Office Hours

Welcome to a new episode of Office Hours: a podcast with Front Office Sports CEO Adam White and figures from the sports industry. This season is focused on athletes, both current and retired, who have found success in business endeavors off the field. On today’s episode, we’re joined by New England Free Jacks co-founder and CEO, Alex Magleby. In October of 2018, Magleby left USA Rugby to help launch the New England Free Jacks as part of the inaugural season of Major League Rugby. Building a sports organization from the ground up is never easy, doing so in a global pandemic is borderline impossible. Despite the obstacles, Magleby is bullish on rugby's future in the U.S., MLR's ability to innovate, and the opportunity that lies ahead for the U.S. on the biggest stages of global rugby competition. Highlighted conversation points are below: 2:35 – The postponement of the Olympics and its impact on Rugby 6:00 – Planning his post-Rugby playing moves 11:11 – Getting into entrepreneurship 24:26 – Launching the Free Jacks 31:43 – Rugby post-pandemic 35:48 – MLR expansion

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Cincinnati Red pitcher Trevor Bauer. In August, Bauer set a Reds record with 41 strikeouts in just four starts. Dominating on the field, Bauer hopes to do the same off of it. As someone who has "done things differently" his entire life, Bauer is bullish on the future of Momentum, the athlete-centric media company he started in 2019, the positive steps Major League Baseball and players have made on social media, and a new model he believes to be the future of how agents do business. Highlighted conversation points are below: 2:40 – Using COVID-19 delay to bolster Momentum 5:33 – Why Momentum and why a content business 14:32 – On a potential MLB x Momentum collaboration 19:09 – His thoughts on NIL and how it will impact college athletes 23:32 – On a better agency model for agents 32:20 – Balancing baseball and business

On today's episode, we're joined by two time Olympic gold medalist. Bart Conner. Conner is the only American male gymnast to win gold medal at every level of national and international competition. When he's not working at his gym or working on his other gymnastics related businesses, he's an ESPN color commentator, a public speaker, and is deeply invested and involved with Special Olympics. 4:15 - COVID-19's impact on his gym business 5:32 - Implications of a postponed Olympics 10:53 - Transitioning to the business world 15:30 - Getting involved with Special Olympics 32:24 - How gymnastics recovers from the Larry Nassar Scandal 41:26 - What's next for his career

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Devon Kennard, Arizona Cardinals Outside Linebacker and real estate investor. A product of USC, Kennard has found success on and off the field with a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio that includes 14 different properties across multiple states. On how his senior year of high school changed his outlook on life after football (4:17) On building a network while in college (11:08) On his Mount Rushmore of business leaders (19:55) On dealing with current events and acts of racial injustice (25:20) On the legacy he wants to leave behind (27:25)

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Isaac Rochell, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end and founder of apparel company Local Human. A product of Notre Dame, Rochell has used his time during quarantine to start Local Human, a one-to-one apparel company that he hopes becomes the next Toms. On life during quarantine (2:41) On his career off the field (6:13) Future of Local Human (14:20) On the NFL taking a more visible stand against racial injustice (19:32) On the legacy he wants to leave behind (25:22)

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Brent Celek, former NFL tight end turned real estate investor and Owner of Pando Mortgage. After 11 seasons in the NFL, Celek retired after winning a super bowl with the Eagles in 2017. Now focused entirely on his real estate business, Celek has big ambitions for that, his ability to help other former players, and the children's book he is currently working on. On learning from his family (2:25) On players and their business interests (11:22) On the origin of his company name (16:17) On his business idols (22:00) On his best advice (24:36)

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Justin Forsett, former NFL running back turned CEO & Co-Founder of Hustle Clean.Forsett entered into the league in 2008 after being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. Despite being "fired six times" Forsett played nine seasons in the NFL, racking up 3,890 rushing yards, 1,351 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns.Today, Forsett heads up Hustle Clean, a performance hygiene company he founded earlier this year after the success of his ShowerPill product, which is now in over 1,000 stores.Forsett sat down to discuss everything from why starting a business is harder than making an NFL team to his experience on Shark Tank and why not getting a deal was likely the best thing to happen to him.On the successful transition off the field (2:29)On building a business versus making the NFL (4:57)On life lessons on the field (6:14)On advice from coaches (9:58)On the legacy he wants to leave (24:36)

On this week's episode, we're joined by Rich Antoniello CEO and founder of Complex Networks.Antoniello founded Complex in 2002 after several years in print and digital media at National Geographic and Men's Journal following his start as a media planner at Saatchi & Saatchi in 1993.Antoniello sat down to discuss the value of organic growth, what teams and leagues can learn from media companies, the importance of good brands and good businesses, and what it takes to be a good entrepreneur.4:04-4:39: The value of organic growth. 9:01-9:58: On creating content vs. reporting14:44-15:50: Monetization in college athletics28:33-30:06: What teams and leagues can learn from media companies41:12- 41:47: The importance of good brands and good business43:53-45:25: The sacrifices necessary to be an entrepreneur

On today's episode, we are joined by Gary and AJ Vaynerchuk, founders of VaynerMedia, a social-media focused digital agency, and VaynerSports, a full-service athletic representation agency.The Vaynerchuks have their sights set on the sports industry as the next target for disruption, and they sat down with FOS CEO Adam White to discuss the sports industry, the business of being an agent, what things leagues are doing well, and the future of men's makeup.5:29- 6:30 - AJ on the easy and hard parts of being an NFL agent9:05- 9:21- Gary on why he enjoys working in sports.13:14- 14:07- Interplay of Vayner Media and Vayner sports20:39- 21:54 - The business of being an agent23:43- 25:33 - Gary on how he got into tech37:23 - 38:22 - Extremely bullish on men's makeup

On today's episode, we are joined by Geoff Reiss, General Manager of Yahoo Sports.Reiss' extensive resume in the sports media space includes time with Newsweek, ESPN, the Professional Bowlers Association, Twitter, and more. With that background, Reiss brings an interesting perspective in a time when several upstart professional leagues are forming, sports betting is approaching full legalization, and the media landscape is constantly changing.2:09-4:33 On constants in the sports industry4:34-5:59 On pro leagues that can gain an audience outside of traditionally successful periods for tv ratings6:01-7:58 Economic problems for upstart pro leagues38:45-39:45 On NFL Media rights situation39:45-40:38 On doubling NFL revenue in 201940:39-41:18 What Yahoo Sports invest in for 202041:19-42:41 What a successful 2020 looks like for Yahoo Sports42:42-43:41 Exciting things about the sports industry to look forward to

On today's episode, we are joined by Donn Davis, chairman and co-founder of the Professional Fighters League.A lifelong entrepreneur and operator, Davis decided to do something most 50-year-olds wouldn't - start a professional sports league. Heading into its third year, Davis has high hopes and ambitions for the PFL that include global expansion and betting integration. Having raised $100 million, Davis is bullish on the PFL becoming the next billion-dollar league.3:25-3:52 - How PFL fits in the broader MMA landscape 4:15-4:57 - Fundraising journey 5:22-5:39 - The next billion-dollar brand5:58-6:19 - The PFL's road to success 8:07-8:35 - PFL x ESPN16:38-16:55 - Sports betting integration35:28-36:16 - International expansion 40:46-41:52 - 2020 success 43:07- 43:54 - Path to profitability 

On today's show, we are joined by Peter Hutton, Director of Sports Partnerships at Facebook.Previously, Hutton spent just over three years as the CEO of Eurosport. He takes us through the tech giant's strengths and opportunities in the sports space, being a seasoned world traveller, and preparing for the future.On Facebook working and growing their relationship with athletes (14:47)On knowing Facebook is in a good spot (36:39)On growth opportunities for Facebook Sports (37:17)On the biggest issues that teams hope Facebook can help them solve (39:00)

On today's show, we are joined by Heather Brooks Karatz, president of the XFL's Los Angeles Wildcats. Her career has included several years as the Executive VP of LAFC as well as many different roles in sports law with the NFL, NHL, and the agency world.  She takes us through her own professional journey through the sports business as well as the XFL's return in 2020.On joining the XFL (0:04)On maintaining a work life balance (29:48)On her own personal journey (33:24)

On today's show, we are joined by Arash Markazi, sports columnist at the LA Times.Markazi's resume includes stops at ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and SLAM. Markazi takes us through football's future in L.A., covering the city's high profile teams at every level, and overcoming hard times personally and professionally. On how the Los Angeles market can handle two professional football teams (4:42)On the idea of Los Angeles eventually hosting another Olympic games (23:18)On social media's effect on his career (33:03)On what team is L.A.'s flagship team (47:09)

On today's show, we are joined by Shawn Green, founder and chairman of Greenfly.Green co-founded Greenfly, a social content collaboration and distribution engine, after an impressive 14-year career in Major League Baseball that included two All-Star selections, a Gold Glove Award, and a Silver Slugger Award. Green chats with White in today's episode about lessons from his playing career, the vision for Greenfly's future, and working in the "Silicon Beach" region of California. On comparisons between playing in MLB and starting a business (0:18)On returning to his home state of California to play for the Dodgers (20:41)On contributing entrepreneurial success to habits learned in his playing career (30:01)On how social media would have affected his career had it been in its prime (45:45)

On today's show, we are joined by Craig Pintens, the athletic director at Loyola Marymount University.Before joining LMU, Pintens spent seven years at the University of Oregon. Now at LMU for closing in on two years, Pintens takes you inside the transition from administrator to AD and why the NIL legislation will fundamentally change college athletics, but in a good way.11:22: The biggest adjustment of moving into the athletic director's chair28:37: Athletic directors being cautious about speaking on the subject of paying college athletes 53:32: Leadership lessons learned over the course of his career57:40: Where the proudest moments come from as a college athletics administrator

On today's show, we are joined by Richie Lai, one of the co-founders of Bittrex. Just over six years ago, he and two others founded Bittrex. Since then, the company has become one of the most well known exchanges in the cryptocurrency space. He takes us through the entrepreneurial journey and where Bittrex sees sports fitting into its overall strategy.

On today's show, we are joined by Howard Mittman, CEO of Bleacher Report.Since joining B/R just over 2 years ago, Mittman has helped lead the way when it comes to redoing the company's marketing and sales strategy and laying the framework for what Bleacher Report becomes in the future.As for what it becomes, expect a deeper push into personalities, a continued focus on turning their app into a social platform and finding ways to provide partners with both top and bottom of the funnel opportunities.3:10-5:45 - Transitioning to B/R6:03-7:05 - Opportunity for B/R8:27-10:04 - B/R and the business of pivoting32:48-34:11 - The role of high school sports in the future36:44-38:42 - Highlight-driven culture and the impact of it41:21-48:13 - The app, the app, the app

On today's show, we are joined by Jemele Hill, staff writer for The ATLANTIC and host of the "Jemele Hill is Unbothered" podcast for Spotify.After a tumultuous ending to her tenure at ESPN, Hill found herself in a position to "cash in" on her 20+ years of journalism experience and do it in a way that took her beyond sports.Doing everything from writing to podcasting, Hill has found peace in the craziness of the new chapter of her life.6:54-8:08 - The intersection of sports and politics16:32-17:12 - China18:21-1835 - Freedom of speech25:07-28:24 - NCAA29:05-32:30 - The NCAA if she was running it47:40-48:13 - The future of the sports industry

On today's show, we are joined by Erika Nardini, the CEO of Barstool Sports.In just over three years since she took over as CEO, the company has gone from a regional blog with 12 employees to one of the fastest-growing media companies in the country.  Most recent valuations peg the company at being worth more than $100 million.As for why, Nardini points to the fact that the company has more creative people than strategies, they don't have to worry about defining themselves and that speed has proven to be their best friend. 0:33-1:20: The chaos of their content creation5:35-7:41: The role long form shows play in their strategy going forward11:46-12:38: Barstool vs Barstool Sports12:49-15:00: Who disrupts Barstool?15:17-17:27: What if ESPN had kept Van Talk?19:15-22:30: Inside conversations with partners22:53-27:10: Content to commerce42:37-44:25: Being not the typical "CEO" 

On today's show, we are joined by Michael and Paul Rabil, the co-founders of the Premier Lacrosse League.It's not every day that you have the chance to start a professional sports league, but after feeling like there was a better way to bring a sport they loved to the masses, Michael and Paul did just that.Now, heading into year two, the PLL is expanding, consulting with other leagues on content strategies, and even looking to build out its own gaming platform.5:06-5:45: The not so glitz and glamour of entrepreneurship6:05-7:08: Why Paul's time is so important and valuable to the business11:37-12:04: What it's like to launch a pro sports league12:08 - 12:46: New Balance deal and what happened14:51-15:31: Why they think they got it right with their product19:16-20:16: Launching a consulting business17:10-17:59: The importance of their youth business27:40-29:35: How sports betting factors into their future38:55-41:05: Importance of the player/league relationship46:29-48:10: Path to profitability

Coming soon... Office Hours, presented by Front Office Sports, features interviews with diverse leaders who are helping shape the sports industry. From c-level executives and Athletic Directors to professional athletes, Office Hours provides actionable insights into the ever-changing sports business landscape.FOS CEO Adam White leads guests down a path revolving around 3 core themes: What is on their mind, what they are excited about, and what big ideas or theories they have to share.