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Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil), Co-Founder of the Premier Lacrosse League, midfielder for the Cannons Lacrosse Club and Host of the “Suiting Up” podcast, joins this week's edition of Sports Business Radio. Rabil discusses how he and his brother Mike started the Premier Lacrosse League, how being an elite athlete has helped him shape the league, what he looks for in business partnerships and investment opportunities and why he started the “Suiting Up” podcast, where he has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports including Steph Curry, Venus Williams and Bill Belichick. In our sports business headlines segment, we discuss the landmark Supreme Court ruling that the NCAA cannot bar relatively modest payments to student-athletes. We also discuss the possibility that an NBA team may hire a woman as Head Coach for the first time in the league's history. Listen to the award-winning Sports Business Radio podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music or at www.sportsbusinessradio.com. Follow Sports Business Radio on Twitter @SBRadio and on Instagram @SportsBusinessRadio. Sports Business Radio is powered by Malka Sports (@MalkaSports) and produced by Griggs Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
He was one of the nation's top-ranked high school football recruits who decided to take his talents to Stanford University where the trajectory of his life took turn when he was cut from the team his senior year. The President of his class was tipped off by one of his professors to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship, where Senator Cory Booker tells us, "when God closes one door, he sometimes opens up the side of a building." The Senator of New Jersey is one of only a few Mayors to be elected directly to the Senate in American history, and 1 of only 11 African Americans who have served in the US Senate. Among dozens of bills Senator Booker is on the leadership team for, he's currently championing the College Athletes Bill of Rights, legislation that would bring significant changes to the distribution of money in college sports. The positive changes for the student-athlete would create a profit-sharing model for revenue-generating sports (after scholarship deduction), provide lifetime academic scholarships, government oversight of health and safety standards, and alleviate transfer restrictions, among other changes. To get to college sports, Senator Booker and I discuss the state of youth sports, including ways to help more niche, equipment-based sports like lacrosse, secure better funding for growth across all geographies in the US. Senator Booker talks about the importance of unity – from the gridiron to Congress. He's a true leader with a track record of working across the aisle, keeping close relationships with his colleagues in the Senate, like Whitaker, Moran and Scott. He tells us, "if you want extraordinary results, you must put in extraordinary effort." I can't thank Senator Booker and each of my 15 guests enough for their extraordinary work and willingness to share such fantastic wisdom with us during this Season 3 of Suiting Up Podcast. I'm grateful for each of you, the PLL Podcasts team, and our presenting sponsors, Public.com and Outsystems. It was an honor. Enjoy the show.
10 years ago, Eric LeGrand was a top Division 1 football player at Rutgers University when he made a tackle that caused him to suffer a severe spinal cord injury, leaving him unable to move and breathe. He was paralyzed from the neck down and told he would never be able to come off a ventilator, much less walk again. A month later he was off the ventilator, able to breathe on his own, and began physical therapy. Eric's story is one that's gripping, motivational and aspiring. Over the last decade he's recognized his influence through sport to engage and educate audiences around the world on the preciousness of life, the value in opportunity to play sports, and how we can improve in our relationships between able-bodied and disabled people. Think about the storied sentiment that able-bodied people share when facing adversity...that "it could be worse" often referencing people in wheelchairs or human sense impairing. These comparisons unintentionally denigrate a community of disabled people who actually get along quite well in society -- and in many cases, excel. Eric as evidence alongside 61 million adults in the US living with a disability. Eric does a wonderful job on the show coaching me on best practices, as well as sharing resources and ways that able-bodied individuals can work with and learn from disabled individuals. As compassionate of a storyteller and educator Eric is, he too remains motivated to work towards that first doctor's said 0% outcome of being able to walk again. When receiving the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 20th Annual ESPYS, he closed his speech announcing that he in fact will walk again. A ferocious reader and author, Eric's written two books on leadership and overcoming adversity, dubbing one "The Tackle That Changed My Life." He's also a philanthropist and entrepreneur, recently launching his latest business, a coffee house that serves a "Daily Cup of Believe." You can order your coffee beans here: https://legrandcoffeehouse.com/ I'm excited for you to listen to my conversation with Eric LeGrand on Suiting Up Podcast, presented by Public.com and Outsystems.
I’m Paul Rabil – your host, pro athlete and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League, and this is Suiting Up Podcast. On today’s episode, I sit down with one of the most thoughtful, engaging, intelligent, and emotionally aware people that I know. Scott Galloway’s the head professor of marketing at NYU Stern School of Business. He’s also a 9-time entrepreneur, 2-time best-selling author, public speaker, and Suiting Up Podcast repeat guest. On the show we dissect Scott's latest bestseller, the Algebra of Happiness. And if I were you, I’d consider taking out a notepad. We discuss important items like: - Choosing your career – not necessarily following your passion - Being agile – first to move- Aggregating economic success - Tactics on building wealth - Tracking personal relevance - Cutting out the bad stuff - Picking the right partner - Defining true love - Much more Special thanks to our show's sponsor, Harry's. Get yourself my identical Harry's trial razor kit today, by visiting harrys.com/rabil. Enjoy the show!
Welcome to an all-new season of Suiting Up Podcast. I'm your host – professional athlete and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League – Paul Rabil. So far this season, we’ve interviewed NFL legend Jim Brown, as well as a titan in the movie business, Peter Berg. And for episode 3, we continue the momentum with one of the greatest Olympian’s ever. She's competed in every Olympic Games since Athens in 2004, and has eyes again on the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 as a member of Team USA volleyball -– Kerri Walsh Jennings. On the show we talk about her genealogy in sport, her training methodologies, sports psychology, diet and more. Beyond the court and sand, however, Kerri's impacted the game in major ways – most recently launching a professional volleyball league of her own, Platform 1440. Hope you’re enjoying this season of Suiting Up Podcast – enjoy Kerri Walsh Jennings.
Welcome to an all-new season of Suiting Up Podcast. I'm your host – professional athlete and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League – Paul Rabil. Today's episode features director, producer, and Hollywood filmmaker, Peter Berg. Known for his major feature films Lone Survivor, Friday Night Lights, The Kingdom, Hancock, Patriots Day, and Mile 22, Peter's also produced major TV series and Super Bowl commercials. Peter's biggest passion away from film is boxing -- so much that he hosted me at his boxing club, Churchill Boxing, in Santa Monica for the interview. Range of topics include:Overcoming fearTactics in meditationAchieving 10% improvementDiscovering your flow stateBest practices in managementHiring strategiesNeuroscience benefits of helping othersPower of storytellingImpact of new tech on film and culture With over 70 shows in our first 2 years of recording Suiting Up, we've interviewed guests like Jim Brown, Bill Belichick, Venus Williams, Drew Brees, Gary Vaynerchuk and Tony Robbins – and every time, we learn a new skill, pickup an idea, or hear an unexpected backstory about how that person wielded greatness from their career.
Welcome to an all-new season of Suiting Up Podcast. I'm your host – professional athlete and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League – Paul Rabil. Today's episode features one of the greatest athletes of all-time. Yet beyond the record-smashing, multiple MVP awards, and Super Bowl Championship, Jim Brown has impacted our human race arguably more so through his endeavors off the field – marked by his 2014 Muhammed Ali Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement award. On the show, Jim tells me about his upbringing in sports, the tactics behind his success – from his meticulous training regimen and game day prep, to his superior intelligence, including ways he would "win the mind game". Additionally, we discuss the impact Jim has made on society – from his charitable initiatives, to job creation programs for inner-city men and women, to his current efforts working with the incarcerated through extensive rehabilitation programs and post-incarceration job opportunities. Among everything he has accomplished and what's left in front of him, Jim's words of wisdom throughout the show our worth keeping a notepad and pen handy. Enjoy the show. With over 70 shows in our first 2 years of recording Suiting Up, we've interviewed guests like Bill Belichick, Venus Williams, Drew Brees, Gary Vaynerchuk and Tony Robbins – and every time, we learn a new skill, pickup an idea, or hear an unexpected backstory about how that person wielded greatness from their career.
Professional lacrosse player Paul Rabil is on a mission to change the way the world sees his sport, and the way athletes take on the world. Not only has he made himself a name as one of the greatest players in history, he is changing the game by launching the Premier Lacrosse League--bringing his visionary outlook in business and branding for anyone looking to broaden their reach and connect with their audience. We exchange perspectives on optimizing social media, extracting lessons from the field (or court), takeaways from our favorite moments in sport, and how our passion for the world of athletics translates to all areas of life.Connect with Paul RabilWebsite | https://paulrabil.com/#1Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/paulrabil/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PaulRabil/Twitter | https://twitter.com/paulrabilYouTube| https://www.youtube.com/paulrabilCheck out the Premier Lacrosse League | https://www.premierlacrosseleague.com/Listen to the Suiting Up Podcast | https://suitinguppodcast.com/Connect with Aubrey Marcus:Website | https://www.aubreymarcus.com/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/aubreymarcus/Twitter | https://twitter.com/aubreymarcusFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/AubreyMarcus/ Fit For Service Mastermind | https://bit.ly/2O0yrIP Check out Aubrey's book Own The Day Own Your Life:https://bit.ly/2t6x4hu Get 10% off Onnit products | https://www.onnit.com/Aubrey/Subscribe to the Aubrey Marcus Newsletter:https://www.aubreymarcus.com/pages/email Subscribe to the Aubrey Marcus Podcast:iTunes | https://apple.co/2lMZRCn Android | https://bit.ly/2OQeBQgSpotify | https://spoti.fi/2EaELZOStitcher | https://bit.ly/2G8ccJtShow NotesMichael Jordan’s Hall of Fame speech | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLzBMGXfK4cBas Rutten and Chuck Lidell’s new Professional Karate League | https://bit.ly/2DsPEULGlory Kickboxing | http://www.glorykickboxing.com/Brene Brown | https://brenebrown.com/Shut up and Dribble | https://n.pr/2uQvl0GMomento Mori Coin | https://prints.dailystoic.com/products/memento-moriTom Schreiber | https://bit.ly/2AaLJsDPaul Selig | https://paulselig.com/Howard Schultz | https://bit.ly/2DJv4k2Marcus Aurelius | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_AureliusDeath of The Gentlmean | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8nCBMuuPeg
Happy New Year everyone! It’s 2019, the weather’s warm on the east coast, and there’s opportunity in the air. For the avid Suiting Up Podcast listeners, you may recall me teasing a final, year-end highlight show – publishing my favorite moments from the guests of 2018. Here it is. We decided to take this to another level by synchronizing themes. On today's episode, you'll hear from folks like Steve Nash, Christian Fuchs, and Kyle Harrison on work ethic; then Jay Dyer and Mike Levine on specific working habits; then Erika Nardini and Adam Grant on soft skill and personal development; as well as true wealth and career fulfillment from Tony Robbins. I found -- with the help of my Chief of Staff, Andrew Manning -- that these moments are not only incredibly retrospective, but can provide us with a jumpstart to the new year. Let's get to work. Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
Happy Holidays, everyone. This is the final Suiting Up Podcast episode of 2018! On the show, we’re going to cover a number of subjects and set the stage for the future of Suiting Up Podcast. This entire series is going through a reorg, restructure, with new dates and special guests. Over the last several weeks, I've spent quality time with my content and creative peers, colleagues at Cadence 13, and most importantly, listening to many of you on what you’ve liked, prefer to hear, and ideal guests moving forward. Additionally, and core to the show, I share some of my favorite end-of-year tips around reflection, goal-setting, journaling, gifting, and being present. The holidays bring a lot of excitement and connection -- but also often stress and discomfort. So, stay tuned to the second half of the show for my take. Suiting Up is a podcast that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Best wishes for a high impact 2019.
On this week's show, I sit down with Suiting Up Podcast guest #10 -- now the Premier Lacrosse League's Manager of Media, and founder of Shootout for Soldiers, Tyler Steinhardt. We made an important announcement today, unveiling our community initiative, called "PLL Assists". We're so grateful for the work the lacrosse community puts into the broader growth of the sport (via investments, access, support, education, etc.), and it's integral to our mission that we invest and contribute resources into the growth of these efforts. From a Nov. 19, 2018 Press Release: As the Premier Lacrosse League continues its revolutionary approach to the sport, the league is announcing the formation of its community and charitable initiative, PLL Assists. PLL Assists is seeking to change the way that sports leagues interact with their communities by building lasting relationships with meaningful programs around the country. The program will focus on three specific areas during its inaugural season in 2019: increasing access to lacrosse in underserved communities, supporting American Veterans in their transition back home, and joining the fight against cancer. Additionally, the PLL will assist its players’ respective charitable endeavors by investing with financial support and shared resources. Within each of these initiatives, PLL Assists will work with selected, established non-profit partners, to make meaningful impact to people who need it. “As professional athletes, we’re fortunate to reach millions of lacrosse enthusiasts around the world, and it’s our responsibility to positively impact and encourage change,” said Paul Rabil, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of PLL. “That’s something I’ve always strived for in my career, and firmly believe in giving back to others. From the moment we started the PLL, we knew how important building with our communities was, are are excited to work through PLL Assists to invest in social good.” Suiting Up is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
This week, my colleagues and I – over 140 of the worlds best professional lacrosse players – joined by my co-founder and CEO, Mike Rabil, launched the Premier Lacrosse League. In short, the PLL is a revolutionary, tour-based, professional lacrosse league – where next June through September, 6 teams comprised of the best players and coaches in the world, will set off along a full regular season, all star break, and playoffs, to compete for a Premier Lacrosse League Championship. Major part of the news? We launched with a major media rights deal with NBC Sports Group – where all of our games will be broadcasted with NBC throughout the season, being featured on both TV and digital. Exciting times…and over the next several weeks on the show, we’ll be talking about it. Here’s my first conversation with the Premier Lacrosse League co-founder and CEO, Mike Rabil. Welcome to an all-new episode of Suiting Up Podcast – this is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
I used to beg my Mom and Dad to subscribe to ESPN. This was in the early 90's when the premium cable show reached only 1.5M homes (compared to now where they’re in 90M+). At the time, there was this new show dedicated to sports headlines and highlights called SportsCenter – with lead anchor, Dan Patrick. Dan Patrick was to ESPN what Howard Stern is to Sirius XM – helping grow the reach of ESPN into millions of homes. However, before landing the gig, he was on the road as a Disc Jockey doing radio station top and bottom-of-the hour score callouts, while sending in his self-made highlight tapes to industry executives hoping to get an interview. After a decade and a half at ESPN, Dan left what was familiar, to begin something far more risky and new. And over the course of the next 18 months self-funding project buildout, staffing, and ops, The Dan Patrick Show became the most successful sports talk radio show on the planet. Today, Dan can be spotted calling the Super Bowl, World Series, and more as a lead host for NBC, and if you don't get enough of DP there, you can tune in to his daily sports show either through AM/FM, podcasts, or DirectTV. His journey’s been incredible – and it's only just started. In 2017, Dan decided to take what he's learned, package it up with Full Sail University, and offer the first ever Bachelors Degree in SportsCasting. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
Christian Fuchs is a starting left back and captain for the Austria National team and Leicester City Football Club. In 2016, he helped lead the LCFC to its first ever English Premier League Title – beating out the thoroughbreds of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City. Christian and LCFC's odds of winning that year? 5,000 to 1. Put it this way, the Cleveland Browns have a 200 to 1 chance of winning the Super Bowl this year. The #16 seed in the NCAA Basketball Tournament – which, until UMBC did it this year, has never advanced past the first round – has a 5,000 to 1 chance of winning the NCAA Championship. The aforementioned basically means zero chance. Yet, Leicester City did it. Christian shares the stories of team, culture, and profound coaching that led to the infamous club championship. Christian's also an entrepreneur – we talk about his youth soccer academies, his fashion company, his latest investment into esports, and his YouTube Channel. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Special thanks to this week's sponsors Keeps, Away Travel (Promo code: Rabil), Uncharted (Promo code: Rabil), and Omaha Steaks (type RABIL in the search bar).
Alan Stein Jr. is a high performance coach, consultant, speaker, and author. He’s spent 15+ years with the highest performing basketball players on the planet. And with the NBA Finals now in full-swing, I felt like there was no better time to bring in an industry expert to anecdotally talk about the habits of the greatest – from Kobe Bryant, to LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. Additionally, he has experience working with the Nike Skills Academies, McDonald’s All-American game, Jordan Brand Classic, NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp, and the CP3 Elite Guard Camp. Important to mention all of the above as he's so articulate with framing the conversation from youth to pro. On the show we discuss the soft skills of basketballs top talents – which are shared talents of industry leaders in Fortune 500 companies. Topics include: - Gathering and processing feedback - Positive empathy - Practice strategies - Leadership - Habits and fundamentals Alan’s a tremendous speaker, and he flexes that skillset on the show, packing every minute with great framework and motivation. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
Kyle Harrison is one of the greatest lacrosse players on the planet. He was a multiple time All-American, National Champion, Tewaaraton winner, MLL All-star and Champion. He was the first black player to win the Tewaaraton award -- where Kyle's father, Dr. Miles Harrison, played on the first all-black NCAA lacrosse team in the during the 1970's. Our interview took several shapes from start-to-finish. We discussed Kyle's relationship with his father, what it's like to be a minority player in a predominantly white sport, the legacy he's leaving with his efforts to diversify participation at all levels, and where he sees the game evolving globally and culturally. We dive into his work ethic, both as a multi-sport athlete in high school, to his learnings and captainship with the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays. Finally, we discuss his evolution as a pro lacrosse player, his increased performance and veteran leadership, to the endorsement game, event partnerships he's built, and his recent role with Charm City Youth Lacrosse -- their latest CEO. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Special thanks to this week's sponsors Keeps, Away Travel, and Saxx (Promo Code: Rabil).
Dave Meltzer is an entrepreneur, author, humanitarian, and current CEO of Sports 1 Marketing, a global marketing agency. On this episode, we sat down and discussed his approach to business, how he bounced back from bankruptcy, and the strategies he developed to reinvent his success. Meltzer's current projects: 1. The Super Bowl 2. The Master’s 3. Pro Football Hall of Fame 4. The Unstoppable Foundation Meltzer was 2016's Variety Magazine’s “Sports Humanitarian of the Year”, he's a two-time #1 best-selling author (Connected To Goodness and Compassionate Capitalism), and has been recognized as a Top Keynote Speaker by Forbes and Entrepreneur. Most recently, Meltzer took on a producing role, is a judge, and host of Entrepreneur's original show, and #1 Digital Business show, Elevator Pitch. Since launching, they've scored over 20.8 million views. Finally Meltzer is the host of the Top 5 business podcast on iTunes, The Playbook. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
Jim Scherr was a decade-long Olympic and World Champion wrestler. After his international competition years, he decided to pursue the business of sports, becoming the Executive Director of USA Wrestling, then worked his way into becoming the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). As such, Jim oversaw, operated, and led the performance of all USA Olympic sports for a 10-year span. Enter lacrosse. Today, Jim's the CEO of the Federation of International Lacrosse -- the governing body that oversees 58 internationally sanctioned countries who compete for prominence in global lacrosse competitions. And at this moment, Jim's job is mainly focused on getting lacrosse back into the Olympics. Today's episode was recorded live at this year's US Lacrosse Convention. My good friend and business leader at Inside Lacrosse, Terry Foy, set the conversation up in front of packed house at their company's annual Industry Summit (thank you, Terry). Jim and I discuss his athletic chops as an Olympic wrestler, the commonalities between sport and business, his learnings at the helm of the USOC, and predictions for lacrosse. It's May Madness in the lacrosse world. Enjoy my first ever live-recording of Suiting Up Podcast, with Jim Scherr.
Paul Rabil joins me on the podcast. Paul is the most recognisable athlete in Lacrosse and plays for Team USA and the New York Lizards. Away from the game Paul is an entrepreneur and hosts the hit podcast Suiting Up where he has explored the minds of the likes of Bill Belichick, Venus Williams, Steve Nash, Dane Swan, Randy Foye, Jay Williams, Tiki Barber, Jeremy Lin, Drew Brees and many more.Episode presented by Bulk Nutrients. Check out their range of supplements at www.bulknutrients.com.au/tkFor full episode guides and show notes please visit www.talkingwithtk.com and get in contact with me at tristan@talkingwithtk.comConnect with me on social media: Twitter and Facebook I'm @talkingwithtk or instagram @tristanknell
Adam Grant has been Wharton's School of Business's top-rated professor for the last six years. He’s a 3x NYT bestselling author, with a focus on how we can find motivation, meaning, and live more generous and creative lives. Adam's been recognized as one of the world's 10 most influential management thinkers, he's a Fortune 40 under 40 member, has 2 viral TED talks (we discuss them in the pod), and has recently launched his own podcast with TED, called WorkLife with Adam Grant. Adam also works, advises, and consults with organizations like Facebook, Google, The NBA, BCG, AMEX, Disney, Army, Navy, and others. Not too shabby… I first learned about Adam several years ago through his books. Many of my long-time listeners might recall interviews where I both recommend and call-out Adam's book with Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook’s COO), Option B — Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy. Just over one year ago, Adam reached out to me via email to say “Thank you for the book callout”. I was shocked — as uncertain of my place in his world of influence, as well as…how he even got my email. More-so, I was blown away by his outbound message — which was entirely unexpected, made my day, and continues to inspire me to do the same in the present moment. So, 12 months later, I reached back out to Adam's email to request if he could join me on my show. Of course, Adam made it work, and today, I’m sharing that conversation with you. I’ve spent the greater part of the last four years in sports psychology, and the last three in cognitive and interpersonal therapy — which has been hugely beneficial to my personal and professional growth. Just like those sessions, today’s episode is brought to you in one-piece – with no ads. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
"In my business, I'm not a point guard. I'm a shooting guard. It's my job to go out and be a passionate advocate for my clients." David Falk is considered by many to be the second most powerful man in basketball -- behind David Stern. He negotiated professional sport's first $100 million dollar deal for Alonzo Mourning, and closed over $400 million dollars in free agency deals during a 6-day period. Falk's road to success in professional sports stemmed from a blue collar upbringing, where hard work and goal achievement sat at the forefront of daily rituals. His mother instilled in him to "Always shoot for the stars and never settle for anything less." On the show, we talk about what it was like to sign Michael Jordan, represent him in negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Nike, McDonalds, and Gatorade, as well as how Falk and his team restructured many of the rules in the current NBA Player Handbook, to prevent the cannibalization of player image/likeness by the NBA. If you're in (or aspire to be) the business of sports, this show will equip you with a history of player representation, packed with anecdotes from MJ's career, the small and large (quite large) deals, and the celebrations. Falk and I also dissect certain core characteristics and soft skills that businesses and agencies are looking for. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Special thanks to this week's sponsors Warby Parker, Away Travel, and Saxx (Promo Code: Rabil).
"If you work hard, and you continue to fight through, and you continue to push, that there's something waiting for you in the end that's really big...that you can't even imagine." Randy Foy jump started the Villanova Wildcats dynasty run we've seen these last handful of years. He was Jay Wright's first Big East Player of the Year, and his first NBA lottery pick. Today, still an active NBA player, Randy's a mentor for many of the current Villanova players, and remains closely tied with Coach Wright. Our conversation, however, goes far deeper than the chronicles of Villanova men's basketball. Randy Foye lets us in on the origins of his life. He grew up in Newark New Jersey, without his parents, and a debilitating biological disorder. His perspective, strength, perseverance, and love jump through the audio file, articulately and authentically. Very few of us -- if any -- have experienced even a fraction of what Randy has in his short 34 years thus far. But we can all be better off in modeling his work ethic, leadership, and fatherhood skills. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors Saxx (Promo Code: Rabil), Magic, and ZipRecruiter.
"I remember seeing all the Olympic athletes, standing in the corner as a Paralympic swimmer and thinking, 'one day, these athletes are going to know who I am'." Jessica Long is a global icon. She's a 23-time medalist, the holder of 14 world records, has won 2 ESPY awards, is soon-to-be bestselling author, and was recently named to Forbes' prestigious 30 under 30 list. I walked away from our conversation amazed by Jessica's resilience, determination, and courage. Her origin story began in Russia, where she was put up for adoption at an early age. Her American parents were her caretakers through her over 25 surgeries during her adolescent years. Then she found swimming. She's the ultimate competitor, wrapped in compassion and empathy. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors Saxx (Promo Code: Rabil), Keeps, Magic, and Beachbody (text Rabil to 303030 for a FREE trial).
"The reason why there are so few professional athletes, is they're people who can endure so much pain." Founded back in 1858 in Melbourne Australia, today there are roughly 2 million active participants playing "Footy", with sold out stadiums hosting the professional leagues, and millions of viewers worldwide. Dane Swan is one of the greatest Australian Rules Footballers in the modern era, and on the show we talk about his rise to the top, training, producing, responding to injury, and elongating your career. In the early stages of his career, Dane said, “we eat, we drink, we party hard – we're pigs.” Of course, the fans and picked up on this, commercialized it, and the lads were dubbed "the rat pack". Toward the back half of his career, he's become more focused and entrepreneurial, writing a book about his journey, starting an event business in the US called the Dane Swan Tour, created a clothing line called Ratbagg, owns a bar and tattoo shop, and makes regular TV appearances and speaking engagements. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Thanks to Away Travel and Mattress Firm for sponsoring this week's episode. To get $20 off your first Away Travel suitcase, click HERE. Also, Head to mattressfirm.com/podcast to get the play-by-play on how you can monumentally improve your sleep—today, tonight and tomorrow.
"I operated under this belief that there was no such thing as a nice defenseman." A Princeton University grad, Dave Morrow was a National Champion, two-time defensive player of the year, two-time Team USA player, and two-time world champion. As decorated of an on-field resume as his, Morrow's greatest impact on the sport has been what he's created off of it. He built Warrior Sports -- now the largest sporting goods manufacturer in lacrosse -- from his dorm room his junior year in college. To fund the company, Morrow raised a seed investment from his father and college roommate, and immediately used it to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue in year one. His biggest challenge? He was a starting defender for the USA national team, playing in overtime of the world championship game, trying to defend the best player in the world (Gary Gait), with a gold medal on the line, and the future of his business -- Warrior was the team sponsor. On the show, we talk about what it's like to be a young entrepreneur drinking from the firehose, facing fear, taking on exorbitant risk, finding solutions, and executing. In 2004, New Balance acquired Warrior for an undisclosed amount. Morrow continues to operate as the company's CEO, building the hockey and soccer business, and continuing to innovate with new products and intellectual property. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Also, thanks to our sponsors, ZipRecruiter, Magic, and Mattress Firm. Try ZipRecruiter for free HERE, get a free phone consultation and priority service with Magic HERE, and head to mattressfirm.com/podcast to get the play-by-play on how you can monumentally improve your sleep today, tonight and tomorrow.
"At some point, your opportunity will hit. At the time when you're least expecting it. You have to be ready. You have to jump." Tiki Barber is one of the best all-purpose running backs in NFL history. He was undersized, under-recruited, and was given his first opportunity to play when the starting running back at UVA got injured. He never looked back. He grew up with his twin brother Ronde (also an NFL star and future hall-of-famer) and single mother who worked two jobs, and taught them what hard work, resiliency, and passion looked like. At UVA, Tiki studied business, and was quick to jump into media after being taken in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. Like all athletes, Tiki knew that his playing career would end, but life after football could be huge -- as long as he worked hard and took advantage of the league's platform. Quickly, Tiki became versed in media, co-hosting the Today Show and Fox & Friends, while making appearances on a dozen other major properties. While rushing and catching for almost 2,500 yards in one season, Tiki also began his entrepreneurial career, co-founding Thuzio with his UVA classmate, Rick Gerson. Tiki's well-networked, works incredibly hard, and is amazingly articulate in sharing his life story with us -- including tips to becoming a better athlete, and ways to expedite your career in entrepreneurship. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Also, thanks to our sponsors Beachbody, Bombfell, and Mattress Firm. Get $25 off your first Bombfell purchase HERE, and head to mattressfirm.com/podcast to get the play-by-play on how you can monumentally improve your sleep today, tonight and tomorrow.
"Rook...you've gotta be able to laugh at yourself." Steve Nash is one of the greatest on-floor playmakers in NBA history. He's won back-to-back MVP's, and modernized the way the 2-man game is played. Pretty amazing given his two favorite sports as an amateur were soccer and hockey. Pre-social media era, Steve's one of the few athletes that ventured into entrepreneurship and media while he was still playing. Today, he's part of the Vancouver WhiteCaps and RCD Mallorca ownership groups, he's a consultant for the Golden State Warriors, GM for the Canadian Senior National Team, and architect of the Steve Nash Foundation. On the podcast, Steve and I talk about why and how he became one of the game's greatest players, what he characteristics he looks for in the greatest competitors, and his secret sauce to success (...define "resilience"). His advice to any athlete or entrepreneur? "Declare your intention. Say it out loud and write it down. Then go for it." This is a great show. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
Randy Hetrick is a fierce competitor. He’s driven to perform at the highest level — in whatever he does. After college, he entered the Navy and joined SEAL Team One, where he had a 14-year career, ending as a Lieutenant Commander, leading a squadron at the SEAL special missions unit. On a mission in Southeast Asia, Randy took his old Jiu-jitsu belt, anchored to a backdrop, and started what we now refer to as "Suspension Training". After his time as a SEAL, he applied and got into the Stanford Graduate School of Business where he learned how to start a company, raise money, and grow. Having learned how to sew as a SEAL, to modify gear, he spent the summer of Stanford perfecting his prototypes and shortly after graduating, incorporated TRX Systems. Today, TRX is in over 40,000 gyms worldwide, and is used by all professional sports leagues and teams. Randy's a dear friend of mine. We went the distance on starting a company, managing people, dealing with failure, acknowledging "gaps", and leaning into the "gots." Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. Join the 2018 TRX Training Summit. Also, thanks to our sponsors, ZipRecruiter and Mattress Firm. Try ZipRecruiter for free HERE, and head to mattressfirm.com/podcast to get the play-by-play on how you can monumentally improve your sleep today, tonight and tomorrow.
"Have a passion for the business, have a great management team, and then search for real opportunity." Scott O'Neil is the CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment (HBSE), a group that manages the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and English Premier League's Crystal Palace. Their ongoing vision is to focus on acquiring sports franchises, sports venues, and sports and entertainment properties. Scott and I talk about the state of the teams in his current portfolio, then dive deep into the operational team at HBSE, the culture they've built, and the sales metrics (or what he calls "touches") they study to improve things like season ticket sales, digital impressions, and sponsorship opportunities. I asked Scott two questions that I'm constantly working through, as well as observing others' management techniques. First, what does he look for in a qualified candidate, and second, how he balances oversight of multiple properties, strategy, and interpersonal relationships at the office. What he discloses is fascinating (hint: he's big into mindfulness and gratitude). Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
Kelvin Beachum was born into a blue collar family in Texas. He was a studious undergrad, carrying both a graduate and master’s degree, while setting onfield records at SMU. It didn't stop there, though. Kelvin went on to deliver his collegiate commencement speech, then was drafted to the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. Kelvin's been through as many depth chart challenges as injuries, but he kept his head down, and quickly became one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. Not wasting his stellar academic career, Kelvin is long on LinkedIn -- different than most athlete's choice of platform's on social media. He shares musings on portfolio companies he's been pitched to invest in, and shares his experiences from big tech conferences. Kelvin's a limited partner with Next Play Capital, a member of One Team Collective, and has a running list of charitable endeavors that include Bread for the World, World Vision, Feeding America, and STEM. Hosted by professional athlete and entrepreneur, Paul Rabil, Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
When we concepted and launched the podcast, I knew it would be fun to engage with my professional peers, but underestimated the value I would receive from sitting back and listening to their expertise and tips. Every guest I've hosted has experienced a certain degree of failure, loss, or trauma, causing them to either "bottom out" or hit "reset". However with every guest and each circumstance, there's been an amazing rebound; a success that they've credited from their learnings in failure. On today's show, we highlight some of the best moments from Suiting Up Podcast guests. It's Part 3 of my Reflection Series, and it's a great one. You'll hear from: 1. Jay Williams 2. Myles Chamley-Watson 3. Matt Hasselbeck 4. Dave Pietramala Enjoy -- and take notes!
When Ryan Holiday was 19 years old, he dropped out of college to apprentice under Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power. Next, he went on to become the director of marketing for American Apparel (where you might have seen some of the controversial campaigns he produced). Holiday then opened his own creative agency, called Brass Check, where he’s advised clients like Google and Complex, as well as prominent bestselling authors like Neil Strauss, Tony Robbins, James Altucher and Tim Ferriss (he was also Tim’s 4th ever podcast guest). Holiday's the author of six bestselling books, including The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, The Daily Stoic and Perennial Seller. The Obstacle Is the Way has been translated into more than twenty languages and has developed a loyal following among NFL coaches like Bill Belichick and Nick Saban, world-class athletes, TV personalities, political leaders, and many more. Holiday and I sat together in our NYC recording studios to discuss life, business, sports, and the practice of stoicism. I’m your host Paul Rabil and welcome to “Suiting Up Podcast”, a show where I delve into the stories of some of today’s leading athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and authors, interviewing them, unpacking the psychology of their success, revealing skill sets we can uniquely adopt to improve ourselves.
“Successful people are really stubborn. They won’t take no for an answer. They keep going, and going, and going.” Want to know the science -- check that, odds -- around Ben Roethlisberger's pass that landed in the hands of Santonio Holmes with only seconds left in Super Bowl XLIII? How about the torque and bend that occurs after Alex Ovechkin hits a slap shot? Sports Science will tell you why after making contact with the ball, Giancarlo Stanton’s follow through doesn’t actually matter. I always wanted to know what it felt like to get tackled by Ray Lewis. Sports Science has it covered. John Brenkus is a producer, director, and television personality. He co-founded BASE productions, which specializes in creating television programming for channels such as ESPN, National Geographic, and Spike TV. He’s the creator of Sports Science, and currently hosts his own podcast, The Brink of Midnight. Here’s more about my fascinating friend. He attended UVA and created his own major, Film Rhetoric Communication Studies, graduating with honors in 3 years. When it all began, he told his mother he wanted to do two of the hardest things he could think of: write a novel and make a movie. He did both. He tell us that sports and science are his "two greatest passions." Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entertainment and business. My job is to navigate the conversation. The guests bring the originality.
“Storytelling is at the core of human connection.” I’ve been working closely with Samir Chaudry and Colin Rosenblum for the better part of the last 5 years. Together, we created my youtube channel, worked through internal company marketing campaigns, ideated on new projects, and consulted on a number of others. They’re writers, directors, producers, onscreen talent, and entrepreneurs. I’m lucky to have met two guys with vast ingenuity, creativity, and work ethic. On the first half of the episode, we talk about their respective backgrounds in sports, growing up on opposite coasts, and how filmmaking unexpectedly connected them. In the back half of the show, we delve into content development, advice for creators, which platforms you should be targeting, and why audience definition is the most important piece. In today's world, your ability to sell a person, company, product or service relies on your ability to sell. To sell, you need to market. To share. To tell. This requires a strategy, or in some cases a personality, a voice, a camera, a microphone, a pen, or a keyboard. Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entertainment and business. My job is to navigate the conversation. The guests brings the originality. SHOW NOTES 4:10 Origin story 20:30 The Lacrosse Network 30:00 How Colin and Samir met 41:30 Storytelling 45:00 Ideas for content development 59:10 How to create content
“The first thing I learned from my mom, and applied it to lacrosse…was passion. And I think passion is what leads to happiness.” Lyle Thompson is the all-time leading point scorer in NCAA Division 1 lacrosse history, a Tewaaraton trophy winner (our sport’s Heisman award), a pro lacrosse MVP, and NLL Champion. His legacy of success on the field will live on for generations to come. He grew up in the Onondaga Nation in New York, and was one of five children of Doloris and Jerome Thompson. Today, he and his brothers represent some of the best talent in the professional game, competing in both MLL and NLL, building large digital and social media audiences, and are bringing powerful, cultural awareness of their Native American roots to our sport. Lyle began playing lacrosse at a very early age, and on the show, we discuss how lacrosse carries spiritual and cultural experiences with the Onondaga and Native American communities. He recounts his early years playing in the backyard with his older brothers, accompanied by no net. The Thompson's couldn't afford one. All of Lyle's equipment was refurbished, yet he was the #1 High School recruit in the country...as a sophomore. On the show, Lyle shares with us his favorite workouts, how he fuels his performance, how he's changed his sleep pattern (since listening to our show, actually), and the impact of the traveling professional lacrosse circuit. Perhaps the most intriguing part of the show begins in the back third, where Lyle and I discuss his activism as a Native American professional athlete – specifically his time at the Standing Rock protests during the North Dakota Access Pipeline disputes, as well as his stance on professional sports mascots that are discriminatory the Native American communities. Suiting Up Podcast is a show where I delve into the stories of some of today’s leading athletes, entrepreneurs, and entertainers, interviewing them and unpacking the psychology of their success.
"This is why, how, or what I need to do to be successful, and personally why I relate a lot of business back to the nuances of professional football." This week's Suiting Up Podcast guest is a former NFL linebacker who played 11 seasons professionally, making 2 Super Bowl appearances, college football for the Michigan Wolverines, winning a National Championship, and earned All-Big 10 honors for 3 straight seasons. He's a stud. In addition to his football career, Dhani's had a massively successful television career, which he's supplemented with a career operating companies (he's owned and operated a coffee shop, ad agency, and staffing business), and more recently, investing in them. One of my all-time favorite Dhani shows was his Travel Channel series, "Dhani Tackles the Glove", as well as his VH1 show, "Ton of Cash". Today, Dhani's mirroring the success of "Shark Tank" with his own investor hosting national series hit, "Adventure Capitalists", which is regularly programmed on CNBC. I’m your host Paul Rabil and welcome to “Suiting Up Podcast,” a show where I delve into the stories of some of today’s leading athletes, entrepreneurs, and entertainers, interviewing them and unpacking the psychology of their success. Enjoy the show.
"I knew what we were fighting for was way bigger than us...and transcended our sport." Hilary Knight is the top women's hockey player on the planet. She's a multiple-time Olympian, 7-time gold medal winner of the Ice Hockey World Championships, all-time career point scorer and 2-time National Champion at Wisconsin. She has sponsorship deals with Nike, Red Bull, Visa, GoPro, and more. She's even practiced with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, telling us "cracking a roster spot is next on the list." As impressive as she is on the ice, she's also highly marketable. However, her most impressive quality is her cumulating approach to impacting women's sports and giving back to the next generation of female athletes. In 2016, Knight and her teammates protested USA Hockey, demanding an equal compensation, accommodation, and marketing allocation to their male counterparts. They threatened to hold out of the 2016 Ice Hockey World Championships and the subsequent Olympic Games if they weren't treated equitably. Find out what happened next on this week's episode. I’m your host Paul Rabil and welcome to “Suiting Up Podcast,” a show where I delve into the stories of some of today’s leading athletes, entrepreneurs, and entertainers, interviewing them and unpacking the psychology of their success.
Zach Leonsis is the Vice President and General Manager of Monumental Sports Network (MSN), a first-of-its-kind regional network for digital, mobile and over-the-top platforms. MSN is co-owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and NBC Sports Group. MSE was founded and chaired by Zach’s father, Ted Leonsis. Ted’s a co-founder of AOL and one of the most decorated and sophisticated sports and tech operators and investors on the planet. The Leonsis’ own the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital One Arena, two Arena Football League teams, and controlling interest in Team Liquid – one of the most successful Esports franchises in the world. Also, they're founding members in one of the more successful private equity and venture capital groups in the US, called Revolution Growth Fund. I traveled down to DC to sit in Zach’s office and talk shop. We cover everything from team operations, to new media in sports, NBA free agency, defining Esports, and Ted's purchase of the Washington Capitals in 1999. There are some wonderful stories Zach shares with us, including his take on how you can secure a job in the sports industry. That bit is toward the end. Suiting Up Podcast is a show that explores the psychology, playbook of tools, and strategies of the most influential people in sports, entertainment and business.
"It was the worst decision I made, but the best thing that's ever happened to me." Jason Williams is a former basketball player for the Duke University Blue Devils and Chicago Bulls. After tragically crashing his motorcycle, effectively ending his playing career, Williams transformed his life and is positioned to positively impact sports, business, and social issues more than ever. While at Duke, Williams was a two-time college basketball Player of the Year, National Champion, and three-year graduate. Moreover, on senior day of his graduating junior year, Duke University retired his jersey. After being drafted to the Chicago Bulls with the second overall pick, things went downhill. Williams was in a devastating motorcycle accident, which led to him spending the next year on a hospital bed. Shortly thereafter, he began his battle with depression, which was compounded by the loss of his grandmother, dog, and a health scare from his mother - Jay's caretaker at the time. Cumulatively, this kicked Williams into an upswing, taking care of those who looked after him, getting his life back on track, and striving for greatness. I’m your host Paul Rabil and welcome to Suiting Up Podcast. On this show I delve into the stories of some of today’s leading athletes, entrepreneurs, and entertainers, interviewing them and unpacking the psychology of their success.
"The best athletes in the world train for a higher purpose, not for the money." Joe DeFranco is the founder and owner of the world-famous DeFranco’s Gym. For the past two decades, athletes from around the world have hired Joe because of his remarkable ability to improve strength, speed, power, mobility, agility and sport-specific endurance. Joe’s training techniques have been featured in and on ESPN, Spike TV, NFL Network, WWE Network, Men’s Health Magazine, Men’s Fitness Magazine and in the NY Times best-selling book, The 4-Hour Body. His resume includes NFL players from all 32 teams, MLB & NBA players, UFC fighters, Olympic athletes, MLL players, WWE superstars, and college All-Americans. In 2015, Joe was inducted into the Personal Trainer Hall of Fame (an international organization) in the Trend Setter division. He is recognized as an individual who has had a significant contribution to the personal training industry, specifically by creating trends which have dramatically influenced the world of fitness. Joe co-created the Certified Physical Preparation Specialist (CPPS) course, DeFrancoInsider.com membership site, as well as a series of best-selling DVD’s and manuals. He also hosts the Industrial Strength Show – a top-ranked weekly podcast dedicated to training for peak performance, mindset and living your passion. I’m your host Paul Rabil and welcome to Suiting Up Podcast, where I interview athletes, media executives, team owners, and other key stakeholders about the performance attributes acquired through the vehicle of sports.Today’s athlete, whether active or retired, is continuously redefining what it means to be a professional on and off the field. You can find more info on DeFranco's podcast, links to his social media and businesses, by visiting http://suitinguppodcast.com.
"People build businesses, not excel spreadsheets." It's my favorite quote coming from this week's multi-talented guest: my older brother, Mike Rabil. There are many layers to how this saying can be interpreted, especially in sports. An easy translation could be "people win championships, not statistics." However, I think unpacking which type of person who wins championships should be our core focus. Mike believes the emotional intelligence of an individual has become the core ingredient to business and sports success. Mike's senior to me by 23 months. We did everything together growing up, are best friends, and business partners today. We started our professional relationship by opening a franchise gym together in 2008. That gym, called Snap Fitness, turned into a portfolio of 7, followed by the development of our own concept, a hybrid spin, TRX and group training business called TurnStyle Cycle. Along the way, we won and lost, learned valuable lessons, made relationships with new operators and business partners, built new properties, and began our own venture investment portfolio company, Rabil Ventures. This is by far and away my most personal and intimate interview yet. The former Dartmouth football lineman, all-Ivy League captain, now multiple-time entrepreneur, investor, and most importantly, operator, has a lot of wisdom to embark on us. I’m your host Paul Rabil and welcome to Suiting Up Podcast, where I interview athletes, media executives, team owners, and other key stakeholders about the duality of the modern professional athlete. From player startup investing appetite, NewCos, social media influencing, creative marketing and digital strategy, today’s athlete, whether active or retired, is continuously redefining what it means to be a professional on and off the field.
When he was 9, he set a goal for himself to play in the NFL. He hung up a sign in his room that read, “let no one outwork you today." After 9 successful seasons in the NFL, Isaiah Kacyvenski entered into his second career, entrepreneurship. Isaiah earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and is now the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Sports Innovation Lab. Previously, he was one of the first employees to join early stage startup, Mc10 Inc., a cutting-edge conformal electronics company, as their Global Head of Business Development. He’s an investor in, and advisor to, several companies in technology, sports, biotech, consumer, media and sports medicine. "Working hard, and aligning that work ethic with your passion is an unbelievable thing." Isaiah grew up in poverty. He struggled to find his identity, especially with a volatile parental upbringing. During some of his teen years, he was homeless. An incredible success story, Isaiah’s both a fascinating and inspiring individual. Welcome to Suiting Up Podcast, where I interview athletes, media executives, team owners, and other key stakeholders about the duality of the modern professional athlete, their startup investing appetite, other strategic investments, NewCos, social media influencing, creative marketing and digital strategy. Today’s athlete, whether active or retired, is continuously redefining what it means to be a professional on and off the field.
"I want to be the best football player I can be for as long as I can be." Drew Brees is a man of football records. For starters, he's the Big Ten record-holder in virtually every passing category. Since 2006, he has more touchdowns, passing yards, and 300-yard games than any other NFL quarterback, he's eclipsed the 5,000 passing yard season-marker five times in his career, where no other NFL quarterback has achieved this more than once. He's a Super Bowl Champion, MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and the list goes on. Off the field, Brees owns dozens of franchises, including Dunkin' Donuts, Jimmy John's, Title Boxing Club, and others. He's invested in tech startups, most recently leading a $10mm seed round with a Louisiana-based food delivery startup, Waitr. His investment thesis is tight. In Episode 13, Drew and I talk about recovering from career-threatening injuries, his crossover skill sets from NFL captain and quarterback to business operator and investor, and what characteristics he looks for from founders in pitch meetings as well as rookies in the NFL. Welcome to Suiting Up Podcast, where I interview athletes, media executives, team owners, and other key stakeholders about the duality of the modern professional athlete, their startup investing appetite, other strategic investments, NewCos, social media influencing, creative marketing and digital strategy. Today’s athlete, whether active or retired, is continuously redefining what it means to be a professional on and off the field.
“Athletes are crossover stars in business, fashion, media, news, you name it.” The business of sports has changed. Athletes have more leverage than ever, ownership groups and labor lawyers are restructuring their Collective Bargaining Agreements, brands are paying more in endorsement dollars, and media spends are being governed by social media influence. In Episode 12, I sit down with the head of Bloomberg Sports Business to discuss the overarching landscape. Bloomberg Media is the largest global business news platform, powered by 2,700 journalists and analysts across 120 countries. Scott Soshnick has written major breaking and news headlines for over 120 publications, and we discuss some of his favorites on the show. Welcome to Suiting Up Podcast, where I interview athletes, media executives, team owners, and other key stakeholders about the duality of the modern professional athlete, their startup investing appetite, other strategic investments, NewCos, social media influencing, creative marketing and digital strategy. Today’s athlete, whether active or retired, is continuously redefining what it means to be a professional on and off the field.