Breaking into the Sports and Entertainment Industry
Everything that you need to know to break into the industry.
Enroll in Course
This is a six (6) week, one (1) hour per week, pre-recorded video series targeted towards undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in learning how to break into the sports and entertainment industry. Each week, a number of 5-10 minute pre-recorded videos adding up to one (1) hour, will be released on Wednesday, to allow students ample time to review, while maintaining their focus on their core studies. The students will also be provided with materials and assignments to help further highlight the lessons taught (i.e. Email assignment to begin building relationships within the industry after review of “proper email structure and timelines for follow-ups” video). These material and assignments will allow students to apply the skills and tips that they are learning in real life throughout the course. Zoom office hours will be available every Sunday with the session uploaded afterwards for those unable to attend. This course is focused on teaching students the fundamental and practical skills necessary to navigate the process of both relationship building in the space, and ultimately landing an internship or job opportunity.
This course starts with an overview of the sports and entertainment landscape today, tackling topics such as film, TV, digital media, branding and social media. It will then go on to discuss the big players in the space and the different roles that exist (i.e. Agent, Manager, Attorney (General Counsel, in-house, business affairs, legal affairs, firm, solo practitioner, etc.), Executive, General Manager, C-Suite, etc.)). Then after, it will tackle the practice of breaking into the space while providing tips, real life experiences and recommendations on Networking, Relationship Building, Internships, Organizations, Volunteering, and Day-1-On-the Job resources. All of these lessons will culminate into students being prepared for a virtual networking event on October 14th, 2023, with both Sports and Entertainment Executives and HR reps.
Your Instructor
TMFE Group, LLC has partnered with Thomas Jefferson School of Law Adjunct Professor Jonathan Mputu, Esq. to create a new course aimed at helping students from all over the United States learn how to break into the sports and entertainment industry. An expanded version of Prof. Mputu's law school course "Sports Agent Registration and Practice", this course looks into the industry as a whole, from its structure to the different jobs that exist within, to the process of breaking in.
Jonathan Mputu, Esq. is an experienced Sports and Entertainment Attorney, Adjunct Professor, NBA Attorney and Entertainment Executive. He also holds both his NBPA Player Agent license and Alabama Athlete Agent registration. He is a former Division-1 college Athlete with trusted knowledge and experience of legal representation of Sports Teams, Leagues, Entertainment and Sports Agencies, young athletes and talent. Over the past nine (9) years, Jonathan has accumulated thorough knowledge and understanding of the entertainment and sports industries, through his experience at Hylands Law Firm, a Sports and Entertainment Law Firm in Beijing, China, the Athletes First NFL agency, the LA Clippers, the MVP Sports Group MLB agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME), a subsidiary of Endeavor, the world renowned entertainment and sports Agency, Adjunct Professor work at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and currently as an NBA Attorney for young NBA talent. Jonathan has thorough experience with sponsorship agreements, vendor agreements, independent contractor agreements, talent agreements, venue agreements, agency agreements, protection letters, as well as social and economic issues faced by teams, agencies and talent. Jonathan also has Courtroom and negotiation experience through his vigorous law school's 4th Nationally Ranked Trial Advocacy Program. Jonathan's network expands from personal relationships built through his nine years in the industry to the members of the Sports Lawyers Association, Langston Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, LA County Bar Association, Beverly Hills Entertainment Law Committee, Langston Bar Association Entertainment Law Committee, and various other groups nationally. Jonathan has mentored numerous Law Students and prospective students in their journey into the Sports and Entertainment Industry and has spent over 100 hours speaking at events, classrooms, panels, podcasts, and one on one experiences.