Biography:
Marc graduated from Kalamazoo College with a BA in Economics and Political Science and was a four-year member of the tennis team, NCAA Division III Champions in 1992 and 1993. Subsequently, he graduated from Tulane University with a JD/MBA, with specializations in Sports Law, Marketing and Management.
Upon graduation, Marc was hired by IMG where he served as Vice President of IMG’s Consulting Division responsible for client management and West Coast business development. In that role, he advised companies about global strategic direction and marketing activation around various sports and entertainment properties including the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, Rugby World Cup, NFL, MLB, NBA, and NASCAR. Prior to joining the consulting division, Marc was responsible for business development efforts of IMG-owned properties, including the US Open of Surfing, Sony Ericsson Open, Bank of the West Classic, Battle at Bighorn, Mervyn’s Beach Bash, and Deutsche Bank Championship. In addition, he was an initiating leader in the growth and development of emerging business areas of IMG, including Action Sports, Video Gaming, and Digital Marketing.
In 2010, Marc joined the NFL as the league’s first ever International Commercial Director. In this role, Marc oversees marketing, fan development, sponsorship, and commercial efforts for the league outside of the US.
Marc lives in New York City, with his wife Michelle and daughter Jessie.
Question and Answer:
What was your favorite class and/or professor at Tulane?
Sports & IP – Gary Roberts, Trial Advocacy – Jim Cobb. But, the Pro Bono program that I worked on--helping at-risk youth at Covenant House--had the most impact on me.
What was your favorite thing to do in New Orleans?
See fantastic live music throughout the city, including the Rebirth Brass Band every Tuesday night at the Maple Leaf. And absorb all of the characters and conversations while sipping the incomparable iced coffee at PJ’s.
What's your fondest law school memory?
There are so many. I believe that I was really fortunate to be in a class with a fabulous group of fellow students, which led to many lifetime memories and friendships.
Why did you choose Tulane?
The Sports Law Program. I wasn’t interested in any other school.
What are the ways in which Tulane helped to prepare you for your career? Which courses and professors were the most important for you?
I believe that Tulane’s balance of rigorous academics and engagement in the New Orleans community serve every student well. The most important courses and professors were all of the Sports law programs led by Gary Roberts, and the Intellectual Property classes led by Glynn Lunney. But, as importantly influential was fellow student Tandy O’Donoghue, who made sure that I was 200% prepared for my interview with the NFL Players Association, which kickstarted my career.
What made you want to work in sports law?
I was always attracted to the deal-making side of sports. And everyone that I admired in the industry, from commissioners to agents to marketers, seemed to have a law degree.
Describe your career path:
I had a number of internships in the industry – sports agency ProServ (now Lagardere Sports), NFLPA, and the New Orleans Saints -- before getting an internship with sports marketing and media agency IMG during my second summer. That led to being hired out of school, and I spent nine years there, becoming Vice President and leading the company’s consulting division on the West Coast. I was then recruited to become the NFL’s first International Commercial Director in 2010.
How would you describe a typical work day?
It depends where in the world I am. Overseeing our global growth, I can wake up literally anywhere in the world. But most of the time I am working with our team to find ways to engage with our current and potential fans around the globe, and working with our partners to help them leverage our assets in the most effective way possible.
What is the best part of your job?
Having the opportunity to take one of the world’s best brands and best products and expanding it around the globe.
What is the worst part of your job?
That there is not enough time in any day to accomplish what I want to do.
What do you like best about your career?
The fact that I get to mix my passions of global learning and sports deal-making.
If you could give one piece of career advice to current students, what would it be?
Follow your own heart to the path that make you happiest. And use your legal training to help you get there.
What do you think a law student's biggest misconception may be about practicing sports law?
“Sports law” itself isn’t a practice -it’s the application of various types of law across issues that involve sports. And the best “sports lawyers” are simply great attorneys applying their skills in these disciplines.
What do you think is the biggest issue in sports law/business today?
The changing media landscape and the management of digital rights, and these areas will continue to be significant for the next few years.
Which areas of the law are most germane to your practice?
Not to my practice per se, but Contracts and Intellectual Property are the areas that are most involved in my area of business.
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