To New Beginnings (Personal Update)

After 10 years, I’m moving on from Sports Business Classroom.

I started with the program in 2016 with Larry Coon, one of the great mentors and friends in my life. Through SBC, I’ve been fortunate to help a long list of wonderful people find a pathway into the NBA universe as a career.

It’s been an honor, but it’s time for something new. I’m reviewing several opportunities and remain open-minded. For those of you who know the quality of my work, please reach out to me if you know of something interesting that I should consider pursuing.

I want to thank Warren LeGarie and Albert Hall for trusting me to help run their program for a decade. Bobby Marks is a pleasure. Sergio Millas is an unsung hero. I’ll remain a friend of the program and look forward to what they build in the future.

I won’t name everyone who worked alongside me to support the program (though shout-out to my lead, Rob Zintl), as I’ll leave too many out, but I have tremendous love for you all and what you brought to the table.

I spearheaded a team culture where people showed up fully for one another and for our students. I never led with fear, anger, or derision—choosing to empower and uplift those on my staff. We consistently went above and beyond for the program. My staff would run through walls for me, and we’d celebrate the victories together.

From the early days with Coon to the current era, I built the Mock Trade Deadline into the premier NBA simulation, founded the Athlete Representation major, and helped launch the All-Star Intensive in Los Angeles in February.

I’ve also helped a long list of prospective agents certify with the NBPA, hosting webinars and providing private tutoring in preparation for the exam.

Ultimately, I feel I gave everything I had to offer, and received so much more through the years. I’ll continue to knock out articles for Bleacher Report, and fill the Substack with context, my thoughts, links, etc.

I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful to have contributed to so many along the way.

---

Here’s something I wrote at Bleacher Report recently, a refresh from last year on what contracts carry the heaviest potential risk for teams in a couple of years: Predicting the 10 Most Dangerous NBA Contracts in 2028.

Also, I want to make sure I shout out a couple of SBC scouting reports on my way out:

• Scouting Santa Clara Forward Allen Graves via Anirudh Kantareddy

• Scouting Kansas State Guard PJ Haggerty via Phillip Levin

FYI, I’ll stop updating the SBC trackers, but stay tuned for a new home.

Feel free to reach out anytime at eric.pincus@gmail.com.