The following “Six Questions” short interview with Daniel Booth was conducted by our Assistant Editor & Social Media Manager, Cameron Chung. Daniel Booth is the Director of ENTPR Communications & Athlete Management, based out of London. Daniel’s career is off to a fast start with a roster of clients that bring together soccer, golf, athletics & tennis. Daniel prides himself on working with female athletes and driving the way forward for women’s soccer in the UK and worldwide. He has secured sponsorships with brands such as Puma, Nike, and Ford. Connect with EntPR on their website and Twitter.
(1) When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career in athlete representation and what specifically interested you in this career?
I kind of always knew I wanted to go into sports. I played semi pro soccer for a few years when I was younger and always wanted to turn pro, after getting seriously injured I realized it wasn’t going to happen, and so onto plan B. I decided I wanted to look into the business side of sport as business is something that I enjoy and realized that athletes were being taken advantage of, a lot of them being given pretty bad advice most of the time so I thought I’d make myself a Robin Hood like manager I guess. I really enjoy the meetings, negotiations, networking and the idea that one person can have so much trust and confidence in you that they allow you to guide their career, that was a massive draw for me.
(2) What is your background and education? How did you get your start in the sports industry?
Unlike a lot of people these days I didn’t go to college or as we call it in the UK university. It just wasn’t for me. After high school I did a 2 year course in sports business which helped me to understand the basic’s of business but in a sports environment and that was it, I was hooked. I then interned at multiple agencies for a year or so until I got my first paid position. Working for free isn’t fun, and I got treated like a glorified tea boy a lot of the time. But in this industry it’s a necessity, a kind of right of passage, or so that’s what I always got told. I was very lucky, one of my old bosses in particular offered me a lot of advice and still does to this day if I need it. I like to think I was smart with my time, I focused not only on the management of athletes but also the PR side of it, I wanted to know it all, how to create the perfect star and athlete all in one person. I think its important it get an understanding of how the world and brands perceive what is a great athlete by their on and off the field actions as well as social media.
(3) Take our readers through a typical day in your life.
How long have we got? It is never really the same. I spend a lot of time at training grounds, talking to management at clubs, watching my clients train and sitting in my office or a coffee shop (I like to work outside the office a lot) sending emails, texts and making phone calls. Doesn’t sound that glamorous really! But I work hard and I’m always looking for new opportunities for my clients.
(4) If there was one thing about the sports industry you could change, what would that be and why?
The one thing I would change would be the attitude towards female athletes. Don’t get me wrong we are starting to see some ground breaking things happening when it comes to women’s sport, but there needs to be more. They do the same job, play the same game, train as hard if not harder yet they don’t get the viewers, money or the respect their male counterparts do and that is something I am looking to change. There is no difference except one is a woman and one is a man. It’s terrible.
(5) What aspect of your career are you most proud of?
Signing my first ever sports client after starting ENTPR.
(6) What advice do you have for young professionals looking to enter the sports representation business?
Don’t do it. No I’m joking. In terms of agents and managers and the length of their careers I am still young as well, but if I could offer any advice it would be to surround yourself in sport. Don’t get disheartened. Start to make contacts as early as possible, brands, teams, agencies, working 1 hour a week for the smallest agency as a tea boy if you can because it will help you in the long run and help you build relationships. Essentially that’s what its all about.