NetWorks Spotlight Interview with Reneé Brown

May 11, 2011 by

NetWorks Spotlight Interview with… Reneé Brown, Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations, WNBA

By Tracey Savell Reavis

Renee Brown announces players selected in the 2011 WNBA Draft in April (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser)

The calendar indicates that the WNBA season officially spans approximately 4 months. The work, however, especially for Reneé Brown, Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations for the league, is in reality more of a 12-month, all-inclusive, lifestyle. So it helps that Reneé, a Henderson, Nevada native, a former UNLV player, an ex-college basketball coach, and a former US Olympic team assistant coach, loves her job.

As Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations, Reneé directs scouting for all players and manages personnel policies and programs.  She joined the WNBA in September 1996, right after winning a Gold Medal at the Centennial Olympic Games as an assistant coach of the US Women’s Basketball team.

We caught up with Reneé, during a late lunch hour, from her New York office, talking everything WNBA, dishing success tips for women looking to get into the sports industry and letting on that’s she’s a really big fan of a certain ‘Funny Girl.’

The league has just announced a new president, Laurel Richie, and is about to tip off Season 15.  What can you tell us about the expectations for this season?
I think things will go well. Val [Ackerman] and Donna [Orender] worked hard so that we are going in the right direction. With Laurel, I think we have a chance to take things to another level. The game is in good shape. We have great players, who are fine citizens. The games are full of versatility, precision and great execution. We are 15 years young and I think we’ll do great.

WNBA.com recently ran a piece when the writer listed 15 things he was looking forward to in the WNBA this year. How would you finish this sentence: The thing I’m looking forward to in the WNBA’s 15th season is ___________.
The competition. There’s not a team out there that can take a night off. Everyone has to come ready to play. There’s a lot of parity in the league and the competition is going to be great.

What are you most proud of in your role at the league?
Probably that if any of our players has an issue, that they know they can call me, and I will help them to the best of my ability. That I have a good, working relationship with the players.

What challenges do you face in your work?
I can’t think of any challenges. When you have a passion for what you do, you wake up every day, ready to go. I’m grateful to be able to do this. The WNBA has given me an opportunity of a lifetime and I’m fortunate to be a part of it.

When you look back over the past 15 seasons, what stands out as your most cherished moment?
Oh, wow, there are so many. I’d have to say, the Opening Tip-Off. The very first game, it was the Liberty vs. the Sparks. I just remember looking at Val [Ackerman] and we both were like we couldn’t believe, after all the work, it was finally happening. And we cried. I’ll never forget it.

It’s no surprise there are not many African American women in decision-making positions within the sports industry. Do you see that improving?
I think it’s getting better. I think women of color have to raise their hands and say, this is what I want to do, then go after it. If you’ve got the knowledge, put yourself out there. Gone are the days where you wait for someone to notice your talents. You have to step up and make it happen.

Your career has been mostly teaching and leadership roles. Has there been the secret to your success, examples that you could pass on?
It starts with confidence. You have to have confidence in yourself, know what you want and be willing to do the hard work to get it. Dawn Staley used to say, you have to do the things you don’t want to do to get to where you want to be.

I believe it’s important to have mentors. I stand on a lot of people’s shoulders. Find a mentor who is willing to tell you the truth, and who’s willing to help you as you develop.

And in my career, I learned something at every step along the way. It is important when you enter any field to learn as much as you can. Learn the business side. Open yourself up to learning about every area. Learn as much as you can. Be hungry.

Are you comfortable being labeled a role model?
It is the ultimate compliment. I embrace being a teacher. I take it very seriously. I believe each one should teach one, and that it is my responsibility to give back.

What do you think will be the legacy of the WNBA?
That young girls can have their dream of playing professional basketball, with elite players, here in their own home. Before young girls would say, ‘I want to be like Mike, or Magic, or Larry.’ And they were forced to play overseas.

Now they can say, ‘I want to be like Diana Taurasi’ Now they have the same opportunity as the men. They have female role models. Knowing that they’ve been watching since they were 5, or 6, or 7, and that they can have their dreams come true, to play the game they love, at home, in front of their family and friends, just makes me so happy. It warms my heart.

Get to Know Reneé

In her music library: Barbra Streisand; Gospel tunes

On her nightstand: The poetry of Maya Angelou

In her Netflix queue: Black and White classics – especially films starring Katharine Hepburn or Dorothy Dandridge

Her top travel destination: Anywhere in Italy

Workout: The elliptical machine

Favorite Quote: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding

Find out more about the WNBA at www.wnba.com


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In Their Own Words – Bryant Pfeiffer

May 11, 2011 by
In Their Own Words profiles former student-athletes who have leveraged their experiences on the field, court, and in the pool to buoy their professional careers. They’ve had success in the classroom & in their sport, and now are enjoying tremendous success in various sectors around the world.

In Their Own Words with Bryant Pfeiffer

As the MLS season roars ahead, we are grateful to Bryant for taking a few moments to share his journey from the soccer fields at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN to being one of the most innovative executives in the sports industry as he serves as Vice-President, Club Services with Major League Soccer.

Bryant Pfeiffer oversees training process at MLS Sales Center

What is your current title and how long have you been in this position?
I am currently the Vice-President, Club Services with Major League Baseball and have been with the MLS for 3 years.

Tell us what your specific role is with the organization?
I work very closely with every MLS team from ownership and senior management to sales and customer service staff to help them reach their local business objectives. This ranges from helping support the development and execution of business plans, best practice sharing, sales and retention, training and benchmarking results between teams.

What is your favorite part of the job?

It is fascinating to have the opportunity to work with 18 different MLS teams all with unique opportunities and challenges. And then, the opportunity to help contribute to their success in achieving their goals. I’ve met and had the opportunity to work with so many talented individuals.

What was your first “REAL” job?
Unpaid intern in the sales department for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wasn’t sure I wanted to be a salesperson but knew I wanted to be in sports. Once I had my foot in the door realized I had to “figure it out”. Eventually went on to have a very successful sales career at the Timberwolves including setting many of their all time sales records.

Has being a competitive athlete helped you in your current role or during your career? If so, please tell us in what ways.
I’ve always been extremely competitive in anything I do from varsity competition to playing rock, paper, scissors. I want to win at everything I do and I firmly believe this helps fuel my desire and has separated me from peers in the past. With that said, I’ve always tried to balance that competiveness with humility and teamwork. Never want to show anyone up in the process of reaching your professional goals. Sports, like in the business world, things don’t always go your way so I’ve always practiced winning and losing gracefully.

What do you miss and what don’t you miss about being a competitive athlete?
I miss being assembled with a like-minded group of unselfish teammates who are just as hungry to achieve greatness.

I don’t miss windsprints or ankle injuries.

What was your most memorable moment as an athlete? What was your most embarrassing moment?
Beating one of the top ranked racquetball players in the world in an exhibition match in 2002 or completing my first marathon in 1993.

How often do you workout? What type of things do you do to stay active?
I still workout 6-7 days a week. Basketball, racquetball, running, soccer, golf and chasing kids around.

If you knew then what you know now, is there anything that you would do differently in your career?
Take improvisational comedy courses at a younger age. Huge impact into building confidence, being open minded, thinking big, accepting all styles and deferring judgment.

Do you have a mentor (or mentors) that has helped you along the way?
I have a “connector’ personality and would say rather than lean on one mentor, I’ve instead tried to absorb a little bit from many, many people over the years at each stop of my journey.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
Parents have been very influential.

Do you have any advice for young professionals and/or former student-athletes hoping to have a successful career after sports?
Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Ask a ton of questions. Get involved in something that can differentiate you from the thousands of other former student athletes interested in getting into a career after sports.

Favorite Book
The Book of Basketball – Bill Simmons

Favorite Movie
Anything with Will Ferrell

Hobbies
Read & Improv Comedy

Favorite Place to Vacation
Beach with kids – Las Vegas with buddies

What’s playing on your iPod?
Metallica, Rhianna and Doobie Brothers

Android or iPhone?
iPhone

Mac or PC?
PC

Favorite TV Show
Survivor

Favorite Restaurant
Chipotle

Favorite Quote
The function of leadership is to produce more leaders not followers

For more information on the MLS, log on to www.mlsnet.com



Filed Under: Blog, In Their Own Words, NetWorks Newsletter Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

NetWorks Rising Star – Melanie Murphy

May 11, 2011 by

NetWorks is committed to supporting young professionals looking to get their foot in the door in the sports industry.  Our team has received an extraordinary amount of support throughout our careers and are truly impressed with the generation of young leaders who are ready to help take the sports industry to all new heights.  If you know of any individuals like this, please let us know about them.  If you are in a position to hire or recommend these NetWorks Rising Stars, please contact us and we will put you in touch with them.  They are our future!

Mel Murphy Photo

Melanie Murphy - Stanford Women's Basketball


Today’s NetWorks Rising Star is Melanie Murphy

“Melanie is an extremely bright & ambitious individual who has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and determination to be very successful in the business world.  A true team player & innovative thinker, Melanie will be a huge asset for any company looking to exceed their objectives.”
–Angela Taylor, President – NetWorks Sports Consulting

Name: Melanie Murphy

College: Stanford University

Degree(s): Bachelor of Arts in Communications with Minor is Science, Technology, and Society.  Master of Arts in Communications with concentration in Media Studies – conferred June 2011


Resume Available: Yes, upon request (send email request)

Tell us a little about your background.
I am a Brooklyn native with 16 years of basketball experience. I am currently pursuing my BA and MA in communication through Stanford’s Co-Terminal program.  I will graduate this June with a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from Stanford.  Both achieved while playing for the Stanford Women’s Basketball team for the last 5 years.

What type of work experience have you had?
I currently work 1 on 1 with parents and their children helping them to improve their individual basketball skills. In this job it is important to be able to quickly adjust to the needs of each individual client in addition to being adept at time management.

What type of job(s) are you seeking?
I majored in Communications and I am currently on track to receive my MA in Media Studies. I would like to find an entry-level position within public relations, marketing, human relations, or social media department.

What is your greatest strength?
My greatest strength is my ability to communicate with others. It is extremely important for all organizations to build and maintain good relationships.

Tell us about a project that you completed successfully.
With Stanford’s graduation ceremonies only about a month away, I think that a very relevant project I completed successfully was finishing my Masters degree while competing at the highest and most elite level of division 1 basketball team. Although I was constantly competing for Championships on the basketball team, I was successfully able to create and lead an academic team of my own in order to complete my study on the satire in media.

What experience (if any) do you have in the sports industry?
I currently manage the career of WNBA player Candice Wiggins. Successfully booking appearances, public speaking events in addition to increasing her social media presence. (@candicewiggins twitter following: 13,700 and counting)

Why do you want to work in the sports industry?
I want to work in the sports industry because it has made a great difference in my life. Whether teaching important life skills or opening doors and opportunities that otherwise would have not been available, a goal of mine is to continue to open doors for others as well.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
Before college I would’ve said my parents have had the biggest influence on my life. They instilled in me the values that has made me the person I am today. However, Tara Vanderveer has made the biggest most immediate influence on my life.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10-years I see myself as a manager of high profile clients in the sports industry, helping them with not only their immediate careers but with creating long lasting businesses for them in the future.

Anything else we should know about you?
I have a diverse array of interests both professionally and socially. I started investing my own money in junior high school, and would like to invest in real estate as well. I am always willing to learn new things, but my biggest passion lies within entrepreneurship.

For more information about Melanie or to request a resume, please send an email to info@networkssports.com




Filed Under: Blog, Future Leaders, NetWorks Newsletter Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Industry News – Pac-12 Media Deal

May 11, 2011 by
Impact of New Pac-12 Media Contract
Written by Angela Taylor

While we still don’t realize the long-term implications on the collegiate athletics landscape, a week ago today, Pac-10/Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott stood before an audience of media members, coaches, and athletic administrators gathered in a ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore and shared the nuances of a new 12-year/$3 Billion media deal between the Pac-12 and Fox & ESPN.

The press conference lasted for less than 22 minutes but has captivated the attention of sports executives around the world.  One senses that Larry Scott, through his innovative leadership, is setting the Pac-12 Conference up to challenge what many consider to be the elite conferences in college sports (the SEC and the Big XII).  Watch the press conference here.

Yesterday, the Pac-12 announced their inaugural early TV Schedule for games that will be televised on ABC/ESPN during the 2011 football season.  The schedule, which includes 20 games televised on either Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, pales in comparison to the extensive coverage Pac-12 football & men’s basketball will receive under the new deal.  Fans, however, will have to wait until 2012-13 to enjoy this widespread coverage.

Some highlights of the Pac-12 Media Contract

  • Twelve year, $3 Billion contract from 2012-13 to 2023-24
  • Pac-12 schools have agreed upon an equal revenue share model, so annual revenue will be distributed equally to all 12 schools on an annual basis
  • There is an annual escalator throughout the life of the contract, but schools will average $20+ million per school year over the 12-year period
  • Pac-12 also created Pac-12 Media Enterprises, which will own the Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Digital Network, and Pac-12 Enterprises
  • Forty-four regular season football games & 68 regular season men’s basketball games will be broadcast across ESPN or FOX national broadcast networks or national cable networks.  For more on the read the press release.

One of the more interesting aspects of the deal is that Scott was savvy enough to convince UCLA & USC to share the wealth equally.  USC, a program that many consider to have as strong a brand as the University of Texas while residing in the 2nd largest media market in the United States, probably had enough clout to hold out for a larger share.  Nonetheless, each of the teams in the newly formed Pac-12 conference, will benefit greatly from Scott’s aggressive & innovative negotiations over the long-term.

The Pac-12 owns a plethora of content (academic & athletic) to distribute across the different channels and intends to do so when its Pac-12 Network and Pac-12 Digital Network come to fruition.  As the Big Ten can attest, getting to the point where the network is profitable may be quite a chore.  A task that can be made easier if Scott can find a way to negotiate a relationship with a cable provider to ensure that the new channel is available in households across the country.

So while the long-term verdict is still out, Scott & the Pac-12 get two thumbs up for the monumental shift of the college landscape that we all witnessed one week ago.

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