WNBA and MLB players participate in Fanatics’ weeklong business immersion program.
Source: Fanatics
Fanatics help professional athletes transition to life after the final buzzer – or pitch, or whistle.
The company is expanding a pilot program to provide business education and exposure to players with the WNBA and MLB through a partnership with the University of Southern California. Through the weeklong immersion program, players will receive classroom learning combined with hands-on experiences across Fanatics’ various business units.
The company says that with its broad sports portfolio, it is uniquely positioned to help athletes lay the foundation for the next chapter of their careers. Fanatics has grown from its e-commerce core in recent months, adding sports betting and live events to its growing business.
“Having a vehicle to help these athletes is not only the right thing to do, but it’s good for our business,” said Orlando Ashford, chief people officer at Fanatics. “These people will be friends of Fanatics, who will help us in many different ways.”
Athletes in the program will get a firsthand look at everything from Fanatics’ collectibles business to its apparel company and VIP and loyalty programs. They also gain exposure to CEOs and experts in everything from design to marketing.
Fanatics foot the bill for the week, covering everything from travel and transportation to food and hotel stays, Ashford said.
The pilot program was launched about six years ago with a small number of NFL players. Now Fanatics is expanding its offering to more professional sports leagues. Ultimately, Ashford said, the company plans to bring in retired players and offer a longer, six-month co-op-style experience.
One of those players participating is WNBA player Isabelle Harrison, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in May. Harrison joined 10 other professional athletes in Los Angeles this week for the Fanatics program.
Isabelle Harrison with former NBA player Ron Harper during dinner during Fanatics’ immersion program.
Source: Fanatics
“To have this opportunity, especially as a woman and a Black athlete, I feel like this is going to make a difference in my next step as a professional,” Harrison said.
The 6-foot-1 former Tennessee Vol said she found the results of the personality and learning assessment especially interesting. She also enjoyed the direct exposure to Fanatics executives and the opportunity to pick their brains.
Harrison said she was especially looking forward to dinner on the final night of the program with Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin.
“I just don’t know if he knows the impact he’s having on us right now,” she said.
Fanatics, acquired by Rubin in 2011, has experienced rapid growth in recent years. The company is valued at $31 million and is quietly considering a possible initial public offering.
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