Personal Best: Sam Graham

Free Agent. Formerly in Commercial and CRM roles with; Leaders, Fulham FC, Sports Interactive and Scisports.

Best pitch presenter you’ve ever seen:

Scott M O’Neil. Not for a pitch per say, but as a speaker in general very charismatic.

Best sports marketing campaign (that wasn’t yours):

Nike and the Brazil football team’s airport commercial in 1998.

Best agency (that isn’t yours):

Sports Alliance. Enjoyed working with them whilst at Fulham.

Best young industry talent:

Pranita Ghate – Crystal Palace. Hired as an intern at Leaders and ended up taking over my role when I moved on. Expecting big things (no pressure P!)

Best sporting event attended:

2022 Championship Playoff Final. Nottingham Forest fan so was great to watch them promoted back into the Premier League.

Best sporting event on TV:

There’s too many! World Cup, Euros, Six Nations, Ashes etc.

Best brand ambassador:

Must be George Forman. Loved that grill in my uni days!

Best industry event or conference:

Slightly biased having worked for them but would have to say Leaders.

Best film containing a scene depicting the sports business:

Moneyball – He gets on base and Jerry Maguire – Show me the Money.

Best book recommendation:

A Path Through the Jungle by Prof Steve Peters. Some good personal development pointers in here.

Best bar or pub:

Any that has a decent pub garden for the summer.

Best restaurant:

Hawksmoor.

Best holiday resort:

More of a city break kind of guy. Madrid is up there for me.

Best box set:

Sopranos or mid 90s Simpsons.

Best ambition:

Owning a Football Club.

Best influence on your career:

Tom Markham

Best dinner companions (min 4, max 6):

Brian Clough, Gyles Brandreth, Will Ferrell, Dave Chapelle, Katherine Ryan, Stacey Dooley.

Best job in the sports biz:

Any that gets you close to on the pitch action.

Best professional regret:

No regrets, only learnings.

Best skill you most covet:

Resilience. Getting back up after setbacks.

Best trait you admire in others:

Acceptance.

Best overrated virtue:

Beauty – don’t judge a book by its cover!