• Loading stock data...
Friday, March 29, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

Meet the Rising 25: Jack Kelly of CAA and the Premier Lacrosse League

The Rising 25 class of 2019, presented by AB InBev, represents some of the brightest young professionals in the sports industry. Over the next several weeks, we’re proud to introduce you to this year’s winners and highlight some of their achievements to date.

Today, meet Jack Kelly: goalie for Redwoods LC of the Premier Lacrosse League and Sports Property Sales Assistant at CAA.

READ MORE: Meet The Rising 25: J’Ron Erby’s Sports Industry Journey

Kelly spends his weekdays at CAA but suits up in the PLL on the weekends during the season. Kelly was a lacrosse student-athlete at Brown University, where he graduated from in 2016. He then played in Major League Lacrosse for three years before making the switch to the PLL, which begins their its first season in June. His passion for the business side of sports led him to the agency world away of the field.

“I think the best piece of advice that I was given was don’t be afraid to take risks,” Kelly says. “I was in consulting in the financial services sector, didn’t really like it, and I left that job before I secured a job at CAA. I took a risk because I wasn’t happy and I learned a lot about myself during that process. Don’t be afraid to do something unconventional or that’s different from what people tell you you should be doing.”

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

Leading the busy life that comes with playing professional lacrosse and working at an entity like CAA isn’t easy, but Kelly has found a way to make it work for him.

“I work at CAA Monday through Friday, then I fly out on Fridays for practice, practice Saturday morning as well, play Saturday night and then back to New York on Sunday and am back at my desk on Monday morning,” he says. “So it’s definitely a grind, but being able to continue to play lacrosse while still having an awesome job, I definitely feel really fortunate for being able to do that.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIeJwtHE9G/

In 2018, Kelly experienced one of the highlights of his professional life when he and the U.S. Men’s National Team won gold at the Federation of International Lacrosse Men’s World Championship in Israel. The Americans beat Canada 10-9 in the final.

READ MORE: Meet the Rising 25: Madeline Down of the Seattle Seahawks

Whether it’s been as a professional or as a student-athlete, good time management and being able to absorb information have been perhaps the most important skill for Kelly. His advice for anybody who wishes to also balance a professional playing career with a role in business to learn this skill and to learn to be a good listener.

“I think people who are really successful in business, especially in the sports industry, are listeners… just really understanding what people want as opposed to always being a talker,” he says. “Absorbing different opinions and viewpoints and being thoughtful in your process goes a long way… Listening and understanding the needs and wants of your client and of the brand is really important and leads to much better outcomes.”

Meet the full class of 2019 here.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) and Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) react in overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center.

‘An Expensive Game’: March Madness and NIL Collectives Are Intertwined

At schools nationwide, collectives are fueling NCAA tournament runs and vice versa.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) waits to be announced in the starting lineup against West Virginia in a NCAA Tournament round of 32 game Monday, March 25, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Women’s Trading Card Market Is Overlooked. Can Caitlin Clark Change That?

Traditionally, women’s sports cards have been a marginal part of collectibles.
The Sports Illustrated cover signed by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, February 27, 2019, at Don & Charlie's, 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. Don Charlie S

Everything You Need to Know About the Ongoing ‘Sports Illustrated’ Saga

Understanding the strange state of affairs for the nearly 70-year-old publication.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Why the Timberwolves Sale was Called Off

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Inside the Big East’s Bizarre Online Subculture

Peeling back the curtain on the ‘phenomenally weird’ Big East online ecosystem.
Mar 21, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Stetson Hatters guard Stephan Swenson (30) reacts during team practice at Barclays Center.
March 22, 2024

First-Time NCAA Men’s Tourney Bids Could Be on the Verge of Extinction

Power and success are consolidating around the richest teams in college sports.
March 17, 2024

‘Everybody Was Under Suspicion’: The Day Selection Sunday Was Scooped

In 2016, the ‘Selection Show’ backfired when the bracket was leaked anonymously.
Sep 3, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Orlando Pride forward Ally Watt (11) and Orlando Pride forward Julie Doyle (20) enter the stadium before the game against OL Reign at Lumen Field.
March 16, 2024

So Long, White Shorts: Here’s Why the NWSL’s Uniform Pivot Matters

There’s finally a growing trend to adapt women’s sports to women’s bodies.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers
cartooons_of_2021_rising_25_winners

Rising 25 Virtual Gala

Virtual celebration honoring the Rising 25 Class of 2021.
man_smiling
June 12, 2019

Meet the Rising 25: George Steinbrenner IV of Harding Steinbrenner Racing

The youngest team owner in the history of IndyCar, Steinbrenner carries a passion for sports he inherited from his father and grandfather.
rising_25_logo_anheuser_busch_logo
October 8, 2020

Rising 25 Virtual Gala

Watch the virtual celebration honoring the Rising 25 Class of 2020.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
man_in_hat
June 10, 2019

Meet the Rising 25: Andre Robinson of the Los Angeles Clippers

Currently a video producer in the NBA, Robinson takes pride in being a point of inspiration for young videographers and people in his hometown.
woman_smiling
June 7, 2019

Meet the Rising 25: Zoë White of the Atlanta Hawks

A Stanford graduate, White successfully made the transition to sports marketing after beginning her professional life in sports medicine.
June 5, 2019

Meet the Rising 25: Travis Case of the Los Angeles Kings

Shortly after graduating from Belmont University in 2016, Case began a career in sales that is off to an impressive start.
June 4, 2019

Meet the Rising 25: Samantha Timmons of the USTA

A recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Timmons has experience connecting with audiences of all kinds.