USC Sports Business Association

We are excited to share the schedule for the 2024 USC SBA SUMMIT! Don’t miss this chance to hear from all these insightful panels! Get your tickets @ https://lnkd.in/gEX6iivv!

We’re thrilled to spotlight Luc Daniels, Class of 2020, today! Luc graduated from USC with a major in Business Administration from Marshall and a minor in Communication from Annenberg. During his time at USC, he was an active member of SBA, and now, as an alum, he continues to give back as a mentor in SBA’s mentorship program. “My favorite part about being a mentor for SBA is helping the next generation of Trojans succeed. I never had a mentor to guide me through the sports world, so I want to do my best as a Trojan alum and former SBA member to help students understand just how big and ever-growing the sports industry is, and that there are multiple ways to break into it,” Luc shares. At USC, Luc loved attending SBA meetings, listening to guest speakers, and connecting with fellow members - experiences that helped him grasp the vast opportunities in the sports industry. After graduation, he joined Creative Artists Agency’s Sports division, where he now works as a Senior Finance Associate in the Financial Planning and Analysis group. His role focuses on Talent Representation, working with athletes, coaches, and media personalities across football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer. “My favorite part of my job is blending two of my biggest passions - sports and numbers. I get to work alongside incredible people and some of the best agents in the industry at CAA. The environment is both rewarding and fun. As a lifelong Dodgers fan and now a season ticket holder, it’s also pretty cool working just a few doors down from Shohei Ohtani’s agent and team on my floor.” Luc, we’re incredibly grateful for your mentorship and proud of everything you’ve accomplished in the sports industry!

This week, we're thrilled to spotlight the incredible Sophia Bartolo, our incoming Vice President of SBA! Sophia has been an important part of our E-Board for the past two years, currently serving as VP of Mentorship. Sophia has gained hands-on experience in global partnerships, having worked at UFC last summer, where she assisted on both the sales and activation sides. There, she watched unique sponsorships come to life and had the opportunity to host clients at major UFC events, deepening her understanding of brand activations in sports. "Watching sponsorships come to life firsthand and hosting clients at major UFC events gave me a deeper appreciation for brand activations in sports." Building on that experience, this summer, Sophia will be taking her talents to the LA Clippers, working in Corporate Partnerships at the Intuit Dome. She will continue developing her expertise in sponsorship strategy and activation, further solidifying her path in the sports industry. Sophia credits USC’s strong Trojan Family for helping her build meaningful relationships and connect with incredible mentors along the way. Being part of SBA’s E-Board has been incredibly rewarding for Sophia, as she loves fostering connections between students and mentors - many of whom are USC alumni. In the future, she hopes to work in sports sponsorships and partnerships, helping brands create innovative activations that enhance fan engagement and drive revenue. As sponsorships evolve beyond traditional signage into more immersive and data-driven experiences, Sophia’s eager to be at the forefront of shaping how brands connect with sports audiences in meaningful ways. We’re incredibly proud to have Sophia leading our Mentorship Program, and we can’t wait to see her bring her leadership and passion to her new role as Vice President of SBA next year!

This week, we’re continuing our Member Highlight series with senior Ari Naiman. Ari works full-time as a legal analyst at ATHLAW LLP, a Los Angeles-based law firm that represents retired NFL players. He first joined ATHLAW as an intern and now specializes in ERISA cases, helping former players secure disability benefits for injuries sustained during their careers. In addition, he focuses on legal research and data analysis. “What I love most about being in SBA is the opportunity it brings to learn, grow, and connect within the sports business field. The network of influential figures that SBA provides is second to none.” After graduation, Ari plans to take a gap year before attending law school. During that time, he hopes to gain new experiences and expand his professional network. “Whether I’m working for an agent or an NFL team, my goal is to learn as much as I can. The connections I’ve made through USC and SBA will be invaluable as I move forward,” he expresses. Ari, we’re excited to see where your journey takes you and can’t wait to see what you accomplish next, especially in the sports law space!

We had a great event this afternoon with Digital Media Association @ USC, where members had the opportunity to attend a special fireside chat with Isaiah Freedman. As a leader in Sports Sponsorship Marketing and Partnerships at Crypto.com in Los Angeles, Freeman shared valuable insights into his career journey and the evolving landscape of sports marketing. Freeman emphasized the power of building and maintaining relationships in his career, which has taken him from the NBA Summer League to CAA and now Crypto.com. He also shed light on Crypto.com’s vision of bringing cryptocurrency into every pocket, discussing the company’s long-term strategy and growth plans. “Telling the ‘how' and the 'why’ are very important, and to take the next step, think about how you really provide value to someone,” he advised. A huge thank you to Digital Media Association @ USC for inviting us to co-host this insightful discussion and to Isaiah Freedman for sharing his expertise and perspective on the future of sports marketing!

This past Wednesday, we had the pleasure of hosting Ryan Orozco, a WME Agent, as our guest speaker. Ryan shared fascinating insights on leveraging the Trojan Network and the challenges of being an agent in today’s fast-evolving industry. He emphasized the importance of relationship-building in athlete representation and how strong connections remain the foundation of success in the agency world. Ryan also discussed the growing role of AI in the agency space, highlighting how it is transforming the way agencies support athletes, content creators, and podcasters in the digital era. As the industry continues to evolve, adapting to new technologies while maintaining strong personal connections will be key to staying ahead. His perspective on the future of sports, entertainment, and digital media was inspiring. Thank you so much, Ryan, for an engaging conversation with our mentees!

We’re thrilled to continue our Alumni Highlight Series with Yash Gupta, Class of 2018! Yash served as VP of SBA for two years before becoming President during his final two years at USC. While at USC, Yash interned at several major companies in the sports industry, including the NBA, Under Armour, Wasserman, and Fox Sports. He also gained experience at multiple sports venture capital funds and startups while completing his MBA at Stanford University. After graduating, Yash joined Boston Consulting Group (BCG), working in their sports and media practice, and later transitioned to YouTube's strategy team. Reflecting on his time at USC, Yash credits much of his success to SBA, describing his presidency as both rewarding and transformative. “The growth of the organization during my time was definitely a highlight. It felt like we revitalized SBA, and it’s been amazing to see it continue to thrive,” he says. Now, Yash has moved to Will Ventures, an early-stage fund focused on sports, media, and entertainment. “As an investor, I’m involved in sourcing startups we’d like to invest in, researching emerging trends in sports, media, and entertainment, and evaluating companies we’re excited about. We get to meet the best entrepreneurs in the industry and support them throughout their journey.” Yash, it’s incredible to see your career continue to grow, and we’re so grateful for the foundation you built at SBA! ??

Today, we had the pleasure of hearing from Lyndsey Lopes, USC's NIL General Manager through Altius Sports Partners. She shared valuable insights on working as an NIL General Manager in the rapidly changing world of college athletics. She also highlighted ways to break into the sports industry and her journey from being a student-athlete here at USC to now working for USC Athletics. Thank you so much, Lyndsey, for sharing your time and knowledge with SBA, we really valued such an engaging conversation!

We’re thrilled to continue our E-Board Highlight Series this week with Quinn Booth! Quinn currently serves as the Co-VP of Sports Analytics for SBA and previously gained hands-on industry experience as a Baseball Analytics Intern for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. Quinn loves being part of SBA’s E-Board because it gives him the opportunity to help students develop fascinating research projects and deepen their understanding of sports analytics. This past fall, five members of the Analytics group delivered impressive final project presentations, and this spring, even more members will have the chance to enhance their skills. “I love working on my own research, but it’s uniquely rewarding to help another SBA member take their sports analytics idea all the way into a high-quality project,” Quinn shares. Beyond SBA, Quinn has applied his analytics expertise in a professional setting as a Baseball Analytics Intern for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). Over 20% of MLB players have competed in the CCBL during their collegiate summers, making it an elite proving ground for future stars. During his internship, Quinn played an integral role in scouting and player development, delivering real-time scouting reports from the dugout, conducting player acquisition research, and contributing to performance analysis projects. Seeing his insights translate directly to the field was an unforgettable experience: “Whether it was a pitcher executing a key strikeout or a batter smashing a double off the wall after reviewing one of my scouting reports, there was no greater reward.” His passion for sports analytics, both in research and in mentoring others, continues to elevate SBA’s Analytics group, and we are so proud of your accomplishments, Quinn!??

This past Friday, we had the privilege of hosting Jack Benoit, a proud USC alum, as an exclusive guest speaker for our Mentorship Program! Jack shared invaluable insights from his journey, emphasizing the importance of discovering what you don’t like to find out what you do like ultimately. As a former Trojan, Jack highlighted the significance of building connections with your classmates at USC, recognizing that they are the future leaders in the sports industry. His advice served as a powerful reminder of the long-term value of the Trojan Network. Jack also discussed how he leveraged his law degree for strategic negotiations, showcasing the versatility and impact of a legal background in the business of sports. We are incredibly grateful for his wisdom and time. Thank you, Jack, for an inspiring and engaging discussion with our mentees!