Justin Tuck found football easy because the X's and O's of the game were straightforward for him. He used his downtime to explore opportunities in New York City, meeting with hedge fund managers and real estate agents, which he found more challenging and fulfilling.
Jordan Chiles emphasizes the importance of education in her branding journey. She believes that as a gymnast, she had to educate herself about her sport and her personal brand. She highlights the challenges of navigating her career, such as flipping on a four-inch piece of wood and dealing with international competitions, as part of her educational process.
Renee Montgomery transitioned from a player to an owner in the WNBA because of her desire to improve the team's culture and marketing. She felt that the previous ownership didn't adequately represent the players, and she wanted to create a better environment for the athletes. Her wife initially suggested the idea of buying the team, which led to her becoming a co-owner of the Atlanta Dream.
Hope Solo initially viewed social media as toxic and exhausting, especially during her soccer career. She felt it distracted players and created unnecessary pressure. However, she has since come to appreciate its benefits, particularly in allowing athletes to control their own narratives and build their brands authentically.
Bomani Jones believes that social media has evolved from a platform where fans could see celebrities as regular people to a space where regular people try to act like celebrities. He notes that social media has become a language for corporations and a branding tool, but it has also made athletes less interesting from a distance due to the pressure to be politically correct and safe in their branding.
Napheesa Collier finds social media exhausting but necessary for her brand. She carefully selects brand partnerships that align with her values and interests, such as supporting women's health through her partnership with Opal. She believes that being authentic and choosing partnerships that resonate with her personal beliefs is key to maintaining her brand.
Athletes face challenges with NIL deals, including the potential for team dynamics to be affected by financial disparities among players. Some players may receive lucrative deals while others do not, leading to feelings of inequality. Additionally, the constant need to recruit and retain players due to the transfer portal and NIL deals has made coaching more challenging.
Jesse Palmer emphasizes authenticity in all his roles, whether as a sports analyst, reality TV host, or entrepreneur. He believes that being true to himself and his passions, whether in football, The Bachelor, or his clothing line, is crucial for maintaining his brand and connecting with his audience.
Unrivaled is a three-on-three basketball league featuring the best women's basketball players in the world. The league aims to provide a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and build their brands. It offers the highest average team salary in women's sports and gives players equity in the league, creating a unique and competitive environment.
A panel of athletes discuss their career journeys, from sports to building their brands. The discussion is moderated by Jess Sims, host at The Athletic.
Participants:
The conversation was recorded at the annual DealBook Summit and recorded live in front of an audience at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Read more about highlights from the day at https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/04/business/dealbook-summit-news
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