{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ann Rodriguez - Pro Sports' Creative Catalyst","description":"#13 Episode with Ann Rodriguez \u2013 Pro Sports\u2019 Creative Catalyst MARCH 7, 2018   Ann Rodriguez. 2003. California. I am relentless. I am rock solid. I am wild at heart. Be real.   Badass Quotes: \u201cI was always good at selling things.\u201d (5:20) \u201cI just appreciated that she was very busy.\u201d (8:47) \u201cSometimes, the switch just goes off.\u201d (21:19) \u201cI wanted to leave. I wanted to take some time off. And I was scared to do it.\u201d (22:38) \u201cI\u2019m the friendly type. I\u2019ve got that face. People come up and talk to me.\u201d (27:21) \u201cI didn\u2019t need the external validation of an award because I knew how it felt in the office every day and I knew how it felt in the stands.\u201d (39:48) \u201cI seek those high-growth opportunities.\u201d (41:26) \u201cI\u2019m kinda good in that \u2018go\u2019 mode.\u201d (41:48) \u201cI had that hunger to create.\u201d (46:56) \u201cIt is a brave thing to be real, to be honest about what works and what doesn\u2019t.\u201d (55:38) \u201cI just love ridiculousness.\u201d (1:04:30)   Podcast Intro: Ann Rodriguez is a force in sports. In 2017, she was named to the \u201c40 under 40\u201d list by Sports Business Journal for masterminding the success of a major league soccer expansion team. In only its first year, Atlanta United, became the leader of the entire league for season ticket sales and attendance. Currently she is the Senior Vice President in charge of WBNA league operations. She is a public school girl from my hometown. She is my former college teammate and the nicest \u2013 really, the nicest, goodest, kindest soul \u2013 you could ever meet. She is also a boss. A lady. A collaborator. A listener. And the best kind of friend \u2013 the kind who shows up to cheer you on when it means the most.   Official Bio: As Senior Vice President, League Operations for the Women\u2019s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Ann Rodriguez oversees all on-court basketball operations, including playing rules, scouting, scheduling and venue compliance.  She also oversees the management of referee operations and the administration of player-related policies and programs. [more ...] - http:\/\/www.wnba.com\/news\/ann-rodriguez-named-senior-vice-president-wnba-league-operations\/   Biggest Takeaways: How persistence got her the first gig (7:00) The important of Ann\u2019s \u201cMath Camp\u201d experience before business school (17:10) How leaving Under Armour was a hard \u2013 and brave \u2013 thing to do (20:39) Value of traveling alone internationally (26:27) Ann\u2019s take on mentoring \/ role modeling (42:20) Role model is an opportunity, not a responsibility (50:58) Why accepting reality quickly is critical to success (56:20) Value of horses in Ann\u2019s life (58:26) What moving 48,000 people in and out of a stadium is like (1:03:00)   Major Conversation Highlights When\/why she decided to work in sports (5:13) When the picture of a future in sports business emerged (9:42) The fear and the advantages of leaving your job without having another one (23:16) How she feels about being named to the \u201c40 Under 40\u201d list by Sports Business Journal (30:50) How she helped to create a vibrant and supportive community in Atlanta from scratch (33:13) Ann\u2019s advice to college graduates (45:50) Why starting your career with cold calls is useful (47:03) Ann\u2019s 7-line Brave Pitch (53:00) Ann\u2019s favorite failure (1:02:25)   Links Stanford Business School https:\/\/www.gsb.stanford.edu\/programs\/mba   Atlanta United FC https:\/\/www.atlutd.com   WNBA http:\/\/www.wnba.com   Brave SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter https:\/\/www.morebrave.com   TAKE online classes https:\/\/www.getmorebrave.com   Twitter: http:\/\/twitter.com\/getmorebrave http:\/\/twitter.com\/cristasamaras   Instagram: http:\/\/instagram.com\/getmorebrave http:\/\/instagram.com\/cristasamaras   Facebook: http:\/\/facebook.com\/getmorebrave ","author_name":"Brave Your Fear","author_url":"https:\/\/www.morebrave.com\/braveyourfear","html":"