On this episode of Conduct Detrimental: THE Sports Law Podcast, Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust) and Zac Hiller (Follow on LinkedIn) sit down for a career spotlight on one of the more unconventional paths in building an NFL agency from the ground up.
Zac, the founder and CEO of LAA Sports & Entertainment, opens up about how he went from a Michigan sports management student and young sports-industry hopeful to launching his own agency in 2017. He explains why his first client, Dalvin Cook, became the catalyst for LAA's growth and how doing more than simply making a pitch helped him stand out in a crowded industry.
From there, Dan and Zac break down what it actually takes to become an NFL agent and also discuss the importance of identifying talent early, building genuine relationships with athletes, and treating clients the right way long before they become household names.
The conversation then turns to the evolution of LAA. Zac discusses representing 12 active NFL players, building an NIL practice across college athletics, and developing a music division through partnerships in the music publishing industry.
Dan and Zac also dive into the changing world of NIL and athlete representation, including why the growing accessibility of NIL creates opportunities for aspiring agents to find and develop talent before the rest of the industry catches on. They discuss LAA's intern network, the value of having people on college campuses, and how a relationship with an overlooked player can eventually turn into an NFL client.
Finally, Zac discusses his growing presence on LinkedIn and why he uses the platform to educate aspiring agents and young professionals about the realities of the sports industry rather than the Hollywood version of what being an agent looks like. The episode closes with Zac's biggest lessons: create your own opportunities, find mentors who genuinely want to see you succeed, stay prepared, and be willing to trust your instincts when the right opportunity arrives.
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As always, this episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review: https://www.themisbarsocial.com/conductdetrimental
Host: Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust)
Featuring: Zac Hiller (Follow on LinkedIn)
Produced by: Mike Kravchenko (Watch on YouTube)
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