SPORTS FIGURES GET PERSONAL DURING ‘BUSINESS OF SPORTS’ PANEL DISCUSSION WITH METRO BUSINESS DIVISION
STEVE WALSH Moderator & Former NFL Quarterback
CLIFFORD VINER Partner of Florida Panthers Hockey Team
It was dubbed the “Business of Sports,” but a panel discussion with two major figures from the professional sporting world brought out their personal side with an audience of more than 160 people from the new Metro Business Division of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County at the Marriott at Boca Center. Sports agent Leon Rose (whose clients include professional basketball superstars Allen Iverson and LeBron James, and Clifford Viner, a partner in the Florida Panthers hockey team) revealed what drives stars to succeed and the important role charity plays in their lives. The discussion was moderated by former Miami Hurricanes and NFL quarterback Steve Walsh. Viner recalled gaining his stake in the Panthers at a time when the team was losing a significant amount of money, but the chance to enter the realm of ownership far outweighed the bottom line.
LEON ROSE Sports Agent for LeBron James & Allen Iverson
In 1995 he took on his first client— former Temple University star Rick Brunson. And, unlike the marquis players he represents, his rise to the top of his profession was slow and gradual. “You don’t want to get too big too quick,” said Rose, president of Rose Professional Mgmt., Inc. “It’s all about establishing a strong connection with each player and developing a track record of personal attention over many years.” Rose’s first day on the job with Iverson was in May 2002 when the star guard ranted about “practice” in an infamous press conference. But, in reference to Iverson’s bad boy image, he added, “A lot of things are perception, not reality. Denver is waiting for the ‘alleged’ A.I.,
BOB BEAMON Former Olympic Record Holder in the Long Jump
but in my experience with Allen, it has been very positive.” Viner and his wife Jill, who live in Boca Raton, have made a positive impact in the non-profit community in south Palm Beach County by establishing the Viner Compassionate Care program at Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service. They also founded Camp Breakaway, which provides camping experiences for families who could not otherwise afford them. Viner is also president of B’Nai Torah Congregation. Rose established many of his business connections during his extensive volunteer involvement with the Jerome Brown Foundation, established in memory of the former
“Becoming an owner in a sports franchise was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said, adding the move also strengthened the bond with his daughter, with whom he had taken to virtually every game prior to that point. While attending law school, Rose, a former high school and college player, developed his passion for working with players as an assistant high school coach in his native Cherry Hill, N.J. He practiced as a trial lawyer until he got involved with former NBA star Lionel Simmons on the legal aspects of his contract.
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Eric Handis, Event Co-Chair; Clifford Viner, Partner of Florida Panthers Hockey; Leon Rose, Sports Agent; Steve Walsh, Moderator and Former NFL Quarterback; and Steve Artzi, Event Co-Chair