While World Cup is still dominating conversations, July 1 marks the beginning of NBA Free Agency with Summer League almost here, as well as the WNBA season progressing along while the Knicks title still swirls over New York. So we decided to pull together three recent listens curated by our intern Wynne Kenna. You can listen to all our over 500 pods here.
Follow the bouncing ball and enjoy.
Meet Wally, and MSG voice millions know. Mike “Wally” Walczewski, better known as King Wally, the iconic public address announcer of the New York Knicks, to the show for a special episode celebrating the franchise’s 2026 NBA championship. One of only two primary PA announcers in Knicks history, Walczewski reflects on his 37-year career at MSG, what it felt like to announce a championship season, and his experience riding in the Canyon of Heroes parade alongside Knicks alumni. The conversation explores the craft behind the PA role, from how Walczewski develops his signature player introductions entirely on his own, to the unspoken coordination he maintains with MSG organist Ray Castaldi, whose 37-year partnership with Wally has become one of the most recognizable sounds in American sports. He also shares the story of how a single index card on a bulletin board at Fordham University led him to Sports Phone, the pioneering sports news service that launched the careers of some of broadcasting’s most recognizable voices, and ultimately to MSG. Walczewski closes with career advice drawn from decades in both sports and executive recruiting, emphasizing the power of networking at every level and the importance of understanding the culture of wherever you land. Listen to the full call here.
Jerome Allen Follows In His Basketball Footsteps To The NBA Front Office. Next up we talked to Jerome Allen, a Player Engagement Operations professional in the NBA and student in our program, who reflected on his career path starting at being an undergrad at Wharton to landing multiple jobs in the NBA. His interest to work in sports solidified during his time in Cape Town, where he worked with soccer nonprofits to grow his understanding and experience with global sports. He then went on to work at Roc Nation, Team First, New Heights Youth, and now the NBA, where he works with all types of players across many different leagues such as the WNBA, G League and BAL. Allen discussed his thoughts on the significance of global sport knowledge for leagues and fans, the use of AI in the NBA work space and how it goes to show the weight of human connection and skills, the effect of NIL’s on young players and how it plays a role in their careers, as well as gave advice for those who aspire to work in the sport industry. Oh, and Jerome’s dad, also Jerome Allen, was a star at Penn and played in the NBA.
Key takeaways:
Interest in Sport Business
Allen talks about his interest in sports and how they evolved starting with the Wharton Sports Business Academy in high school and forming his relationship with Scott Rosner
Co-founded Wharton Sports Business Summit, played club baseball, and interned at Morgan Stanley in their sports and entertainment financial advising
Time in South Africa
Jerome spent a year in Cape Town working with a soccer non profit
Used this time to experience global sports and gain knowledge by playing on multiple teams, coaching basketball, and went to games he’s never been too: cricket and rugby
Roc Nation and Youth Nonprofits
Jermone talks about his time at these organizations and how they influenced his decisions for future career goals
While at Roc Nation he passed his NBA agent certification exam but ultimately decided to go a different path, which led him to Team First and New Heights Youth Inc.
Current Role in NBA
Player Engagement Operations at the NBA
Works with current players (rookies transition into the NBA), future players (Quarter of Leaders→ one-to-one mentorship program), and former players
NIL and Social Media
Jermone reflects on how NIL’s are changing players behaviors and outlooks. His team tries to work with players with where they are at and acknowledge that they know what kind of stuff they have been through regarding NIL deals, and make better programming or better education for them
Explains how parents of young athletes of very differing views of social media, where some don’t want their kids on it at all due to harsh influences
Global Sports
Tom asks Jermone about the percentage of international players in the NBA
Jerome believes that leagues need to create a stronger influence on fans and teams so that people around the world can understand the way sports work, and the history about them, and why it matters for the world to know.
AI in the NBA workspace
Jerome discusses that the NBA is integrating AI into the workspace, but with caution.
Jerome believe It’s hard to stay away from AI as it is becoming powerful, but it is important to know how to use it in a safe way, and use it in a way that still allows for human connection and critical skills
Sport Business Education
Jerome explains how sports are being integrated in school as a tool for kids to learn but feels that there needs to be more formal academic materials about sports
Jermone feels that fans can only really engage if they understand the way it operates, and its history, which aligns with the NBA’s global expansion.
Closing Questions
Jerome gives career advice about how timing is everything, and don’t let it negatively impact you if your time hasn’t come yet
Reads articles, keeps up with game scores and covers, listens to podcasts→ to stay sharp with the sports knowledge while taking classes and working
Favorite moment: Collecting tickets from games, shows, concerts, etc. after seeing the Phillies win the world series with his dad in 7th grade.
Morgan Cato on her rise through hoops to the NBPA. Lastly, we caught up with Morgan Cato is the Executive Vice President of Player Operations for The National Basketball Players Association. Morgan reflected on her path and how she got to where she is today, from starting in human resources and consulting, to becoming an important figure in pro basketball. Throughout her journey, Morgan has worked in the NBA, Phoenix Suns, and the NBPA, where she was able to work to focus on player development, education, and mental health. Morgan discussed the importance of having an open mind, and that there is no “correct” path to finding a career. Throughout the interview, Morgan also talked about the impacts of NIL’s and how they are affecting players, the importance of having resources to benefit mental health and wellness, and for athletes to be supported both on and off the court.
Key learnings:
Introduction and Background
Grew up in New York
Worked with the NBA and the Phoenix Suns before NBPA
Started working in HR and consulting before she realized she wanted to work in sports
Grew up loving basketball and playing through her childhood and high school.
Career Path
Considered going to law school and becoming a sports agent
Started working in the NBA in 2011
Gained connections and formed relationships with colleagues
Ultimately led to her job in the NBPA
Time at NBA and Phoenix Suns
Player development initiative across the NBA
Played a part in developing the Basketball Africa league
Worked on global basketball growth projects in NBA
Became a part of Phoenix Suns through NBA connections
NBPA and Player Operations
Supports athletes beyond just career life→ support in health, education, home life, personal issues
Works with the players and creates strong relationships with them
Works on rookie preparation and transitioning
NIL
Morgan discusses that athletes are more prepared and educated than past athletes regarding NIL deals
NIL has changed in a way that almost tries to take advantage of these young players around finances and decision making. There needs to be a higher form of support for young athletes.
Morgan feels that it is beyond just the NCAA to help support athletes especially during times of chaos with recruiting and transferring
Mental Health
Morgan talks about three different types of resources available for mental wellness: Team support, NBA resources, and NBPA confidential resources.
The PA’s services allows players to have confidential conversations (team doesn’t know) which creates a strong foundation for players, which is important considering the pressures and expectations in leagues
Stressors may include sport related problems like trading, injuries, loss, or problems can include personal issues like family, friends, etc.
The NBPA also has an assessment that is mandatory for rookies for people to understand where they stand mentally, learn how they communicate, and understand who they are as a person, so they can get the best help.
Development and Leadership
Different type of teaching→ interactive rather than lectures to maximize education
Morgan likes to meet players on the level of where they are in their career to fully understand them
Talked about creating programs to help educate players
Closing Questions
Morgan stays in the loop with reading articles or from social media and trying to stay away from the news on the TV
Morgan gave great advice→ There isn’t one simple path to get to where you want to be, and it’s not always your time. Learn to be adaptable and open minded
Important to Morgan: Being a strong and supporting mother, faith, supporting players and maximizing mental wellness.
Thanks for reading and listening, and any guest suggestions let me know!
World Cup, Cultural Cadence, and the Value of Learning, But Creating One’s Own “Traditions”…
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