Image courtesy of The Sacramento Bee

Fresh from vacation and back to the grind, I was pleasantly surprised by this year’s draft.  McShay and Kiper were starting to wear on me, as they do every year, and I was hesitant with the new three-day format.  I have to say I enjoyed the draft more, with the new format, than I have ever in the past.  There was more drama, more of an emphasis on scouting and fit, and a much-needed shift to break up the monotony.  If anything, day three, felt the most like a typical day at the draft.  Which normally includes hour’s worth of long-winded, baseless ramblings stemming from Chris Berman.  This year drastically cut down on those and put the focus back on the players.  Not only did day one, first rounders have their place in the sun, but also second round guys became a huge focus flowing in to day number two.  Moving forward I absolutely think the NFL got it right. 

It will be interesting to see what affect the format will have in the development of this class of talent.  I know it played a huge factor in scouting and the team’s big board’s this draft.  That was clearly evident with the slipping of Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy.  Though I feel like they fell in the prefect situations like many of the pundits commented.  My impressions of the draft fall squarely on the winners, Cleveland and Detroit.  I love the prospect of Colt McCoy learning under Jake Delhomme and the strength the Browns added in the secondary.  With Detroit, Suh and Best should be ready and able to step in and contribute this season.  It was fitting the year the Lions snag Mr. Irrelevant, Tim Toone a wide out from Weber State; their picks were all but irrelevant.  As far as loser’s go, you never know, I mean look what pick number 199 in the 2000 draft meant to the Patriots. 

Other than the affect the new format had on evaluating players, it created an atmosphere that was exciting and fun.  It just seems like no other league can catch on to what the NFL has mastered.  Back in 2008, as part of the Rays I had the chance to go to the MLB First Year Player Draft.  Try as they may the MLB put together a fantastic display at the Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney in Orlando, FL.   Having the first pick in the draft the Rays wanted to create a buzz through new and guerilla marketing.  Unfortunately, all the MLB’s hard work on this draft didn’t amount to much, but on the other hand the Rays scored big.  This came in landing short-stop, Tim Beckham with the first pick, and landing positive press on the front page of MLB.com.  The press was in the form of a few other staff and me poising as excited Rays’ fans. 

The atmosphere of the MLB draft was great from my perspective, but I can’t imagine Radio City Music Hall.   For fun or for business I plan to make it there, one day.  For now all the other leagues better take notice; the NFL is all about fun, these days.

You never know the outcome if you don’t take the chance.

Image courtesy of The Bleacher Report

The gusty, determined play of Ali Farokhmanesh, Northern Iowa guard, against Kansas on Saturday night serves as a perfect illustration of the reward from taking the risk.  I admit I held my breath as I sat in my stool at the local sports bar, watching the game and Farokhmanesh’s three pointer hang in the balance.  I don’t need my background as a basketball manager to tell me that dribble drive to the lane or hold back to control the clock are the safe bets at that point in the game.  Amazingly, Ali seized the moment, took the risk, and is now living the reward.

Similarly, it took me almost two years to find the courage, words, and will to sit down and write a meaningful message to an idol of mine in the agent industry.  I finally took the chance long after reading the story of Matt Sosnick and long after it first changed my life.  In taking that risk the reward has been more than I ever could have imagined.  As a result of my words and my strong will, I feel I now have a true mentor to help guide and counsel me through this industry.  More importantly, I strengthened this principle in my own eyes through personal experience.

Experience may not always pay out immediately.

Recently, I’ve been guilty of this way of thinking more than I’m happy to admit.  I caught myself trying to only look for experiences that would show me the greatest immediate monetary value and not opportunities that would put me in the best position to fulfill my goals in the long term.  In doing this I actually set myself back in my plan instead of focusing and becoming a student of the game, like I’ve talked about before.  Society conditions individuals to believe that money is more important than dignity and dreams but I refuse to live under those constraints any longer.

I was reminded of the value of gaining relevant experience, no matter what the means, by a post by Scott Deady at SportsAgentBlog.com.  In a reply to his March 8^th entry of Rookie Duties, he reinforced a significant ideal of the benefit of hard work in the interim paying off in due time.  He said:

In my opinion it’s never too early to start networking with others in an industry you want to be working in. The key to successful networking is finding ways you can add value to others. Although I don’t know all the details about your situation, if there’s a hockey club near you that plays at a decent level, you might just want to ask if they could use any help. I wouldn’t expect to get paid monetarily but that really shouldn’t matter at this point. To this day I do a lot of work outside of representing athletes (e.g. scouting for an independant scouting service) that doesn’t pay me anything now, but I know that it will pay off down the road. Hope this helps.

Do your homework.

I can’t help thinking I sound like my parents when I make a point like this one.  As I look back I know they were right and I now understand the value of strong preparation.  Learn the industry you want to be in from top to bottom.  In the next few days I plan on putting a resources page to include some of the great websites, blogs, books, and other useful sources of information I’ve come across.  The purpose is really two-fold it gives me an opportunity to share while helping me seek more knowledge.  Recently, Mike Babcock, Detroit Red Wings Head Coach and Head Coach of Team Canada Hockey, spoke in a clip aired during the Olympics about the importance of knowledge and the power it brings.  I couldn’t find the clip but I found a line from it in an article from The StarPhoenix.

I believe knowledge and experience and preparation defeats fear.

Image courtesy of The StarPhoenix

Babcock couldn’t have said it any better and he used that philosophy to take Canada to the gold medal in the Olympic games.  In all my interactions I try to learn more and better prepare myself for any situation.  I’ve been incorporating this in the way I network, how I go about gaining experience in the industry, and in the work environment.  My goal right now is to continue reading, learning the ins and outs of various Collective Bargaining Agreements, and make industry contacts.  It’s a slow process but like Babcock inferred, knowledge is power.

When I pressed send on my composed email to Matt Sosnick, many questions danced around in my head.  Was this really his email or would it just go to a secretary?  Would he really read it or send it right to the trash?  Wildly, I even thought, would I get some kind of response?  Mostly, I figured it would be some kind of auto-sent response, thanking me for my interest and applauding me for my valuable input.

What I received in reply was like nothing I expected in my wildest dreams.  About 20 minutes later I noticed I had an email on my Droid.  Not thinking much of it, I checked my phone and there it was…..a reply.  At first I feared the worst, the dreaded auto response.  Every one knows how that feels.  I can’t count the number of times I’ve sent resumes, emails, or questions and received nothing but thanks and have a good day.  To my surprise it was actually a short, thought out response and those three lines were enough for me.

In the past few days we’ve emailed a few more times back and forth.  With every response I see more and more that Jerry Crasnick’s portrayal of him in License to Deal seems dead on.  The candid interactions and relationship demonstrated while mentoring a young Dontrelle Willis seems to shine through as completely genuine.  He’s treated me with such respect and even offered his advice and counseling at any time.  This has inspired and encouraged me more than the words in the book could ever suffice.  I can’t help but get the feeling that I’m right where I’m supposed to be on this journey.

Below, I’ve included the email in it’s entirety.

Dear Matt,

About a year ago I read your story in License to Deal as a result of a recommendation from a mentor of mine.  Having read both books by Drew Rosenhaus and a few from Ronald Shapiro I expected much of the same from Jerry Crasnick’s novel.  Basically, a small overview of what it takes to make it in the business but a lack of emotion and a lack of a strong sense of morality.  I was pleasantly surprised with what I read about your journey through the agent industry, though.  Being in a time of uncertainty and fear in my life, especially with the prospect of pursuing a career as an agent, I found inspiration from your story.  In all honesty, I credit License to Deal with renewing my passion and determination to make it in this industry.  It was not only the trials and tribulations you fought through, being a small agency against the Boras’ and Hendricks’ of the world, but it was also more importantly the class and dignity you displayed while persevering.  Being in a similar position, with a small background in sports but no playing experience or pedigree, it was uplifting to see a story that illustrated hard work and love of the game can be enough.  Before reading about the humble beginnings of Sosnick-Cobbe Sports I didn’t think it was possible to be successful and keep your moral compass in this industry.  If not for your and Paul’s story I might not have the renewed clarity and drive to become an agent that I currently possess.  Thank you for allowing Jerry Crasnick to tell your story with such uninhibited honesty and vivid realism.  Most importantly, thank you for doing it the right way, so that others know that it is possible.

Sincerely,

Brad

I loved being a part of the Rays.  It was a working environment that I have never been able to duplicate. It was the family atmosphere, top to bottom, which embodied the Rays.  Being young and dumb at that time in my life I figured it would be easy to duplicate.  I was wrong.  I still can’t figure out why I wanted to get away from there so bad.  Maybe it was my sense of entitlement and confidence in me that was discouraged because the organization wasn’t trying every angle to hold on to me.  Really it was on me to make that happen.  Instead of interviewing with the Buccaneers, if I really wanted to remain a Ray, I should have interviewed for ticketing positions or taken a spot on the street team.  Hindsight will get you.

It was after declining a training camp supervisor position with the Bucs that I really started to question my life.  I let doubt, fear, and other opinions get in my head and I regret letting it all get the best of me.  More than ever my vision was cloudy and I was absolutely terrified to take the plunge into the agent world.  Going head to head with Boras or Rosenhaus seemed unthinkable.  It was then that I realized being an agent and being in the industry would not be smooth sailing.

So that brings us to the present.  For the past few years I have been embracing the industry and becoming a student of the game.  As I go through a transition period in my professional life, I’ve looked towards books to help give me insight on the agent industry.  Some of them have helped ease my anxiety towards being an agent and others have helped illustrate how much further I have to be successful.  I think it is absolutely essential to “sell out” and fully commit to learning and growing in order to make it in this industry.

Below, I’ve listed my Top 5 Agent books (in my opinion at this moment), that have helped me along the way. So without further ado….

#5 – Next Question by Drew and Jason Rosenhaus

It’s no question, cheap title reference, that I am a huge Drew Rosenhaus fan.  Would I go as far as saying he is an idol of mine? Maybe.  I know that a certain individual from the Rays broadcasting family would probably slap me for making that comment.  All in all it is actually a good book.  It gives tons of insight in dealing with Terrell Owens and not to mention it’s from a guy that is on the top of the mountain.  It is the second installment in the Rosenhaus collection and is no where near as good as his first (referenced later).  I feel like it is tacky in playing off the “Next Question,” incident as a plot in the scheme of Drew but for the value of the information I include it on my list.

#4 – The Power of Nice by Ronald Shapiro and Mark Jankowski

This is actually a book recommended to me by one of mentors from the Rays.  I am in the middle of reading it and I must say it is the closest thing you will find to a manual on being a sports agent.  It almost reminds me of a PowerPoint presentation outlining the reasons to attend one of Shapiro and Jankowski’s seminars.  In all honesty I see myself following this type of an approach through my agent career and in my current sales position I reference the teachings in this book religiously.  It is a must read from a great figure in the agent industry.

Image courtesy of No Pun Intended

#3 – Moneyball by Michael Lewis

I mean what more can you say about a book and a philosophy that took the purist sport of baseball and flipped it on its head.  Not necessarily a look inside being an agent but a flip side perspective of a visionary, who changed the dynamic of building a team in the luxury tax era.  If this were ESPN, Moneyball, would be an Instant Classic for sure and a contender for an ESPY.  I mean Brad Pitt is locked in for the role of Billy Beane, enough said.  Not to mention the fact that one sunny afternoon I rode the elevator with a major scouting director with the Rays who happened to be a Moneyball disciple, in which he discussed his displeasure in it being a Monday and in the fact he was on the phone with agents all day.  I replied with a short but meaningful quip, “Maybe you’ll be talking to me one day.”  The day he’s on the other line my life will have come full circle.

#2 – A Shark Never Sleeps by Drew Rosenhaus

“I am a ruthless warrior.  I am a hit man.  I will move in for the kill and use everything within my power to succeed for my clients.” I feel like those words that graced the cover of Sports Illustrated should be the mantra for every agent in the business.  Originally, I had this as #3 on my list but it is too near and dear to my heart.  Moneyball is a must read but A Shark Never Sleeps is just as earth-shaking in my eyes.  Rosenhaus details meticulously, much like Dexter portrays its murders, his rise to the top and the brash, no-nonsense approach he used to get there.  It is an absolutely fantastic look inside the mind of one of the top agents building his empire in his youth.

Image courtesy of Amazon

#1 – License to Deal by Jerry Crasnick

A Shark Never Sleeps painted a realistic picture of what it takes to make it in the industry but the story of Matt Sosnick and Paul Cobbe painted by Jerry Crasnick inspired me to keep pushing for my dream.  It was just the story I needed to know that the only thing that matters is hard work and determination.  The trials and tribulations that Sosnick and Cobbe fought through, as “outsiders,” to start and maintain a small agency in this cut-throat industry is absolutely amazing.  It has been not only the fact that they made it work, but also the way in which they kept their morals and respect in the process that is very inspiring.  If Shapiro wrote the manual then Sosnick and Cobbe illustrated how to put it in to action with class and dignity.

some are coming home
some are leaving town
while my worlds crashing down
on a sunday in the sunshine at a red light

David Nail, Red Light

It’s no secret that the title of this post is inspired by the lyrics of a David Nail song called Red Light. Basically, a realization of life and love lost regardless of the situation or lack thereof of good timing for bad news.  Sometimes I feel the same in my interpretation of Sunday’s but then other times a good Sunday offers much needed clarity.  It’s mostly a time to reflect especially on my usual lengthy drive back to Cincinnati away from every place and thing that’s known and comfortable.  Often daydreaming and contemplating a life that’s very different than I could have imagined and evolving every second of every day.

It’s not very ironic that on a Sunday, of all days, clarity, drive, and passion would come to visit once again.  It seems like I’ve already been through a whole lifetime.  Starting as a student manager for the Men’s Basketball team in college, landing an internship with an MLB team 19 hours away from my whole life, and eventually ending up here in this moment.  A place so far away from where I want to be but no less dedicated and driven to get to that point.

I wish I would have started writing it all down when it started if hindsight was 20/20.  I’m taking that leap now as I embark on the rest of my life and my journey to make it in this cut throat industry.  I love writing as much as I don’t like to admit it.  I want to use this as medium to document my travels to reaching my dream of being a professional athlete agent.  Along the way I hope to be able to share the stories and the memories that have brought me to this place.  Just a typical Sunday, I guess.