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Welcome to another episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast. In this episode, we’re joined by Leigh Steinberg, Chairman of Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, legendary sports agent, author, and advocate whose influence has spanned more than 50 years. You’ll hear stories about how Leigh built what it means to represent an athlete, long before that meant getting endorsement deals and media profiles; how he recognized early on that brand building would reshape whole careers; and how that vision helped athletes change the game both on and off the field.
In this conversation, Leigh opens up about his decades of advocacy for player safety, especially when it comes to concussions and brain health: the foundations he laid, the research he’s pushing now, and what real progress looks like. We also dig into how the inspiration behind Jerry Maguire reflects more than just drama, it’s part of his lived experience. Plus, Leigh shares what motivated him to write his upcoming book on resilience, empathy, and leadership, and gives us advice for anyone trying to create meaningful impact in their business or community.
Notable Awards and Recognitions
• Founder and Chairman of Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, representing over 300 professional athletes, including notable clients such as Steve Young, Warren Moon, Troy Aikman, Oscar De La Hoya, Lennox Lewis, and multiple Olympians
• Negotiated over $4 billion in contracts for clients and directed over $1 billion to various charities worldwide
• Inspiration for the Oscar-winning film Jerry Maguire and consulted on other sports films including Any Given Sunday, For Love of the Game, and Arli$$
• Established The Leigh Steinberg Foundation for Concussion, Traumatic Brain, and Brain Health, organized early concussion seminars, and has been a long-time advocate for player safety and brain health
• Authored best-selling books Winning with Integrity and The Agent: My 40-Year Career of Making Deals and Changing the Game
How to connect with Leigh Steinberg
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesteinberg/
• https://x.com/leighsteinberg
• https://www.facebook.com/SportsAgentLeighSteinberg/
• https://www.instagram.com/leighsteinberg/
• https://steinbergspeaks.com/
• https://leighsteinbergfoundation.org/
Show Notes
[1:28] Leigh shares what drove him to pursue a career as a sports agent at a time when the role wasn’t nearly as visible, and how he saw opportunity in a space many others overlooked.
[3:49] Working with legendary clients like Steve Young and Warren Moon and sharing a moment when he realized he wasn’t just negotiating contracts but helping shape the future of professional sports.
[6:54] Guiding athletes to build their personal brands before it became mainstream, what he recognized early on that others missed, and how he views the opportunities and challenges of brand-building in today’s digital world.
[11:36] Leigh reflects on being the inspiration for Jerry Maguire and whether the film’s influence left a lasting impact on the sports agent industry or was more of a broader cultural phenomenon.
[13:30] The Leigh Steinberg Agency Academy
[16:21] Decades-long advocacy around concussions and what he hopes to accomplish through The Leigh Steinberg Foundation for Concussion, Traumatic Brain, and Brain Health, in shaping the future of player safety.
[21:19] His upcoming book on resilience, empathy, and career lessons, sharing what inspired him to write it and what he hopes readers will take away.
[23:50] The best ways for listeners to connect with Leigh, learn more about his concussion foundation, and stay updated on his upcoming book.
[24:27] Leigh offers one key piece of advice for leaders and entrepreneurs looking to create meaningful impact in their industries.
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