Negotiation Warriors

Cliff M. Stein

Negotiation Warriors, the podcast that features conversations with the greatest negotiators in professional sports.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode #017: Life on the NFL Bubble (Maema Njongmeta)

    Send us Fan Mail Negotiation Warriors, Episode #017 -  LIFE ON THE NFL BUBBLE with Maema Njongmeta What is it really like to live on the NFL bubble? Every year, hundreds of NFL players fight to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Careers can change overnight. A player can make the team, contribute on Sundays, get released, land on a practice squad, get another opportunity - or suddenly find himself at home waiting for the phone to ring. Maema Njongmeta is living that reality right now. After going undrafted in 2024, he beat the odds to make the Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster, later joined the Carolina Panthers and became a significant special-teams contributor. Following the 2026 preseason, Carolina released him. Today, Maema is a healthy NFL free agent - training, staying ready and waiting for his next opportunity.   That is what makes this conversation different. Maema isn't looking back on adversity after everything worked out. His story is still being written. He talks candidly about the uncertainty of life on the NFL bubble, the business behind roster decisions, the mental challenge of not knowing what comes next, and the mindset required to keep believing in yourself when there are no guarantees. In this episode, Maema discusses:  His journey from Stevenson High School to Wisconsin and the NFL  Becoming a Wisconsin captain - and then fighting to stay on the field  Why he remained loyal to Wisconsin rather than entering the transfer portal  What mattered to him when choosing an NFL agent  Going undrafted and why he “never looked at the odds” Beating those odds to make Cincinnati's 53-man roster  Being released by Cincinnati and getting another opportunity with Carolina  How quickly circumstances can change for players living on the NFL roster bubble Why “what seems like rejection is really just redirection” Handling the pressure, uncertainty and ambiguity of an NFL career  What it means to have a Warrior MindsetAt one point, Maema describes his current life as a free agent as a “war of attrition.” Whether the next call comes tomorrow or five weeks from now, his focus remains the same: get his body better, keep his mind calm and sharp, stay in shape and be ready when the opportunity comes.  And when asked what it means to be a warrior, Maema explains that one of the biggest battles in professional football isn't physical. It's mental - dealing with pressure, uncertainty, ambiguity and adversity and continuing to move forward. His message extends far beyond football: “What do you do? How do you respond?”  LIFE ON THE NFL BUBBLE is a rare look at professional football from the perspective of a player whose story is still being written—and at the hundreds of players fighting every year for another opportunity to play the game. 🎙️ Negotiation Warriors:  Conversations with the greatest negotiators in professional sports. Hosted by Cliff Stein Former Chicago Bears SVP & General Counsel | NFL Contract Negotiator | Sports Attorney | Negotiation Strategist Instagram: @frontoffice360 X: @frontoffice360

    Episode #017: Life on the NFL Bubble (Maema Njongmeta)

  2. Sep 7

    Episode 016: The CBA Negotiator (Jeff Pash)

    Send us Fan Mail Negotiation Warriors, Episode #016 - THE CBA NEGOTIATOR with Jeff Pash For more than four decades, Jeff Pash helped shape the business and labor framework of the National Football League. As the NFL’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Pash served as one of Commissioner Roger Goodell’s closest advisors and played a leadership role in some of the most consequential negotiations in professional sports—including two landmark collective bargaining agreements governing more than $100 billion in league revenues and player compensation.  Those agreements helped establish the foundation for what could ultimately become 20 years of NFL labor peace, during a period of extraordinary growth in league revenues, player salaries and benefits.  It is rare to have an interview with Jeff Pash. In this special episode of Negotiation Warriors, he takes us inside the preparation, strategy and decision-making behind negotiations at the highest level of professional sports. In this episode, Jeff discusses:  His remarkable 40-year career in professional sports Building consensus among 32 NFL clubs Why the CBA is critical to the NFL’s success Preparing four years in advance for the 2011 CBA  The keys to nearly 20 years of NFL labor peace Negotiating the NFL’s rookie compensation system Why great opponents can make you a better negotiator How listening and compromise lead to better outcomes  Why the NFL preferred face-to-face negotiations Staying calm and respectful under pressure  Lessons from the NFL for college athletics Why great negotiators keep ego out of the dealThroughout the conversation, Pash provides a rare look behind the scenes at negotiations involving billions of dollars, 32 NFL clubs, thousands of players and the future of the game. And when asked what he believes is one of the most important lessons for any negotiator, his answer is remarkably simple: “It’s not about you.”  🎙️ Negotiation Warriors — conversations with the greatest negotiators in professional sports. Hosted by Cliff Stein Former Chicago Bears SVP & General Counsel | NFL Contract Negotiator | Sports Attorney | Negotiation Strategist

    Episode 016: The CBA Negotiator (Jeff Pash)

  3. Aug 3

    Episode #015: Telling it like it is (Rick Smith)

    Send us Fan Mail Negotiation Warriors Episode #015:  Telling it like it is with Rick Smith What separates good negotiators from great ones? Agent Rick Smith believes it isn't about winning every negotiation—it's about building relationships that last decades. In Episode #015 of Negotiation Warriors, Cliff Stein sits down with one of the most respected negotiators in professional sports. As President of Priority Sports and a veteran agent with more than 25 years of experience representing NFL players, coaches, and executives, Rick has negotiated some of the most significant coaching and executive contracts in football while earning a reputation for honesty, trust, and integrity. Throughout the conversation, Rick shares the philosophy that has defined his career: • Why relationships are the foundation of every successful negotiation  • How to understand the other side's objectives before discussing numbers  • Why emotional intelligence often matters more than leverage  • The danger of backing someone into an intellectual corner  • How transparency builds long-term credibility  • Why great negotiators are problem solvers—not adversaries  • Lessons from negotiating NFL coaching and executive contracts  • The challenges facing today's rapidly changing college athletics landscape  • Managing leverage when you have it—and when you don't  • Building a legacy based on trust, humility, and respect One of the most memorable moments comes near the end of the interview when Cliff describes Rick as someone who simply "tells it like it is." Rick doesn't hesitate. "You're going to know right away. Unbelievably transparent. Unbelievably honest." Whether you're an attorney, sports agent, executive, coach, student, or business professional, this episode is filled with practical lessons on leadership, negotiation, communication, and building relationships that create long-term success. If you enjoy this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share. New conversations with the greatest negotiators in professional sports are released regularly. Follow on instagram: @frontoffic3360 Follow on X: @frontoffice360

    Episode #015: Telling it like it is (Rick Smith)

  4. Jul 20

    Episode #014: The Calm Warrior (Megha Parekh)

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Negotiation Warriors – Episode #014:  THE CALM WARRIOR:   Megha Parekh on Leadership, Resilience & the Strength to Be Vulnerable For years, I have admired Megha Parekh for one quality more than any other.  Calm. No matter how complex the negotiation… No matter how high the stakes… No matter how much uncertainty surrounded an issue… Megha always seemed to approach every challenge with remarkable composure. Then one sentence revealed the strength behind that calm. "You don't have to be so tough." Those six words, spoken by former Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke the morning after Megha survived a terrifying home invasion, became one of the defining moments of her career. Rather than hiding her struggle, she chose something far more courageous. She chose vulnerability. In Episode #014 of Negotiation Warriors, I sit down with one of the NFL's most respected executives to explore the leadership principles that have shaped her remarkable career. Megha is the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars. During her thirteen years with the organization, she has helped guide complex legal matters, major business initiatives, stadium redevelopment, organizational strategy, and some of the most important decisions facing an NFL franchise. But this conversation isn't just about football. It's about resilience. It's about emotional intelligence. It's about empathy. It's about preparation. It's about discovering that true strength isn't pretending everything is okay. It's learning how to manage life's most difficult moments. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: • How sports and music shaped Megha's journey from Harvard Law School to the executive offices of the Jacksonville Jaguars. • Why some of the greatest mentors don't simply open doors - they help you see potential in yourself before you can see it. • The leadership philosophy that transformed her from "the no fun police" into one of the NFL's most trusted executives. • How a terrifying home invasion forever changed her perspective on leadership, vulnerability, and resilience. • Why Trent Baalke's simple words—"You don't have to be so tough."- became one of the most important lessons of her career. • Why "managing it is the source of strength" may be one of the most important leadership lessons every executive needs to hear. • How becoming a certified crisis counselor transformed the way she negotiates, listens, and leads. • Why empathy is one of the most underrated skills in every negotiation. • The surprising connection between heavy metal, Bon Jovi, playlists, breathing, and performing under pressure.

    Episode #014: The Calm Warrior (Megha Parekh)

  5. Jul 6

    Episode #013: You Don't Know Me - A Negotiation Warrior's Mindset (Kelli Masters)

    Send us Fan Mail  🎙️ Negotiation Warriors – Episode #013  YOU DON'T KNOW ME  THE NEGOTIATION WARRIOR MINDSET OF KELLI MASTERS At her very first NFL Combine, one of the most prominent NFL agents in the industry looked Kelli Masters in the eye and told her: "You don't belong here." Her response would become the defining mindset of her remarkable career as a successful sports agent:   "You don't know me." In Episode #013 of Negotiation Warriors, I sit down with one of the true pioneers in professional sports representation. Kelli is the founder and president of KMM Sports and has represented more NFL players than any woman in the industry. In 2010, she became the first female agent to represent a Top 5 NFL Draft pick, breaking barriers and helping pave the way for future generations of women in sports. But this conversation isn't just about football. It's about resilience. It's about purpose. It's about leadership. It's about refusing to let someone else define what you're capable of accomplishing. Throughout our conversation, Kelli shares the lessons she's learned over more than two decades representing NFL players, building meaningful relationships, overcoming adversity, and negotiating with integrity in one of the most competitive businesses in professional sports. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: • How a conversation with a player's mother changed the direction of Kelli's career. • Why purpose—not money—became the driving force behind her success. • The unforgettable story of being told she didn't belong in the NFL agent business—and how one courageous response changed everything. • Why persistence is one of the most important qualities for success in sports, business, and life. • How kindness, respect, and relationship-building can become powerful negotiation strategies. • Why preparation remains the greatest competitive advantage in every negotiation. • The negotiation behind Blake Jarwin's $24.25 million contract and the lessons learned from standing firm. • How representing Gerald McCoy, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, helped launch her career. • The biggest mistakes she's made as a leader—and how adversity became her greatest teacher. • Why trusting your instincts and maintaining your values matter more than ever in high-pressure negotiations. • How NIL has transformed athlete representation and why Kelli believes it has created new opportunities for agents committed to serving athletes with integrity. • The leadership philosophy behind her book, High Impact Life, and why success should be measured by impact—not titles or contracts. Kelli also shares her thoughts on mentorship, leadership, overcoming self-doubt, balancing priorities, and why the best negotiators don't have to be the loudest people in the room. Whether you're an executive, attorney, coach, agent, entrepreneur, student, or someone striving to become the best version of yourself, this episode offers timeless lessons on resilience, leadership, negotiation, and living a life of purpose. Sometimes the most powerful response to criticism isn't anger. It's quiet confidence. "You don't know me." 🎧 Listen now: Search Negotiation Warriors wherever you get your podcasts. Follow on Instagram: @frontoffice360 Follow on X: @frontoffice360 Front Office 360

    Episode #013: You Don't Know Me - A Negotiation Warrior's Mindset (Kelli Masters)

  6. Jun 25

    Episode #012: The Salary Cap Godfather (Joe Banner)

    Send us Fan Mail  🎙️ Negotiation Warriors – Episode #012: The Salary Cap Godfather with Joe Banner   In Episode #012 of Negotiation Warriors, I sit down with one of the most innovative front office executives in NFL history—Joe Banner.   As President of the Philadelphia Eagles and CEO of the Cleveland Browns, Joe helped reshape how NFL teams approach roster construction, contract negotiations, and salary cap management. Throughout his career, he pioneered strategies that gave his organizations a competitive advantage and influenced how front offices across the league manage the salary cap today.   In this conversation, Joe takes listeners inside the executive suite to explain how championship organizations are built—not just through great players, but through disciplined preparation, strategic negotiation, innovative thinking, and a relentless pursuit of competitive advantage.   In this episode, you'll learn:    How a chance friendship with Eagles owner Jeff Lurie launched one of the NFL's most influential executive careers.  Why negotiation extends far beyond player contracts and influences every aspect of building a winning organization.  How the Eagles became innovators in salary cap management, contract structure, and roster construction.  Why extending core players before free agency can create millions of dollars in long-term salary cap value.  How identifying undervalued talent—including Jason Peters and other overlooked players—helped build championship-caliber rosters.  Why evaluation must always precede valuation.  How analytics, preparation, and collaboration became competitive advantages inside the Eagles' front office.  Joe's philosophy on hiring great people, empowering employees, and creating a culture where innovative ideas thrive.  The leadership principles that helped build one of the NFL's most successful organizations.  Why listening remains one of the most powerful—and underrated—skills in every negotiation.  Joe also shares behind-the-scenes stories about building the Eagles into perennial contenders, creating front office innovations that spread throughout the NFL, and why the best negotiators are constantly thinking several moves ahead.   Whether you're an executive, coach, agent, attorney, business leader, or simply fascinated by leadership and negotiation, this episode offers an insider's look at how winning organizations think, plan, and negotiate.   🎧 Listen now: Search Negotiation Warriors Follow on Instagram: @frontoffice360 Follow on X: @frontoffice360 Front Office 360

    Episode #012: The Salary Cap Godfather (Joe Banner)

  7. Jun 8

    Episode #011: Beyond the Contract (Peter Schaffer)

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Negotiation Warriors – Episode #011: Beyond the Contract with Peter Schaffer In Episode #011 of Negotiation Warriors, I sit down with veteran NFL agent and attorney Peter Schaffer, one of the most respected and accomplished player representatives in professional sports. Over a career spanning four decades, Peter has represented some of the biggest names in football, including Hall of Famers Barry Sanders, Willie Roaf, Jerome Bettis, Steve Atwater, and Joe Thomas. Beyond negotiating contracts, Peter has built a reputation for developing lasting relationships, advocating for athletes on and off the field, and helping clients navigate the business, legal, and personal challenges that accompany professional sports. In this conversation, Peter shares: • How he broke into the agent business “by accident” and built a successful practice from the ground up • Why managing client expectations is often more challenging than negotiating contracts • The reality of life as a sports agent and the sacrifices required to survive in the business • The importance of preparation, patience, and listening in every negotiation • Lessons learned from legendary NFL executives and negotiators, including George Young and Ted Phillips • Why relationships and trust remain the foundation of successful negotiations • The role of agents as advisors, counselors, connectors, and problem-solvers beyond contract negotiations • The growing impact of NIL and college athlete representation • The importance of educating athletes about finances, taxes, contracts, and life after sports • Why preparation creates confidence at the negotiating table, including the story behind Joe Thomas’ historic contract negotiations Peter also opens up about overcoming adversity, maintaining perspective through life's challenges, and why great negotiators must never lose sight of what truly matters. This episode is a masterclass in relationship-building, preparation, leadership, resilience, and the art of negotiation. 🎧 Listen now: Search Negotiation Warriors Follow on Instagram: @frontoffice360 Follow on X: @frontoffice360 Front Office 360

    Episode #011: Beyond the Contract (Peter Schaffer)

  8. May 25

    Episode #010: Breaking Down the Salary Cap (Khai Harley)

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Negotiation Warriors – Episode #010: Breaking Down the Salary Cap with Khai Harley In Episode #010 of Negotiation Warriors, I sit down with one of the NFL’s top salary cap and contract strategists — Khai Harley, Senior Vice President of Football Operations and Assistant General Manager of the New Orleans Saints. Over the course of his 23-year NFL career, Khai has become widely respected as one of the league’s leading experts in salary cap management, roster construction, contract negotiations, and the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement. Working alongside Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, Khai has helped build one of the NFL’s most stable and strategically disciplined front offices. In this conversation, Khai opens up about: • His unconventional journey from finance and Bloomberg to the NFL front office  • Working at the NFL Management Council and advising all 32 clubs on the salary cap and CBA  • Why emotional discipline and staying calm are critical traits for negotiators  • The importance of having a “walk away number” in every negotiation  • Why valuation must align with evaluation in player negotiations  • The reality of NFL roster construction and resource allocation under the salary cap  • Why some organizations consistently outperform others  • The role stability plays in front office success and decision-making  • How NFL teams identify overlooked talent and “diamonds in the rough”  • Why trusting your evaluation matters more than public perception  • The future impact of NIL and the transfer portal on talent evaluation Khai also shares fascinating insight into how NFL front offices truly think about building winning rosters, balancing superstar contracts, managing long-term cap flexibility, and creating sustainable organizational success. This episode is a masterclass in strategy, evaluation, emotional discipline, roster construction, and modern NFL negotiation philosophy. 🎧 Listen now: Search Negotiation Warriors Follow on Instagram: @frontoffice360 Follow on X: @frontoffice360 Front Office 360

    Episode #010: Breaking Down the Salary Cap (Khai Harley)
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About

Negotiation Warriors, the podcast that features conversations with the greatest negotiators in professional sports.

Information

  • Creator
    Cliff M. Stein
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Negotiation Warriors
  • Show Website
    Negotiation Warriors

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