Welcome to Issue 1 of the NetWorks "Changing the Game" Newsletter. Our goal is to share the stories of those individuals who play an integral role in the sports industry today.  Their paths may differ, their roles certainly have evolved, and their perspectives vary.  But the constant is that they each are extremely passionate about what they do.  The exciting thing is that many of these amazing people are willing to discuss what it took to experience great success in their lives.  It is our hope that through their stories, you will be inspired to continue to follow their lead by finding your passion & chasing your dream.

Changing the Game is a bi-weekly newsletter that aims to share the stories of some of our unsung heroes & sheroes in the sports industry. Individuals who are in the trenches each and every day helping our leagues, teams, agencies, and associations operate smoothly.  

Each issue will include a NetWorks Spotlight Interview with an executive in the industry who has done his/her part to impact the lives of those they work with on a daily basis.  We will also catch up with former college student-athletes in the In Their Own Words section. The goal is to demonstrate how former athletes leverage the lessons learned during their playing careers as they aspire to have successful careers in business, politics, sports, and beyond.  

In our efforts to identify & promote the next generation of sports executives, a Future Leader who is seeking employment will be profiled in each issue.  And for those about to embark on your career journey, a brief excerpt focusing on career advice is available.

It is an honor to have someone I consider a mentor and someone who has had a tremendous impact in professional sports through her authentic leadership over 14+ years with the Women's National Basketball Association's League Office.  Renee Brown sat down recently with Tracey Savell Reavis to share what inspires her on a daily basis and what it is like to be a part of the longest running women's professional league in the United States as the WNBA heads into its 15th season this summer.

Our "In Their Own Words" this week profiles Bryant Pfeiffer, a college soccer player who has brought innovative practices to MLS ticket promotions and league business.

Each issue will also focus on important topics going on around the sports industry.  This week, we will take a closer look at the Pac-12's landmark media rights deal that is reportedly worth $3 Billion over 12 years for the conference and its membership.

I look forward to highlighting some of the champions who are helping to change the game!

We are starting the newsletter off with a bang.  Enjoy the ride!

All the best,

Angela Taylor

Reneé Brown

Chief of Basketball Operations & Player Relations, WNBA

Renee Brown announces players selected in the 2011 WNBA Draft in April  (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser)

Written by Tracey Savell Reavis 

 

The calendar indicates that the WNBA season officially spans approximately 4 months. The work, however, especially for Reneé Brown, Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations for the league, is in reality more of a 12-month, all-inclusive, lifestyle. So it helps that Reneé, a Henderson, Nevada native, a former UNLV player, an ex-college basketball coach, and a former US Olympic team assistant coach, loves her job.

 

As Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations, Reneé directs scouting for all players and manages personnel policies and programs.  She joined the WNBA in September 1996, right after winning a Gold Medal at the Centennial Olympic Games as an assistant coach of the US Women's Basketball team.

 

We caught up with Reneé, during a late lunch hour, from her New York office, talking everything WNBA, dishing success tips for women looking to get into the sports industry and letting on that's she's a really big fan of a certain 'Funny Girl.'

 

More NetWorks Spotlight Interview with Renee... 

As the MLS season roars ahead, we are grateful to Bryant for taking a few moments to share his journey from the soccer fields at St. John's University in Collegeville, MN to being one of the most innovative executives in the sports industry as he serves as Vice-President, Club Services with Major League Soccer.

I am currently the Vice-President, Club Services with Major League Baseball and have been with the MLS for 3 years.

While we still don't realize the long-term implications of the deal on the collegiate athletics landscape, a week ago today, Pac-10/Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott stood before an audience of media members, coaches, and athletic administrators gathered in a ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore and shared the nuances of a new 12-year/$3 Billion media deal between the Pac-12 and Fox & ESPN.

The press conference lasted for less than 22 minutes but has captivated the attention of sports executives around the world.  One senses that Larry Scott, through his innovative leadership, is setting the Pac-12 Conference up to challenge what many consider to be the elite conferences in college sports (the SEC and the Big XII).  Watch the press conference here.

Yesterday, the Pac-12 announced their inaugural early TV Schedule for games that will be televised on ABC/ESPN during the 2011 football season.  The schedule, which includes 20 games televised on either Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, pales in comparison to the extensive coverage Pac-12 football & men's basketball will receive under the new deal.  Fans, however, will have to wait until 2012-13 to enjoy this widespread coverage.

"Melanie is an extremely bright & ambitious individual who has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and determination to be very successful in the business world.  A true team player & innovative thinker, Melanie will be a huge asset for any company looking to exceed their objectives." 

--Angela Taylor, President - NetWorks Sports Consulting 

If you have a strong interest in working in the sports industry or being promoted through the ranks, informational interviews are fantastic vehicles to utilize.  

Identify someone in the position, department, or company you have a strong interest in and contact them by asking to meet with them for 30 minutes or grab coffee one morning before work.  The key to informational interviews is making sure that you don't disrupt their workday.  We all need quick "study" breaks, so executives at all levels are typically amenable to someone who approaches them in a professional manner simply inquires about finding more out about their job and their career path.

Again, we all like to share our stories, so don't be surprised when someone accepts your request.  

During the meeting, make sure that you are dressed appropriately, are on time, and have plenty of questions.  Don't take too much of their time.  

After the meeting send a follow-up email (or better yet, a hand-written note) thanking them for taking the time out of their busy schedule.

If handled correctly, you'll now have a champion who is in your corner & a reference for that elusive job that you have your eye on.  If you present yourself well, you may also have a mentor who will provide more career guidance then you could have asked for.

NetWorks Sports Consulting's mission is to provide customized and comprehensive strategic consulting & marketing services that will assist every client to effectively position themselves in their respective markets with the optimal goal of helping them to accomplish their stated short-term or long-term objectives while incorporating a social component to the project.

The Changing the Game Newsletter profiles individuals at various levels throughout the sports industry (high school, collegiate, professional, and international) who have impacted the sports industry through their leadership and those who have leveraged their experience as student-athletes to impact their careers & their communities.  Changing the Game is published twice every month.

Check out this exclusive video interview with WNBA All-Star Alana Beard from the Washington Mystics.

Click on YouTube Image

Book - The Book of Basketball (Bill Simmons)

Movie - Anything with Will Ferrell

TV Show - Survivor

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." ~ Lao Tzu

(May 25-28, 2011) 

 

(June 7-10, 2011)

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