A panel of the sport’s most influential industry players convened at Madison Square Garden last night to celebrate David Falk’s generous $5 million gift to Syracuse University.

Widely recognized as one of the most prominent sports agents in the country, Falk and his wife Rhonda donated the money “to bring star faculty, students and internship” opportunities to the university's 3-year-old sports-management program.

The couple met while students at SU in the 70s, and now have a daughter studying at the university’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. The David B. Falk Center for Sport Management will be housed in the College of Human Ecology.

“David taught me so much about being a professional athlete and the whole business that surrounds it,” Michael Jordan said in a videotaped message played to the crowd. “He loves Syracuse. Every time we talk, we talk about Syracuse and North Carolina.”

Hosted by ESPN’s Mike Tirico, the evening featured a panel discussion on the state of the sports industry and the importance to developing new sport business leaders. Alongside Falk, U.S. Olympic Committee CMO Rick Burton, ESPN president George Bodenheimer and venture capitalist Kay Koplovitz fielded questions from students and reporters.

“I have devoted my entire life’s work to managing and mentoring professional athletes,” Falk said, who in addition to Michael Jordan, counts Patrick Ewing and Elton Brand as close friends and clients. “Sport is a social currency. The ability to further the education of future leaders in the sports industry is very, very special.”


Below is a Power Point version of their advice to students hoping to find a job in sports business, communications, law and marketing

Eight Tips on How to Break Into the World of Sports Business

1. English won’t cut it.
More than ever before, sport has become global phenomenon. Learn to speak another language (or seven) pronto.

2. While you’re at, learn to speak proper English.
No one wants to hear your trendy college slang lingo. Got it yo, k?

3. Get advice from the pros.
Pros who aren’t on the sidelines, that is. Find industry experts who understand not just where the industry has been, but where it’s going.

4. Never underestimate the power of women.
In 1977 30% of people considered themselves sports fans. Today, over 88% say so. As Koplovitz points out, “You can’t get to that number without women.”

5. Forget “just getting by.”
They never tolerate mediocrity on the playing field, and they won’t tolerate it in the corporate world either.

6. Study something other than ESPN.
“You gotta know a lot more than who plays well on AstroTurf on Tuesday nights west of the Mississippi,” Burton says.

7. Play nice.
The athletes headed to Beijing this summer are global ambassadors. Expect to carry yourself the same way. There’s no room for poor sportsmanship, inside or outside of the office.

8. Fight for it.
“You have to prove yourself in this marketplace,” Bodenheimer says. “Work better and harder than other people.”