#154 - Mackenzie Brooks - CBS Sports
🎙️ From College Football Runner to CBS Sports Betting Analyst: How Mackenzie Brooks is Changing the Game.
"I speak for the nerds. I'm like the Lorax of the coders - bridging the gap between casual fans and complex analytics." - Mackenzie Brooks
In this episode, we sit down with Mackenzie Brooks, a 23-year-old sports betting analyst for CBS Sports who's revolutionizing how we understand sports analytics and making football accessible to everyone, especially Taylor Swift fans (aka - Swifties)!
⏰ Time Stamps:
00:00 - Introduction and McKenzie's background
05:30 - Journey from University of Georgia to CBS Sports
10:15 - The birth of Quick Locks and early social media presence
15:45 - Breaking into sports betting analysis
20:30 - Being a woman in a male-dominated industry
25:15 - The Taylor Swift effect and educating new football fans
30:45 - The future of sports betting and broadcasting
35:20 - Work-life balance and recharging strategies
40:10 - Advice for aspiring sports analysts
45:30 - Networking and career development tips
🔑 Key Interview Highlights:
- From running coffee for ESPN College GameDay to becoming a leading sports betting analyst
- How coding and analytics created a unique career path
- Breaking down complex sports concepts for new audiences
- The impact of Taylor Swift on women's interest in football
- The future of sports betting in mainstream broadcasting
💡 Career Tips from Mackenzie Brooks:
- Find your niche and be a "one of one"
- Put in the reps, even with a small audience
- Build relationships with producers, not just on-camera talent
- Use social media to develop your personal brand
- Don't be afraid to start small and grow
🎯 Game-Changing Moments:
- Her innovative approach to teaching football to new fans (25:15)
- How she bridges the gap between data analytics and casual viewers (20:30)
- The future of sports betting integration in live broadcasts (30:45)
Connect with CBS Sports Mackenzie Brooks:
"Life is Built, Not Born."
Joe Ciccarone
#Episode154
© 2024 Joe Ciccarone / Built Not Born Podcast . All rights reserved.
