Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience

In today’s episode we sat down with David Fogel, Executive Director of the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA), the labor association that represents all NBA Head and Assistant Coaches. In his role, his mission is to ensure that NBA Coaches have a voice regarding on-court, as well as off-court matters. David manages all areas of day-to-day legal and business operations of the NBCA.In this episode, we discuss:How his interest in labor relations was sparked through his family’s necktie businessThe importance of building genuine relationships and learning from mentorsThe value in always being transparent, open and direct with the NBCA members and colleagues around the leagueIn addition to his role as Executive Director of the NBCA, David also currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He previously served as an Adjunct Professor at Pace University School of Law, where he taught a course titled “Legal Aspects of Professional Sports.” He has also been a Guest Lecturer at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and New York University School of Professional Studies, where he has taught several courses on labor relations, the duty of fair representation, alternative dispute resolution and collective bargaining in sports. After being recruited to play baseball at Emory University, where he double majored in Political Science and Sociology, he went on to earn his law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Connect with David Fogel: LinkedIn | Twitter | NBCA Website | NBCA Twitter Connect with Sergio Millas: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

In today's episode we sat down with Nick Brown, an Emmy Award-nominated Producer for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a proud alumnus of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington where he discovered his love of sports broadcasting. His work has been seen on FOX, ESPN, and on international platforms by millions of MMA fans worldwide. In this episode, we discuss:How he set himself up for success at a young age What it’s like to be a producer at UFCWhat he has learned from Dana WhiteHe works day-to-day on creating content for the UFC’s 18.3 million Instagram followers, 7.3 million Twitter followers, and 24.8 million Facebook followers while also producing documentaries and shows for the UFC’s digital streaming service, UFC Fight Pass. He has worked with the likes of UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, U.S. Olympian Ben Askren, two-time UFC Champion Conor McGregor, and the best production team in all of sports. Connect with Nick Brown: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter Connect with Sergio Millas: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

In today's episode, we sat down with Dave DuFour, podcast host and NBA writer at The Athletic. He is also the scouting, video, and analytics lead for Sports Business Classroom. Dave is not only super entertaining and knowledgeable, but he is also a very mindful and deliberate person from whom everybody can learn from.In this episode, we discuss:His career as a professional wrestlerWhat it takes to cover the NBA professionallyHow disconnecting from the world regularly has been one of his keys to success Dave DuFour is a basketball coach who has specialized in skill development at various levels of the sport. A 2016 SBC Alumnus, he is most recognized as the host of The Athletic’s “Back to Back,” a podcast covering every aspect of the NBA, and “The NBA Daily Ding,” a daily podcast recapping all the previous day’s news and games. Dave also has been a contributor for RealGM.com and NBA’s Hoop Magazine, along with a variety of other online publications, and has worked with multiple teams and outlets as an independent scout, in both the US and Europe.Connect with Dave DuFour: LinkedIn |  Instagram | TwitterConnect with Sergio Millas: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

In today's episode, we sat down with Matteo Zuretti, Chief International Relations and Marketing Officer for the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the union that represents all 450 NBA Players. In his role, he has helped build and create the international department and the global strategy of the organization.In this episode, we discuss:His role with the National Basketball Players Association The differences between a player and a champion in both sports and life  What it means to be a global citizenAt the start of the 2019-2020 NBA season, there were 108 international players from 38 countries on opening-night rosters and Matteo is leading the charge for all things global for the NBPA. He previously worked as an agent representing talent from twenty different countries in contract negotiations across global basketball markets. He is originally from Rome, Italy and he currently lives in New York City with his wife Roberta and their daughters Matilde and Lidia.Connect with Matteo Zuretti: LinkedIn | Twitter | InstagramConnect with Sergio Millas: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

In today's episode, we sat down with Matt Rodriguez, a team member and the founder of Ballislife.com. Ballislife.com is a basketball fan's heaven website. They have taken basketball mixtape making to a new level with a combination of music, art, and innovation through multimedia. They cover the high school level to the professional level of sports and are the leader in mixtape media on the internet.In this episode, we discuss:Matt’s incredibly inspiring journey How Ballislife got to where it is today The guiding principles that have led to their success Matt’s specialties consist of: purchasing, branding and identity, design, html, css, javascript, ajax, php, ajax+php+jquery, jquery, usability, marketing presence, and budgeting. His company, Ballislife, has over 3 Million subscribers across their YouTube channels, over 4.7 million followers on Instagram and over 1.6 million followers on Facebook. Through their channels Matt and the Ballislife team have created a movement, and their creativity and passion have earned them an incredible fanbase. To put things in perspective, BallisLife videos have been watched for over 1 Billion Minutes!Connect with Matt Rodriguez on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteConnect with Sergio Millas on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

In today's episode, we sat down with Glenn Chin, the founder & managing director of MOST-PROLIFIC, the sports and entertainment consultancy he founded in 2010. He’s worked with startups in music streaming, tech media, gaming and sports science as well consulting with NBA franchises & Euroleague Basketball based in Barcelona.  In this episode, we discuss:How he brought together sports, music, and culture at EA SportsWhat it was like working with Steve Jobs Lessons he learned as the Head of Global Brand for Nike Basketball Chin was spent over a dozen years during the founding of EA SPORTS, where he launched numerous award-winning franchises (including NBA LIVE, Coach K College Basketball, NCAA Basketball & NBA Street) and pioneered groundbreaking communications & initiatives as VP of Global Brand Management & Creative Development.  At Nike, he served as Head of Global Brand for Nike Basketball and Nike Sport Performance. Glenn developed and executed the global management & rebranding of Nike Basketball and launch of NIKE+ a breakthrough innovation through the collaboration/partnership between Apple & Nike.   Glenn has recently been involved in the rise of Esports as an investor, CMO, Advisor, content creator and  consultant (NFL, Global Footwear Giant, etc.) A gamer since the days of Pong, he rekindled his competitive gaming while leading QA on Madden ’94.  He currently is training on Fortnite with his 18 year old daughter.Glenn is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, now living in Portland, Oregon with his wife & 2 adult children.

In today’s episode, we sat down with Liron Fanan, Director of G League Player Development for the Cleveland Cavaliers.In this episode, we discuss:Creating opportunities for yourself The importance of being humbleHow adversity has made her the person she is todayLiron Fanan is a 20+ year global ambassador in the basketball industry. Before becoming the Director of G League Player Development for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Liron was a highly respected player agent serving as the Co-Founder and Managing Member of 2Talent Sports Management. She has also held roles as the Mission Director for the Omri Casspi Foundation and Assistant General Manager for Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club. Connect with Liron Fanan on: Instagram | TwitterConnect with Sergio Millas on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

In today’s episode, we sat down with the amazingly talented and incredibly knowledgable Beau Estes, anchor and host on NBA TV.In this episode, we discuss:Taking risksFinding your voice  How to achieve your dreams Beau Estes has 25 years of experience in broadcast coverage of the NBA in a variety of roles. He started at Turner Sports in 1994 working for TNT’s “Inside the NBA” before working two Olympics - Atlanta and Nagano - and then The Goodwill Games in New York. From there, he moved in front of the camera hosting the Atlanta Braves on TBS, the Atlanta Hawks Halftime and Postgame Shows, and the Atlanta Thrashers Intermission Report.From there, he worked his way up to his current role as the voice of NBA.com’s highlights as well as an anchor and host on NBA TV. Along the way, Estes provided play by play coverage for the PGA Championship on PGA.com and hosted Turner Sports NASCAR.com coverage for five years.

In today's episode, we sat down with NBA CBA expert and GM of Sports Business Classroom, Larry Coon.In this episode we discuss:How he became the Yoda of the NBA Salary CapWhat he’s learned being the General Manager of Sports Business ClassroomHow pursuing your passion can open unexpected doorsLarry Coon is a computer scientist and member of the IT leadership at the University of California, Irvine, but is known throughout the NBA as a leading authority on the NBA salary cap. He is the author of the Salary Cap FAQ at CBAFAQ.com, and makes regular media appearances including television (such as Spectrum SportsNet, ESPN’s Outside the Lines, and MSG Network), radio and podcasts. He has been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, and Sports Illustrated. He has taught computer science curriculum at California State University, Fullerton, and serves as the General Manager and lead instructor for Sports Business Classroom and the Executive Session, as well as the program lead for the League Salary Cap major.

In today's episode of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience, we sat down with longtime Sports, Business, Media professor at USC, former Los Angeles Times writer-editor and basketball entrepreneur,  Jeff Fellenzer.In this episode we discuss:The importance of relationships in sports Keys to success in the sports industryThe importance of asking deep questionsJeff Fellenzer has had more than three decades of experience in sports management, news media, higher education and as an entrepreneur. He worked as an editor/writer at the Los Angeles Times for almost 8 years, writing a column on recruiting and serving as sports coordinator for the original L.A. Jeff has now been a Heisman Trophy voter since 2007, a featured speaker the past three summers at SBC in Las Vegas, and has held in conjunction with the NBA Summer League, moderating panels and lecturing on the subject of networking, resume writing and interviewing. Fellenzer has also been a guest speaker for sports business events at USC, UCLA, Caltech, the UC Berkeley School of Law, Pepperdine, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, University of San Francisco, Long Beach State and Southwestern Law School. Connect with Jeff on social @jfellenzer!