Category: GEMA, GEMA Externship

Title:GEMA Externship: Where Are They Now? Eric Rimsky (MBA’13)

As Vice President, U.S. Fantasy & Betting at the NBA, Eric Rimsky (MBA’13) oversees the partnerships, new business development, activation and strategy for the league’s domestic fantasy and betting business. His team also focuses on related strategic initiatives such as product innovation and responsible gaming and works closely with teams and telecast partners to enhance fan engagement for the NBA.

What was your first “big break” into your industry? Or, what is the most significant experience you have had that has made your success possible?

My first “big break” was getting the opportunity to work at the NBA post-graduation from McDonough School of Business. I was hired to manage marketing partnership relationships across League properties (including NBA, WNBA and what was the NBA D-League at the time, now known as the NBA G League). It was an amazing chance to learn about the business of basketball through on-the-job training. My role required me to liaise with coworkers across the organization and around the world to ensure partnerships with some of our largest global sponsors, such as Gatorade and Anheuser-Busch, were performing optimally. It was an amazing way to start charting the course for my career.

Several years into my tenure at the NBA my role shifted significantly. In May, 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which was repealed on the basis of it violating state’s rights, specifically with regard to allowing legal, regulated sports betting. That decision led the NBA to establish itself as an innovator in the sports betting space, signing the first domestic league partnership with an operator, and shaped the trajectory of my career to where I am today.   

What was your first job?

My first job post college graduation was at Madison Square Garden, where I worked in the Season Subscriptions department selling ticket packages on behalf of the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. I spent a year with the organization, learned a lot, and met some terrific people that I still work with today. Critical elements for success in this role were effective communication and work ethic, which provided valuable experience that I still recall in my daily work today.

What do you do in your job now? What is your favorite part of your current position?

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is that no day is ever the same. I am constantly challenged to be strategic and innovative while balancing the needs of the organization with the partners that I represent. 

When we think about the significance of fantasy sports and sports betting, the #1 business priority is fan engagement. We know there is a positive correlation between placing a wager or participating in a fantasy contest with tuning in for a game, following the NBA on social media, and even buying league merchandise. Therefore, my job is focused on working with our partners to create the best gaming environment for fans. I enjoy working with partners who I have built great relationships with over my career and that this nascent area of the business gives me the opportunity to be more creative.

What was the externship experience like for you? Did it have an influence on your career/help kickstart your career?

The GEMA externship experience was a great opportunity to meet like-minded professionals and gain exposure to other areas of the Entertainment industry. Because I had spent several years in Sports and Media prior to Georgetown, I was fortunate to have familiarity. But the externship introduced me to new people who were working in Music, Production, Film and other sectors that I was less familiar and broadened my exposure to other career paths. It was helpful to understand the career paths of former Georgetown graduates and learn from their experiences as I started my career.

What part(s) of the Externship did you find most valuable?

The most valuable part of the externship was in the alumni that I met. The Georgetown network is deep and influential, and professionals were very generous with their time. The insights I learned about transitioning back to the workforce from school were instrumental in my immediate success post-graduation and I am still in touch with several of the individuals we met with during the experience. 

What was your experience like attending Georgetown? Were there any particularly formative experiences that were special to you?

My 2 years at McDonough Business School were extremely impactful, both personally and professionally. I made great friends and had memorable experiences on-campus, around the city, and abroad. Learning from an esteemed group of fellow students gave me new perspectives on the global business environment and I was challenged to bring my “A” game to the classroom every day. I’m fortunate to have a close group of friends who continue to keep closely in touch as we grow in our careers.    

What’s your advice for an undergraduate trying to break into your industry? Is there anything you would tell your younger self now?

My advice for someone trying to break into the industry is to be hungry and humble. Your reputation is so important in this industry given how important relationships are to success. Demonstrating a willingness to take on new challenges, finding ways to contribute to projects outside of your core day-to-day, and having a positive attitude are differentiators along with intellectual curiosity. And lastly, don’t be afraid to take calculated risks early in your career. There’s no such thing as bad experience when you’re getting started.   

 

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