Path To The Pros
What does it take to become an executive professional in sports? How do you work your way through the ranks to become a leader in one of the world's most exciting and innovative industries? We dive into the personal lives of some of the most talented and successful executives in sports and entertainment.
This is the Path to the Pros hosted by Samir Prince.
Path To The Pros
NBA President on Leading Fan Engagement, Captivating a Community and his Iconic Moments with the Portland Trail Blazers – Dewayne Hankins
Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the sports & entertainment industry, including the NBA, NHL, MLS and MLB, we're thrilled to welcome Dewayne Hankins as our next guest, President of Business Operations at the Portland Trail Blazers.
He shares how his career in marketing shaped his agile mindset, helping him get where he is today: at the forefront of one of the NBA’s most loyal and engaged fan bases, a team that helps bring in over $600M in economic activity annually for the City of Portland.
Samir and Dewayne discuss:
- Building a high-performance sports business: How community, transparency, and trust can transform fan engagement and drive long-term success.
- Lessons from an unconventional path: Why a marketing background gave him a unique edge in executive leadership across the NBA and beyond.
- Leading in a competitive industry: Insider perspectives on navigating sports management, experiencing a plethora of ‘pinch me’ moments and energizing a city through sport.
If you’re curious about leadership in pro sports, what it really takes to build trust with fans and the lessons learned from someone with two decades inside the industry, you won’t want to miss this episode.
Start your season right with superior hires.
Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.