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It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the 2013 Ruling Sports summer interns!  These five individuals were chosen out of many applicants because of their knowledge of the law, great writing skills and passion for sports.  I am looking forward to working with them this summer and hopefully serving as a mentor as they move forward with their careers.

JARED BERMAN

After culminating his third “best sportsmanship” trophy in youth basketball, Jared Berman realized his moral fiber surpassed his jump shot and reevaluated his long-term goal of becoming the next Kobe Bryant. Determined on having sports a part of his life, he set out to be a analyst, hoping one-day to influence the professionals he grew up idolizing.

Born in Long Beach, California and raised just south in Irvine, Berman had the luxuries of the beach at his fingertips with the enjoyment of the Angels, Ducks, and Lakers just a short drive away.

MARK BURNS

Mark graduated from the University of Michigan in May 2011 and will enter his third year of law school at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee this upcoming fall. He has aspirations of working in the sports business industry upon graduation in 2014. 

 He was recently named a 2013 “30 Under 30″ Award Recipient (Sports Launch Magazine) in addition to being named A Rising Star In #SportsBiz for 2013 (SportsNetworker.com).

This summer, Mark will participate in the Second Annual Manhattan Sports Business Academy, an 8-week summer sports business leadership program in New York City. MSBA is designed for undergraduate and graduate students and young professionals who want to gain invaluable experience in the sports industry and get a jump start into the fast paced, high energy sports business world through internships, mentoring, and networking.

 As part of the program, Mark will be interning with the General Counsel at Leverage Agency in New York City. He will also continue his current role as the Assistant Producer for SportsNetworker.com and the Sports Executives Association in addition to writing regularly for BusinessofCollegeSports.com, a blog started by ESPN’s Sports Business Reporter, Kristi Dosh.

Mark’s past internships include time spent with the Nashville Predators, Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and Elite Talent Agency.

 Twitter:  @MarkJBurns88

Email:  burnmark@umich.edu

CHRISTIAN DEME

According to legal documents, for over fifteen years, Kobe Bryant’s mother, Pamela, held onto many of the mementos documenting her son’s illustrious basketball career.  Like many mothers before her, Pamela alleges that she asked Kobe if he wanted the items back.  Like many children before him, Kobe allegedly retorted that he did not.  Needing space in her home to create a playroom for her grandchildren, Pamela says that she placed a variety of Kobe’s basketball mementos into a storage facility, which cost her $1,500 monthly.  

While the course Pamela took in storing her son’s mementos is something many mothers before her have done before, the next move she made is one few have ever taken.  On December 27, 2012, Pamela allegedly contacted Goldin Auctions, offering a variety of Kobe’s items she was holding in storage for sale.  On January 2, 2013, Pamela signed a consignment agreement with Goldin Auctions.  In the agreement, she guaranteed that she was the sole owner of the consigned items and that she had full and clear title to the items.  She also agreed to be charged a commission rate of 20 percent from the items’ final bid prices, meaning that she would reap 80 percent of the price that they were sold for.  Upon signing the agreement, she was wired an advance of $450,000 on January 3, 2013.

Pamela did the foregoing without Kobe Bryant’s knowledge.  In fact, he remained oblivious to the above for over three months.  During that time, his mother allegedly took the $450,000 transferred to her by Goldin Auctions and put a down payment on a home in Nevada.  Goldin Auctions began preparing to sell the memorabilia Pamela had given it.  Part of that preparation included publicizing the auction.  It was only through those publicity efforts, which culminated in an April 30 press release picked up by national media outlets, that Kobe got wind of his mother’s intent to auction off many of his basketball mementos.

A story line like this has only one reasonable finishing place:  court.  Upon seeing the press release, Kobe Bryant hired law firm Loeb & Loeb LLP to issue a cease and desist letter to Goldin Auctions, demanding that it return the items to Kobe and forego the auction.  Then, Kobe sought a temporary restraining order in Orange County, CA in an effort to stall the auction’s June 2013 date.  This order was granted.  Subsequently, Goldin Auctions filed a lawsuit against Kobe in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.  Days later, Kobe filed a lawsuit against Goldin Auctions in California state court.  Goldin Auctions’ New Jersey lawsuit has been set for trial, which is to begin on June 17.  It is likely that Kobe’s lawsuit will be transferred to that court and the actions will be consolidated.

The question remains, though, as to whether or not Kobe will get the items he claims are his back from Goldin Auctions.  In his lawsuit, Kobe alleges causes of action for conversion and declaratory relief.  The conversion cause of action alleges that at all times, Kobe was lawfully entitled to possession of the items Goldin Auctions received from his mother and planned sell.  The declaratory relief cause of action asks the court to determine that Kobe had the right to possess the property exclusive of all others and that Goldin Auctions must return the property to him.  

In its lawsuit, Goldin Auctions seeks temporary and permanent injunctive relief, preventing Kobe from regaining the property.  Goldin Auctions also seeks delcaratory judgment that it is the legal owner of the memorabilia Pamela Bryant consigned to it.

The crux of both cases boils down to whether Kobe Bryant actually granted ownership of the items to his mother, or if she constructively owned them.  Goldin Auctions’ lawsuit includes allegations that Kobe and his wife, Vanessa, told Pamela that they did not want the items and that he said, “here mom, these are for you.”  On the contrary, Kobe’s lawsuit alleges that he has asked his mother for the items back repeatedly to no avail and that he would have never given her permanent ownership of them, as he plans to pass them on to his daughters.  Furthermore, he alleges that he believes some of the items were not in Pamela’s possession prior to being given to Goldin Auctions, but rather, in his home.

Given the differing accounts regarding the ownership of the memorabilia, is is plausible that these cases will see trial.  This is because it is unlikely that the parties will be able to reach a consensus during a pre-trial mediation as to who the owner of the property is.  To further complicate matters, Pamela Bryant is reportedly in Thailand, and thus, unlikely to be available for any pre-trial mediation.  Thus, one glaring issue likely facing a judge or jury’s decision, is who actually owned the memorabilia:  Kobe or Pamela Bryant?  As such, it will be important for both sides’ lawyers to fully construct a timeline of events related to each piece of property given to Goldin Auctions and what conversations were held or actions were taken regarding the ownership of those pieces of property between Kobe and Pamela.

While ownership of the items is the biggest issue facing each party, another hurdle stands in the way of Goldin Auctions’ claim.  In its cause of action seeking temporary and permanent injunctive relief, Goldin Auctions alleges that it will be irreparably harmed if it is not allowed to go forward with the auction.  As its basis for this allegation, Goldin Auctions alleges that it has already advanced $450,000 to Pamela Bryant and “. . . the sports memorabilia are one of a kind unique items that cannot be replaced and [Goldin Auctions] will lose all profits it rightfully expected from the auction.”  

The issue with this allegation, is that Goldin Auctions will not be irreparably harmed if it is unable to auction the items Pamela Bryant consigned to it.  As noted above, Pamela signed a consignment agreement with Goldin Auctions, whereby she warranted that she was the owner of the items.  If it turns out that Kobe was the owner of the items, Pamela breached the terms of the contract she signed with Goldin Auctions, since she was not the owner.  As such, Goldin Auctions could subsequently file a breach of contract lawsuit against her.  In this lawsuit, Goldin Auctions could remedy its harm, by  seeking as damages the $450,000 it advanced to Pamela.  Thus, it is on this argument that Goldin Auctions’ lawsuit against Kobe might fail, and thus, that Kobe may prevail in his attempt to block the auction.

Given the above, why then is Goldin Auctions moving forward with litigation against Kobe?  In all reality, it most likely boils down to money.  Obviously, Goldin Auctions sees the possibility of turning a huge profit by selling the Kobe memorabilia.  However, it also probably realizes that if it is unable to sell the memorabilia, it is unlikely to recoup the $450,000 it advanced to Pamela Bryant.  This is due to the fact that she has reportedly already spent all of it to put the down payment on the Nevada home.  From their perspective, the thought is probably that if she had to sell her son’s mementos to afford the down payment, it’s unlikely that she’ll be able to come up with another $450,000 to repay them the advancement.  Who, then, has deep enough pockets for Goldin Auctions to recuperate this loss from?  The obvious answer is Kobe.  

The outcome of this case will likely provide guidance for athletes in how they store their memorabilia going forward.  As a result, some may choose to draft written agreements with their parents fully setting out who owns any property that is stored at the parents’ homes.  The sad truth demonstrated by this situation, though, is that nothing really comes easy for athletes.  For years, grown children have stored their mementos at their parents homes without the interference of legal action.  Yet, as it oftentimes does with professional athletes and celebrities, even this simple task appears to have been complicated in this case.  

Here is the truth of the matter:  I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of you.

When I launched RulingSports.com on July 1, 2011, I had no idea if anyone would read what I wrote (save for my parents, who constantly remind me they are my biggest fans–they are forced to be).  Much to my surprise, more people than my two parents read RulingSports.com on its first day of existence.  And those people, and thousands more have continued to visit it over the last 18 months.  I’m aware that it is largely because of my readers and the kind people who follow me on Twitter that I am being given this opportunity to be credentialed for the Super Bowl.  Your support helped get me here.

To say “thanks” for your support, I want to go to New Orleans and dig up the stories you want answers to.  If you could attend a Super Bowl, what questions would you ask?  What would you want to know?  Where would you visit?

Tell me your ideas and your questions in the comments space below, and I will do my best to find the answers!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@RulingSports) as I’ll be tweeting many updates throughout the week.  You can find pictures on my Instagram account (Instagram.com/RulingSports) and my Facebook fan page (Facebook.com/AliciaJessop).  My sports business stories will be found on Forbes while my non-credentialed social interest stories will be found on The Huffington Post.  Each night, I’ll update my personal website with updates on what I experienced.

I invite you to come along with me to the Super Bowl!  It is going to be quite the experience!

I am pleased to introduce the Fall 2012 Ruling Sports interns!  These two impressive students will be joining Danielle Blanchard, Richard Braun, John Fabiano, and Andrew Riley who have continued on as interns from their summer internships.

Ben Courtney

Ben Courtney is a Marketing student at the University of Colorado and a 2012 Leeds Business of Sports graduate. He has held multiple sales and marketing positions and is now looking to enter the sports industry. Always fascinated by the business side of sports, Ben is eager to explore the industry from the professional side as opposed to the traditional side of a fan. Though he does not yet know where his career will take him, Ben loves new challenges and knows his heart is in the sports industry.

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Ben has been an avid sports fan his entire life, mostly of the NFL and NBA. He has competitively participated in almost every sport from football to golf to track & field. The arrival of Peyton Manning in the Mile High City has only further fueled his passion for his beloved Denver Broncos. Working for RulingSports.com is Ben’s first real exposure to the sports industry and it is safe to say he enjoys it here.

Kaitlyn Kacsuta

Kaitlyn Kacsuta is a third year law student at Duquesne University School of Law.  Kacsuta is an executive staff member of Duquesne’s Law Review.  Also a member of Duquesne’s Appellate Moot Court Board, she won the National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition in March 2012.

Kacsuta graduated of the University of Pittsburgh in 2010 with her B.A. in History and Political Science.  She was also a member of the Women’s Soccer team at Pitt.

Since she began law school, Kacsuta has completed five ultramarathons, and qualified for both the 2012 and 2013 Boston Marathon.  After graduating from Duquesne, Kacsuta will begin her legal career in Colorado.

At age 30 and in his eighth season with the Chicago Bears, NFL kicker Robbie Gould has built an impressive career for himself.  That career includes notable statistics, like his 2006 selection for the NFL Pro Bowl and being the third most accurate kicker in NFL history.  However, when it comes to his legacy, Gould says, “I hope I’m remembered more for what I do off the field than what I do on the field.”  It is this hope that led Gould to launch The Goulden Touch public charity and partner with various businesses to help Chicago’s less fortunate.

Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould has devoted himself to helping Chicago’s needy. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Bears.

In starting The Goulden Touch, Gould has set out to help those in need through the public charity’s four pillars:  education, medial research, health and wellness, and social service.  What is unique about Gould’s adoption of these four pillars, is that Gould has partnered with various corporations to fulfill the needs of each pillar.  Gould has partnered with eighteen businesses and corporations during the course of The Goulden Touch’s existence.  One major partner has been medical insurance company Humana, who sponsors The Goulden Touch’s health and wellness pillar.  Humana’s partnership with The Goulden Touch involves monetary support, along with participation and creation of events to fulfill the organization’s mission.

“Our partnership with The Goulden Touch is a natural extension of Humana’s mission of helping people achieve lifelong well-being,” said David Reynolds, president of Humana’s Commercial market in Illinois. “Humana is the primary partner and sponsor for all of the initiatives that fall under The Goulden Touch’s health and wellness pillar. We found this partnership to be an excellent opportunity to work with a well-known Chicago athlete whose charitable organization can help us reach a greater number of people with our health and well-being messages.”

Most recently, The Goulden Touch and Humana have joined forces with a group of Chicago high schools, DuPage Medical Group, Edward Hospital, Rockford Health System and the the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s BackPackProgram to end childhood hunger in Chicago.  The Goulden Touch’s “Kicking Hunger” campaign launched in September and is aimed at fundraising for weekend food supplies for the one in five northern Illinois children facing hunger.  The program provides children at risk of hunger with a weekend’s supply of child-friendly, nutritious food, such as cereal, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, whole grain pasta, canned fruits and vegetables and low-sodium soup.  The cost for each backpack’s worth of food supplies is $15.  The program reaches an average of 1,200 children weekly in 93 northern Illinois schools.

Later this year, The Goulden Touch will host its second annual Mooseheart Child & City School holiday shopping event.  The event provides the children who are residents of Mooseheart Child & City School with an opportunity that they likely wouldn’t have otherwise to purchase gifts for their friends and families.  Last year, The Goulden Touch provided 99 children with $125.00 to spend on a shopping spree at Target.  This year, Gould hopes to expand the program to reach over 100 children and to offer the children $150.00 to spend.  “It’s amazing to be able to watch the smiles on their face, the glow that they have and how excited they get over something as small as buying a football.  It’s very gratifying to be able to give back to a community who has accepted me and give me a lot of opportunities to be successful,” Gould noted.

With its growing business partnerships and the number of members of the Chicago community it is reaching, one can imagine that serving as The Goulden Touch’s founder keeps an already busy NFL player even busier.  However, Gould finds joy in the time he dedicates to The Goulden Touch and helping the less fortunate.  “Anything you’re passionate about, you find time for.  I’m very passionate about helping out in the community and inspiring young people.  We [the Bears] have Monday’s off, so I do a lot of charity work on Monday’s.  However, it’s always something I make time for.  It gives you inspiration to play on Sunday’s and be a positive role model for those who look up to you,” Gould said.

To learn more about the Goulden Touch, click here.

The following terms were provided by the NFL:

Eight-year term covering the 2012-2019 seasons.

The current defined benefit pension plan will remain in place for current officials through the 2016 season (or until the official earns 20 years of service). The defined benefit plan will then be frozen.

Retirement benefits will be provided for new hires, and for all officials beginning in 2017, through a defined contribution arrangement, which will have two elements:  an annual league contribution made on behalf of each game official that will begin with an average of more than $18,000 per official and increase to more than $23,000 per official in 2019, and a partial match on any additional contribution that an official makes to his 401(k) account.

Apart from their benefit package, the game officials’ compensation will increase from an average of $149,000 a year in 2011 to $173,000 in 2013, rising to $205,000 by 2019.

Beginning with the 2013 season, the NFL will have the option of hiring a number of officials on a full-time basis to work year-round, including on the field.

The NFL will have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes, and may assign those additional officials to work NFL games. The number of additional officials will be determined by the NFL.

The NFL and NFLRA are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement tonight on an eight-year collective bargaining agreement, subject to ratification by the NFLRA.

“Our officials will be back on the field starting tomorrow night,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We appreciate the commitment of the NFLRA in working through the issues to reach this important agreement.”

“Our Board of Directors has unanimously approved taking this proposed CBA to the membership for a ratification vote,” said Scott Green, president of the NFLRA. “We are glad to be getting back on the field for this week’s games.”

The following is a statement issued by the NFL this  morning with respect to last night’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks:

In Monday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, Seattle faced a 4th-and-10 from the Green Bay 24 with eight seconds remaining in the game. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson threw a pass into the end zone.  Several players, including Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate and Green Bay safety M.D. Jennings, jumped into the air in an attempt to catch the ball. While the ball is in the air, Tate can be seen shoving Green Bay cornerback Sam Shields to the ground.  This should have been a penalty for offensive pass interference, which would have ended the game.  It was not called and is not reviewable in instant replay. When the players hit the ground in the end zone, the officials determined that both Tate and Jennings had possession of the ball.  Under the rule for simultaneous catch, the ball belongs to Tate, the offensive player.  The result of the play was a touchdown. Replay Official Howard Slavin stopped the game for an instant replay review.  The aspects of the play that were reviewable included if the ball hit the ground and who had possession of the ball.  In the end zone, a ruling of a simultaneous catch is reviewable.  That is not the case in the field of play, only in the end zone.  Referee Wayne Elliott determined that no indisputable visual evidence existed to overturn the call on the field, and as a result, the on-field ruling of touchdown stood.  The NFL Officiating Department reviewed the video today and supports the decision not to overturn the on-field ruling following the instant replay review. The result of the game is final. Applicable rules to the play are as follows: A player (or players) jumping in the air has not legally gained possession of the ball until he satisfies the elements of a catch listed here.   Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 of the NFL Rule Book defines a catch: A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds:(a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and(b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and(c) maintains control of the ball long enough, after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, to enable him to perform any act common to the game (i.e., maintaining control long enough to pitch it, pass it, advance with it, or avoid or ward off an opponent, etc.). When a player (or players) is going to the ground in the attempt to catch a pass, Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3, Item 1 states: Player Going to the Ground. If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete. Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3, Item 5 states: Simultaneous Catch. If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control. If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing team become eligible to catch the loose ball.

In late 2010, I spent an excruciating six weeks waiting for the phone to ring.  Or for a letter to arrive.  Or for an email to pop up in my inbox.

At that time, I felt as though my life was nearly perfect.  An ordinary evening at that time, was spent with my two best girl friends in California rubbing elbows with celebrities at red carpet events.  I lived by the beach.  I was dating someone who, for lack of a better phrase, really lit my fire.

And in late 2010, my 25-year-old self thought that life was about to get even more perfect.

I was just one year out of law school and at the time, blessed to even have a job, as many of my law school cohorts were still struggling to find work after the economy tanked in 2008.  Although I worked for a great firm, received solid benefits and spent days at the office with a group of people who would become my good friends, I was not satisfied practicing mortgage banking law.  I went to law school with the intention of practicing entertainment or sports law.  In law school, I worked at the Screen Actors Guild and Warner Brothers.  However, those opportunities dried up when the economy crumbled.  The irony of the economy’s tumble coinciding with my graduation from law school is found in the fact that after law school, I represented banks like SunTrust, Citi and Wells Fargo.  Yes, I was working for the man.

I’ve always taken pride in my work and always felt blessed to have a job, but I knew I was in a rut in the fall of 2010 when I was called into my boss’ office.  I had never been in trouble before, so I was obviously concerned.  He told me that I did not appear to be interested in  mortgage banking law.  Well, that was a fact.  In fact, I was surprised that it took him this  long to recognize this; I’ve never had a good poker face.  He told me that my work product was great and that I was highly intelligent, but that if I didn’t start showing more interest in mortgage banking law, that I would have trouble moving up in the law firm.

My boss was a former football player who used a lot of coaching strategies to motivate us.  However, given my love for reading coach’s autobiographies, I recognized this pep talk for what it was.  As such, his words had the opposite of a motivating effect on me.  Upon leaving my boss’ office, I did everything but educate myself more about mortgage banking law.  I knew God did not put me on this planet to be a mortgage banking attorney.  So, instead of focusing my efforts to move up in a profession I had no interest in, I decided to turn my energy toward my passion.  It was a risk, in that I could have lost my job.  But in my eyes, the bigger risk was losing my passion.

Prior to applying for my job with the mortgage banking law firm in the summer of 2010, I saw that NASCAR was hiring an attorney.  I figured it was a long shot, given that I had only been practicing for a year.  However, I have never been one to shy away from a challenge, so I applied for it.  For better or worse, I have always subscribed to the mantra of, “You don’t know unless you try.”  Much to my surprise, I made it through two rounds of telephone interviews with NASCAR’s general counsel before I received the dreaded email that they had “chosen another candidate, even though I was highly qualified.”

At the time, I chalked it up and figured that my destiny was sealed and that I’d be a mortgage banking attorney for the rest of my life.  Surprisingly, because of my social situation, my home by the beach, the guy I was dating and the nice people I worked alongside, this wasn’t too much of a blow in the summer of 2010.  However, by fall, when I was being accosted for not reading mortgage banking journals, I knew that something had to give.

It was around that time, in October 2010, that I got a very surprising phone call.  The gentleman calling was the general counsel of International Speedway Corporation–the corporation that owns the racetracks where NASCAR races.  He had received my phone number from the NASCAR general counsel I interviewed with in the summer and wanted to tell me they had an attorney position open that he wanted to interview me for.  I was thrilled.

We completed several phone interviews, and then in mid-October, I boarded a plane to Daytona Beach for an in-person interview.  I was told that the search was narrowed down to two candidates:  myself and a local candidate.  I spent six hours at the very impressive NASCAR offices interviewing with nearly everyone in the NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation legal offices.  I was so impressed with everyone I met and excited about the job opportunity, that I barely had time to think about leaving my red carpet lifestyle and that guy that I really liked.  At least I would still have the beach.

At the end of the interview, the International Speedway Corporation general counsel walked me out to my rental car.  He told me everyone loved me and that he believed I’d be a good fit for the position.  He told me he would be in touch with me shortly.  In my eyes, I all but had the job.  On my drive to the airport, I made mental notes about neighborhoods that I passed, figuring that I would be moving to Daytona Beach in mere weeks.

And then I waited for six weeks.  And finally, a phone call came telling me that I could expect an email, but that he was so sorry.  It turns out, the local candidate was selected, for what my guess is, to save on moving expenses.  I was told not to question my skills or knowledge–I was highly qualified.  In that moment, my 25-year-old self thought that my dream of being a sports lawyer died.

I sulked for longer than I probably should have, and nearly accepted my fate as a mortgage banking attorney.  However, by May 2011, my passion for sports law was burning too hot inside of me to turn it off.  I knew I needed to do something.  However, this time, I decided I was going to take a different approach than applying for pre-existing jobs.  Rather, I decided I was going to create my own opportunity.  This time, nobody was going to tell me “no.”  This time, nobody was going to tell me, that even though I was the best candidate, because I lived on the other side of the country, I couldn’t have the job.  This time, if there was going to be a reason as to why I couldn’t get to where I wanted to go, it was going to be me.  And because I know of my own personal stubbornness, I knew I was going to get where I wanted to go.

Between May and July 1, 2011, I knew that I wanted to start a blog where I would discuss sports issues.  For months, people–including strangers I knew from Twitter–told me that I needed to write about sports.  I toyed around with a number of ideas.  I actually bought a URL for a website whereon I intended to discuss California baseball.  Much to the amusement of my friends, I actually went to several UCLA baseball games and scouted players.  However, I quickly realized that didn’t fuel my fire.  I continued to throw around ideas in my head.  And then, it finally came to me:  I was going to write about the intersection of law and sports.  I was going to write about it in a way that non-lawyers could understand.  I was going to tackle the issues that others weren’t tackling.

On the night of June 30, I forced my roommate, Alex, to stay up with me and listen to the titles I had for my blog.  Most of them were absolutely awful.  A lot of them rhymed.  She vetoed 99 percent of them.  Surprisingly, the naming process was the hardest obstacle I faced in launching RulingSports.com.  Almost ready to give up, it finally came to me.  I hesitated before I told her, figuring she’d say, “No, that sounds dumb.”  But I told her anyway.  “Ruling Sports.  I think that’s it.”  “I LOVE IT!” she said.

So, that was that.  I logged on to WordPress and bought the domain.  I registered a Gmail account.  I signed up for Twitter.  And, I was given a big dose of help, when the NBA locked out its players the next day, when RulingSports.com was up and running for the first time.  Thank you for that one, David Stern.  Thinking about it, I probably should send him a fruit basket.

Admittedly, I wasn’t quite sure who was going to read my blog.  Most of my friends aren’t big sports fans, hence the reason for an outlet like RulingSports.com for me to discuss my ideas about sports.  I knew my Dad would read my blog, so he was one of the first people I called.  I don’t think he or my Mom thought much about it at the time, other than probably, “Alicia has found another way to waste time.”

I knew that if RulingSports.com was going to become anything, that I was going to have the help of others behind me.  At Chapman University School of Law, where I attended, I was taught for three years about the power of networking and the importance of making meaningful relationships.  I hope that my professors and the career services staff at Chapman realize that the success of RulingSports.com is due in large part to those lessons.

One of the first tweets I sent on July 1, 2011, was to Kristi Dosh.  I had been reading Kristi’s work on BusinessofCollegeSports.com for a while, and was impressed by what she was doing on the website while also practicing law.  In Kristi, I saw a mentor and a person like myself, who likely believed she could do anything she set her mind to.  So, I sent Kristi a short tweet, essentially saying that she was an inspiration for my launch of RulingSports.com.  I wasn’t expecting a response, let alone a friendship.  Or to take over BusinessofCollegeSports.com when Kristi received her position at ESPN.

Many people have asked me how I have “risen” so quickly.  First of all, I do not look at it like that.  Rather, I know that I have much further to go on this journey.  Yet, if there is one piece of advice I will give, it is to build meaningful relationships.  Reach out to people, introduce yourself, let them know what you’re about.  Ask them what they’re about.  Learn from their experiences.  Support each other as you both try to do what everyone on this planet is put here to do:  Live out dreams.

Everything I have achieved in the last year has come as a result of the help of others.  I would have never taped a radio show segment if a radio show host hadn’t reached out to me.  I would have never taped a television segment if I didn’t have lunch with a TV producer.  I would have never interviewed sports figures if they didn’t respond to my emails or telephone calls.  I would have never signed with an agent if my friend Rachel Baribeau did not tell him about me.  I would have never covered the Albert Pujols press conference if I did  not make friends employed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization (this is a story for another blog, which will be called “Be bold”).  I would have never begun writing for Forbes.com if Kristi Dosh didn’t give me the opportunity to take over for her on BusinessofCollegeSports.com.

While the number of hits RulingSports.com has received in the last year shocks me, as it is more than the two-per-day my parents provide, it is not the viewership of the website that I am the most proud of.  Rather, it is the number of new friends I have gained in the last 365 days.  I have been blessed on this journey, in that every person I have met along my path has shown me the utmost kindness.  They have leant me their hands and their skills, so that in turn, I could learn from them and improve my craft.  I will tell you this:  The people in the sports media industry are the most giving, kind and unselfish people when it comes to sharing their talents and ideas.

For those of you seeking a job in sports, there are two pieces of interrelated advice that I will give you:

1.  Don’t quit

In October 2010, I was all but ready to quit chasing my dream.  I was satisfied enough with life, that I didn’t think I needed a career in the sports industry.  Luckily, I woke up from that haze after several months.  If I quit chasing my dream in October 2010, I would have never experienced the greatness that came this last year.  I would have settled for something less than deep inside of me, I knew was possible.  Don’t settle.  Don’t quit.  If you can dream it, you can do it.

2.  Keep dreaming

And on that note, keep dreaming.  Dreams are formidable.  They are not stagnant.  Because someone told you “no,” do not accept it as the answer to your life.  Create your own “yes.”  Be creative.  Do things that others are not doing to set yourself apart from the pack.  Reach out to people who you believe have achieved their dreams to learn about their journeys.  Perhaps they can provide you a roadmap for your own.  Ultimately though, your dreams are personal.  Do not let anyone ever tell you what is, or is not, possible for your own life.  If you can dream it, you can do it.  But if you don’t try, you will never capture your dreams.

When I talk about the last year of my  life, the word I like to use is “magical.”  One thing I don’t talk about much on this space, is my faith.  I credit my faith in God the most for everything that has happened to me in the last year.  In fall 2010, I thought I knew the path my life would follow.  However, much to my surprise, God had bigger ideas for me.  The neat thing about hindsight–and faith–is that after enough time has passed, you can see why things did not work out the way you wanted them to at the time.  Many times, it is because something better for you is waiting around the corner.  And for that, I’m grateful.  I wake up every morning and pinch myself, wondering if everything that has happened this last year is true.  When my agent tells me that he’s pitching me for projects and shows that a year ago I couldn’t even imagine were within my reach, I get goosebumps.  And yesterday, my friend Alex who spent hours helping me name my blog, sent me the following, “I can’t believe how much has changed in just one year!”

Neither can I.

Thank you to everyone who has made this most magical year possible.  I hope that I can continue to share these stories with you.  More importantly, though, I hope I can motivate at least a few of you to never quit on your dreams.

I am excited to introduce you to RulingSports.com’s 2012 summer interns!  I am very lucky to have these six law students on board for the summer.  Each possesses a great interest and insight into sports and the law.  Over the summer, we will be working together to provide you with more expansive material here on RulingSports.com.

DANIELLE BLANCHARD

Danielle Blanchard just completed her second year of law school at Chapman University School of Law.  At Chapman, Blanchard is working towards completing the school’s Entertainment Law emphasis certificate.  Blanchard graduated from UCLA in 2008 with degrees in Political Science and Communications.  While at UCLA, Blanchard worked at the UCLA Athletic Center.  Additionally, growing up in Fresno, CA, Blanchard is an avid Fresno State Bulldogs fan.

RICHARD BRAUN

Richard Braun just completed his first year of law school at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University.  He graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington in 2010 with a BA in History.

Braun got his start in sports by interning for the Philadelphia Flyers during his senior year at IU.  He worked in the archives department, which was essentially a museum of sports memorabilia tucked away in the deepest corners of the Wachovia (now Wells Fargo) Center.  The department’s main goal as a department was to assist any other aspect of the company with anything related to the Flyers’ history.  He also worked with HBO while they filmed a documentary about the 1973-74 and 1974-75 Flyers teams that won the Stanley Cup two years in a row.

After graduating he worked part-time in sales with the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Even though Braun led his team in overall sales during my short stay with the Cavs, he always had law school in the back of his mind and decided not to pursue a more full-time job and instead applied to Cleveland-Marshall.  Braun says he learned more about sport business in his 3 month stay with the Cavs than he did in any classroom, and also had the privilege of working with incredibly talented people.

Currently, Braun is a member of Cleveland-Marshall’s Sports Law Society and is completing the Great Lakes Sports and Entertainment Law Academy this summer.

JOHN FABIANO

John Fabiano just completed his first year of law school at Tulane University Law School.  At Tulane, Fabiano is working towards the completion of his law degree and a certificate in Sports Law.  Fabiano also holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Geneseo.

Along with being an avid sports fan, Fabiano is particularly interested in the following areas:  contract negotiation, the NFL Draft and the NHL playoffs.  

BENJAMIN GAUS

Benjamin Gaus just completed his second year of law school at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, CA.  Along with persuing his law degree, Gaus is also working towards completing the school’s Sports Law Certificate.  Gaus’s educational background also includes a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in Business from the University of Missouri.

During his four years of undergrad at Missouri, Gaus served as a student assistant with the football team.  Primarily working with recruiting, Gaus has valuable experience in complex compliance issues universities are subject to follow by the NCAA.

As a member of the Sports Law Society at Thomas Jefferson, Gaus assisted with the schools’ 2011 National Sports Law Negotiation & Symposium.  Gaus also aided in the preparation of Thomas Jefferson’s sports arbitration team, who took first place at the 2012 National Baseball Arbitration Competition held at Tulane Law School in New Orleans.

Along with interning with RulingSports.com, Gaus will also be an intern with the UCLA Athletics Department with the compliance staff this summer.

BRANDON MEAD

Brandon Mead just completed his second year of law school at Chapman University School of Law, where he is the Vice President of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society.  Mead also holds a B.S. in Political Science from the University of California Irvine, where he was a member and assistant captain of the UCI Ice Hockey Team.

Mead has held previous legal internships with Sports1Marketing and Palace Entertainment and was formerly a locker room assistant with the Anaheim Ducks.

 ANDREW RILEY

Riley was born on the east coast of Canada but was raised in Ottawa, Ontario. According to Riley, “As most Canadian kids do, I played hockey while growing up, but I quit in middle school to focus on football. An interesting fact: while in high school, ESPN’s own Jesse Palmer quarterbacked the team I played for where I was a slot receiver.”

Riley played football at Valdosta State University, where he graduated from in 2003 with a degree in Criminal Justice.  Thereafter, he moved to Ottawa and began the application process to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (“RCMP”).  Knowing that the application process takes a significant amount of time, he took some courses at the University of Ottawa and used his last year of eligibility to play football as a University of Ottawa Gee Gee.

After becoming a RCMP and marrying his wife, Melanie, Riley volunteered as a high school football coach.  In 2010, the Riley family moved to Houston, where Riley’s goal was to complete law school and find a way to incorporate sports and law together.