NBA agent highlights career
When Joshua Meredith was preparing to take over the presidency of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society this past summer, he had one message for his friend and outgoing president, Steve Saperstein, about the future of the club: ‘Go big or go home.’
Meredith and his club ‘went big’ as they brought in Leon Rose, a renowned NBA agent and representative of Cleveland Cavaliers player LeBron James, to speak to club members, law students and other audience members at Syracuse University’s College of Law Tuesday.
Rose began the presentation discussing his career. The Dickinson College graduate touched on his journey, which initially brought him to Australia. He also told several stories from his time in the NBA, bringing up names such as Jerry West, Allen Iverson, John Chaney, and his most high profile client, LeBron James.
Rose’s speech provided audience members expert advice on the industry. Aspiring sports agents huddled into a cramped room to hear him speak, some standing, others sitting on the floor.
But the highlight of the afternoon came when the tables were turned and students grilled Rose during a question and answer session. For 20 minutes, students asked about topics like the collective bargaining agreement, luxury tax, high profile versus low profile athletes and players moving to Europe.
The Entertainment and Sports Law Society offers students a medium to explore both entertainment law and sports law, since there is currently no College of Law certificate program that combines the two subjects. Meredith had hoped Rose’s visit would garner more support for the club and a certificate program.
‘I still really haven’t grasped it,’ Meredith said. ‘All I keep thinking is, we went out. We did it.’
Following the speech and question and answer session, Rose finally had the opportunity to step back and reflect on what the club has accomplished, as the seasoned agent came away impressed with the afternoon.
‘The reason I am here is because of (Meredith’s) continued persistence,’ Rose said. ‘After this afternoon, I think everyone here is passionate about the club, in trying to make it grow and expand into a first class society. All I can say is, I wish the best of luck.’
Rose lingered after his presentation to give more advice to students who scribbled down his every word.
‘I just hope they realized they that should take advantage of being here,’ Rose said. ‘And to apply the fundamentals that they learn here once they do get out there into the field.’
After the presentation, Meredith and Saperstein discussed the future of the club, which will move forward and elect a new executive board today. Meredith said he hopes faculty will approve an entertainment and sports law certificate program within the week.
‘If we can get that passed, this will become a truly special program,’ he said. ‘Because this is a top tier law school, and there is no reason why we can’t have something great here.’
Published on April 7, 2009 at 12:00 pm
