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In today’s episode, we sat down with President of Don Vaden InterActive Consulting and Former Vice President of Basketball Operations for the National Basketball Association and Director of Officials Don Vaden. Don worked for the NBA from 1988 until 2018 and served the game of basketball in many ways for both the NBA and WNBA. Don refereed from 1988-2003, as well as the NBA Finals in 2002. He also served on the Management Team from 2003-2010, worked as Director of Officials for the NBA from 2011-2016, and Director of Officials for the WNBA from 2016-2017.In this episode we discuss:What keeps Don motivatedThe development of refereeing Don’s new business venture in consultingPrior to joining the NBA Don graduated from Lynchburg College (VA), played professional baseball, taught Physical Education, coached high school baseball, football, indoor track, was an assistant college baseball coach, and refereed NCAA basketball. Don was the first director in League history to serve both leagues. Don was a team consultant for the Portland Trailblazers, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, and Washington Wizards. Currently, Don works with a number of NBA teams as well as the Big 12 men’s basketball officials.  His consulting role includes producing development and training for NCAA officials, focusing on improving the working relations between players, coaches, and referees, and educating the team’s players on improving their performance through increased knowledge of the rules and analytics.Connect with Beau Estes: Twitter Connect with Don Vaden: LinkedIn

In today’s episode we sat down with Senior Vice President & Creative Director for Turner Sports & Bleacher Report Studios at WarnerMedia, Drew Watkins. He has worked at Turner sports for over 20 years and is an experienced writer and producer. Drew oversees production and manages the staff at the Turner Sports & NBATV Creative Units (NBA, MLB, NCAA, PGA, eLeague). In this episode we discuss:Drew’s inspiration for the NBA Forever commercial and the entire processHow Drew’s career will be affected due to dealing with the current pandemic What Drew is hoping to do in his new role at Bleacher ReportDrew’s specialties consist of broadcast and promotional creative writing, directing, producing and post-producing, brand management, and creative team management. Connect with Beau Estes: Twitter Connect with Drew Watkins: LinkedIn | Twitter

Today the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience is presenting part two of the CBA Webinar hosted by General Manager of SBC and instructor of the CBA Mastery Course, Larry Coon. This webinar is an on demand course for learning the curriculum for the CBA, brought to you by SBC and CBA mastery on demand. Today’s webinar features special guests Bleacher Report Writer and NBA TV & Basketball Insiders Capologist Eric Pincus, Former Assistant General Manager and current ESPN writer Bobby Marks. Find details at SportsBusinessClassroom.com.Connect with Larry Coon: Instagram | Twitter | CBA MasteryConnect with Eric Pincus: LinkedIn | Instagram | TwitterConnect with Bobby Marks: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

In today’s episode, we sat down with Brand Communications Officer at Zenni Optical, Sean Pate. Sean is a senior marketing and communications expert and leads all external brand partnerships and communications for the online leader in prescription eyewear, Zenni Optical. He is an accomplished public spokesperson and has appeared on multiple local and national media such as Good Morning America, CNN, and CNBC. Sean also worked in global management while leading communications at Ancestry and Art.com, and managing and collaborating on multinational lines of business. In this episode we discuss:Creating advantageous sports partnerships from the business worldSelling not just teams, but an ownership group on the value of sports partnershipsIdentifying value not just with traditional sports teams, but with Esports teamsSean’s early career focused on working towards the best practices at agency and corporate roles including Oracle, Robert Half International, and the Pac-12 Conference. Sean’s career took focus on B2C brands with global footprints after the first communication role with StubHub. In this episode, Sean dives into his career path and how it led him to his current role. He also what he has had to overcome on the job, how he pushed through. Sean is respected for his ability to work as a player and coach and as a passionate evangelist and strategist focused on driving positive corporate brand visibility.Connect with Beau Estes: Twitter Connect with Sean Pate: LinkedIn

Today the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience is presenting part two of the CBA Webinar hosted by General Manager of SBC and instructor of the CBA Mastery Course, Larry Coon. This webinar is an on demand course for learning the curriculum for the CBA, brought to you by SBC and CBA mastery on demand. Today’s webinar features special guests Podcast Host and NBA Analyst at The Athletic Dave DuFour, Bleacher Report Writer and NBA TV & Basketball Insiders Capologist Eric Pincus, Former Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough and 2018 SBC Alum and Winner of NBATV’s 2020 GM School Calida Taylor. Find details at SportsBusinessClassroom.com.Connect with Larry Coon: Instagram | Twitter | CBA MasteryConnect with Eric Pincus: LinkedIn | Instagram | TwitterConnect with Dave Dufour: LinkedIn |  Instagram | Twitter Connect with Ryan McDonough: TwitterConnect with Calida Taylor: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Today the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience is presenting the Salary Cap Webinar hosted by General Manager of SBC and instructor of the CBA Mastery Course, Larry Coon. In this webinar, Larry is covering the new CBA with Bleacher Report Writer, NBA TV, and Basketball Insider's Capologist Eric Pincus, Former Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough and 2018 SBC Alum and Winner of NBATV’s 2020 GM School Calida Taylor. Connect with Larry Coon: Instagram | Twitter | CBA MasteryConnect with Calida Taylor: LinkedIn | Instagram | TwitterConnect with Eric Pincus: LinkedIn | Instagram | TwitterConnect with Ryan McDonough: Twitter

In today’s episode, we sat down with retired professional basketball player and commentator for the NBA on TNT, Dennis Scott. Dennis spent the majority of his 10-year NBA career with the Orlando Magic (1990-97), earning All-Rookie Team honors in 1991 and helping the Magic win the Eastern Conference Finals in 1995. He also spent time with Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, New York, Minnesota, and the former Vancouver Grizzlies franchise.In this episode we discuss:Learning the value of confidence as a young player and how that’s helped him throughout his life on the court and in businessThe value of knowing his role when the Orlando Magic drafted Shaq and how that helped him personally and his teamPursuing business opportunities with his apparel and basketball camp company “Shooter’s Paradise”Scott hosts his own local television show while in Orlando titled "The Dennis Scott Show," and a weekend show called "The Highlight Zone."  He also serves as the General Manager of the American Basketball Association's Atlanta Vision team, a position he has held since May 2005. Dennis and his wife Rachael reside in Sandy Springs with son Dennis III and daughter Crystal. His son Ryan plays college basketball at Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina.Connect with Beau Estes: Twitter Connect with Dennis Scott: Instagram | Twitter | 

In this episode of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience, host Beau Estes sits down with the GM of SBC, Larry Coon. Larry is a computer scientist and member of the IT department at the University of California, Irvine, but is known around the league as a leading authority on the NBA salary cap. He is the author of the Salary Cap FAQ at CBAFAQ.com, and has been a regular contributor to outlets such as ESPN.com and BasketballInsiders.com. In this episode we discuss:How and why he originally got interested in the CBAWhat changes he's expecting in the new CBAThe Evolution of SBCHow you can use SBC to land and excel at a job in the NBAHis CBA Mastery CourseLarry makes regular media appearances including television (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. Larry continues to teach computer science curriculum at California State University, Irvine, and serves as the General Manager and Lead Instructor for Sports Business Classroom, the Executive Session, and is a program lead for the League Salary Cap major. He has also just released his very own online course going deeper than he ever has before into teaching the salary cap. You can learn more at ondemand.sportsbusinessclassroom.com.Connect with Beau Estes: Twitter Connect with Larry Coon: Instagram | Twitter | CBA Mastery

Sekou Smith is an award-winning writer, reporter and multimedia specialist who has spent two decades covering basketball around the globe, from the grassroots level to the NBA as well as at the Olympics and World Cup competitions. Smith has worked as a Senior Analyst for NBA Digital (NBA TV and NBA.com) since 2009, serving as both an analyst and reporter on NBA TV’s Game Time and as an analyst on NBA TV’s The Beat with Vince Cellini and David Aldridge. In this episode we discuss:Sekou’s experience in the NBA bubbleQuality of play in OrlandoWhat the Lakers’ championship meantHow coverage will change in the futureSmith is the creator and host of NBA.com’s Hang Time Podcast and the creator and editor of NBA.com’s Hang Time Blog. Before joining Turner Sports and NBA Digital, Smith spent more than a decade as a national NBA writer and beat writer for the Indianapolis Star and Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is a longtime member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Prior to his time covering the NBA, Smith spent six years covering college football, basketball, and baseball for the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, focusing on the Southeastern Conference. Host Beau Estes asks Sekou multiple questions about his personal experiences from his time in Orlando inside the NBA Bubble. Connect with Beau Estes: Twitter Connect with Sekou Smith: Instagram | LinkedIn |Twitter

This episode of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience is a conversation between host Beau Estes and staff writer for Bleacher Report’s B/R Magazine, Mirin Fader. Prior to working for Bleacher Report, Mirin contributed features to espnW.com and was also a staff writer for the Orange County Register from 2013-17. Before attending Occidental College she played basketball during her freshman year at Lewis & Clark College.In this episode we discuss:How Mirin fell in love with basketballHer personal parallels to the Gigi Bryant Story What the future holds for Mirin Fader Mirin has profiled athletes at all levels of sports, from the NBA and WNBA to the NFL, NCAA, high school, and youth. In today’s episode, she talks about the process of writing The Legacy of Mambacita, a story dedicated to Gianna Bryant honoring her love and passion for the game of basketball. Mirin shares how she had the idea and talks about the process of telling the story from conception to completion. She discussed how it both personally and professionally affected her and her career once released. Mirin emphasizes in her episode to never let the obstacles hold you back from chasing your passion, and encourages people who want to be in her position to use their obstacles as motivation.  Folio Magazine named Mirin a Top Woman in Media in the “Up and Comer” category in 2019. The Associated Press of Sports Editors (APSE) awarded her James Ransom story with Top 10 honors for Best Feature Story in 2019. She also won first place in the 2019 Los Angeles Press Club Journalism Awards for best sports feature for her LaMelo Ball story.Connect with Beau Estes: Twitter Connect with Mirin Fader: MirinFader.com | LinkedIn |Twitter

In today’s episode, we sat down with the winner of NBATV’s GM School competition, Calida Taylor. Calida is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School currently living in the Phoenix, AZ area. Calida is a corporate attorney with a passion for NBA team building. She enjoys diving into the CBA and basketball analytics in her free time and has been a guest on multiple NBA podcasts. In this episode we discuss:Winning NBATV’s GM SchoolHow tough the GM school competition from SBC wasPursuing her dream job in the NBAThe GM School provides an opportunity for NBA fans to have the opportunity to showcase their passion for data analytic skills while competing for a chance to break into a front office. Contestants put their knowledge and skills to the test through a series of high-pressure, analytics-focused challenges such as the draft challenge, media session challenge, hiring a coach challenge, and the trade rumor challenge. From participating in a mock post-game press conference to drafting franchise building blocks and selecting a starting five lineup, the contestants were put under the watchful eye of an All-Star panel of judges, including former GM Billy King, WNBA star Renee Montgomery, and former GM Wes Wilcox.  At the end of the 3 episodes, the judges selected Calida as their winner based on the performance and results of the challenges. You can watch all 3 episodes of GM School here:Episode 1: https://youtu.be/yCpvOpov7Q8Episode 2: https://youtu.be/JeE7QpO0L0QEpisode 3: https://youtu.be/3D9SI7RmKcQConnect with Beau Estes: Twitter Connect with Calida Taylor: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

In today’s episode, we sat down with author, sportswriter, and Esports GM, Lang Whitaker. Lang currently works for the Memphis Grizzlies as the General Manager of Grizz Gaming, and as a contributor to Grind City Media. Additionally, Lang works as a contributor to GQ Magazine. He broke into the industry with SLAM magazine in the early 2000s and later worked for NBA Digital, where he wrote for NBA.com, appeared on NBA TV, and co-hosted the award-winning Hang Time Podcast.  In this episode we discuss:Growing up in Atlanta and having a love for Atlanta sportsMoving to New York and working for SLAM Magazine Becoming GM of Grizz Gaming with the Memphis Grizzlies From 2000-2012, Whitaker worked for SLAM magazine, first as an online editor, then executive editor, and finally as editor-at-large. In 2012, he co-hosted the inaugural NBA Social Media Awards with Rick Fox and Shaquille O’Neal. Since 2010, Whitaker has been a contributor to GQ. Lang has also written for many other publications, including The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and Esquire. In March 2011, Whitaker published his memoir, “In The Time Of Bobby Cox: The Atlanta Braves, Their Manager, My Couch, Two Decades and Me.” Connect with Beau Estes:  Twitter Connect with Lang Whitaker: langwhitaker.com | Instagram | Twitter 

In today’s episode, we sat down with long time NBA coach Alvin Gentry. Coach Gentry has spent over 30 years as a coach in the NBA and was most recently the Head Coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.  Growing up in Shelby, North Carolina, Coach Gentry had plenty of stories about cutting his teeth on the court with his cousin and former NBA star David Thompson.In this episode we discuss:What the job of an NBA Head Coach entailsCoach Gentry’s path to the top of his sport A “WOW” moment with Zion WilliamsIn 1989, Gentry began his NBA coaching career as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs under Larry Brown, where he coached for three seasons. He then moved to Detroit following the 1994–95 season where he served as an assistant for two and a half seasons before being named head coach late in the 1997–98 season. Coach Gentry took over the head job for the Clippers from 2000-2003.  Later, he became an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns for six years, serving under head coaches Mike D'Antoni and Terry Porter; and was named Suns' head coach for the 2009-2010 season. In 2013 he returned to the Clippers organization, taking the title of associate head coach, making him Doc Rivers' lead assistant.After one season with the Clippers, Gentry signed a three-year contract as associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors. In 2015, he signed with the Pelicans, prior to the start of the NBA Finals, but was to remain with Golden State until the series was completed; Gentry won his first NBA Championship with the Warriors that year.Connect with Beau Estes: Twitter Connect with Alvin Gentry: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

This episode of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience is a conversation between host Sergio Millas and NBATV's Beau Estes.  You may recognize Beau from the NBA Top 10 or from his earlier appearance on the show.  In this episode, Beau turns the table on Sergio, as we get to learn more about our host and the Vice President of Digital Media at HallPass Media. Sergio has been working at HallPass Media for 15 years and has over 10 years of experience in digital marketing. He is a creative leader with a wide array of professional marketing experience working with marquee brands in numerous industries. These include sports, entertainment, real estate, education, and beauty. In this episode we discuss:Habits and mentorsSergio’s career pathHow to get better each and every daySergio is an alumni at the University of Southern California, Marshall School of business, and earned his MBA in marketing. Sergio’s specialties consist of B2B and B2C Strategic Marketing and Positioning, Brand Development, Traffic Generation, Sales Funnel Optimization, Community Engagement, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, Cross Channel Monetization, Product Marketing, Demand Generation/Lead generation, and Strategic Partnership/Business Development. Connect with Beau Estes: | Twitter Connect with Sergio Millas: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Host Beau Estes is joined by surgeon Dr. Sami Daye, Head of Sports Science for the Toronto Raptors Alex McKechnie, and Founder of Hoop Science IO Ken Berger. Today’s episode features another recorded roundtable discussion recorded live on the SBC Web Show.On the show, the panel discussed preparing for the NBA restart, medical concerns for the "Bubble," and getting fans back to events.Sports Business Classroom will be hosting a Virtual Conference August 10-14, 2020 to provide an opportunity to learn from the basketball industry's brightest minds!To register, please visit: https://www.sportsbusinessclassroom.com/virtual-conference/If you’d like to watch the discussion or view the show notes for this episode you can find them here.Connect with Ken Berger: Hoop Science iO | TwitterConnect with Beau Estes: Twitter

Host Beau Estes is joined by Sacramento Kings Assistant Coach, Former WNBA #1 Overall Pick and Duke Athletics Hall of Fame Member Lindsay Harding, UNLV Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois, and Assistant GM of the Capital City Go-Go (Washington Wizards NBA G-League Affiliate Team) Amber Nichols. Today’s episode features another recorded roundtable discussion recorded live on the SBC Web Show.On the show, the panel discussed their professional journeys in the sports industry, what employers can do to make leadership opportunities more competitively available to women, as well as progress that has already been made and how much further we need to go.Sports Business Classroom will be hosting a Virtual Conference August 10-14, 2020 to provide an opportunity to learn from the basketball industry's brightest minds!To register, please visit: https://www.sportsbusinessclassroom.com/virtual-conference/If you’d like to watch the discussion or view the show notes for this episode you can find them here.Connect with Lindsay Harding: LinkedIn | Twitter | InstagramConnect with Desiree Reed-Francois: LinkedIn | TwitterConnect with Amber Nichols: LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Beau Estes: Twitter

Today’s episode features another recorded roundtable discussion. SBC Web Show host Beau Estes is joined by General Manager of Sports Business Classroom Larry Coon and NBA Analyst/former Atlanta Hawks GM Wes Wilcox for a very special announcement!Sports Business Classroom will be hosting a Virtual Conference August 10-14, 2020 to provide an opportunity to learn from the basketball industry's brightest minds! To register, please visit: https://www.sportsbusinessclassroom.com/virtual-conference/If you’d like to watch the discussion or view the show notes for this episode you can find them here.Connect with Beau Estes: TwitterConnect with Larry Coon: Twitter

Today’s episode features another recorded roundtable discussion. SBC Web Show host Beau Estes is joined by Life Sports Media & Entertainment Founder & CEO Todd Ramasar as well as Bleacher Report NBA Senior Writer and Fox Sports Analyst Ric Buchner!Our guests discussed the human element of returning to play and what the players feelings and concerns are.  They talked about how the shortened seasons will effect various parties financially.  Todd and Ric also put themselves in the shoes of one of the 8 teams and players that did not get invited to Orlando to break down how they might be feeling right now.  And finally they gave their advice to aspiring sports business professionals about what kind of technologies they learn to better position themselves for a job in the future.If you’d like to watch the discussion you can find it here.Connect with Beau Estes: TwitterConnect with Todd Ramasar: Life SME | Twitter | LinkedIn | InstagramConnect with Ric Buchner: Twitter | LinkedIn 

Today’s guest is Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for The Basketball Tournament (TBT), Jennifer Todd. TBT is a 5v5, winner take all tournament, with a grand prize of $2,000,000. In her role of Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships she manages the process of building and activating all sponsors and marketing relationships across TBT.In this episode we discuss:Jenn’s fascinating career pathHow traveling to 35 countries has expanded her world viewHow she became the co-founder of TBT Prior to her time at TBT, Jennifer attended Brown University and received a degree in biology, however she quickly realized that working in the sports industry was her dream, and returned to school and earned her MBA. Since then she has worked as a strategy consultant, a group director at Octagon Worldwide, and a general manager at Super Soccer Stars. Jennifer co-founded TBT in 2011, and held the title Senior Vice President, Sponsorship and Events. Since then TBT has turned into a successful property, and in 2018 Jennifer moved into management of strategic partnerships, as well as PR, marketing, and development of social assets nationally and across eight different regional markets while continuing to guide the general event operations and logistics.Connect with Jenn Todd: LinkedIn | Twitter Connect with Sergio Millas: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Today’s episode features another recorded roundtable discussion. SBC Web Show host Beau Estes is joined by Washington Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard and New Orleans Pelican's Play-by-Play Announcer and Sirius XM NBA Radio Host Joel Meyers.Our guests discussed running a basketball team in a quarantine, takeaways from other professional leagues, the possible new December start date for NBA seasons to come, and how to position yourself for a job in the new landscape of sports.If you’d like to watch the discussion you can find it here.Connect with Beau Estes: TwitterConnect with Tommy Sheppard: LinkedInConnect with Joel Meyers: Twitter | LinkedIn