• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Office Hours: Brent Celek, Owner, Pando Mortgage

Listen/Download on Apple Podcasts I Spotify Podcasts

Powered by RedCircle

Welcome to a new episode of Office Hours: a podcast with Front Office Sports CEO Adam White and figures from the sports industry. This season is focused on athletes, both current and retired, who have found success in business endeavors off the field.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Brent Celek, former NFL tight end turned real estate investor and owner of Pando Mortgage.

After 11 seasons in the NFL, Celek retired after winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2017. Now focused entirely on his real estate business, Celek has big ambitions for that, his ability to help other former players, and the children’s book he is currently working on.

Edited highlights appear below:

On learning from his family (2:25)

Growing up in a family where not only my mom and dad were business owners, but my grandpa was a business owner and my uncle was a business owner, you learn a lot in those situations. I just think that they handled situations the right way. My mom technically is the leader of a team. And so watching her lead that team, how she was a member of that team and how she influenced all the people that worked for, was very influential in my life and in football as well.

On players and their business interests (11:22)

In the locker room, guys are always talking about their investments and the ones that are doing great. You don’t really hear about a ton of the bad ones, but I’ve had some bad ones. I’m not afraid to admit it. I’ve learned a lot and all those deals helped me get better. What I would like to do in the future is help young guys that are interested in real estate and want to put money to work in real estate, get into the right deals and understand the risk.

On the origin of his company name (16:17)

Pando is the largest and longest-living organism on the planet. It’s a group of basically Aspen trees in Utah where the root system is just one organism. So as you see thousands of acres of trees, the roots are literally all just one organism. When one of the trees die, the roots grow up another one in its place. These trees live at an elevation where seeds won’t grow.

The idea is on a team or inside an organization when one person can’t get it done, it’s gotta come from within and we gotta find a way to get it done. The year we won the Super Bowl, us as tight ends, we used to always break it down on Pando when one guy was hurt because, at the end of the day, it didn’t matter if one of us was out, the other guys had to find a way to get the job done.

On his business idols (22:00)

I think I have an engineering mind. And I think the greatest engineer of our time is Elon Musk. The things he’s doing at Tesla to me are out of this world. I just love what he’s doing with Tesla. I’m a huge fan and a huge supporter.

Locally, I’ve got a good friend, Jonathan Brasington, and another good friend, Steve Meyer, who are two guys that I really look up to and guys that I can talk to on a daily or weekly basis. We’re not in business together, but they’re just great, great friends.

On his best advice (24:36)

In life, you’re going to have great successes and you’re gonna have great failures and you’re going to learn a lot from those failures. Just never give up, just keep moving and find ways to continue to get better. If you can do that, when you look back on your career, you’re going to be, you’re going to be proud of it. And I think if you do that, you will have no regrets.

Love what we are doing? Help us grow and get in front of more people by subscribing below and leaving a review! 

Powered by RedCircle

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

$3.8 Billion Commanders Stadium Deal Approved Despite Late Drama

A decisive final vote on the stadium followed some last-minute snags.
Donald Trump
exclusive

Trump’s Unprecedented Super Bowl Visit Cost Secret Service More Than $120K

Trump was the first president to attend the Super Bowl.

CFB TV Ratings Stay Hot As Georgia-Tennessee Sets ABC High of 12.6M

ABC has had four games that have topped 10 million viewers this season.
Maria Taylor

Maria Taylor Talks About ‘Moving Differently’ in ESPN-NBC Jump

Taylor will be NBC Sports’ lead NBA and WNBA studio host.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Office Hours: Alex Magleby, co-founder and CEO of the New England Free..

Alex Magleby, the New England Free Jacks co-founder and CEO, is bullish on rugby’s future in the U.S. and Major League Rugby.
July 22, 2020

Office Hours: Devon Kennard, Real Estate Investor

Devon Kennard has found success on and off the field with a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio that includes 14 different properties.
August 13, 2020

Office Hours: Bart Conner, Owner of Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy and Former..

Bart Conner is the only American male gymnast to win a gold medal at every level of national and international competition.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
July 7, 2020

Office Hours: Isaac Rochell, Founder, Local Human

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Isaac Rochell, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end and founder of apparel company Local Human.
May 27, 2020

Office Hours: Justin Forsett, CEO & Co-Founder, Hustle Clean

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Justin Forsett, former NFL running back turned CEO & Co-Founder of Hustle Clean.
March 18, 2020

Office Hours: Rich Antoniello, Founder and CEO, Complex Networks

Rich Antionello, founder and CEO of Complex, discusses sports, media and the life of an entrepreneur.
March 12, 2020

Office Hours: VaynerSports’ Gary and AJ Vaynerchuk on Agency Life, Ups and..

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Gary and AJ Vaynerchuk, founders of VaynerMedia and VaynerSports, a full-service athletic representation agency.