over and went on to make the playoffs. Despite constant pressure from New York City media and fans longing for an NBA championship after a 30-year drought, Thomas waxes positive on his team and his position. I don’t think you can find a better job with higher visibility than this, he says. It’s the crowning point of my career at this point off the court.”
Reggie Williams, Vice President, Disney Sports Attractions Inc., 50: “Williams was key to the Cincinnati Bengals making it to the Super Bowl. As a linebacker, his pass rush and ability to read an offense ranked him among Cincy’s all-time best linebackers. His talents contributed to AFC Championships in 1981 and 1988. Some 16 years after hanging up his cleats, Williams is still bringing his skills to the game. Only this time he’s moved on to a much bigger playing field-Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, a 200-acre, multisport facility that attracts athletes from all over the world. In 2004, the venue hosted roughly 180 different events for more than 30 sports. Among them, the FUNAI Classic, a PGA event, and the Pop Warner Super Bowl, which attracts more than 8,000 athletes. As vice president of Disney Sports Attractions, not only did Williams directly oversee the construction of the complex (which is roughly twice the size of Manhattan), he championed the effort to grow Disney’s involvement in sports. Williams joined Disney in April 1993, and a typical day for him is anything but ordinary. In a matter of hours he could go from overseeing construction at the ever-expanding complex to reviewing merchandise for the roll out of a new logo. He also spends time hammering out sponsorship deals and leads a team of 2,000. The Michigan native and Dartmouth College graduate enjoyed a long NFL career playing 14 seasons (1976-1989). But even then he realized there was life after the game. I wanted to wake up when I was in my 40s and 50s just as exhilarated as when I was in my 20s. I didn’t want life to go downhill after 35.”
William L. Strickland, Pres. & CEO, Strickland Management Group L.L.C., 55: “Strickland has accomplished many firsts in his 20-plus years as a sports agent. In 1985, he became the first African American to represent a No.1 draft pick for the NBA. Even after decades in the business, Strickland continues to set the standard for sports agents. After helping seal Michael Jordan’s record-setting Nike deal, Strickland followed up with Alan Houston’s $100 million contract with the Knicks. His other clients include Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace and Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper. After receiving a law degree from Georgetown, Strickland was hired by sports management firm ProServ, where he became chief operating officer of its team sports division. The Los Angeles native then moved to the big leagues, joining the staff at International Management Group, where he eventually rose to president. Strickland went on to form Strickland & Ashe Management, which he co-owned with agent Mason