UCLA Anderson Sports Business Association

Come to SBA's fall Kickoff Event on September 29 to learn about the club and listen to sports business executive Casey Wasserman

Since founding Wasserman Media Group in 1998, Casey Wasserman has built the company into a powerhouse in the world of sports and entertainment through category leading management, marketing and content businesses.

Dedicated to philanthropy, Wasserman is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wasserman Foundation, his family's private charitable organization. Additionally, he serves on the boards of New York University, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library Foundation, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Earlier in his career, Wasserman purchased the Los Angeles Avengers, then part of the Arena Football League. The team had a successful decade long run until the Avengers left the AFL in 2009. During that time, Wasserman, who was the youngest owner of a professional sports team, was elected league chairman and sat on the executive committee.
       
Wasserman holds a BA in political science from UCLA.

The UCLA Anderson Sports Business Association and the USC Marshall Sports Business Institute hold biannual joint networking events. The Spring 2009 event featured David Rone, Co-Head of CAA Sports and former Fox Sports Network Executive VP, to get his perspective on choosing careers in sports, the current landscape and trends, leadership, and many other career-related topics.

Our annual career night featured a keynote speech by Alan Rothenberg, Founder of Major League Soccer, Chairman of the 1994 World Cup Organizing Committee, and Former President of the U.S. Soccer Federation.  Following his speech and a question and answer sessions, SBA members enjoyed roundtable discussions with representatives from IMG, ESPN, FoxSports, Yahoo! Sports, Rotohog and Quiksilver..

Members of the SBA attended the annual LA Clippers Career Fair. This event offered the opportunity to meet with representatives from several sports organizations including the LA Dodgers, ESPN Radio, LA Sparks, AEG, and the LA Galaxy. After networking, members enjoyed watching the LA Clippers take on the San Antonio Spurs.

UCLA Anderson SBA members had the opportunity to meet and talk with Steve Lavin, former UCLA Men's Basketball Head Coach.  Lavin is currently a College Basketball Analyst on ABC and ESPN.  His coaching perspective was forged over 15 years as a Division I college basketball coach at both UCLA and Purdue University.

Lavin is frequently an invited keynote speaker throughout the country for business, community and collegiate events.  He addresses a wide range of topics including effective communication, motivation, management, recruiting, leadership, and naturally, college basketball.

Ten UCLA Anderson SBA members attended the annual LA Sports Awards. This formal event held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel highlighted the Greatest LA Sports Moments of 2008. Among the sports celebrities in attendance were LA Lakers Legends Phil Jackson and Mitch Kupchak as well as three-time beach volleyball gold medalist Karch Kiraly.

James A. Pitaro is the Vice President and General Manager of Yahoo! Sports & Entertainment. Pitaro has managed the sports team since October 2006 and assumed responsibility for Yahoo!’s entertainment properties in July 2008.  Pitaro is responsible for managing and guiding the strategic growth and continued development of Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! Games, Yahoo! Movies, Yahoo! TV, omg!, Yahoo! Music, Yahoo Shine, and Yahoo! Kids, all leading destinations on the Internet. 

SBA members were treated to a keynote address given by UCLA alum Tim Harris in a conference room in the Staples Center.  Following the speech and question and answer session, SBA members were given a tour of the facility, including the chance to take pictures on the court and in the locker room.