Beyond The Whistle

On this episode of the podcast I chat with Manny Anekal, Founder and CEO of The Next Level, which covers the business of eSports and owner of eSports team Versus Sports. Manny is THE guy to discuss what’s happening in the world of eSports. If eSports is new to you, Manny gives a great, quick eSports 101. He and I also discuss the NBA’s investment in eSports, the growth of eSports at the collegiate level, career opportunities in eSports and much more. eSports is more than gaming. It’s a sport and a growing, $600 million business. If you wonder why kids will sit watching YouTube videos of another person playing their favorite video game you don’t have to look any further than the money trail. One of the most popular YouTube personalities made between $6 million and $7 million last year. It’s become a very real business opportunity, not just for the players but also for investors. Eight NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards, have invested in eSports teams. This is in

It’s not often that you find a professional who has served in most of the roles that make up their field of specialization. Brian Stanchak has been a Division I basketball coach, collegiate Director of Athletics and now a sports agent specializing in representing college basketball coaches - which makes him not only a rare person in the realm of college athletics but also a very valuable commodity. But for Brian, it’s not only about the services he provides. He is committed to getting to know his clients and building relationships that serve them throughout their careers, not just when they need representation. Brian generously shares both his story and his advice for women’s basketball coaches and those wanting to break into the field, on this episode of Beyond The Whistle. The road from average player, to coach, to agent for women’s basketball coaches. When Brian Stanchak was playing basketball he knew that his talent was average at best, but he loved the sport all the same. He determined at 16 years of age

My guest today is my friend Ralph Reiff, Executive Director of St. Vincent Sports Performance. Ralph started his sports medicine career as athletic trainer for Butler University where he managed the athlete health care, weight room and equipment for all sports. He also developed the athletic trainer curriculum at Butler. During his tenure at Butler he was selected to provide sports medicine to many national and international sporting events and professional athletes. Ralph has managed the medical aspects of more than 20 NCAA events, including three Men's Final Four Basketball Championships; the 1988 and 1996 US Track & Field Olympic Trials; 2003 World Basketball Championships; medical director for the 2004 FINA Swimming World Championships; and the 2006 USA Track Outdoor Championships. In this conversation, Ralph not only tells his story, but also provides insights into what it's like for an athlete to prepare for the NFL draft, and even some tips for coaches and other sports professionals regar

The coaching career path is often thought of as linear. You start out in one role, you move into another, and each serves as a stepping stone to the next, more advanced position. But University of Pittsburgh assistant basketball coach Kevin Sutton’s career path has not followed a linear path at all. I want to start the Beyond the Whistle podcast by having a conversation with Kevin about the way his career has unfolded and how it did so. His experience is full of life lessons and approaches to coaching that anyone interested in starting or advancing in a coaching career can learn from. I invite you to come meet my long-time friend, University of Pittsburgh Assistant Coach Kevin Sutton, on this episode. What it takes to successfully join a coaching staff that’s already established. Kevin Sutton has joined existing coaching staffs a handful of times as he’s journeyed the coaching career path. Those on the coaching staff already have a chemistry and team dynamic that the new coach has to learn, fit into, and enha

I have a confession to make. I’m a recovering sports agent. And that’s the thing I believe is going to make this show worth listening to. My name is Odell McCants, the host of Beyond The Whistle - and I want to sincerely thank you for checking out this debut episode of this podcast. I know you have lots of options when it comes to how you spend your listening time and I appreciate the trust you’re placing in me to listen to this debut episode. I played at the highest levels of the sports business as an agent. Then I quit. You might be surprised to hear that a guy who was working professionally in the sports industry as an agent would quit that kind of job. But it’s something I had to do. As I explain on this episode of the podcast, being a sports agent is a high pressure, always-on, kind of job - and it takes a toll on your family life and personal relationships. And losing clients hurts, especially for a small, solo agent. I wasn’t willing to keep making those kinds of sacrifices so I decided to find somethi