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Front Office Features

Blue Wire Podcasts

Each week on Front Office Features we have a discussion with a sports business executive in an effort to take you behind the curtain and learn more about the inner-workings of sports business and provide insights to help jump start and grow your sports business career.

Location:

United States

Description:

Each week on Front Office Features we have a discussion with a sports business executive in an effort to take you behind the curtain and learn more about the inner-workings of sports business and provide insights to help jump start and grow your sports business career.

Twitter:

@FOFeatures

Language:

English


Episodes

GUEST - Chad Estis - Dallas Cowboys - EVP Business Operations

5/1/2023
In this episode we welcome Chad Estis, EVP, Business Operations with the Dallas Cowboys. Chad discusses the beginning of his career as a telemarketer for the Cleveland Cavaliers. We dive into, "getting your foot in the door through sales." We walk through what Chad and his team look for in resumes with entry level, mid-level and senior level positions. He basically tells you what to say in the interview! Career Momentum is a term Chad uses that Rob is 100% going to steal moving forward. We end our conversation with what it is like working for Jerry Jones on a daily basis. A fun episode for sure! Please, share, rate and review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:49:35

GUEST - Brian Gainor - VP Innovation - Legends

4/17/2023
We welcome Brian Gainor, VP of Innovation of Legends. Brian is a great example of there are more options to work in sports other than the four major professional leagues. He talks about getting his start by volunteering at the University of Florida. We discuss how he decided to get his Masters at Ohio University. Many of you are asking the question, should I go get my Masters. Brian gives you his insight. We discuss what he does every day and where sports is growing. Give a listen and please rate and review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:28:26

Baseball Takes Over the World

3/24/2023
Buenos noches amigos! Chris recaps his hell week at his house that included the stomach bug and a flooded basement. Rob may. be jet setting off to Barcelona for his 15th wedding anniversary. We dive into the World Baseball Classic and discuss the momentum Baseball can capitalize on from the epic showdown of Ohtani vs Trout. Amazingly, the WBC Final was the most watched Baseball game ever. With the bankruptcy of Diamond Sports and the demise of the Bally Sports Networks, we discuss the future of the Regional Sports Networks. This may be finally where we see the Leagues consolidate their rights and sell them as a package deal, similar to the NFL. Chris has a warning for job seekers out there based on his last few weeks of interviews for the FSM Associate program. He found there to be a clear differentiation between the "haves" and "have nots" when it came to experience folks were able to garner while in college. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:05:17

GUEST - Jake Hirshman - Data & Analytics - Arizona Diamondbacks

3/13/2023
Jake Hirshman, Manager of Business Solutions for the Arizona Diamondbacks and host of Life in the Front Office podcast, joins Rob on the show. Jake is an interesting cat. He has two masters degrees, is a two-time author plus a STICK on the golf course. Rob can't wrap his brain around how he spends time with his family, important job, done everything he has done and is a 5 handicap. WILD. For the first time in public, Jake tells a story about how he was fired from a baseball operations job and it ended up being the best thing to ever happen to him. We also discuss how the phrase "data and analytics" has made its way from the team operations side to the business side. What does Jake do on a daily basis focusing on the "data and analytics?" What does his day to day look like? He answers that and more during our conversation. Please rate, review and share! Rob was on Jake's podcast, Life in the Front Office HERE is the link to that show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:54:30

Rob Wants To Go to The Movies?!?!

2/23/2023
It's school vacation week and Chris and his family headed up to New Hampshire for the Weekend where they partook in some of Rob's nightmare activities that involve the cold. The guys agree that anything that requires being outside in cold weather is not for them. Also, Rob has a bone to pick with a local department chain. Chris recaps his yearly Super Bowl adventure that entailed The Killers, Machine Gun Kelly, and The Chainsmokers. Chris once again also may or may not have complained about having to go to next year's event in Las Vegas. Rob makes a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT as he proclaims he wants to go see a movie.... Air, the Nike story, when it comes out. Chris ranks this as a Top 3 announcement in FoF history and agrees to go on.a date with Rob. We also unveil an amazing newly crafted theme song for our new hit game, LinkedIn Roulette (thanks Pat Story). We also play another great version and breakdown the hits and misses on the world renowned LinkedIn roulette! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:09:27

Get Hired by the Boston Celtics - GUEST - Kate Sullivan

2/6/2023
We welcome another guest to the show from the Boston Celtics who is hiring! Kate Sullivan who is the Celtics Inside Sales Manager is looking to hire you! Kate tells her very relatable story about how she started her career in the Inside Sales Department with the Boston Red Sox and the steps she took to make that a reality. Kate and Rob hit on Front Office Features mantra 'Effort and Attitude' and telling your why. Why do you want a career in sports? And ENOUGH with the "I just want to get my foot in the door." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:46:07

GUEST - Max McGonigle - Boston Celtics Dir. Partnership & Commercial Strategy

1/24/2023
We have a guest! Rob's friend and Celtics colleague, Max McGonigle joins the show. We discuss, Max's background, networking internally and externally, what Max does on a day to day basis and Max is currently hiring. The job opening Max is looking to fill has more than 1,000 applicants - 1,000!! How do you separate yourself from over 1,000 people? Max gives you the answers to the test! Plus Rob sings to Max and tells a story about how Sid Bream made him cry as a 9 year old. Please give a listen and share! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:47:05

From Dream Job to Reality

1/18/2023
We start off by diving into Chris's recent promotion to Vice President at Fenway Sports Management. Chris shares his appreciation for all those who have helped get him here including his parents, colleagues, and this podcast. Rob shares the LinkedIn note from Alex Littlejohn that helps us keep going with this podcast. Appreciation and gratitude makes it much easier for us to find the time. We dive into whether and when it is appropriate to take a call from a recruiter in regards to a new job. A listener struggled with the timing and was concerned based on not being in their current role long enough to consider leaving. We bring back LinkedIn Roulette and have a great laugh. We then had another great laugh as Chris educates Rob on a new term he recently heard.. Cheugy! Plus... go try ChatGPT and be astonished. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:02:01

Don't Talk About It, Be About It

1/6/2023
Happy New Year! We are back and of course better than ever. A lot has happened in the world of sports and Rob and Chris's world since we last did a Podcast. Rob had his best day ever with his daughter at a Celtics game and Chris ran the gauntlet of events with the Bowl Game, Winter Classic and now Frozen Fenway. Rob also had his best New Years Eve with kids while Chris and Rachel pounded Chinese food for 10. We address the conundrum of having missed out on any sports job or intern experience in college and what you should do now to course correct. Rob drops one of his famous T-Shirt 1 liners. A topic reared its ugly head around folks who are afraid to fly the nest and leave their home geographical area. If that is you, find a way to overcome that fear and take a chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:58:04

Sending the Perfect LinkedIn Message

12/1/2022
Chris has a beef to pick with one colleague and is calling for a promotion of another. The World Cup is off to a roaring start and the US found their way into the next round. Rob gives the most half assed apology based on our last podcast when he went in on the kid who wrote an article on him. We debate if this is really an apology or just Rob trying to feel better about what he said. The Royal Family is in town this week and throwing Chris's Friday into a tizzy. The Red Sox and FSM announced their jersey partch partner with MassMutual today at a big press event. Rob attended a techno wedding on Long Island but didn't find his way to the dance floor. We then break down LinkedIn messages Rob received and provide real time feedback on what to do and what not to say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:00:34

Getting Back to the Basics

11/10/2022
Rob made a trip to his alma mater, Springfield College to enlighten tomorrow's sports executives. He was also interviewed for the school newspaper that sent him into a tizzy. A long overdue "Rob Rant" was brought out by the ass-end of the spectrum of kids. We dive into how it's OK to be vulnerable and admit you don't have all the answers. Coming with more poignant questions is more impressive than trying to prove you know it all. Chris had an epiphany while emptying the dishwasher that led to him having empathy for current college students with a looming recession after just getting through a pandemic. Rob's advice is to just get back to the basics and ride it all out. We play a fun game of guess that salary as NY has new laws that require salary ranges for job postings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:53:33

They're All Going to Laugh At You

10/25/2022
This could be dubbed the Adam Sandler podcast as we somehow kept finding our way back to the Sandman as Chris saw him live at the new MGM Music Hall last night. Chris recaps his trip up to Montreal as he and Rob discuss how crazy it is that he is now colleagues with Jack Tipton. Highly recommend seeing an NHL: game in Montreal if you ever have the opportunity. Also, a shout out to Matt Ferry of the Yankees as Rob recently caught up with him on a Springfield College networking call. We find out Rob also hates to reach but has recently gotten into audio books. He has some recommendations for our listeners. We dive into the effect Covid has had on younger folks in regards to experiences they've missed out on and social skills that are lacking. We give some solutions on how to fix that and also separate yourself from the proverbial pack. We then go off the rails for a little bit as Chris highlights his call with a kid who was high on their call! Jack Tipton Front Office Features Interview -https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/front-office-features/id1477731022?i=1000455374067 Matt Ferry Front Office Features Interview - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/front-office-features/id1477731022?i=1000459180925 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:05:51

The FoF Wives Tell All...

9/13/2022
Happy 3 Year Anniversary! FoF turns 3 and we have our most special guests to date as the wives of Front Office Features join the guys to celebrate the milestone. Prior to Amy and Rachel jumping on, we discuss 2 quick topics around surrounding yourself with smarter people and Rob's fear of social posting. We take a trip down memory lane and hear the wive's take on the start of FoF and their initial thoughts when they first heard about the idea of it. We finally hear Amy's side of the story on her time spent in Battle Creek which of course has a must hear story regarding a hotel stay that would make the most comfortable person squirm. Rachel shares her thoughts on their stop in Albany and the ultimatum that sent them back to Boston. This is a must hear podcast for anyone looking to learn how NOT to communicate with their significant others. And of course learning about Rob's concert going experience as we attended Buno Mars this past weekend at the new MGM Music Hall. THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR A GREAT 3 YEARS! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:10:56

The Boys are Back in Town

8/30/2022
After a long hiatus Rob and Chris get back at it and pick up like we never left. We recap all that has happened over the past 2 months; spoiler alert, it's a lot. Rob had the golf trip of a lifetime as he hit up Pinehurst for a few days and played 7 rounds, including a few barefoot. Also, we learn Rob actually found a show he enjoys as he's hooked on the F1 Netflix show. Chris went to Jersey and Vegas which likely means his fist pumping was in full swing. He also landed Covid for the second time which relegated him back to the porch. We discuss LIV Golf and what it means for the future of the PGA plus dive into what is the best month of the year. We dissect Rob's first partnership deal with the Celtics and how it all came to fruition. Angry Rob didn't make an appearance this time around as his informational interviews have been on fire lately. We promise (sort of) not to go another 8 weeks again! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:04:21

NBA Finals, US Open and Epic Rob Rants

6/28/2022
We recap the month that has been since our last episode that kept Chris and Rob busier than ever. Chris turned 40 and had Paul McCartney sing Happy Birthday to him, Rob went to the NBA Finals, and the US Open came to Boston which netted Chris a new driver from Rory McIlroy. Throughout his NBA Playoff experience, Rob reflected on how far he has come from his days in Battlecreek. Rob goes on an all-time rant as he receives 2 LinkedIn messages that trigger him. He is FIRED up and you have to hear what sent him off. We discuss how you can become a leader without having to have the title no matter how early in your career you are. Chris discusses how he wants to take more advantage of his surroundings and shared a message he had David Ortiz record for Zach upon his Kindergarten graduation. Plus hear the polar opposite story about Rob's encounter with Barry Bonds as a kid in Pittsburgh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:58:56

The Return of FOF

5/25/2022
We are finally back! The Crain and Valente households went through Covid hell as everyone came down with it in their family causing a bit of a delayed return. Plus Rob has also been a little busy with the NBA Playoffs and Chris has made a return to more games at Fenway Park. We dive into Rob's assessment of the key differences between working in the minor leagues and what it is now like to work in the major's. He finds the main difference to be the process that includes more individuals on the back end and also with the client. Rob is headed to Miami to watch Game 5 for his first big work trip. We promise not to go 5 weeks in between podcasts again! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:50:09

Rob is a Boston Celtic.

4/7/2022
HUGE NEWS!!! Rob is joining the Boston Celtics as their new Sr. Director of Corporate Partnerships. Rob shares insight into his decision and how this came to be after a long road of networking and relationship building with the folks at the Celtics over the course of 3 years. In what has been a long journey throughout his career, he has landed with an iconic franchise in a role that he loves. This also was a prime example of how much your name and brand matters as evident by the outpouring of support by Rob's peers to advocate for the Celtics to hire him. Chris complains about his hard life once again having to travel around the world to Liverpool for an awesome experience. Plus he got to hang out with Paddy the Baddy,. The podcast is going a bit of hiatus as Rob gets his new gig up and running and Chris launches the MLB season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:54:22

The Key To Success Is Being Inconvenienced

3/22/2022
Chris and Rob break down the important stuff to kick off this week in regards to whether or not chimichangas are overrated or not. Rob also then shares his workout regime and breaks down the difference between Pilates and Yoga. We also learn Rob was on time "that guy" at a craps table breaking his own rule. Chris is relieved that the MLB and MLBPA had cooler heads prevail that allows him to get his life back on track. In other food news, Rob does not appreciate that Capri Sun has not updated their straw process. Chris also points out Capri Sun not in the pouch tastes way different than in it. We eventually lead to a conversation on some rough informational interviews that brings out the determination that not everyone is cut out to work in sports. Rob shares a recent story where he was inconvenienced leading Chris to recall advice he received when he was younger.. 'the key to success is being inconvenienced." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:01:02:48

Steak Dinners and First World Problems

3/9/2022
Chris and Rob are back at it. After discussing some of their favorite meals and Chris complaining about how many steaks he's been eating they dive into what it's like to be an employee going through a lockout. Chris shares how invested emotionally you can be as it directly ties to your livelihood. But then also sheds some light on the perspective that you need to have with a country like the Ukraine going through what they are. We discuss Gene from Turnkey's interview and how he encourages people to reflect on their career as it moves along. Also, he provides great advice that you should use your worst days to make yourself better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:42:25

Gene DeFilippo - Managing Director - Turnkey Search

3/1/2022
Gene DeFilippo joins Front Office Features to discuss his long career in College Athletics. Gene was the long time Athletic Director for Boston College. Gene walks us through what it takes to work in College Athletics and how to navigate career pitfalls. Gene takes us deep into the inner workings of BC's Athletic Department when they moved from the Big East Conference to the ACC. He describes, in detail that process and gives advice to Texas and Oklahoma's athletic departments who are in the midst of this giant undertaking. We dive in to Gene's current role at Turnkey Search and he ends the podcast with some of the best advice ever given on the pod. Please share and give a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duration:00:45:34