Play the Game with Amar Shah

Stacey Garcia – Bold Moves, Athlete Branding, and Building a Talent Empire


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From a sorority girl at UCLA with no plans to work in sports to one of the most trusted names in athlete partnerships and talent booking, Stacey Garcia’s story is all about bold moves and betting on yourself. As a four-time Emmy-winning producer and the founder of Stacey’s Talent Shop, Stacey has helped shape the careers of some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment—including Magic Johnson, LeBron James, and many more.

🎯 We talk about:

  • Turning a random Staples Center encounter into a dream job with Magic Johnson
  • Breaking into sports without traditional experience
  • Building trust and authenticity with athletes and brands
  • Helping athletes control their own narratives (before it was trendy)
  • Lessons from working with LeBron, ESPN, NFL Network, and Uninterrupted
  • Why it's never too late to start building something for yourself

Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about making a leap, Stacey’s journey is packed with lessons on ownership, perseverance, and staying real in a fast-moving media world.

Show Notes

00:06 – Cold Open: “A closed mouth never gets fed” – the bold moment that changed Stacey’s life
 00:34 – Intro to the episode and Stacey’s background
 01:11 – Falling into sports: From UCLA basketball games to a career pivot
 01:53 – The hallway encounter with Magic Johnson that sparked her career
 03:58 – Building a career behind the scenes: ESPN, Turner, CBS, NFL Network, Uninterrupted
 04:53 – Why Stacey finally launched her own business
 05:30 – The key to longevity: Being real, authentic, and mindful
 05:59 – Athletes owning their stories: LeBron’s Uninterrupted, KD’s Boardroom, and more
 06:54 – Final advice for entrepreneurs: Always get everything in writing

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📚 Want more Play the Game?
Check out the middle-grade book series by Amar Shah—Play The Game: The Hoop Con and Play The Game: Take the Shot are out now from Scholastic.

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🎙️ Play the Game with Amar Shah — because you can’t win if you don’t play.

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Play the Game with Amar ShahBy Amar Shah