Call to action:

Dana's career has spanned approximately 13 years, focusing primarily on helping underrepresented female soccer players. From her roots as an attorney at the global firm, Greenberg Traurig, Dana embarked on an unexpected journey when an English professional soccer player asked her to be her agent. Despite some initial reservations, the call to action was enough, “I studied and researched from scratch and helped [this female athlete] negotiate her contract. I realized that I could really help these players, and set out to New York to meet as many as possible, view the training, and do anything I could to let other players know I am there to help”, shared Hooper. Dana’s commitment to helping players thrive in their careers became her driving force. Reflecting on her experience, Dana encourages individuals to intentionally network, connect with leagues, teams, and respective stakeholders. She emphasizes the uniqueness of each journey, urging aspiring professionals to engage in conversations, learn from others, and discover their path to success. Dana entering a new industry and becoming an agent after more than a decade as an attorney is a testament to overcoming the unknown and acknowledging that anyone has the opportunity to succeed but they must first choose to begin.

Value Assessment:

Dana's journey in professional basketball began in her childhood. Her father was a Statistician and Media Relations Director with the Phoenix Suns and her immersion early on ignited her passion for the sport and laid the groundwork for her current position as CEO and General Counsel for Draymond Green's ventures. Dana's perspective on authenticity resonates in an evolving media realm, with her urging up and coming professionals to stand firm in their true selves and beliefs. She emphasizes that chasing audience expectations often results in discontent. During her tenure as an ASU professor, Dana illuminated the intricate relationship between sports and society, highlighting how their interplay influences both segments. This insight further amplifies her counsel to embrace authenticity and uphold personal values amidst the dynamic shifts in the sports and societal landscape. In every pursuit, authenticity stands unwavering, a treasured constant guiding success.

Knowledge is power:

To those aspiring for positions like hers, Dana offers a motivational mantra: achieving a "dream job" in sports is feasible, albeit a challenge. She advocates exploring adjacent roles if the dream job doesn't manifest immediately, suggesting opportunities in entertainment, media, business, and education. Dana's experience underscores the value of building a strong foundation before venturing into sports, and she emphasizes the importance of crafting one's own path rather than mimicking others. Keep in mind, knowledge equates to power. Work, as defined, involves mental or physical effort directed towards achieving a purpose or result, and it's compensated. In the realm of physics, work happens "when a force triggers the movement of an object." Legal language interprets work as "providing services in exchange for compensation." Breaking it down, work boils down to tasks to be tackled. Yet, we frequently overcomplicate it. The essence is desiring payment for engaging in work we're passionate about. Slightly adjust your mindset to center on receiving payment for work you hold in high regard.

📢 Overcoming the unknown: Embracing uncertainty unveils opportunities for growth, resilience, and discovery. Take it head on, use it as a growth opportunity.

📢 Starting place is not your ending place: The initial phase is just that – the beginning. Cultivating patience for career growth is vital. Rushing won't aid your long-term journey; progress takes time.

📢 Know your moral compass: Invest effort in comprehending your values; avoid roles misaligned with them. Aligning values with your job enhances contentment and long-term commitment.

Stay Tuned: This Week in Sports

Women’s World Cup Final: Sydney Olympic Stadium, Australia, August 20:

Only four teams remain out of the original 32. Semifinals will be played on August 15^th & 16^th. Spain, Sweden, Australia, and England are set to compete for the title on August 20.

Little League World Series: Williamsport, Pennsylvania, August 20:

For global 12-year-old baseball players, the Little League World Series spans 12 days with 38 games and concludes on August 27 with the championship game, airing on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2.

BMW Championship – PGA Tour: Olympia Fields, Illinois, August 15 – 20:

The FedEx Cup playoffs are underway, and the next leg awaits. Amidst changing formats, only 50 players progress this year, vying for the $20M purse.