Disruptive Trends in Sports Marketing w/Vayner Sports CMO Mike Neligan

The Work in Sports Podcast - Insider Advice for Sports Careers

We have this vision of the sports agent. Contracts. Negotiation. Schmoozing. Glad handing.

A lot of this is true... but times have changed. Elite athletes used to choose their agents based on their history of signing massive long-term contracts for other clients -- “oh you helped Pedro Martinez sign a record-breaking contract extension – you're my guy!”

Now, athletes are looking deeper into the broader opportunities an agency can provide outside of just their on-the-field contract.

Can you help me build my personal brand, my influence?

Can you help me get an equity deal with a company I believe in?

Can you help me leverage social media, NFT’s, Names, Image and Likeness?

Can you help me build my foundation, leave an impact, develop a community?

Enter Gary Vee and today’s guest Mike Neligan CMO of Vayner Sports.

Gary Vaynerchuk is the CEO of VaynerX and Vayner Media – and is one of the most disruptive forces in social and digital media. He’s built a huge brand and following from scratch, become an internet celebrity, authored 6 books and genuinely tries to change the world one day at a time.

Gary loves sports, so in 2016 he built his own sports agency to go along with his media empire. Vayner Sports started out as a football agency working with amazing Pro Bowl level talent like Leonard Williams and Allen Robinson.

When Mike Neligan came on board as CMO he brought an amazing background in baseball having worked with big names like Derek Jeter and Clayton Kershaw, he knew how to market big time athletes.

This creation, Vayner Sports, is becoming the most disruptive and innovative brand in sports agency and I’m super excited to have CMO Mike Neligan on the show.