Sports leaders and aspiring executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes.

This week, we’re joined by Atul Khosla, Chief Commercial Officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the very team that hosted (and won!) the 2020 NFL Super Bowl.

Atul’s journey into sports business was anything but traditional. Starting as an Engineer, he hustled, built the right relationships, and proved himself in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

Now, he’s at the heart of a franchise that isn’t just a football team; it’s a community flagship. Nearly 85% of Tampa Bay residents see the Buccaneers as the city’s torchbearers, and Atul is leading the charge in shaping that legacy for generations to come.

Samir and Atul discuss:

• From Engineering to the NFL: Why unconventional beginnings can become a strength
• Relationships and resilience: How never burning bridges opened doors, including his return to the Buccaneers in a role created just for him.
• Fan-first strategy: Competing with “free” entertainment like Florida’s beaches by delivering unmatched value, earning #1 in customer service 9 out of the last 11 years.
• The next generation of fans: Passing the torch to the next generations, ahead of the Buccaneers celebrating 50 years!

If you’re curious about breaking into sports, what it takes to win fan loyalty in today’s market, and the leadership lessons from one of the NFL’s most innovative executives, this episode is for you.

Start your season right with superior hires.
Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the sports & entertainment industry, including the NBA, NHL, MLS and MLB, we're thrilled to welcome Dewayne Hankins as our next guest, President of Business Operations at the Portland Trail Blazers.

He shares how his career in marketing shaped his agile mindset, helping him get where he is today: at the forefront of one of the NBA’s most loyal and engaged fan bases, a team that helps bring in over $600M in economic activity annually for the City of Portland.

Samir and Dewayne discuss:

• Building a high-performance sports business: How community, transparency, and trust can transform fan engagement and drive long-term success.
• Lessons from an unconventional path: Why a marketing background gave him a unique edge in executive leadership across the NBA and beyond.
• Leading in a competitive industry: Insider perspectives on navigating sports management, experiencing a plethora of ‘pinch me’ moments and energizing a city through sport.

If you’re curious about leadership in pro sports, what it really takes to build trust with fans and the lessons learned from someone with two decades inside the industry, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Start your season right with superior hires.
Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to episode TWO of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes.

Today’s guest? A Veteran in Sports and Entertainment, experienced executive Jarrod Dillon, explaining how he’s building lifelong fandom in Orlando - the US City ranked top for sports business!

With experience across the NHL and MLB, he is now backed by the Wilf family (who also own the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL) and leads the charge transforming fan experiences for Orlando City, listening to staff to fuel growth and focusing on authentic community connection.

Keen to champion mentorship that opens doors for the next generation, Jarrod sits down with Samir to reveal:

• How a sporting team goes about building a passionate, lasting fan community
• Where there is power in listening to fans, partners and staff to fuel growth
• Working hard to break into the industry, balancing career ambitions with personal values and family life

If you want real, actionable insights on building sports culture, driving fan engagement and advancing your own career in pro sports, this episode will deliver!

Start your season right with superior hires.
Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.