This week Three of my McGeorge Students interviewed two Major League Baseball players. Tyler Soderstrom is the left fielder for the A’s and was just extended for 7 Years. Cole Carrigg played at San Diego State and was drafted in 2023 in the second round by the Colorado Rockies. They discuss navigating their careers from high school to college to
In this episode of Born to Be a Sports Agent, Jill—joined by McGeorge School of Law students Ekpreet Virk, Kylie Miller, Lema Abdallah, and Elynnor Trail—sits down with Wesley Brown, a long snapper from Fresno State and a 2026 NFL Draft prospect. Wesley, a member of the 2025 Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List and the Academic All–Mountain West Team, shares
In this episode of Born to Be a Sports Agent, former NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith joins Jill McBride Baxter to discuss his book Turf Wars and the battles that have shaped the NFL. From the fight for guaranteed contracts to exposing collusion by owners, Smith shares insider stories about the power struggles between players and management. He also reflects
In this episode of Born to Be a Sports Agent, Jill McBride Baxter talks with DeMaurice Smith, former Executive Director of the NFLPA, about the emotional toll of leading the players’ union, what it meant to be seen as an outsider when first elected, and the ongoing debate over whether the NFL Combine truly serves players’ best interests. A candid
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with former NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith to discuss his new book Turf Wars. We dive into his firsthand experiences negotiating with NFL owners, the battles that shaped player rights, and the high-stakes conflicts that changed the game both on and off the field. De shares behind-the-scenes stories, legal insights, and leadership lessons
In this epidsode of Born to Be a Sports Agent, Jill McBride Baxter sits down with Erin Blecha-Ward, founder of Evolved Experience Solutions, Inc. to discuss how athletic programs and teams can increase revenue by enhancing the fan experience. From game-day atmosphere to long-term fan engagement, Erin shares proven strategies to turn every interaction into a lasting connection-and stronger bottom
In this episode, we explore the shifting landscape of college athletics in the wake of the House v. NCAA settlement. From the origins of amateurism to the legal battles that have redefined student-athlete rights, we unpack how and why the traditional model is being challenged — and what might come next. Hosted by Jill Baxter, with insights from law students Lynne
College sports are entering a new era. In this episode, we, Jill Baxter, Flavio Rivas and Saphalta Shrestha, dive into how revenue sharing (or lack of it) will impact smaller athletic programs, what athlete pay might look like — including what happens when players lose their spot — and whether college athletics is heading toward full-blown professionalization. With House v.
Join McGeorge Law School students Ricky Moreno and Seth Totten for a ‘Backstop Briefing’ hosted by the Born to be a Sports Agent podcast. In this episode we break down the formation, function, and friction behind the newly formed College Sports Commission (CSC) — the powerhouse regulator reshaping college athletics following the House settlement. From NIL deal approvals to the
In this episode, two of my McGeorge School of Law students, Joy Hernandez and Katie Arosteguy, break down the landmark House v. NCAA settlement in easy terms for parents of current and future college athletes. You’ll Learn what the case is about, what it means for scholarships, and how it could affect your child’s college sports experience. Whether you’re new to NCAA