EPISODE · Mar 4, 2026 · 27 MIN
Building a Sports Business Skill Set w/ Ryan Richardson and JD Abbott: The Learning Lever | Ep 7
from The Learning Lever · host Rise Sports Collective
In this episode, you’ll hear about: JD’s career path: investment banking and hedge funds → New York Jets finance → VP of Finance at the Baltimore Orioles. How he reframed skills like modeling, business analysis, and executive communication so they made sense to team leaders hiring for sports roles. NFL vs. MLB: 10 games vs. 81 games, what that means for experimentation, in‑season changes, and reps for early‑career staff. Why he thinks you don’t have to start in sports—if you’re building strong, flexible skills in finance, analytics, or operations, you can create real optionality later. JD’s approach to joining a new front office in Baltimore: communication, clarity on priorities, and building relationships quickly during organizational change. Practical advice on networking with intention, preparing for informational calls, and treating every role as a “learning lab” for your next move. About RISE:Rise Sports Collective is an innovative EdTech startup dedicated to revolutionizing the Business of Sports. We empower professionals with our cutting edge curriculum, built by operating experts, designed to impart the essential skills, knowledge, and context needed to excel in the dynamic world of the Business of Sports. Resources & Helpful Links:Check Out Our Curriculum: https://www.risesportscollective.com/professionals
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What this episode covers
In this episode of The Learning Lever, Ryan talks with JD Abbott, Vice President of Finance for the Baltimore Orioles and former Director of Finance for the New York Jets, about what it actually looks like to position yourself for a long-term career in sports business—whether you’re in the industry yet or not. JD traces his path from investment banking and hedge funds into NFL and MLB front offices, sharing why he quit a stable buy-side role to network full time, how he reframed his modeling and business analysis experience so teams could see the fit, and what surprised him when he moved from analyzing many companies to going all‑in on one club. The conversation gets into the tradeoffs between the NFL and MLB from a learning and experimentation standpoint, why baseball’s 81 home dates can be a powerful lab for young professionals, and how JD has approached change, communication, and roadmap-building as part of a new leadership group in Baltimore. Ryan and JD also dig into self-directed learning (treating your role as a “treasure trove” of reps), building a broad skill stack instead of chasing titles, and being intentional with networking so that conversations are strategic—on both sides of the table. If you’re in finance, analytics, consulting, or any adjacent field and wondering how to make yourself “sports ready,” this episode is a clear, practical set of mental models for doing exactly that.
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Building a Sports Business Skill Set w/ Ryan Richardson and JD Abbott: The Learning Lever | Ep 7
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