Attending the SportsPro Conference in NYC was an incredible experience, packed with insightful discussions on the future of sports business, media, and technology. Networking with industry professionals and hearing from top leaders made it an invaluable event.
Beyond the conference, I made the most of my time in the city. I caught a Broadway performance of Glengarry Glen Ross—a masterclass in sharp dialogue and powerhouse acting. I also soaked in the energy of Times Square, took a peaceful stroll through Central Park, and even had the chance to visit Madison Square Garden for a meeting. To top it off, I caught a New York Rangers game, experiencing the legendary MSG atmosphere firsthand.
A perfect mix of business, culture, and sports—NYC never disappoints!
I grew up hearing New York stories from my dad, a big Yankees fan who worked on 53rd and Park after college. He talked about going to the Garden in the ’70s and ’80s to watch Walt “Clyde” Frazier during the exciting ABA days—once even finding his car tire-jacked in Harlem.
After grad school, I stayed with a friend in Hoboken, visited the city, and even got to experience Draft Day 1 at the NFL League office near my dad’s old stomping grounds back in 2012. A New Yorker eventually hired me out west, and off I went to start a new chapter in the mountains. I didn’t return until just before international tourists came back post-pandemic.
As soon as we got off the plane, we hustled to MSG to take in the experience for the first time—meeting friends and contacts before and during the game. The Flames upset the Rangers, but we walked into the bowl just in time for a goal and the top goal song in the league. We got a taste of what makes the place so special, including the offices, people, partners, and vendors that are part of the magic.
We also hosted some of the amazing Trak superhero community for a happy hour at the playground that is T-Squared Social (owned by Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods). Extra special shoutout to our partners at Fenway Sports Management.
For this trip, we stayed near the host hotel in Times Square—and it must have been fate, because we were right across from the Plaza Theatre, which was featuring Broadway’s version of Glengarry Glen Ross. One of the most iconic, quotable sales movies ever, the 1992 film featured Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey, Alan Arkin, and Ed Harris.
“Put that coffee down. Coffee is for closers only,” anyone? Alec Baldwin’s infamous sales kickoff / Squid Games-esque speech (YouTube clip, NSFW) sets the tone of the “boilerplate” environment. Team tactics play out as the cast portrays sellers willing to do whatever it takes to get contracts signed and snag the coveted hot leads.
We had to go. We got very lucky—snagging the last few ADA tickets released for the Wednesday matinee show. Last row in the house, well under face value. The Broadway remake starring Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, Bill Burr, Michael McKean, and John Pirruccello? They crushed it. We even got to meet a few cast members afterward.
Fortunately, sales has largely evolved. Technology has created transparency that benefits both people and products. That doesn’t mean you should buy into hype—always do your homework.
Nearby were television studios and other major shows (Wicked, The Great Gatsby, the debut of Othello featuring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, for example), plus tons of captivating ads that make Times Square what it is. We stopped in at The Plaza Hotel across from Central Park and couldn’t resist checking out the Home Alone 2 display—featuring items worn by Kevin in the film’s timeless scenes shot in the hotel (played by Kieran’s brother, Macaulay).
No matter what’s going on in the world, there’s always a place for entertainment. Storytelling and the personalities who bring it to life aren’t going anywhere.
“A-B-C. A - Always. B - Be. C - Closing.”
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