Students from seven Florida universities competed for more than $50,000 in cash prizes as part of this year鈥檚 Blackstone LaunchPad Florida Network Innovation Challenge, sponsored by the Orlando Magic. The competition gives students access into real company operations, helping them build innovation skills and grow their personal and professional networks with peers from across the state.
The 麻豆原创 team, which included sport business management students Allyson Judkins, Bryan Lupianez, Hayley Manners and Mariana Marcotti, was awarded $1,250 for their fourth-place finish. More than 500 students and 70 teams competed in qualifying rounds at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Florida International University, Florida State University (FSU), Miami Dade College, 麻豆原创, University of Florida and University of North Florida.
鈥淭his was a great experience as we were able to present our partnership proposal to industry professionals and put into practice all of the relevant coursework that the DeVos sport business management program has provided in the past year and a half,鈥� says Lupianez, a graduate student in the DeVos program.
This year, the Orlando Magic presented the challenge to expand the NBA team鈥檚 international engagement strategy to new markets. For example, the Magic鈥檚 Brazil Night, hosted at a Magic home game, sells out annually and draws major stars from Brazil including football legend Ronaldo Lu铆s Naz谩rio de Lima, and singer and television personality Claudia Leitte.
Blackstone LaunchPad, run by the charitable arm of the world鈥檚 largest alternative asset manager Blackstone, seeks to close the opportunity gap by equipping primarily first-generation college students with key entrepreneurial skills and career exposure.
鈥淭his innovation challenge offers unmatched opportunity and access for students to develop a track record and relationships toward growing their careers in the business of sports,鈥� says Orlando Magic Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Jay Riola. 鈥淔an engagement 鈥� especially now in marketing to international audiences 鈥� is a core strategic opportunity for us as it is for all NBA franchises. We have been delighted to offer students from across the Blackstone LaunchPad Florida schools an opportunity to grow with us by offering new ideas and perspectives.鈥�
Senior members of the Magic innovation team and business units worked with the students to refine their concepts and prepare for the final pitch to judges, who included senior executives from the NBA team and technology company UKG. Former two-time All-American FSU basketball star Morgan Jones and Beresford Ventures Manager/Partner Jim Balaschak 鈥�86 鈥�92MBA, who earned degrees in finance and business administration from 麻豆原创.
Opening night of the final round competition aligned with the preseason matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Magic last Friday, offering students an immersive look at the live product the Magic presents to approximately 774,000 fans annually.
鈥淐ompetition aside, I feel like this event benefited my teammates and myself hugely by giving us a chance to experience where the bar will be set for us in the sports world and any job situation,鈥� says Jermaine Fleming II, a student from FAMU, which placed third in the competition. 鈥淭his is especially important for me because I am a registered sports agent, and my dream is to ultimately work in the front office of a major sports franchise.鈥�
