E15: XFL - Heather Brooks Karatz

Episode Fifteen: Brock shares a recovery coffee with a dream guest- Heather Brooks Karatz- one of the first female Presidents of a professional football team in American sports history. Heather played a key role in the early days of the LAFC franchise of Major League Soccer, and has fascinating milestone stories including helping end the NHL lockout, working for the NFL during Michael Vick’s infamous arrest and being an intern for the Michael Jordan-era of Washington Wizards basketball.

Heather gives us a peel behind the curtain on the final days of the XFL and it’s surprise closing. Being a 2019 W.I.S.E “Woman of Inspiration Award” winner, HBK opens up for conversation and advice on how we as an industry can do a better job of creating more equality in sports business for women.

Also featured is the importance of enjoying the moment and not worrying about the future. The origin of why every guest is asked “who is your favorite female athlete of all-time” and how growing up a New York Giants fan in Washington D.C. taught Heather about building toughness and thick skin.

Heather is a proud New York Giants fan and alumni of Vanderbilt University, Fordham Law and UCLA Law School.

UPDATE: Since recording, the XFL has reached a bankruptcy agreement with a group of investors including Red Bird Capital, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia.