AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Preparing for free agency begins long before the start date, with research and posturing throughout the year. Negotiating contracts in free agency involves taking meetings with different teams and balancing their offers with the player's desires. Having multiple options and understanding what each team values is crucial. Patience, avoiding friendly fire, and being prepared for different scenarios are key attributes in negotiations.
LeBron James stands out with his approach to business and the absence of an overpowering ego. Growing up in Akron, Ohio, without much, he didn't develop an ego-driven mentality. He surrounded himself with friends and business partners who weren't intimidated by his status, allowing open and honest communication. LeBron knows when to listen, trust others, and understand that successful teamwork requires collaborating and respecting different opinions.
Player empowerment refers to the concept of player choice, flexibility, and understanding that an athlete's career journey is unique to them. Instead of conforming to societal expectations, players have the power to make decisions within the boundaries of their contracts. The focus is on education, flexibility, and a mindset that empowers players to shape their careers based on their own aspirations, rather than conforming to traditional norms.
"Lucky Me" captures the gratefulness and recognition of fortunate circumstances experienced by Rich Paul. Growing up with limited options in Akron, Ohio, Paul appreciates the environment and life lessons that shaped him. From learning in his father's store to observing the challenges and successes around him, Paul credits his fortunate opportunities for his growth and accomplishments. The title also alludes to a touch of sarcasm, recognizing the hardships and darker paths that he navigated as an entrepreneur.
Family played a significant role in cultivating Rich Paul's confidence, particularly his father and brother who instilled belief in his abilities. Additionally, influential figures like his uncle and coaches in his mini-league football team provided crucial support and encouragement. These key individuals believed in Paul's potential and continuously reinforced his confidence through their words and actions.
One of the main insights in this podcast episode is the importance of establishing infrastructure for success. The guest, Rich Paul, emphasizes that infrastructure is crucial for young athletes who often come from environments where everything revolves around them. He suggests that having a solid support system, financial team, and clear organizational structure can help athletes navigate the challenges of their careers and make wise decisions. Paul also discusses the concept of investing, not just in terms of money, but also in time, energy, and personal development. He shares his own experiences of investing in his skills, education, and learning from a young age, which laid the foundation for his current success as a top agent in the sports industry.
Another key topic in this podcast episode is the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. Rich Paul shares his personal experiences of going against the grain in the sports industry and facing obstacles. He highlights the need to stand firm in one's convictions and not succumb to societal pressure. Paul discusses the significance of believing in oneself, staying dedicated, and overcoming setbacks. He also emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional support, suggesting that athletes should seek therapy and surround themselves with people who genuinely care about their well-being. The episode explores the idea that success is not only about wealth, but also about personal growth, finding purpose, and making a positive impact in the world.
Brought to you by AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement, Helix Sleep premium mattresses, and Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business.
Rich Paul (@RichPaul4) is the CEO and founder of KLUTCH Sports Group, the powerhouse agency representing some of the biggest athletes across major professional sports. Paul founded KLUTCH Sports in 2012 in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where he forged a unique and personal approach to representing top NBA talent—putting athletes first and empowering them to build careers and brands on and off the court.
In 2019, KLUTCH Sports partnered with United Talent Agency (UTA). Paul serves as UTA’s Head of Sports and is an agency partner, and he was appointed to UTA’s board of directors in 2020. In 2019, Paul was named GQ’s “Power Broker of the Year” and dubbed “The King Maker” on the cover of Sports Illustrated. In 2021, TIME recognized KLUTCH Sports on its first-ever list of TIME100 Most Influential Companies, and Variety recently named Paul to their “Variety500” list of the most influential business leaders shaping the global media industry. Paul is also credited with driving the reversal of the so-called “Rich Paul Rule,” which would have banned agents without a college degree from representing NCAA student athletes.
In 2021, Paul and three former Nike executives formed a company called ADOPT, a creative agency focused on sport, wellness, nutrition, tech, and other consumer-facing products. In 2022, Paul joined the board of trustees of LACMA and the boards of directors of Funko and Designer Brands Inc. In 2023, he joined the board of directors of Live Nation. Paul is also a minority partner of the SpringHill Company.
His new book is Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds.
Please enjoy!
*
This episode is brought to you by AG1! I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG1 further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system.
Right now, you’ll get a 1-year supply of Vitamin D free with your first subscription purchase—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones. Visit DrinkAG1.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive your 1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase! That’s up to a one-year supply of Vitamin D as added value when you try their delicious and comprehensive daily, foundational nutrition supplement that supports whole-body health.
*
This episode is also brought to you by Helix Sleep! Helix was selected as the best overall mattress of 2022 by GQ magazine, Wired, and Apartment Therapy. With Helix, there’s a specific mattress to meet each and every body’s unique comfort needs. Just take their quiz—only two minutes to complete—that matches your body type and sleep preferences to the perfect mattress for you. They have a 10-year warranty, and you get to try it out for a hundred nights, risk-free. They’ll even pick it up from you if you don’t love it. And now, Helix is offering 20% off all mattress orders plus two free pillows at HelixSleep.com/Tim.
*
This episode is also brought to you by Shopify! Shopify is one of my favorite platforms and one of my favorite companies. Shopify is designed for anyone to sell anywhere, giving entrepreneurs the resources once reserved for big business. In no time flat, you can have a great-looking online store that brings your ideas to life, and you can have the tools to manage your day-to-day and drive sales. No coding or design experience required.
Go to shopify.com/Tim to sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period. It’s a great deal for a great service, so I encourage you to check it out. Take your business to the next level today by visiting shopify.com/Tim.
*
[08:04] The store where Rich's story began.
[10:30] The cover choice for Rich's memoir, Lucky Me.
[11:43] How Rich negotiated a lucrative free agency period.
[17:16] Street gambling as a youth.
[19:35] Good advice for avoiding bad deals.
[21:26] Meeting and creating an enduring relationship with LeBron James.
[22:48] The influence of James Baldwin.
[24:53] Rich's experience with higher education and thoughts on the so-called "Rich Paul rule."
[28:01] Best investments of time, energy, or money.
[30:25] How Rich beat out bigger competition to land clients.
[33:56] Helping aspiring pros establish the infrastructure they need to succeed.
[37:52] Key ingredients for emotional support and stability.
[39:54] Driving home the importance of preparing for a career's rainy days.
[42:42] LeBron James' ego.
[45:21] Why is Rich's book titled Lucky Me?
[47:04] When the entrepreneurial impulse leads to darkness.
[50:02] The Ernie Barnes piece in Rich's collection.
[51:12] Player empowerment.
[53:15] Rich's most influential confidence builders.
[55:28] What prompted Rich to write Lucky Me?
[59:02] Rich's billboard.
[59:58] Parting thoughts.
*
For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.
For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsors
Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.
For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.
Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.
Follow Tim:
Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss
Instagram: instagram.com/timferriss
YouTube: youtube.com/timferriss
Facebook: facebook.com/timferriss
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferriss
Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode