Say Hello to My Little Empire: Fanatics Turns Athletes Into Business Moguls

First You Get the Touchdown Then You Get the Power

Listen up you punks! Fanatics yeah the guys who sell all the jerseys they're playing Godfather now. They're running this fancy pants 'Athlete Immersion Program.' What's that you ask? It's like Harvard Business School but for guys who used to run around in shorts. They think they can teach these jocks how to make real money not just get paid to bounce a ball or smash into each other. Me? I made my own luck but maybe these guys can learn a thing or two without getting their hands dirty... or maybe not. Time will tell.

Business School Ain't Got Nothin' on This

So they get these athletes in a room right? And they got guys like Michael Rubin the head honcho at Fanatics and some CEO from Goldman Sachs talking about 'business fundamentals.' Sounds boring as hell even for me. But hey they're teaching them how to build brands make deals and not end up broke after their knees give out. Aaron Donald that big fella from the Rams he's already thinking about generational wealth. Smart guy that one. He understands that this world is yours if you know how to take it.

The Kleiman Blueprint: From Court to Corner Office

This Kleiman guy from Boardroom he's partnering up with Fanatics. He's trying to give these athletes a 'blueprint.' Blueprint? I made my own damn map! But whatever he's pointing to Junior Bridgeman. Played ball made less than 3 million. But then he went and flipped burgers at Wendy’s and suddenly he is a Billionaire. Maybe these punks are not so dumb after all! That is a nice blueprint I need to get one of those.

From Field to Franchise: Don't End Up Broke

They're calling it '1.0 careers' and '2.0 careers.' Sounds like some robot movie. But the point is these guys need to figure out what to do when they can't run anymore. Toretha McGuire some big shot at Fanatics says it's about expanding their networks. Network? I had a network and it was built on loyalty… and a little bit of fear. But hey maybe these guys can do it with handshakes and fancy meetings.

Passion Details and People Who Know Their Stuff

This Todd Graves guy from Raising Cane's he’s telling them how hard it is to start a business. 'Multiply that by infinity,' he says. Infinity? That's a lot of damn chicken! But he's right. It's not easy. You need passion you need to be in the details and you need people who know what they're doing. Me? I had Manny. He knew how to count the money.

The World is Yours: Time to Make a Killing

So they're going to keep teaching these guys giving them support and networking chances. The next session is for the ladies from WNBA NWSL and MLB. Cole Anthony says everyone he talked to has been a 'grinder.' Grinder? What are we making coffee here? He needs to learn that you have to be willing to go all the way. But if this Athlete Immersion Program can stop these punks from ending up bankrupt maybe they're not wasting their time. Because in this country you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money you get the power. Then when you get the power then you get the women.