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| Kline says he could use a few more hours of sleep |
In our continuing series, SportsBusiness Daily/SportsBusiness Journal asks top sports personalities for their thoughts, ideas, aspirations and likes. Today, Park Lane Founder & Managing Dir
ANDREW KLINE
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What I Like.…
An insight: Just do it.
An influential person in my career: CHUCK KLOES, DAMON BALDWIN, ERIC JOHNSON, BARRY SIEGEL and WAYNE BOS. The first two gave me the confidence and tools to play football, and the last three did the same for business.
An out-of-the-box idea: The leagues and players associations handing out very strict punishments to the agents who lure players to break NCAA and school rules. The schools currently take the brunt of the punishment, which isn’t fair.
A timeless idea: The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.
A business deal: The UFC deal with Fox TV. Kudos to both for making this happen.
A sports facility: France (for the Tour de France).
A sports event: Any Dodgers game with my son CHARLIE, brother MATT and nephew WYATT.
A brand: The U.S. Navy SEALs.
A strategy: Follow your dreams and enjoy the ride.
A hire: CARLOS SILVA (Park Lane), JESSE JACOBS (The Chernin Group), AMY YEH (Wedge Buster).
A trend: Netpulse bringing on-demand, diversified media to gym-goers’ fingertips.
An innovation: The ElliptiGO outdoor elliptical bicycle.
A pro league or team business initiative: IMG’s college sports strategy.
A story that bears watching: How our country emerges from ongoing economic uncertainty and politically driven social divides.
A fantasy job: I don’t know if this is a job, but being ANTHONY BOURDAIN or LAIRD HAMILTON.
What I Like About.…
My job: I represent talented and passionate people who are building businesses, as well as people who have had wild success in business and are now buying or selling sports teams. I love my clients’ intensity, fervor and dedication, and I learn more from my clients than they could ever imagine. I also get to work with an awesome team of smart, passionate, talented and hardworking people with whom I share the same vision and goals.
Sports: Their purity and the fact that they can bring enjoyment to so many different groups of people (players, fans, coaches, owners, etc).
Sports business: I love that so many industries intersect with sports: technology, real estate, media, apparel, nutrition, licensing, consulting, finance, etc., -- and that Park Lane gets to interact with all of them.
Sports media: They sure are getting good at delivering me what I want, when I want it and on any device.
Sports technology: Entrepreneurs launching companies behind great ideas that people love, and then building huge value in the process.
The future of sports business: That my team and I get to invest in and be a part of financing its growth!
Sports fans: I respect to no end the group of guys who paint themselves (although I could never do that).
Competing: Collectively leaving it all on the field, and winning as a result of that.
What I’d Like To….
Eliminate: Al-Qaeda.
Change: Polarizing political media that distorts reality, pits Americans against each other and inhibits progress.
Change in what I do: They call them bankers' hours for good reason. I could use a few more hours of sleep.
See: My children enjoy life and achieve whatever their hearts desire.
See more of in sports: Teams in the major sports leagues turning a profit. And a return to some of the tough traditionalism we’re losing in sports.
See more of in sports business: Early stage investment in technology.
See less of in sports: People trying to make a name for themselves by bringing down its legends. Do we really need to read about JENN STERGER or spend millions pursuing cases against BARRY BONDS, ROGER CLEMENS and LANCE ARMSTRONG?
See less of in sports business: Red on the P&L.
See different: Increased media coverage of all the athletes doing great things in the community and less focus on the negative.
What I Don’t Like….
In general: Missing a workout, or when I’m late for a meeting.
Pet peeve: Apathy.
In sports: Having to retire from playing a sport that I love much earlier than expected.
In business: Lack of integrity, teamwork or loyalty.
What I Like….
That would surprise those who know me: Thanks to Damon Baldwin and DEEPAK CHOPRA, I have meditated nearly every day for the past 15 years.
Above all else: My wife and kids.
Heroes: SIR RICHARD BRANSON, and all the entrepreneurs out there trying to build new businesses.
Players: BRIAN URLACHER (best football player that I ever played against), KYLE TURLEY (best football player that I ever played next to), RICK AUSTIN (the ultimate road dog), KURT WARNER (it was an honor to play with Kurt -- he is a true leader, winner and great human being).
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, BMC Racing, St. Louis Rams, SDSU and Stanford football.
Possession: Either ROBERT INDIANA's LOVE painting or my Bianchi Pista fixie.
Memento: “The Buffalo Soldier,” a boat that my son and I built from scratch and use for “pretend fishing” in our pool.
Time of the year (because): Fall: good surf, great cycling, crush in Napa and the start of the NFL season.
Music: Air, SIA, HENDRIX, Led Zeppelin, Zero 7 and ST. VINCENT.
Books: Biographies, BILL BRYSON travel books, books on corporate finance and cookbooks.
Magazines: SBJ, Architectural Digest, Mergers & Acquisitions and Velo.
Gadgets: iPad, BlackBerry, Garmin Edge 500.
Chores: Whatever “honey-do’s” my wife has for me.
Hobbies: Cycling, surfing, yoga, golf, music, working out, cooking, traveling, collecting art.
Trips: Tahiti, Australia, Bali.
TV: Universal Sports, “The Ultimate Fighter,” “Modern Family,” “Top Chef,” “60 Minutes,” any NFL game.
Concerts: John Butler Trio, The Black Eyed Peas, St. Vincent, BECK.
Movies: “Braveheart,” “The Castle,” “Casino,” “Wall Street,” “Casablanca,” “Riding Giants.”
Artists: DAVID HOCKNEY, ELLSWORTH KELLY, Robert Indiana, SAM FRANCIS, ROY LICHTENSTEIN.
Food: The French Laundry, Casa de Bandini, and Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi.
Dessert: Haven’t touched it in years. I was 338 pounds when I left the Rams, and now I enjoy staying under 225 pounds.
Drinks: Blame Laird espresso, O2 Cool water and JKL Syrah … usually in that order.
Scent: My wife’s perfume.
Cars: 1976 Ford Bronco, Ferrari, Range Rover.
Singers: ROBERT PLANT, FRANK SINATRA, Sia.
Vacation spots: Los Cabos, Hawaii, Napa.
Quote: “Some people dream of great accomplishments, while others stay awake and do them.”
An idea I wish I thought of: I try not to worry too much about thinking of them -- I just love being able to fund them.
