A team of investors, sustainability and marketing officers, agents, and athletes convened for the University of Miami’s Chief Sustainability Officer Summit and Symposium (CSOSS) to explore the dynamic intersection of sports business and social impact.
The 8th Annual CSOSS was hosted by University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business SchoolDepartment of Economics and presenting sponsor Calamos Investments.
“It’s the best time in the world to be a young athlete, and the entrepreneurial side of this business is where it’s going,” said Michael Raymond, a graduate of the School of Law and CEO and founder of Raymond Representation.
“Presence is huge and so, with the business getting younger and bigger every day, building a personal and professional brand is probably the best thing you can do if you want to work in this space. There’s no blueprint for this, but you need to be intentional with where you go and have a presence in every room that you step into,” added Raymond, who participated on the Talent and Media: Social Networks, NIL, and Philanthropy panel.
Evan Roberts, associate athletic director and head of NIL and Digital, University of Miami Department of Athletics, highlighted the potential for athletes today to make an impact far beyond the playing field.
“That’s the beauty of sports because you’re involved in something bigger than yourself. You have this platform where you can serve others and, if you can profit off it, even better.
“The University won the championship for most community service hours performed last year,” Roberts noted. “So, our student athletes go out into the community and support a lot of different causes. I tell our young athletes that you want to give people a reason to root for you because of who you are, not because of the number you wear on your jersey. The logo never comes off, and I think that’s a great thing.”
Tommy Thompson, who played professional soccer for more than a decade, emphasized that the pervasiveness of sports today enhances the role that athletes can—and should—play.
“Athletes nowadays have a voice. The shut up-and-dribble era is over, and athletes have a responsibility to have an impact and to continue to drive that change,” Thompson said. He shared his own story where, as a player on a team whose coach spoke only Spanish, he set about learning the language—and then became a spokesperson for a leading language app.
Thompson and others on the Investing: Private Capital and the Future of the Sports Industry panel highlighted the importance of authenticity for athletes as they extend their impact.
In that regard, Tina Brown, CEO of The Overtown Youth Center, pointed to the example of former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning who used his resources and influence to launch the community development center in 2003.
“Alonzo is someone who’s all in. He’s not just a name, but instead someone who is on the ground doing the work,” Brown said. She added that, when seeking partnerships, the center focuses on corporate sustainability.
“Most companies can write a check, but we look for a company that is willing to have a long-term relationship with us that is mutually beneficial. We provide a pipeline of talent for them,” Brown said.
Roger McClendon, executive director for Green Sports Alliance, noted that corporations and businesses are paying more attention than ever to what are regarded as nonfinancial factors.
“When you think about brand risk and brand mitigation, you think about how the consumer is looking at me, and you try to match that values system with what’s material for your business growth,” McClendon said.
“I love the fact that we’re thinking about this long-term, playing for the next generation and protecting the health and wellness side and trying to be accountable for that. Behind these borders, we’re all connected through the power of sports. At the end of the day, it can’t just be about profitability,” he said.
Business school lecturer Daniel Hicks, a former journalist and network television producer, moderated the symposium’s three discussion panels and audience Q&A.
