Today, I had a fantastic conversation with Adrianne Bright, Partnership Activation Manager at the San Francisco 49ers. Always focused on her goals, Adrianne went through unique internship experiences in top companies, like Disney and Nascar. We talked about her journey in the sports industry, the most significant lessons learned from her internships, and how having a vision of what we want for our career can help us. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

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"We work in a relationship-driven industry, and knowing how to navigate this space and what tools are out there and what resources are out there, I think that needs to be stressed a little bit more." - Adrianne Bright. 

Adrianne Bright has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication from Central Michigan University and a Degree in General Business Administration and Management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). She was a volunteer for White Pine Programs, Freedom Foundation, and Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh. 

Sports were present in Adrianne since she was a little kid, and her father would take her to several sports events. She got curious at an early age about the people behind the sports' final product. Adrianne saw the work put behind the spectacle and decided she wanted to be part of it. 

Many years later, doing online research, she learned about an internship she didn't know existed, Integrated Marketing Communications. After applying, and with some luck, she got the position at NASCAR. During her internship, she learned a lot about the industry and the sport itself, and the company. For instance, she didn't know about the Drive for Diversity, a program designed to attract minorities to the sport. 

Adrianne believes strongly in not being "afraid of making noise" as interns or employees in a company. If we are occupying a position, it is for a reason, and we should always be open to speak our minds, propose changes, and participate with ideas that would make us and the company grow. 

Connect with Adrianne:

• LinkedIn

In this episode, I chatted with Nic Barlage, Cleveland Cavaliers' President of Business Operations. We talked about his first steps in the industry as an intern with the Alexandria Beetles in the Northwood National Baseball League and how that experience helped him get where he is today. He shared four tips for a successful career, his view on dealing with failure, and more. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

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"Failure, if channeled from a positive perspective, becomes an opportunity for all of us to get better." - Nic Barlage.

During his internship working for the Alexandria Beetles, Nic did almost everything. Like players' laundry, on-stage host for the games, taking care of the ballpark hanging fence signs or pumping the water out of it if there was heavy rain the previous night. He would also sell the ballpark putting together promotions, making hotdogs, and the list goes on and on.  

Nic learned a lot from his experience of the 18+ hours internship working for the Beetles; still, one of the biggest lessons would come after sending over 172 resumes and getting zero response. Far from regret doing that, he believes that that was the first step to start developing patient persistence and fortified determination. 

He also referred to how it was for him and his team Lebrons' departure from Cleveland and the things he thinks they could've done differently.

We talked about the importance of changing our mindset and treating challenges as opportunities to become better at what we do, turning something that could be considered harmful into something positive. Nic also highlighted the importance of networking in the industry, and he talked about how vital human relationships are. 

He shared his four cornerstones for a successful career in the sports industry and the best way to value and take the maximum out of our time; some of his favorite books and the leaders he likes to get inspiration from. 

Resources:

• Book: William N. Thorndike - The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success
• Book: Stephen A.Schwarzman - What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence
• Book: Leander Khaney - Tim Cook: The Genius Who Took Apple to the Next Level
• Book: David Goggins - Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
• Book: Robert Iger - The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
• Book: Adrian Robert Gostick - All In: How the Best managers Create a Culture of Belief and Drive Big Results
• Book: Phil Knight - Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Joining me today John Hartofilis, CEO and Host of Gen Z Hoops podcast, founder of BSBC, basketball coach at Xavier HS, and part of the Pro Team Sales X2 Performance. We talked about the importance of networking and how he approaches it, his vision of standing out in such a competitive industry, and his transformation in his short and vertiginous career. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

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"Age is a weapon, your age is a weapon, you're never too old. I used to look at it as a disadvantage, not even close. It is the ultimate advantage. I'm only this young for not much longer; I need to use it." - John Hartofilis.

John got his High School diploma in 2018 from Xavier High School, and in 2020 he already earned his BS in Business and Technology from Stevens Institute in Technology. It's one year away from getting his second Bachelor in Science in Business from Zicklin School of Business, and he is only 20 years old. 

He started the Big Fellas Podcast in June 2020, a basketball-related show that transitioned into Gen Z Hoops Podcast in December 2020, an interview show where he speaks about basketball facts, news, business-related topics. He interviews coaches, journalists, players, and virtually any person relevant in the NBA sphere.  

We had a great conversation about his journey and his approach to networking, getting interviews for his show, and the follow-up with his show's guests after the recording is over. We talked about his dreams and aspirations in the sports industry, specifically in the NBA, and how he's working to achieve them. 

He shared his first experiences when he was 14 and was editing videos for fun, and how important it is the passion when it comes to putting the reps needed to succeed at something. 

Tune in and listen to the fascinating story of this young yet experienced spirit full of dreams and the potential to achieve what he aims for and more. 

Resources:

• Gen Z Hoops Podcast

Connect with John:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

I've prepared a solo episode this week to talk about networking. The sports industry is small if compared with others, and that is one of the main reasons why networking is vital. I'll give you a few helpful tips that you can start implementing right away in your routine and get immediate benefits from a purposeful and mission guided network. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

*********************************************************************Making the first contact with an exciting prospect in the industry is quite hard, but once we manage to get in touch with them, it is crucial to nurture that relationship. We must keep up, stay in touch and most importantly, find a way to add value. 

We can do that by sending them information that they could find useful in their niche or even suggesting how to upgrade or make something better. 

In this episode, I'll explain the importance of networking with a purpose, and I'll give away the technique I use to contact and network with people from the sports industry via LinkedIn. 

Joining me today is Nick DePaula, NBA feature writer at ESPN, co-host of the "Sneaker Center" on ESPN+, and host of "The Sneaker Game" coming soon on @Boardroom. We talked about how his curiosity for sneakers started and how he got into the sports industry. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

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"Don't put so much pressure on yourself for everything to happen right away (...) Enjoy being young and working towards your goal down the road" - Nick DePaula

Nick covers everything related to the NBA's footwear industry; he reports shoe deals, interviews sneakers' designers and players. 

He worked as Creative Director of Nice Kicks, where he reached over 3 million followers on Instagram, a million on Facebook, and over 800,000 followers on Twitter.

Son of an English teacher, Nick always liked to write. He was in high school when Slam Magazine launched the first sneakers magazine called Kicks, and it was there when he realized that there was space for him to exploit his two passions, sneakers and writing.

He also gave his thoughts on what it means to him working in the sports industry, which never stops, and how he deals with working with people on the other side of the world.

Tune in and learn everything about this specific niche. 

Resources:

• Book: Doug Stephens - Reeingeneering Retail: The Future of Selling In A Post Digital World
• The Undefeated - Snickers

Connect with Nick:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter

In today's episode, I talk with Yahoo Sports' Vice President and GM, Geoff Reiss. We took a walk through his extensive career in the sports industry; we talked about his success and failures as a leader, paid vs. unpaid internships, and the best way to approach a job opportunity. We also talked about alternative ways of getting into the industry when internships are not an option. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

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"You can just get smarter around the things that are changing in the sports industry. (...) In the MIT Sloan Conference, there's a phenomenal job of publishing every paper submitted for the conference every year. You don't have to read every damn paper, but you should at least be aware of what the topics being talked about are." - Geoff Reiss. 

Geoff Reiss' first experience as GM was on SPY, where he started as office manager, and in three years, he got promoted to General Manager. The opportunity of knowing how every piece of the business ran gave him the perfect angle to develop a great job as GM. 

After his successful job at SPY, Geoff went to SVP in 1993, where he managed ESPN.com's launch, and he was also involved in the operations of ESPN.com, ESPN Insider, ESPN Fantasy, NFL.com, NBA.com, and NASCAR.com. Almost 18 years after his first job at SVP, he led the creation of the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) League, owned by Chris Paul, Kevin Hart, Chris Hardwick, and Billie Jean King. 

He also worked as Head of Twitter Sports and assisted as an advisor and board member for many digital media start-ups. 

We discussed the alternatives for those who want to get into the sports industry but can't afford to work for free in an unpaid internship, and Geoff tackled it from an interesting angle. He believes that other ways can lead a student right into the industry. 

First, the student must identify its passion, what they are great at. Once they figured that out, they can get into the industry as great lawyers, marketers, writers, and so forth. He cashed his first check into the sports industry at the age of 33. 

Geoff also shared three essential tips to a successful negotiation, based on what he had in mind when he negotiated TV contracts. 

Tune in and learn the secrets of this veteran, who got into it after his 30s. 

Connect with Geoff:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Joining me today is Kenisha Rhone, Director of Social Media and Social Strategy at the Belmont University, and Public Relations Solutionist. We had an inspiring conversation about volunteering, how it develops the professional and the human being, the possibility for younger generations to act as social media translators in the industry.  If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

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" There is space for anyone who likes sports. The industry needs every bit of creativity you can bring." - Kenisha Rhone.

Kenisha also oversees the athletic department's social media and digital efforts. She has over 16 years of experience working with media contacts and sports information for volleyball, softball, and track & field athletes. Member of the College Sports Information Directors of America, she has been a national programming committee member for seven years. She is the vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). 

She has been involved in community service forever; she is a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member. She assists on the walk day committee for the Susan G. Komen Central Tennessee MORE THAN PINK Walk. Kenisha frequently volunteers to speak to youth groups in several high schools, and she mentors young students. 

For Kenisha, volunteering is essential to help us grow as society members, and it also helps to unplug ourselves from our daily routines/worries. "Taking action in volunteering allows us to see people in their full humanity, even us.", she says. To disconnect from our world and have empathy and social consciousness about what is happening around us will let us grow and evolve. 

I asked her what kind of people should avoid considering getting into the sports industry. As the sports industry doesn't stop, and it is almost impossible to establish a regular routine, she said, control freaks, people looking for a calm and well-planned workweek should avoid the industry. Virtually all the time, something is happening, and nowadays, in pandemic times, there is always someone watching sports somewhere. So the industry can't stop for a second; it must keep going. 

Tune in and learn how to take the maximum out of every volunteering opportunity, how young people can add value using social media, and more. 

Connect with Kenisha:

• LinkedIn

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Portland Trailblazers' EVP and CCO, Dewayne Hankins. We talked about his first steps in the industry, what habits helped him be where he is today, and which ones he abandoned. He shared his thoughts about what attributes a good leader should have, his vision of the industry during 2021, and much more. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

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" Feedback is a great thing; it helps you learn and become better. And the higher you are in a company, you get it less, and you need it more." - Dewayne Hankins. 

Dewayne has over 18 years of experience in the sports industry. He worked in the NBA, NHL, MLS, and MLB. Since a young age, he was a fan of baseball, and it wasn't until his senior year, when he needed to start thinking about getting a job, that he realized that you could work for a baseball team without being a player. He saw the broad spectrum of possibilities, from stats collection to media creation. Good fortune did the rest. As he needed an internship to get his degree, Dewayne took a role at the Kane County Cougars. He had long hours of work, but he enjoyed every minute of it, and that is how he got his first steps in the sports industry. 

Regarding internships, Dewayne thinks that they are important because the sports industry demands a lot of time and effort. He believes that if someone went through the exhausting experience of working in sports and then applies for a position, that person is committed and loves sports. However, people without experience in sports, those without internships, can also join the industry later. People with a different set of skills are also welcome, he thinks. 

Listen to the full episode, and know Dewayne's position about the role a leader should fulfill, the best way to approach people on Linkedin, and what he thinks is the best way to adapt quickly in an industry that changes regularly. 

Connect with Dewayne Hankins at:

Linkedin

Twitter

This week, we chat with Darren O'Donnell, Vice President of the Business Development department at the Denver Broncos. He shared with us valuable insights into the sports industry from a business perspective. We talked about how he thinks the new normality will affect the industry, what opportunities he foresees popping out, and what it takes to be in sponsorship sales. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

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"To get into the front door of any Fortune 500 company, you have to approach them with an idea. We are not selling sites; we are selling ideas." - Darren O'Donnell.

Darren O'Donnell has an MBA in International Business from the Golden Gate University and a BS in General Business and Entrepreneurship from the Colorado State University. He has vast experience in producing revenue and creating business relationships in the sports industry. 

His main focus in the Denver Broncos is to discover and generate new business opportunities. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, Darren worked with sponsorship and ticket sales, consulting, and agency representation. 

Darren believes that perhaps the foundational attribute to get into the sports industry is persistence. As he said, the industry doesn't have unlimited opportunities, and applicants most certainly will face several negatives before getting a chance. 

There is when a second attribute gets into the scene, flexibility. Rarely, the first step into the industry will be in our preferred position. Flexibility is key to adapt, evolve, and grow in the industry from inside of it. 

Darren highlighted the importance of having new ideas when requesting a job opportunity. In the sponsorship sales world, it is vital to bring fresh perspectives and new ways to approach it. 

Listen to the full episode, and learn about the importance of volunteering and what Darren means when he says that the ideal candidate for sponsorship sales should have figured out how to "smell the money." Also, he answers how a student can add value to sports professionals and how he thinks the industry will look like in the forthcoming years. 

Connect with Darren O'Donnell at:

Linkedin

In today's episode, we had an inspirational conversation with Roger Jones, Cleveland Browns Corporate Partnerships Director. We talked about how he decided to major in sports, the decisions that help him make his childhood dreams real, and what it takes to work in the sports industry. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

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"You need to network with a purpose, (...) then, activate your network, and it'll work for you." - Roger Jones.

Roger Jones has a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management from Ohio University. His curiosity and willingness to learn led him to take courses on Business Law Sport, Operations Management, Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, and Governance of Sport. 

He has had an extensive career in the sports industry; he was Director of Sales at Maryland Sports Properties and Director of Corporate Partnerships at Georgetown Sports Properties before getting his dream job at the Cleveland Browns. 

Being a pre-med student, Roger took the Sports Management 101 class with the sole purpose of not leaving his best friend. They decided to change their majors after they discovered that a major in sports existed. That was the starting point of his thriving sports industry career. 

Roger explained what it takes to work in the sports industry, the challenges we must face, and the best way to prepare for them. For him, an interview shouldn't be something to be nervous or anxious about; a job interview is for people working at the organization you are interested to know.

Working in the sports industry equals long hours. Roger tells the students he mentors to understand the industry they're trying to get into. The sports industry is "around the clock information." 

"The reason why ESPN is so successful is that they provide 24/7 up to date, information about sports."

He offered three valuable tips for graduated students who can't get a job in the sports industry.Listen to the full episode and learn about networking with a purpose, putting your network to work for you, what it takes to get into the sports industry, the best ways of finding your niche, and much more. 

Connect with Roger Jones at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-jones-81155427/