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!

In today's episode we sit down with Shea Dawson, Director of Athlete & Community Relations for the incredibly popular sports network Overtime. Prior to joining Overtime, Shea was the manager of player programs and team services for the Philadelphia 76ers, a position where she frequently interacted with NBA superstars such as Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Jimmy Butler.In this episode we discuss:What Shea calls the "Shea Dawson Experience" How she jump-started her career in the NBAHer “year of YES” and how this impacted herHow being intentional can lead to new opportunitiesShea Dawson is a strong operations professional with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Robert Morris University. Shea is skilled in Player/Athlete Development, Interpersonal Skills, and Servant Leadership. She is devoted to giving her clients and peers the “Shea Dawson Experience”, and also posts #Sheahacks on her social media platforms to give motivation to anyone who needs the inspiration. Her mentors consist of George Raveling, Gary Charles, Liron Fanan, Elton Brand, Todd Wright, Warren LeGarie, Albert Hall, and Sergio Millas. Connect with Shea on social to follow her journey @overtimeshea! 

In today's episode, we sat down with your favorite NBA player's favorite photographer, Cassy Athena.In this episode we will talk about:How she turned her passion into her career in the world of basketballThe importance of building genuine relationships to stand out & how to maintain themHow social media shaped her business which has led to some of the biggest stars reposting her picturesTalks about how she found her purpose by building her brand Cassy's daily grind and what it takes to make it in the industry Cassy Athena is a professional NBA photographer and entrepreneur, & has overcome some pretty remarkable things along the way. Her work has been published in Sports Illustrated, Samsung, Billboard, Red Bull, Fox Sports, Dime Magazine, Slam Magazine, NBA, Under Armour, Nike, Jordan Brand, Monster Headphones & more. She has worked exclusively with the biggest NBA athletes & has helped with branding/marketing to many athletes and entertainers. It wasn't only LeBron James, who drew nearly two million likes on Instagram for balling out at Chris Brickley's basketball runs in New York City; Cassy Athena was there, like always, capturing the magic. She even followed Steph Curry & his family at the 2016 NBA Star Game in Toronto for Under Armour. Connect with Cassy on social and follow her journey @cassyathenaphoto! 

For our second episode, we sat down with the Director of Communications of the Los Angeles Clippers Dennis Rogers!In this episode, we will talk about:Dennis’s rise from graduate basketball assistant at Mississippi State to Director of Communications of the Los Angeles ClippersThe importance of being willing to do whatever it takes to work in sportsThe many roles Dennis has experienced in basketballDennis’s day to day lifestyle with the ClippersDennis is currently the Director of Communications of the Los Angeles Clippers. He also worked with the Clippers’ digital media team as Digital Media Director. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Communications with the New Orleans Hornets from 2003-2012. He has also been assisting with the NBA Summer League since its inception in 2003 as a Communications and Digital Media Specialist.