Overtime Partners with The Boardroom to present Young CEO Experience
Last week, our team was selected to attend The Young CEO Experience powered by Overtime, Degree, and The Boardroom. The Young CEO Experience was a free virtual conference targeted at young professionals and sport business leaders of our evolving industry. The event highlighted the importance of a forward-thinking approach and how some of the sports largest corporations find ways to be innovative during the global pandemic. Some of the event’s panelists included speakers like the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, US- Open Champion Naomi Osaka, Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant, and Head Coach Steve Nash. Here are some insights from the event that emerging entrepreneurs and sport business professionals can implement in their business practices.
Adam Silver
Since taking over as the NBA Commissioner back in 2014, Silver has displayed his unique leadership approach that contributes towards making the NBA one of the most progressive leagues in all of pro sports. One of the things that I found most intriguing about Silver was his journey. Before the start of his career with the NBA, Silver was working at a corporate law firm. It wasn’t until 1992 when Silver decided to leave the firm and work alongside his predecessor David Stern as his special assistant. From that point on, Silver was a sponge soaking up all the knowledge and experience as he could. He spoke on the importance of his decision-making process and how much your value system shapes the decisions that individuals make.
“It’s critically important that you state your values up and that you be completely transparent about those principles. ”
As it been an unpredictable year for professional sports, Silver heavily relied on his values to help him craft strategic plans for the NBA. Back in early March when the NBA came to a halt due to a player contracting the Coronavirus, It circulating across major sports media platforms but, also gave the American nation a wake-up call much needed. At the time when the global pandemic hit an all-time high, so did a world revolution highlighted with racial injustices and police brutality. With the deaths of George Floyd, and Jason Blake, Silver and the NBA decided to boycott games during the NBA playoffs. The positive that came out of the resume of the NBA is players elevated voices for justice, reform, and education on voting rights. With the help of Silver and the NBPA teams and player stood in unison to create change in professional sports.
Kevin Durant
At the ripe age of 32, Kevin Durant has crafted a storied career highlighting all his unprecedented successes that include a 2x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP, and a leagues MVP. Despite Durant’s on-court successes, he’s inherited a more business-savvy approach with the establishment of The Boardroom and Thirty-Five Ventures.
KD
Brooklyn Nets, Co-Founder Thirty-five Ventures
During the Blueprint Session featuring Overtime CEO Dan Porter, Durant shared his personal experiences that allowed him to venture out beyond his respective athletic career. Durant finds himself more of a student of the game, studying from the musicians, creators, artists, and architects that shifted the culture forward. Durant shared his wealth of knowledge and insights for a group of industry leaders and business professionals that aim to shake up the future of the sport business.
“I always feel like you have to establish yourself inside the sport first before you start to venture out.”
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka has broken multiple barriers for women in sport. This year the 23-year old phenom became the highest-earning female athlete in the world. In professional sports, there is a huge gender equity gap between males and females. But this is not the case for Osaka, according to The Boardroom Osaka generates approximately $34M in endorsements each year. Osaka has elevated her brand since winning her second U.S. Open title making her a global icon in Japan and the US. In 2019 Osaka signed an endorsement deal with Nike for $10M/year, The question is what does Osaka’s career look like in the next 5 years? It seems like she has hit the pinnacle of her career so it will be interesting to watch her career unfold in the future. During the blueprint session, Naomi shared her insight with Co-Founder of Thirty Five Ventures Rich Kleiman. Osaka spoke on the importance of having a global platform and advocating for social justice rights in America.
Naomi Osaka
“I do better when my goals are short term, as opposed to worrying about whether I want to win 10 Grand Slams.”
Steve Nash
Brooklyn Nets Head Coach Steve Nash joined the Young CEO Experience to educate business leaders and industry professionals while providing insight about transitioning between different career paths. In 2014 Nash decided to retire away from basketball after having an iconic career. The former 2x MVP returns to the NBA to serve as a head coach for the highly anticipated Brooklyn Nets. During his blueprint session featuring Overtime Co-Founder & President Zach Weiner, Nash shared his insights on post-career and what the allotted opportunity provided for his identity. Nash ended off with a personal message to future entrepreneurs, young professionals, and athletes looking to make their mark in the industry emphasizing the importance of commitment, patience, and sacrifice.
“You’re going to beat a bunch of people just by them falling off. But you have to have a plan and a belief that the long game will pay divedens. ”