The Leigh Steinberg Interview - Real Estate and Sports Agents: Two of a Kind

As you know I'm always looking to bring on guests that fill voids, or perhaps on a topic we haven't covered before. And today's guest is no different. I'm very excited to have Leigh Steinberg with us. Leigh’s a sports super agent who’s represented NFL players, from Troy Aikman to Howie Long, to Patrick Mahomes. He was the real-life inspiration behind the movie, “Jerry Maguire” starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding Jr. (“Show me the money!”) You may think there are a thousand differences between a sports agent and a real estate agent, but the surprising truth is - they’re not that different at heart. Theoretically, they might require different skill sets, however, if you listen carefully to Leigh’s recommendations, they are the “secrets” to a successful real estate career. Hope you enjoy this one. You can contact Leigh through his website at steinbergsports.com or if you’re interested in his Sports Business Certificate program (no experience necessary).     “Put the client's best interests before yours. It’s the key to earning referrals.” -Michael LaFido   Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode    Leigh on breaking into working with professional athletes: Start on the college campuses because you have good connections there. Coaches will sometimes need to move. Second, you can cold call people. People who work in sports love to talk. Third, try going to the franchises themselves, speaking to someone in community relations. Befriend both agents and financial planners because they can also make referrals.  Be a good listener: Steinberg has found that a good luxury real estate agent is not about having top-notch negotiating skills or persuasion strategies. Athletes (as well as traditional clients) need a Realtor with good listening skills. A Realtor that’s able to prioritize and understand what they truly need. A Realtor that knows how to make it simple for them.  Develop your network and brand: Make sure that every single person you know is aware that you’re a luxury real estate agent. Get on all the social networks and reach out to as many people as you can.  Relationships matter.  Demonstrate your expertise. For example, write an article on the problems athletes have given their uncertainty of future in home purchases. Don't fear rejection - you only need one opening.   Guest Bio: Leigh Steinberg, premier sports agent, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and CEO of Leigh Steinberg Sports and Entertainment Holdings is best known for his work building athletes into stand-alone brands. He is often credited as the real-life inspiration for the Oscar-winning film Jerry Maguire. Leigh has represented many of the most successful athletes and coaches in football, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing, and golf, including the number one overall pick in the NFL draft for an unprecedented eight times in conjunction with 64 total first-round picks. With an unrivaled history of record-setting contracts, Leigh has secured over $4 billion for his 300+ pro athlete clients and directed more than $800 million to various charities around the world. Over the course of his career, Leigh has been featured on numerous national television programs, including 60 Minutes, Larry King Live, The Today Show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and many more. He has been profiled in a host of magazines, including Business Week, Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine, People, Forbes, Playboy, GQ, and FHM. Leigh has been rated the #6 Most Powerful Person in the NFL according to “Football Digest” and the #16 Most Powerful Person in Sports according to “Sporting News.”