The Smart Alec Show Alec Alvarez

BIO:
Christo Van Rensburg is a former pro tennis player, hailing from South Africa. He was ranked #1 in the world in doubles, won 20 top-level doubles titles during his career, including one Grand Slam men’s doubles title in 85’. Christo ranked as high as #19 in the world in singles, and is one of only two men to beat Pete Sampras in straight sets at Wimbledon.

Christo’s wife, Monica van Rensburg (Reinach) also played at Wimbledon, along with her sister, Elna Reinach, making them a truly elite tennis family — but the most humble, welcoming, and incredible people you’ll meet. Christo and the fam now run “Dropshot Series”, a tennis tournament promotion company hosting pro tennis events in Austin, TX. They’ve hosted several USTA/ ITF level events and are now hosting the very first WTA Tour event — The ATX Open — which is 1 of only 5 women’s only WTA Tour level events in the USA.

Christo runs Dropshot Series with Bryan Sheffield, Tournament Promoter and Founder of DropShot, who also owns stake in MLS team Austin FC, and founded Parsley Energy.

In addition to all this, Christo also gives back to the game by way of coaching — and coaches elite players like Fernanda Contreras Gomez along with having captained South Africa in the Davis Cup, coaching up players like University of Georgia’s Philip Henning.


Connect with Christo:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christo-van-rensburg-23802511/

Find out more about Dropshot Series:
- Website: https://dropshotseries.com

Find out more about ATX Open:
- Event info: https://atxopen.com/event-info/
- Partners & Sponsors: https://atxopen.com/partners/
- Buy Tickets: https://atxopen.com/tickets/
- To watch the ATX Open on TV or via streaming tune into The Tennis Channel!
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atxopen/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AtxOpen

Sponsorship Inquiries for ATX Open:
- Contact Unrivaled Group: https://unrivaledgroup.com

Key Topics:
* Christo’s Playing Career
* Competing with top talent and learning from them
* Coaching
* Remembering those who helped you, and giving back to those coming next
* Christo’s adventure into the Tennis Tournament Promotion business
* Dropshot Series
* ATX Open
* Christo meeting his wife


Recorded in September 2022 in Austin, TX.

Connect with Alec on Social:
- Linktree to all platforms: https://linktr.ee/smartalec

Podcast info:
- Podcast website: https://smartalecshow.com
- RSS feed: feed:https://feeds.simplecast.com/ngBH2BfM
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/634MOIW582k2STgC06Rvl9?si=ulGRaagxSBCHROX0OEQCCA
- Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-alec-show/id1577614268
- Amazon Music & Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/96993c84-1664-4a67-921d-9b731fbdca99
(Also available on ALL major audio platforms within the USA as well as most globally.)

#atxopen #atx #tennis

Florian Hemme is an expert within the field of sports management and sports finance. Born in Germany, he now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. He holds a business degree, two masters degrees in Human Resource Management and Sports Management, and a PhD in Sports Management from UT Austin. He now lectures on sports finance and other sports industry related topics. I’m honored to have had “Dr. H” on the podcast and been able to chat with him.

Connect with Florian Hemme:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florianhemme/

Topics Discussed:
* What is Sports Finance?
* Salary Caps
* Collective Bargaining Agreements
* Revenue Sharing
* Other terminology
* Return on Investment in Sports; difference from other investment vehicles regarding profits
* College Athletics
* Pro Teams
* Investor motivations (fame, glory, hobby, etc.)
* Accounting and Financial maneuvers used uniquely within sports
* Financing of stadiums
* Public Funding Implications
* Unique Cash Flows
* Different League Structures
* Promotion & Relegation
* Revenue Sharing
* Draft Lottery
* Socialistic (American leagues like NBA or NFL) vs Capitalistic (European leagues like La Liga, Ligue 1)
* More on College Athletics
* NIL Implications
* Paying Players
* “Student-Athletes” philosophical arguments
* ROI on student-athlete experience
* Tuition hikes on students for athlete scholarships
* The benefits to College Athletics
* Front-Porch / Marketing
* Efficient Way to Increase Enrollment
* Sources of Funds
* Booster implications
* Allocation of Capital
* Fancy stadiums vs directly paying players
* How To Perform Better
* What we want to improve
* Why
* Parenting
* “I’ll give my kids enough that they can do anything but not enough to do everything” - Warren Buffet
* Polarization in America
* The value of Contemplative Practices like Meditation
* Advice for those wanting to work in sports


Recorded on May 23, 2022


Connect with Alec on Social:
- Linktree to all platforms: https://linktr.ee/smartalec

Podcast info:
- Podcast website: https://smartalecshow.com
- RSS feed: feed:https://feeds.simplecast.com/ngBH2BfM
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/634MOIW582k2STgC06Rvl9?si=ulGRaagxSBCHROX0OEQCCA
- Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-alec-show/id1577614268
- Amazon Music & Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/96993c84-1664-4a67-921d-9b731fbdca99
(Also available on ALL major audio platforms within the USA as well as most globally.)

James Santore is the founder and CEO of Three Two Strategies — a firm based out of Philadelphia offering marketing services and strategic consulting to venture funds, startups, athletes, and more. James is Philadelphia born and raised, played D1 baseball at La Salle University as pitcher, founded the La Salle Legends Foundation, and served as Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy at SeventySix Capital before moving on to work in Chicago with Fubo Gaming as Strategic Partnerships Manager. James serves on the board of Crypto Curr3ntly and also blogs, skates, lifts heavy, and we’re honored to have a legend in the making like him on as a friend of the show.

Connect with James here:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamessantore/
- IG: @jamessantore

Learn more about Three Two Strategies here:
- Website: https://www.threetwostrategies.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/32strategies/


Topics Discussed:
- James’ upbringing — how fitness has always been top of mind as a way to stay disciplined
- James time playing D1 baseball at La Salle:
- Bonds created with teammates for a lifetime
- The story and tradition of the program
- James favorite moments of his career and biggest lessons
- Trying to save La Salle Baseball
- Getting Dave Portnoy involved
- Trying to raise the money
- How it all unfolded
- James career journey:
- From working in accounting and finance at Art Craft Promo Concepts to Independence Blue Cross — to pivoting into the sports business space
- Seventy Six Capital:
- James time there — what he learned from the Sports Venture Capital space
- Moving into the marketing space
- Fubo Gaming:
- What the move to Chicago was like
- What working in Partnerships is like — what it takes to succeed
- Founding Three Two Strategies:
- The story behind the branding — Philly inspired
- The vision, what it takes to embark on the entrepreneurial journey and succeed
- Mindset:
- Power of Optimism
- Being comfortable with uncomfortable
- Takes Confidence, Self-Awareness
- Having the confidence to be Different
- Gratitude
- Philadelphia Eagles v Dallas Cowboys trash talk, pre-season predictions, James’ favorite Philadelphia sports moments
- James’ biggest inspirations, advice for those trying to break into the sports industry or start their own businesses, along with tips for leading a happy life


Recorded on July 29th, 2022

#sportsbiz #threetwostrategies #philly #philadelphia #seventysixcapital #fubo #marketing #sportsmarketing




Connect with Alec on Social:
- Linktree to all platforms: https://linktr.ee/smartalec

Podcast info:
- Podcast website: https://smartalecshow.com
- RSS feed: feed:https://feeds.simplecast.com/ngBH2BfM
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/634MOIW582k2STgC06Rvl9?si=ulGRaagxSBCHROX0OEQCCA
- Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-alec-show/id1577614268
- Amazon Music & Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/96993c84-1664-4a67-921d-9b731fbdca99

Kevin Rodriguez is a Sports Information Director at The University of Texas at Austin, highly regarded as one of the most competitive collegiate athletic institutions to not only work at, but also regarded as one of the biggest brands in sports and most successful in college athletics, having won the Learfield Director’s Cup the previous 2 years. Kevin is the lead SID for UT baseball and UT Women’s Volleyball, with the former fielding the NCAA Men’s Player of the Year and the latter being regarded as one of the most prestigious volleyball programs in the history of the sport (they’re the #1 lock to win the NCAA 2022 Women’s Volleyball Title). Kevin has done extensive work with these sports and more, directing information and serving as a key liaison between the players, coaching staff, media, and other key sports stakeholders. Kevin graduated with a degree in Mass Communications from Sam Houston State University, where he also served as an SID there for two years, along with having worked with the National Football Foundation and University of Memphis as a Director of Athletic Communications. Above all, Kevin is not only a savant within the sports communications field, but a hilarious and down-to-earth dude who’s helped me learn more about the sports space and gain experience in collegiate athletics.

Connect with Kevin:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krodthesid/

Keep up with UT Athletic Teams Kevin Works With:
- Texas Volleyball: https://texassports.com/sports/womens-volleyball
- Texas Baseball: https://texassports.com/sports/baseball


OUTLINE:
- Intro
- What a Sports Information Director is and why Kevin wanted to go into Sports Communications
- The Power of Winning
- A Career in Sports vs a Regular 9-5
- What is the role of an SID within College Athletics?
- A Day in the Life
- Volleyball Game days
- How crucial are SIDs to the entire athletic program, and specifically the team?
- How SIDs influence the messaging, perception, culture, and overall communication of a team
- e.g. SID John Bianco working closely with UT Football Coach Steve Sarkisian
- How SIDs work with athletes in media training
- Where that strategy comes from — the athletic director on down through the department
- Diffusion of Culture
- What it’s like working with one of the biggest brands in sports and most famous college athletics program at UT Austin
- What keeps Kevin going in the space despite the travels and at times long hours
- Advice for those wanting to break into sports communications
- What it takes
- Most memorable moments
- Asija O’Neal ESPN piece


Recorded on November 30th, 2022

#Sports #sportscommunications #collegeathletics #sportsinformationdirector #sid #texas #longhorns #hookem #texasvolleyball #texasbaseball

Connect with Alec on Social:
- Linktree to all platforms: https://linktr.ee/smartalec

Podcast info:
- Podcast website: https://smartalecshow.com
- RSS feed: feed:https://feeds.simplecast.com/ngBH2BfM
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/634MOIW582k2STgC06Rvl9?si=ulGRaagxSBCHROX0OEQCCA
- Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-alec-show/id1577614268
- Amazon Music & Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/96993c84-1664-4a67-921d-9b731fbdca99

Jeff Zeller is the Senior Director of NFT Partnerships and Business Operations at Crypto.com. He’s led a career at the intersection of sports, music, technology, culture, and content. Jeff’s worked with iTunes as a Content Producer, PRMD Music as an A&R/ Creative Intern working with artists such as the late legend AVICII & also found Marshmello during his rise to stardom, along with serving as CEO of “Dancing Astronaut” which was a media company covering the dance and electronic music scene. Jeff went on to work with Sony as digital strategy Chief of Staff, then to ESPN as Director of Entertainment Marketing & Parternships leading partnerships for many properties such as “The Last Dance” with Peloton and Spotify, before moving into the crypto space. Jeff is a graduate of Stanford (where he played tennis), a Harvard MBA grad, and also the founder of AZ Management. Above all, Jeff is an incredible guy, a family man, and legend in the making — and we’re honored to have pontificated on life with him on this episode and call him a friend of the show.

Connect with Jeff:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffzeller/
- IG: @jeffzeller ; https://www.instagram.com/jeffzeller/?hl=en
- Twitter: @jaz ; https://twitter.com/jaz?lang=en


OUTLINE:
- 0:00 Foreword
- 4:10 Start of Conversation
- Topics discussed:
- Marketing
- Differences between content, partnership, and other marketing types
- Evolution of digital and social media
- From the days of the home phone to the Blackberry to the adoption of iPhone all the way to the modern social media world we lie in today
- Implications on psychology, politics, society, and more
- Working with iTunes as a Content Producer
- Working with the music industry
- Living in Stockholm, Sweden — what makes Sweden such a hub for music genius and creativity?
- Sweden’s infrastructure that supports creatives and artists better than USA
- Working with AVICII, discovering Marshmello and working with him
- DJ life
- Time at At Night Management/ PRMD Music, serving as CEO of Dancing Astronaut in the electronic dance music scene, working at Sony as Digital Strategy Chief of Staff
- Working at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and music with ESPN
- ESPN Hype Hits project
- Landing partnerships with Spotify and Peloton for The Last Dance
- Favorite moments
- Tips for success
- New adventure into crypto.com
- Thoughts on the recent market turbulence
- Optimism for the future of web3, crypto, and decentralized finance overall with regards to positive impact on society
- Crypto.com’s unique partnerships within sports
- Much more!


Recorded on November 11th, 2022

#harvardmba #partnerships #sportsbiz #crypto #marketing #harvard #nft

Connect with Alec on Social:
- Linktree to all platforms: https://linktr.ee/smartalec

Podcast info:
- Podcast website: https://smartalecshow.com
- RSS feed: feed:https://feeds.simplecast.com/ngBH2BfM
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/634MOIW582k2STgC06Rvl9?si=ulGRaagxSBCHROX0OEQCCA
- Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-alec-show/id1577614268
- Amazon Music & Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/96993c84-1664-4a67-921d-9b731fbdca99

Brandon Rhodes is the Vice President of Business Development at Overtime, a Forbes 30 Under 30 Recipient, Co-Founder of “Hella Awkward” card game, and Co-Founder of the Michigan Sports Business Conference where he graduated from The University of Michigan’s business school. Brandon’s a strategic business builder and proven brand marketer with a track record of success across consumer products, tech, sports, and media tied to youth culture and worked in Global Brand Activation & Management, and Digital Strategy at PepsiCo’s Gatorade before joining the industry-disrupting Overtime. Above all, Brandon’s an awesome dude paving the way forward for the next generation of leaders within sports business and beyond — we’re honored to bring y’all this conversation with him.

Connect with Brandon:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsrhodes/
- IG: @overtimebrandon ; https://www.instagram.com/overtimebrandon/?hl=en
- Twitter: @overtimebrandon ; https://twitter.com/overtimebrandon?lang=en
- Purchase the Hella Awkward card game:
https://hellawkward.com/products/hella-awk-ward

OUTLINE:
- Foreword 0:00 - 05:15
- Start of conversation 05:15
- How Brandon knew he wanted to go the sports route
- Childhood and connection to basketball
- Studying sports management and business at Michigan
- Founding MSBC
- Time working at Gatorade
- Biggest lessons and favorite moments
- Working in Global Brand and getting to travel in Latin America
- Moments like eating Jamaican Jerk in Kingston while working with Usain Bolt, or seeing El Clasico in Barcelona and doing a shoot with Lionel Messi
- Running Business Development at Overtime
- What motivated Brandon to join Dan Porter and team at Overtime
- Thoughts on the future of Overtime Elite, OT7, and more
- Advice for succeeding in the space, getting your foot in the door, and more


Recorded on November 4th, 2022

#overtime #overtimeelite #sportsbiz #gatorade #michigan #msbc

Connect with Alec on Social:
- Linktree to all platforms: https://linktr.ee/smartalec

Podcast info:
- Podcast website: https://smartalecshow.com
- RSS feed: feed:https://feeds.simplecast.com/ngBH2BfM
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/634MOIW582k2STgC06Rvl9?si=ulGRaagxSBCHROX0OEQCCA
- Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-alec-show/id1577614268
- Amazon Music & Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/96993c84-1664-4a67-921d-9b731fbdca99