Starting your sports career:

Growing up in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia), Jason was surrounded by elite athletic talent from a young age. Playing sports with and against individuals who had the potential to go professional, Jason developed an innate understanding of what drove elite athletes and how to connect with them. In college, he witnessed firsthand the roller coaster of an athletic career through one of his best friends. He saw an opening in the industry and a way to make an impact to help athletes leverage their platform. To get his sports career started, Jason began working at Monumental Sports, which owns and operates the NHL team Washington Capitals, the NBA team Washington Wizards, and the WNBA team Washington Mystics. This is where he honed his communication skills and learned the inner workings of a professional sports organization. This foundational experience was pivotal, providing him with insights into the business side of sports. Later, he transitioned to a role selling corporate sponsorships for the University of Maryland Athletics Department. This position allowed him to understand how businesses approach marketing and advertising, preparing him for future roles that required a strategic mindset and an ability to think from a business perspective.

Creating your own opportunities:

Jason's career in the sports industry is a testament to perseverance, determination, and a proactive approach to creating opportunities. Starting with no work experience, connections, or guidance, Jason faced numerous challenges when trying to break into the industry. Undeterred, he applied to hundreds of jobs and reached out to professionals on LinkedIn but faced consistent rejection. Instead of giving up, Jason figured out his “why”. He took matters into his own hands, researching industry leaders, acquiring transferable skills through internships outside of sports, and starting his own podcast to share his knowledge. During the pandemic, Jason refused to sit idle. He began consulting brands on their marketing strategies through MarketPryce, a platform for brands and athletes to collaborate on marketing deals. His success caught the attention of the CEO of his current company, leading him to his “dream role” of directly serving players at all levels with their business and marketing endeavors. Now, he leads the marketing efforts for their roster of NFL, NBA, MLB, and NCAA athletes, procuring and securing endorsement deals, appearances, and sponsorships, consulting on brand building and social media presence, and managing their day-to-day business endeavors.

 Creating athlete & brand marketing campaigns:

Jason emphasizes the essential traits for success in athlete and brand marketing: curiosity, creativity, and craftiness, which he calls the three C’s. Curiosity has enabled him to gain valuable knowledge and insights, while creativity allows him to innovate and try new things. Craftiness helps him solve complex problems without straightforward solutions. These traits have helped Jason navigate the complexities of athlete and brand marketing, finding ways to connect with potential business associates, address client requests, and develop innovative campaign strategies. Jason's continuous success is attributed to his commitment to learning and staying updated with the latest industry trends and strategies. In addition to creativity in building athlete campaigns, Jason emphasizes the importance of creatively building your unique career path, advising, "Instead of waiting for an opportunity, create your own luck. If you aspire to be an agent, reach out to athletes at your school and offer to secure marketing deals, manage their social media, or provide assistance to make their lives easier.”

What’s Happening in Sports

🏀 NBA Finals 2024: Dallas Mavericks take on the Boston Celtics this Thursday, 6/6 on ABC.

🏈 Vikings signing WR Justin Jefferson to four-year, $140 million contract extension.

🎾 Novak Djokovic breaks two more Grand Slam records with latest win at Roland Garros

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