Name: Rob London
Profession: Sports Executive, Public Speaker & Entrepreneur
Age: 41
One Word That Describes Me: Masterful
Former financial analyst of a Wall Street firm; Sports Adviser to prominent NFL players such as Matt Forte, running back for the Chicago Bears, and retired running back Maurice Jones-Drew; 2015 Former Official Candidate: NFL Players Association Executive Director—these are just a few of the powerful roles held by Rob London in his 12+ year career—and from the look of things, he’s just getting started and is paving the way for future generations of men to do the same.
From the streets of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to the boardroom, London proves you can escape the mediocrity mindset by taking full responsibility for your career and pushing past your comfort zone. After playing running back for Delaware State University and graduating with a degree in Business Administration, he transitioned from analyzing cash flow and industry trends for various companies to negotiating seven-figure contracts for several high-profile NFL players. With a unique mix of sincerity, confidence, and high business IQ, he’s guided the careers of individuals in the sports arena and beyond in a way that is both admirable and impactful.
When it comes to reaching his full potential, London isn’t concerned about how mainstream media often paints people of color inside a box. “I’m not worried about how the media portrays any race. And my hope is that anyone who is reading this can find themselves thinking the same way. If I want to run for president of the United States, when the time comes I will put my all into that. My point is, whatever you put your mind to, it can be accomplished through hard work, perseverance, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people. I truly feel that I am the master of my universe, and if my work ethic decides my fate then I will be just fine,” he says.
On finding success, London is a proponent of higher education. “But take note, in this competitive work environment we need much more than letters behind our name to be deemed successful. We need to be able to deliver substantive viewpoints that are eloquently delivered with salient or concise thoughts. I would never be opposed to someone obtaining a greater level of education; however, the door is open to finding success in a nontraditional way as well.”
“I have young children. On a d
aily basis, we go through exercises about the process of learning and the order in which a task should be accomplished. I believe it is much more important for us to remain bright and inquisitive at every turn. Having worked in the sports and entertainment environment for many years, I still strive for perfection. I keep up to date with current events in the industry and I am constantly learning new things. This has prepared me to formulate a strategy and make very hard decisions from a business standpoint. I never want to be in a business conversation without the latest information or metrics that may affect an important outcome. This is a highly competitive industry, and you are only as good as your word.”With an eye toward expanding his brand, London has made “trust” a critical ingredient in establishing his reputation as a thought leader in business and sports. “When it comes to empowering my peers or colleagues to carry out important tasks, establishing trust is a major element. If you have not earned the trust of your peers you may receive pushback, so I always operate with the understanding that I cannot offer the moon, but I will darn sure try to deliver it!”
On the next page, read more about Rob London’s thoughts on leading by example…
“The concept of leading by example is how I learned to set standards and goals, because I wanted to be better than the folks that I read about growing up. I have a very competitive streak in me that won’t allow me to accept failure. That’s part of my strong character, and I hope it rubs off on individuals who come in contact with me.”
“Currently, I have expanded my presence in the sports environment from exclusively football operations to several different sports such as baseball, soccer, basketball, and golf. Also, I am beginning to speak more at universities and corporations because I believe I have a unique viewpoint of what success looks like after we’ve put in the work to deserve success. Those points of view need to be heard because they will undoubtedly help someone for sure.”
Now more than ever, the landscape for entrepreneurs looks different from many years ago. They’re fearlessly building their own ladders for success, tackling real-life business problems and making their mark on the world—at a much younger age. With the right mindset, preparing to impact communities around the globe can be simple. “It’s important that young people see a level of success that may not exist in their neighborhood. With the reach of social media, the world is your neighborhood and if you embrace the idea that one person climbed Mount Everest, then more people can follow that one person to the top. I had a dream of being successful, I figured out a plan of action and I worked at it! If your dream is strong enough, you will find a way to make it come true,” he shares.
“My advice to young men and women is to “be relentless,” never give up on your hopes and dreams, and understand that there is opportunity at every turn of the corner, you just have to be in position to seize that opportunity. As far as the pitfalls that you may face, be prepared for a million-and-one no’s. Remember, all you need is one yes!”
In talking about his greatest achievement, London talks about his ability to choose a profession he had a passion for. “Securing my nomination for inclusion to the NFL Players Association Executive Director Election was a great accomplishment and I am truly honored to have had the opportunity. The election was highly competitive. I presented my plan of action to the best and brightest professionals in the $15 billion dollar industry of professional football. About 99.9% of individuals will never experience or rise to such an elite level of consideration in life but that’s OK because we all have a lane that we must move forward in. I would not trade that experience for the world.
Rob London is simply masterful at challenging himself as well as others to reach their full potential. “Being a BE Modern Man means that I have reached a level in my respective industry to be able to mentor others as the example. The sacrifices, heartbreak, and not to mention setbacks that I have had to endure have prepared me to stand here and tell my story, and tell you that I am proud to be a BE Modern Man, says London.” And we at Black Enterprise are proud to have you represented Rob London!
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