When I first enrolled in Sport Management at Syracuse University, I knew I wanted a job in sports, but didn’t know exactly what career path I would take in such a competitive field. Today, I’m happy to say I found my niche in the industry, and can thank the SPM program for preparing me for my professional career.
After graduation, I interned for Select Sports Group, a sports agency that represents NFL players such as Andy Dalton and Jordy Nelson. I then transitioned to a full-time role with PFS Agency, a boutique firm based in my hometown of Baltimore. My experience at these firms put me in a great position in October 2016 to land my current job as a basketball operations manager at The Neustadt Group, a sports agency representing the careers of professional basketball players in Rockville, Maryland. Some of our clients include Dragan Bender (Phoenix Suns), as well as Boris Diaw and Shelvin Mack of the Utah Jazz.
The Neustadt Group has only four full-time employees, meaning I have a wide range of responsibilities and the opportunity to be heavily involved in our day-to-day operations. My main responsibilities include assisting with recruiting prospective clients, preparing rookie clients for pre-draft workouts, and statistical analysis and contracts/salary cap research for free agency. Additionally, I research and negotiate marketing/endorsement opportunities and assist clients with off-the-court issues.
The strongest advice I can offer to current SPM students is to be proactive in both networking with industry professionals and securing summer internships. Word hard to find an ideal senior Capstone. My internship and Capstone experiences were pivotal to my career development, and the SPM Department provided me with great resources throughout my four year at Syracuse.