Beyond the Ball with Jonathan Jones

In the latest episode of "Beyond the Ball," Ashley Smith, a prominent figure in sports management and player development, shares her insights on the essential components of athlete empowerment and personal development. She reflects on her journey, from her early experiences at the University of Tennessee to her current role in the NFL, providing valuable lessons for both athletes and those supporting them in their careers. This post summarizes the key themes discussed, offering a structured overview of the vital takeaways.

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(00:00) - Welcome to Beyond the Ball

(00:15) - Meet Ashley Smith Sports Management Expert

(00:33) - Journey from NCAA to NFL Player Development

(01:25) - Transitioning into Professional Sports

(02:52) - Perspective on Player Engagement Growth

(04:00) - Navigating the Male Dominated Industry

(14:41) - Understanding Athlete Development Needs

(15:44) - Differences Between Collegiate and Professional Levels

(21:18) - Addressing Pressing Issues for Athletes

(29:14) - Advise for Young Aspiring Professionals

(41:57) - Important Tip for Student Athletes

(42:49) - Closing Thoughts and Subscribe Reminder

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Ashley Smith is a decisive, detail-oriented, and results-focused professional with over 10 years of experience in the sports industry. Currently serving as the Manager of Player Engagement at the National Football League (NFL) in New York City, Ashley excels in developing and executing strategies while cultivating relationships with internal and external stakeholders. In her role, she supports the Vice President of Player Engagement, liaising with agents, coaches, heads of player engagement, and players on NFL rules and regulations. She has developed mission, vision, and execution strategies for the Personal and Professional Development pillars of Player Engagement and leads the planning and organization of personal and professional development offerings for NFL current players and Legends (former players). Ashley manages new and existing partnerships to enhance the player and Legend experience and leverages these partnerships to execute strategies, provide resources, and manage events for player engagement. She also collaborates with various NFL affinity groups to deliver world- class events and experiences and audits Player Engagement events to identify growth opportunities.

Before her current role, Ashley served as a Norma Hunt Player Personnel Fellow for the Kansas City Chiefs, where she created player evaluations for the General Manager and assisted in the daily operations of the Player Personnel department during training camp. At the University of Tennessee, she was the Assistant Athletics Director for Player Relations & Development, where she developed a holistic development program, positively impacting players and managing partnerships, marketing efforts, and events. As the Director for Student-Athlete Development, she led initiatives for over 500 student-athletes across all sports and developed inaugural development programs and initiatives. In her earlier roles, she managed special events and collaborations as the Director of Football Administration & Special Events for the Tennessee Football Program. During her time at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Ashley served as an Assistant Coordinator where she helped plan and execute 19 national championships across Division I, II, and III sports.

Ashley began her career as a Student Manager for the Lady Volunteers Basketball Program at the University of Tennessee under the legendary Pat Head Summitt while pursuing her degree in marketing. Her senior year, she was promoted and served as the team’s Head Student Manager where she assisted the Director of Basketball Operations with the day-to-day management of the team. She holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and a collateral in Entrepreneurship from the University of Tennessee. Her accolades include being selected to serve as the Vice President of Professional Development & Outreach for the University of Florida Gotham Gators Alumni Association, receiving the University of Tennessee Knoxville Alumni 40 Under 40 Award, and completing the

University of South Florida Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate. Ashley’s extensive experience and unwavering dedication to helping people reach their full potential make her a dynamic leader and a valuable asset to any organization.

This exciting video explores the inspiring journeys of prominent athletes such as Coach Prime and Sha'Carri Richardson, emphasizing their ventures into product development and branding. Key insights include the significance of authenticity in business, the impact of branding aligned with personal identity, and the importance of community support. Additionally, get inspired by stories of athletes making a mark beyond their sports while paving the way for future generations.

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(00:00) - Welcome to Beyond the Ball

(00:33) - Key Strategies for Athlete Success

(01:32) - Recap of Recent College Football Games

(02:34) - Spotlight on Travis Hunter

(14:09) - Athletes Gaining Ownership

(24:49) - Sha'Carri Richardson's Impact

(26:49) - Russell Westbrook's Community Contributions

(29:00) - Dear Student Athlete: Don't Do This

(30:05) - Navigating Media During Tough Times

(31:11) - Wrap Up and Subscribe

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This engaging exploration covers how "Saturdays with Stuck" began, the impact of social media in sports journalism, and the importance of sharing genuine experiences. Viewers will see how personal challenges sparked creativity, leading to unique content showcasing athletes and environments that resonate with fans, regardless of their ability to attend games.

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(0:00): - Understanding Social Media's Role

(00:17): - Building Credibility on Social Platforms

(00:52): - Engaging Fans with Authentic Content

(01:30): - Sharing Unique Experiences on Instagram

(01:51): - Creating Behind-the-Scenes Content

(02:52): - Origin Story of Saturdays with Stuck

(03:40): - How Injury Led to New Ideas

(04:14) - Taking Initiative to Create Content

(04:36): - First Game Experience and Success

(05:13): - Collaborating with Marketing Departments

(05:28): - Expanding Content Beyond Auburn

(05:59): - Gaining Access to Major Events

(06:50): - Measuring Success through Engagement

(07:27): - Exploring Various Content Formats

(07:56): - Making Sports Accessible for Everyone

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In this episode, Justin Stuckey shares his inspiring journey from being a three-time All-American high jumper to carving out a name for himself in sports media. He discusses his unique approach to social media, the importance of seizing opportunities, and his experiences with major networks like ESPN and TNT. Listeners will learn about the challenges he faced during his transition into the industry and how he continues to innovate and engage his audience.

Top Takeaways:

- The significance of taking initiative and creating your own opportunities in sports media.

- The value of unique content creation and being authentic on social media platforms.

- Practical advice for student-athletes on balancing academics and sports aspirations.

- Insights into the behind-the-scenes workings of major sports events and networking within the industry.

Chapters:

(00:00) : Introduction and overview of the show with a shoutout to producer Britt.

(01:43) : Justin discusses his academic background and transition into sports media.

(03:07) : Experiences working with ESPN and major game day events.

(04:02) : Mentorship from industry professionals and the impact of networking.

(05:32) : Justin shares stories of challenges faced while working at TNT during the Final Four.

(08:08) : Advice on not being deterred by failures in broadcasting.

(09:30) : The importance of having fun and focusing on strengths in broadcasting.

(10:55) : Leveraging Social Media To Engage His On-Air Audience

(14:08) : The birth of "Saturdays with Stuck" and its success.

(19:45) : Life after grad school : Real lessons

(23:10) : Justin's plans for the future, including podcast revamps and building his platform.

(30:33) : Networking Lessons after finishing his MBA program

(35:36) : Responding to adversity/Future aspirations

(43:06) : Dear Student-Athlete

(45:09) : How To Connect With Justin

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When you get into the space and are looking to elevate in your personal and professional life this is the major factor that will determine the level of success you have.

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Shedeur Signs to Nike & Angel Reese Starts Podcast

In this episode of "Beyond the Ball," host Jonathan Jones discusses significant milestones in the world of collegiate athletics. He highlights Shedeur Sanders becoming the first college athlete to sign an NIL deal with Nike, the launch of Angel Reese's podcast, and the Kelsey brothers' impressive $100 million podcast deal with Amazon's Wondery. The episode emphasizes the evolving landscape of athlete branding and the importance of controlling their own narratives through media avenues like podcasts.

Key Takeaways:

- Shedeur Sanders has made history as the first collegiate athlete to sign an NIL deal with Nike, marking a significant shift in athlete branding.

- Angel Reese is set to launch her podcast "Unapologetically Angel," aiming to share her perspective and experiences directly with her audience.

- The Kelse brothers have achieved a monumental $100 million deal for their podcast, demonstrating the financial potential for athletes in the media space.

- The episode discusses the importance of athletes owning their narratives and utilizing media platforms to connect with fans.

Timestamped Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction: Overview of episode topics.

(01:44) - Coach Prime Deion Sanders' Actions**: Discussion on Coach Prime's engagement with players and community initiatives.

(18:22) - Angel Reese's Podcast Announcement**: Angel discusses her upcoming podcast focusing on authenticity and personal insights.

(23:45) - Shedeur Signs with Nike**: Shedeur's historic NIL deal with Nike announced during the episode.

(25:03) - Kelsey Brothers' Podcast Success**: Highlights of the Kelsey brothers' impressive $100 million deal with Amazon for their podcast

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In this episode, we really dig into the story of Jackson Prince, the success he's had on the court as well as the success he's had beyond that through NIL deals, content creation and even beyond that exploring what are his long terms goals for the future.

Key Takeaways

- How to generate 5 figures in NIL

- What does it take to create content that converts

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This episode featured Coach Jeremie Hart as a guest on the Beyond the Ball podcast with Jonathan Jones. Coach Hart discussed his journey from Washburn College to McMurray University, highlighting the challenges he faced and the mindset shift that led to significant improvements in his performance. At Washburn, he faced personal struggles including the loss of his grandpa and an ankle injury, which impacted his game. This difficult period led him to make a pivotal decision to transfer to McMurray, where he excelled and embraced a new work ethic to achieve his dream of becoming a professional basketball player.

Coach Hart shared his experience of growing up in South Dallas and the decision to move to South Garland for high school, a move influenced by his AU coach. This transition provided him with a new environment, allowing him to broaden his perspectives, interact with diverse populations, and refine his social skills. He discussed the cultural shock he experienced but acknowledged that the change was necessary for his personal growth and athletic development.

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In this episode, we really dig into the story of Jackson Prince, the success he's had on the court as well as the success he's had beyond that through NIL deals, content creation and even beyond that exploring what are his long terms goals for the future.

Key Takeaways

- How to generate 5 figures in NIL

- What does it take to create content that converts

- How he created his own media production team.

Connect with Jackson Prince:

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In this episode, we explore how college athletes are utilizing podcasts to enhance their visibility, develop crucial skills, and build their personal brands. The conversation highlights notable athletes who have successfully launched their own podcasts, discussing the benefits of this trend within the realm of sports and personal development.

Key Takeaways

- Athletes are leveraging podcasting as a tool for brand expansion and fan engagement.

- Starting a podcast can provide student-athletes with valuable media and communication skills.

- The potential for NIL deals creates new opportunities for athletes in content creation.

- Personal storytelling through podcasts fosters networking and deeper connections with audiences.

- Athletes' podcasts can serve as commercial ventures, increasing marketability.

Chapters

(00:00) - Introduction**: Overview of the episode and its focus on college athletes.

(02:15) - Athlete-Driven Podcasts**: Highlighting Travis Hunter and Michael Parsons' initiatives in podcasting.

(06:40) - Skill Development**: Discussing the importance of communication skills for student-athletes.

(10:30) - Networking and Vulnerability**: Flaje Johnson's dual career in athletics and music through podcasting.

(14:15) - Marketability and Brand Building**: Chadur Sanders launching "2 Legendary" and its commercial potential.

(18:00) - Conclusion**: Final thoughts and encouragement for athletes to start their own podcasts for growth and engagement

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