On Wednesday, October 15, Mrs. T. Hughes’ Sports & Event Marketing students met on Zoom with Dante Leonardi of NBA 2 (based in NYC) and JT Laws of Invited Clubs!
Students were amazed hearing about Dante’s journey—from working as an assistant to a sports agent to now helping grow NBA 2 from an esports league into a powerhouse in client acquisitions.
JT Laws, who helped set up the session, shared his own story as a former Emory University basketball player and business major who turned his love for sports into a career in Data & Analytics with Invited Clubs, which owns over 140 golf and country clubs nationwide. He gave students insight into how data drives membership, marketing, and fan engagement — and encouraged them to stay curious, make connections, and take chances.
JT shared valuable advice on connecting with college scouts and exploring career paths in the sports industry. Even students who aren’t athletes were captivated by his perspective on building authentic interest in elite colleges nationwide.
JT wrapped up the session with a lesson on Fandom, getting everyone pumped for the big game against Mountain Heritage this weekend!
A huge thank-you to Mr. Leonardi and Mr. Laws for giving our CTE students an unforgettable look inside the world of sports marketing and analytics. Your stories and encouragement show our students what’s possible when passion meets opportunity!
