🏆 Athlete Management: Inside the Game

From Small-Town Roots to Big-League Dreams

Layden's journey began in Roanoke, Virginia, a small rural town known for being near Virginia Tech and the hometown of JJ Redick. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, Layden was inspired by his older brother, a high school football star who played Division I football. This early exposure to sports sparked Layden's athletic pursuits, leading him to play college basketball at Catawba College. He served as team captain there for three years while majoring in accounting.

After graduation, Layden pursued an MBA from Radford University, leading him to a career in financial services. He spent six years working in risk management for MetLife and Wells Fargo, honing skills in relationship building, communication consulting, and strategic thinking management. Despite his success, Layden sought a career more closely aligned with his passion for sports.

A Strategic Pivot to the Sports Industry

Determined to transition into the sports sector, Layden took bold steps to build his brand and network within the industry. He wrote and published a book, consulted for startup streetwear brands, and hosted a monthly speaker series, "Gem Flo," featuring sports executives. In late 2019, he left his finance job and pursued a Master's in Sports Management from Columbia University, moving to New York City just two months before the COVID-19 pandemic.

While at Columbia, Layden discovered his knack for connecting dots and realized his skills were well-suited for marketing. He co-founded the Black Sports Management Union to advance Black pathways in the sports industry and hosted a weekly podcast, "You Should Listen." These initiatives showcased his creativity and led to his first internship with a significant basketball agency, where he helped manage their book of brands and also launch their NIL division. This role evolved into a full-time position with a separate agency, working in the partnership space and eventually leading to his current role at LIFT Sports Management.

Thriving in Athlete Relations

Layden's career trajectory has been marked by intentionality and resilience. Each role he has taken has added to his skill set, from building and managing relationships to navigating challenging conversations. His experience in financial services taught him to leverage relationships and communicate effectively with senior leadership, skills that have been invaluable in his sports marketing career.

Layden identifies three critical skills for working with top athletes: humility, patience, and adaptability. Humility involves always prioritizing the client; patience is necessary because building trust and closing deals takes time, and adaptability is essential due to the constantly evolving nature of the sports industry. Successful individuals in this field continuously add value, seek ways to enhance their clients' experiences, and support their business endeavors. Layden emphasizes the importance of curiosity and a willingness to learn for those looking to break into the sports industry.

Key Lessons from Layden’s Career Journey

1. Bet on Yourself and Seek Your Passion: Layden's decision to leave his career in financial services to pursue his passion in the sports industry exemplifies the importance of following one's passion. He bet on himself, and this bold move allowed him to carve out a fulfilling and successful career path in an industry he is passionate about.

2. Embracing Unconventional Paths: Layden's journey to LIFT Sports Management was far from linear, reflecting the mantra that "it's a marathon, not a sprint." His story highlights that the best opportunities often come from non-traditional routes, noting the value of perseverance and strategic risk-taking in achieving long-term success.

3. Be a Sponge and Stay Curious: Layden believes that career moves should be intentional and calculated, focusing on continuously adding new skills to one's arsenal. His advice to be a sponge and stay curious emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability in navigating a successful career.

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