In this episode of "Stay Sporty," Matt Sarabia, Vice President of Event Booking and Transportation at MetLife Stadium, shares his career journey through the sports and entertainment venue industry. He discusses the operational challenges of managing one of the world’s busiest stadiums, from hosting NFL games and major concerts to handling complex logistics and weather emergencies. Matt offers insights on leadership, teamwork, and career growth, emphasizing the importance of communication, adaptability, and building strong relationships in the industry. The episode provides valuable advice for aspiring sport and entertainment professionals.

• Matt Sarabia's career journey in the sports and entertainment venue industry.
• Early exposure to the public assembly business through family background.
• Experiences at various venues, including Rollins College, Walt Disney World Sports Complex, Philips Arena, and Barclays Center.
• Operational challenges and logistics of managing MetLife Stadium.
• The unique dynamics of co-owning a stadium with two NFL teams (Jets and Giants).
• Event booking processes and the importance of collaboration with teams and promoters.
• Strategies for ensuring a high-quality guest experience at large events.
• The complexities of managing transportation and crowd control during major events.
• Insights on career growth and the importance of mentorship in the industry.
• Advice for young professionals in venue management and the sports industry.

In this episode of "Stay Sporty," Adeja Spain, Manager of Partnership Management at SoFi Stadium, shares her unconventional career journey in sports and entertainment. She discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, her roles with the Charlotte Hornets and Wasserman, and her current work managing brand partnerships at SoFi Stadium. Adeja explains the difference between sponsorships and partnerships, highlights memorable projects like launching the Gallagher Club, and offers leadership insights. She also previews her forthcoming memoir and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and relationship-building for career success in the industry.

Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:00:00) Sporty introduces the podcast, Adeja Spain, and sets up the episode’s focus on her career journey.

Early Interests and Education (00:00:56) Spain discusses her early interests, college experience, and how she chose her major in marketing.

First Internship at Live Nation (00:02:06) Details her first internship at Live Nation, working summer concerts, and lessons learned.

Applying for Internships in Charlotte (00:03:26) Describes applying for multiple internships in Charlotte, facing rejections, and overcoming imposter syndrome.

Charlotte Hornets Internship Experience (00:06:28) Shares her experience as a digital marketing intern with the Charlotte Hornets in summer 2017.

Transition to Full-Time at Hornets (00:07:33) Explains how she was offered a full-time position at the Hornets after graduation.

Move to Arena Marketing (00:08:20) Talks about shifting from digital marketing to arena marketing, managing concerts and special events.

Impact of COVID-19 and Career Reflection (00:10:40) Discusses how COVID-19 changed the industry and her decision to seek new challenges.

Joining Wasserman Agency (00:11:36) Describes applying to Wasserman, moving to LA, and managing Microsoft’s NBA partnership.

Agency Life and Working with A’ja Wilson (00:13:48) Shares experiences working with WNBA and A’ja Wilson, and the challenges of agency work.

Career Break and Joining SoFi Stadium (00:14:49) Explains taking a career break, networking, and joining SoFi Stadium in 2023.

Role at SoFi Stadium: Partnerships (00:15:55) Describes her current role managing brand partnerships and her first day during a Taylor Swift concert.

Lessons from Arena Marketing and Mentorship (00:17:36) Reflects on lessons learned from mentor Erica, emphasizing preparation and expertise.

Preparation and Behind-the-Scenes Work (00:19:44) Discusses the importance of preparation and the unseen work behind major events.

Sponsorships vs. Partnerships Explained (00:20:35) Clarifies the difference between sponsorships and partnerships in the stadium context.

Managing Multiple Partners and Daily Operations (00:24:36) Explains her day-to-day responsibilities managing 12 partners and sponsors, and internal collaboration.

Event Attendance and Work-Life Balance (00:27:27) Talks about attending events, the demands of the job, and adjusting to a new lifestyle.

Leadership Lessons and Management Philosophy (00:29:53) Shares thoughts on leadership, managing interns, and her people-first approach.

Forthcoming Book: "It Had to Happen" (00:33:44) Introduces her memoir, its themes, and the motivation behind writing it.

Advice for College Freshmen (00:38:47) Offers advice on self-awareness, relationship building, and finding your path in the industry.

Favorite Events and Overcoming Challenges (00:42:52) Describes her favorite projects, including Taylor Swift’s concert and the Gallagher Garden installation.

Conclusion and Episode Wrap-Up (00:46:30) Sporty thanks Adeja Spain and closes the episode.