Hosted by the Grossman School of Business, two UVM alums were welcomed back to campus Wednesday to share their experiences and insights in the world of sports management. 

Gary Green, CEO of Alliance Building Services one of the largest privately held building service providers in North America, and owner of two minor league baseball teams, was joined by Rob Millman, VP Business Development, Global Merchandising Group at the NBA, who discussed how and why they got into their respective roles within the business of sports. 

Green found a unique way to marry his love of baseball into a major-league opportunity for his building service operation. In addition to leading his firm from eight people into a cleaning, security and maintenance company that today oversees 5,000 workers and keeps some of New York City's largest office buildings spruced up, he also completed a significant double by winning the contract to clean not just the NY Yankees new baseball stadium, but also Citi Field; which for the uninitiated is the baseball home to his beloved NY Mets.

Not satisfied with his New York double, Green extended his foray into the baseball world in 2009 when he and his partners bought a minor-league team, the Connecticut Defenders, a team he ultimately relocated to Richmond, Virginia and renamed the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The Flying Squirrels, the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have subsequently turned into one of the great success stories in Minor League Baseball. The team drew nearly a half-million fans in its first year and led all of Minor League Baseball in merchandise sales in 2010.

Since then Mr. Green and partners have deepened their baseball ties by buying the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Triple-A club of the Kansas City Royals from its owners, who included legendary business titan, Warren Buffet. 

As Senior Vice President of International Licensing and Business Development at the National Basketball Association, Millman oversees international, premiums/self sourcing, and business development for the Global Merchandising Group (GMG). 

He conceded while it is harder to break into sports management now, with approximately 25% of players in the league coming from overseas, the NBA has 350 individuals now working across the globe to expand the brand, with Mandarin being the language that will provide the best opportunities.

Both panelist stressed learn, listen, work hard,  and it's ok to make mistakes. There is no substitute for passion. Get to work on those language skills!