#154 - Mackenzie Brooks - CBS Sports

🎙️ From College Football Runner to CBS Sports Betting Analyst: How Mackenzie Brooks is Changing the Game.

"I speak for the nerds. I'm like the Lorax of the coders - bridging the gap between casual fans and complex analytics." - Mackenzie Brooks

In this episode, we sit down with Mackenzie Brooks, a 23-year-old sports betting analyst for CBS Sports who's revolutionizing how we understand sports analytics and making football accessible to everyone, especially Taylor Swift fans (aka - Swifties)!

⏰ Time Stamps:

00:00 - Introduction and McKenzie's background

05:30 - Journey from University of Georgia to CBS Sports

10:15 - The birth of Quick Locks and early social media presence

15:45 - Breaking into sports betting analysis

20:30 - Being a woman in a male-dominated industry

25:15 - The Taylor Swift effect and educating new football fans

30:45 - The future of sports betting and broadcasting

35:20 - Work-life balance and recharging strategies

40:10 - Advice for aspiring sports analysts

45:30 - Networking and career development tips

🔑 Key Interview Highlights:

• From running coffee for ESPN College GameDay to becoming a leading sports betting analyst
• How coding and analytics created a unique career path
• Breaking down complex sports concepts for new audiences
• The impact of Taylor Swift on women's interest in football
• The future of sports betting in mainstream broadcasting

💡 Career Tips from Mackenzie Brooks:

• Find your niche and be a "one of one"
• Put in the reps, even with a small audience
• Build relationships with producers, not just on-camera talent
• Use social media to develop your personal brand
• Don't be afraid to start small and grow

🎯 Game-Changing Moments:

• Her innovative approach to teaching football to new fans (25:15)
• How she bridges the gap between data analytics and casual viewers (20:30)
• The future of sports betting integration in live broadcasts (30:45)

Connect with CBS Sports Mackenzie Brooks:

• IG: kenzbrooksbets
• X: kenzbrooksbets

"Life is Built, Not Born."

Joe Ciccarone

#Episode154

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