Transitioning from Strategy in Sports to Finance

NBA / Biz Dev
nbalmj

Go to company page NBA Biz Dev

 nbalmj
Feb 21, 2021 48 Comments

Previous (part time 20-30 hours a week for 2 years in college) experience with an Asset Manager (fund investments + directs/co-investments) plus now 3 years of experience at the NBAs corporate office in strategy/business development.

Looking to transition to IB or the allocator space — anyone have thoughts on a compelling way to spin the desire to transition (I.e., answers to “why this/why now” that they’ve seen/heard from other so called “experienced hires” with non traditional backgrounds?

For context, have some interviews lined up at DB on the sell side and some smaller buy side shops and am curious how to stand out from candidates with previous finance/consulting exp. #sellside #interview #careermoves

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 TOP 48 Comments
  • Slalom Consulting / Consultant
    coolcool01

    Go to company page Slalom Consulting Consultant

    PRE
    Slalom Consulting, Grant Thorton LLP
     coolcool01
    Low-key just here to find more detail about your role in the NBA
    Feb 23, 2021 0
  • Wouldn’t an MBA make a bit of sense here
    Feb 23, 2021 4
    • NBA / Biz Dev
      nbalmj

      Go to company page NBA Biz Dev

       nbalmj
      OP
      Certainly on the radar — giving a direct leap a shot first, if only to keep working earning/if possible. Color me cynical but wanted to give a shot at making a direct leap into a different job through networking vs dropping 300k for the right to access whatever program’s network.

      All this to say, I think an MBA could ultimately be in the cards if a direct leap doesn’t happen.
      Feb 23, 2021
    • Societe Generale / Other
      NYC Random

      Go to company page Societe Generale Other

       NYC Random
      No. IB doesn't see the value in MBAs really anymore. The trend is actually the new 4 year internships where you partner with a university and we just give them a degree in finance after.
      Feb 28, 2021
  • Amazon
    dotard

    Go to company page Amazon

    dotard
    Why would you leave the nba ....
    Feb 23, 2021 5
  • Amazon
    gtfo💭

    Go to company page Amazon

    gtfo💭
    Cool job in NBA!
    Feb 23, 2021 0
  • FT Partners
    pkaY78

    FT Partners

    pkaY78
    Sorry no one answered your question lol. What groups are you interviewing for? Would probably lean your story towards wanting to work on a more transactional basis (any m&a related things you've worked on could be good to mention) and becoming an advisor to many companies in your space.

    Btw your NBA background will already help you stand out vs other traditional candidates, that's a sick role
    Feb 23, 2021 8
    • Endeavor
      mxaxrx3

      Endeavor

      mxaxrx3
      your story is that you’re concerned about the NBA’s short-to-mid term growth and therefore want to go to... DB?
      Apr 3, 2021
    • All time comment- put @endeavor in the @blind hall of fame
      Apr 3, 2021