Looking for sports business advice?
Start by listening to what the Sports Business Journal 2008 "40 Under 40" Class has to say...

"I never ask someone on my team to be willing to do something that I would not be willing to do myself."
– Steve Astephen, Wasserman Media Group

“Be passionate about what you do, do it with integrity and respect your employees, clients, partners, and competition.”
– Greg Busch, GMR Marketing

“Always drive innovation and greatness, but constrain from there to realize the essence of the big idea.”
– Steve Chiang, EA Sports

“Build partnerships, not sponsorships.”
– Brian Corcoran, NASCAR

“Don’t choose a career, choose a passion.”
– Damon Evans, University of Georgia

“Never be scared to ask for advice.”
– Tony Godsick, IMG

“Always treat people with respect.”
- Todd Goldstein, AEG

“Every day you are painting a picture of yourself. Make sure your decisions, core values, and actions are what you want hanging on a wall later in life.”
– Wally Hayward, Relay Worldwide

“Always smile.”
– Chris Heck, NBA

“Be curious.”
– Sarah Hirshland, Wasserman Media Group

“The finest steel goes through the hottest furnace.”
– Jerry Jones Jr., Dallas Cowboys

“Get to people who can say “Yes.”
– Sam Kennedy, Boston Red Sox / Fenway Sports Group

“Keep your eyes open, your ears open, and your mouth shut.”
– Rick Kloiber, Fox Broadcasting Co.

“Collaboration in business is more productive than winning for your side every time. We do more for our fans, business partners, city, state, and region by keeping our collective good in mind while we make decisions for our teams.”
– Rita Benson LeBlanc, New Orleans Saints

“Always dive for the loose ball – trying harder makes a difference.”
– Michael Levine, CAA Sports

“The best business idea is usually the one that everyone laughs at when you first say it. When they laugh, don’t back down.”
– Howard Nuchow, CAA Sports

“Always return every phone call.”
– Jon Oram, Proskauer Rose

“Keep it simple. Do it right.”
– Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR (quoting Bill France Jr.)

“Nobody knows it all. You can learn something new every day.”
– Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR (quoting Cal Ripken Jr.)

“Remember, nobody ever goes away. You never know what the future holds.”
– Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR

“Hire people who are better than you, inspire passion and live your brands.”
– Rohan Oza, Glaceau

“For those just getting started in their careers, remember what’s important is what you learn, not what you earn. For those that are well into their careers… leave the place better than when you arrived!”
– Scott Paddock, Gatorade

“Always act with integrity. Never set goals that you know can be fully achieved, otherwise you will already have defined your own limitations.”
– Carmen Policy, AFL

“Enjoy the process.”
– David Preschlack, ESPN

“Work hard, follow your gut, don’t do anything stupid and you will be just fine.”
– Gabby Roe, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

“Fortune favors the prepared mind; preparation goes a long way in bettering one’s odds of success.”
– Brian Rolapp, NFL (quoting Louis Pasteur)

“Don’t turn on the fire hose until you know where the fire is.”
– Eric Shanks, DirecTV (quoting John Madden)

“Follow your passion and surround yourself with good people.”
– John Shea, Octagon

“Do what you enjoy and work your tail off.”
– John Slusher, Nike

“If you’re explaining, you’re losing.”
– David Sternberg, Fox Cable Networks (quoting U.S. Senator Bob Menendez)

“Always overdeliver against the expectations that are set for you.”
– Mark Tatum, NBA

“Build your career around your passions.”
– Shannon Terry, Rivals.com

“Ask questions and be thoughtful; and be honest about what you don’t know.”
– Peter Zern, Covington & Burling LLP