Lawyer Leigh Steinberg had no big dream to become a sports agent. He was a huge sports fan, but the job was not something he was aspiring to – more something that he stumbled across.
Today, he's built up a career representing more than 300 professional athletes across a range of disciplines: from big money-making sports like football and basketball, to Olympic gymnastics; building sporting careers worth billions of dollars.
His influence in sport is so influential that he's often credited as the real-life inspiration for the sports agent in the film Jerry Maguire, starring Tom Cruise.
We speak to Leigh Steinberg about how he started his career as an agent, how he builds a brand around a sports star, and how he's succeeded in such a competitive environment - overcoming some personal struggles along the way. And - how he responds when members of the public approach him with the famous phrase, "Show me the money".
(Picture: Leigh Steinberg. Credit: Getty Images)
Presenter: Roger Hearing Producers: Matt Lines and Hannah Mullane
Syria: Life after the earthquake
How wearing glasses can improve the economy
The modern pilgrimage boom
Oscars: Celebrity gifting suites
The unbanked
Health apps: Are we sharing too much?
Do attractive people earn more?
Opening up Uzbekistan: Part 2
Opening up Uzbekistan: Part 1
Trains in the USA: Your take
A story of modern slavery in the UK
How Portugal is cycling to success
Unionising the US workforce
Syria: Starting a business in a warzone
The importance of handmade products
Ukraine war: Preserving culture
Ukraine war: Refugees and resilience
Ukraine war: Refugees starting again
Ukraine war: Economic fallout
Turkey earthquake: What is the future for young people?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Global News Podcast
The Infinite Monkey Cage
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins