#154 - Mackenzie Brooks - CBS Sports

🎙️ From College Football Runner to CBS Sports Betting Analyst: How Mackenzie Brooks is Changing the Game."I speak for the nerds. I'm like the Lorax of the coders - bridging the gap between casual fans and complex analytics." - Mackenzie BrooksIn this episode, we sit down with Mackenzie Brooks, a 23-year-old sports betting analyst for CBS Sports who's revolutionizing how we understand sports analytics and making football accessible to everyone, especially Taylor Swift fans (aka - Swifties)!⏰ Time Stamps:00:00 - Introduction and McKenzie's background05:30 - Journey from University of Georgia to CBS Sports10:15 - The birth of Quick Locks and early social media presence15:45 - Breaking into sports betting analysis20:30 - Being a woman in a male-dominated industry25:15 - The Taylor Swift effect and educating new football fans30:45 - The future of sports betting and broadcasting35:20 - Work-life balance and recharging strategies40:10 - Advice for aspiring sports analysts45:30 - Networking and career development tips🔑 Key Interview Highlights:From running coffee for ESPN College GameDay to becoming a leading sports betting analystHow coding and analytics created a unique career pathBreaking down complex sports concepts for new audiencesThe impact of Taylor Swift on women's interest in footballThe future of sports betting in mainstream broadcasting💡 Career Tips from Mackenzie Brooks:Find your niche and be a "one of one"Put in the reps, even with a small audienceBuild relationships with producers, not just on-camera talentUse social media to develop your personal brandDon't be afraid to start small and grow🎯 Game-Changing Moments:Her innovative approach to teaching football to new fans (25:15)How she bridges the gap between data analytics and casual viewers (20:30)The future of sports betting integration in live broadcasts (30:45)Connect with CBS Sports Mackenzie Brooks:IG: kenzbrooksbetsX: kenzbrooksbets "Life is Built, Not Born."Joe Ciccarone#Episode154© 2024 Joe Ciccarone / Built Not Born Podcast . All rights reserved.