative approaches to content strategy and social media engagement. His career trajectory includes significant roles with major sports organizations such as the San Francisco Giants, NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR, the New York Jets, and the XFL. However, his professional journey took a controversial turn during his tenure with the Washington Commanders.ESPN.com+2Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+2Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+2Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+1Front Office Sports+1Front Office Sports+4Bleacher Report+4ESPN.com+4
Early Life and Education
Enteen’s passion for content creation began during his teenage years at San Francisco’s Lowell High School, where he actively participated in the school newspaper, The Lowell. His dedication to journalism continued at the University of California, San Diego, where he climbed the ranks from reporter to Editor-in-Chief of the college newspaper. Recognizing the shifting landscape of media, he diversified his skills by interning at a local TV station covering the San Diego Padres, gaining valuable experience in broadcast journalism.Rael Enteen — Content Strategist
Professional Career
OneSeason and Early Start-Up Experience
After graduating in 2008, Enteen joined OneSeason, a fantasy sports and stock market concept, as Employee No. 3. This role provided him with a crash course in start-up culture, where he wore multiple hats until the company’s eventual closure.Rael Enteen — Content Strategist
San Francisco Giants and Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
Enteen’s next roles were with the San Francisco Giants and Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (CSN Bay Area). At the Giants, he learned about in-stadium game presentation, while at CSN Bay Area, he gained comprehensive knowledge of television production, from script printing to field producing features. He eventually secured a full-time position with CSN Bay Area, focusing on transforming the network’s digital presence. Under his guidance, the website evolved from a promotional platform to a hub for breaking news and in-depth analysis, combining written content with photos and videos.Rael Enteen — Content Strategist
KNBR: Digital Transformation and Leadership
In 2013, Enteen became the Managing Editor of KNBR’s website, leading a small team to revamp the station’s digital strategy. His efforts resulted in a 500% increase in web traffic, a 200% growth in social media following, a 730% rise in live radio stream tune-ins, and a 300% boost in revenue. His successful approach to digital content and monetization was adopted by KNBR’s parent company, Cumulus Media Inc., as a blueprint for its radio properties nationwide.Rael Enteen — Content Strategist
New York Jets: Expanding Digital Horizons
Enteen’s success at KNBR led to his recruitment by the New York Jets as the Director of Social Media. During his tenure, he focused on aligning content strategy with marketing and public relations efforts, enhancing the fan experience across digital platforms. He also emphasized creating content that could drive revenue, increasing sponsored content revenue from $1.5 million to $2.2 million between 2016 and 2017.Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+1Front Office Sports+1
XFL: Building a Digital Powerhouse
In December 2018, Enteen joined the XFL as the Senior Director of Social Media and Content. He was instrumental in building the league’s digital presence from the ground up, overseeing a team that managed social media, video production, and content strategy. Under his leadership, the XFL’s social media following grew to 4 million, with significant increases across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and LinkedIn. The league’s content strategy focused on engaging fans with authentic and entertaining content, including partnerships with brands like Bud Light Seltzer.Front Office Sports+2Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+2Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+2
Controversy and Termination from the Washington Commanders
In 2020, Enteen joined the Washington Commanders as the Vice President of Content. However, his tenure ended abruptly in September 2024 after a hidden camera video surfaced, capturing him making derogatory remarks about players, fans, and NFL executives. The video, recorded by an undercover reporter from the O’Keefe Media Group, led to his immediate suspension and subsequent termination by the Commanders. The organization stated that the language used in the video ran counter to its values.Instagram+5Bleacher Report+5Washington Blade+5Washington Blade+4NBC Sports+4Front Office Sports+4Front Office Sports+4ESPN.com+4Bleacher Report+4
Conclusion
Rael Enteen’s career reflects a trajectory of innovation and leadership in digital content strategy within the sports industry. His contributions to various organizations have left a lasting impact on how sports teams engage with their audiences online. However, his career also serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of aligning personal conduct with professional responsibilities.Washington Blade+8Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+8NBC Sports+8
FAQs
Q1: What were Rael Enteen’s major contributions to digital content strategy?
Enteen played a pivotal role in transforming the digital presence of several sports organizations, including the San Francisco Giants, KNBR, the New York Jets, and the XFL. His strategies led to significant increases in web traffic, social media engagement, and revenue.Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+1Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+1
Q2: How did Enteen’s work impact the XFL’s digital growth?
As the Senior Director of Social Media and Content, Enteen built the XFL’s digital presence from scratch, resulting in a social media following of 4 million and substantial engagement across various platforms.Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+1Rael Enteen — Content Strategist+1
Q3: What led to Rael Enteen’s termination from the Washington Commanders?
Enteen was terminated after a hidden camera video surfaced, showing him making derogatory comments about players, fans, and NFL executives, which the organization stated were against its values.Bleacher Report+4NBC Sports+4Log in or sign up to view+4
Q4: What was the reaction to the video that led to Enteen’s firing?
The Washington Commanders immediately suspended Enteen upon the video’s release and, after an internal investigation, terminated his employment, emphasizing that his remarks did not align with the team’s values.NBC Sports+3Bleacher Report+3Front Office Sports+3
Q5: Has Enteen made any public statements following his termination?
As of now, there have been no public statements from Rael Enteen regarding his termination from the Washington Commanders.Bleacher Report+1ESPN.com+1
Q6: What is the significance of Enteen’s career in the context of digital media in sports?
Enteen’s career highlights the evolving landscape of digital media in sports, demonstrating the impact of innovative content strategies on fan engagement and revenue generation.
