Shotcaller Spotlight: Dior Ginyard
Q: What’s going on, Dior? Thank you again for offering to share your story with us. The Shotcallers is a sports platform that aims to amplify voices in the industry, with hopes to inspire the next generation of leaders in sports and entertainment. Can you tell us about your current title/current role at Dapper Labs?
A. My current title is Athlete Partnerships, Dapper Sports (within Dapper Labs) - working as the lead with our NFL ALL DAY and UFC | Dapper Labs products. In this role, I'm building our player marketing strategy for Dapper Sports that 1. engages and establishes long-lasting relationships with athletes (agents and marketing reps, as well), 2. educates athletes on Dapper Labs / Dapper Sports products and shows them the ways they can get involved and 3. empowers them to join as collectors and utilize the product to connect with their fans.
Q: Dapper Labs has recently received a massive amount of exposure with NBA Top Shot making noise in 2020, in addition to various partnerships. Sports & Tech have formed a significant relationship lately, what is making NFT's so popular?
A. In my opinion, NFTs are becoming more popular in the sports world because it's the future of fandom. It's the new way fans can show adoration towards their favorite athlete/teams. Additionally, with NFTs there is now undeniable proven ownership and authenticity. If I walk into a trading card store and buy a Jerry Rice card, I have no idea who's owned it before me. But with NFTs and the FLOW blockchain you can track ownership. Lastly, NFTs in the sports world are becoming "sports reward tickets", meaning if you own certain "Moments" it gets you exclusive access to events, experiences, etc.
Q: You spent a part of your professional career with the NFLPA, what was something you learned there that has stuck with you throughout your journey?
A. That's a good one. That NFL players are more than what they do on the field. That what they do once their playing careers are over will last longer than their playing days. With fans, media, coaches, etc. telling players what they should be - it's easy to lose track of what their identity truly is. Playing football is what they do, it's not who they are. I think that's why I've become so passionate about helping athletes figure out what their "and" is. You're an Athlete and what?
Q: Shotcallers are individuals that influence the next generation of sports marketers by positively influencing the industry, how important is it to see people of color making an impact within sports and entertainment?
A. Supercritical. There are young folks all around the country that need to see someone that looks like them to at least have a glimmer of hope that this thing could work out. I look at my time in college at an HBCU wanting to work in the sports industry, very rarely did I see someone that looked like me. So now that I'm in that position, it's almost like my obligation to 1) be authentically myself, 2) give back to those communities and schools that need to see people that represent them, 3) provide opportunities to people of color who may lack the resources.
Q: If you had to provide a brief blueprint on navigating the industry, what would be some keys to success?
A. Start to define your "brand" outside of what university you went to and what your GPA is. What else do you bring to the table besides those, because honestly everyone looking to work in the sports industry has been to the best schools and have had the highest GPAs. What else do you offer? It's almost like you have to brand yourself around what you stand for, what your hobbies are, etc. As an early career professional I listed on my resume where I volunteered at, what workshop and professional development opportunities I participated in. I wanted a potential employer to get to know Dior, so I had to paint a picture of what mattered to me. I think that's super important as these jobs become more and more desirable.
Favorite Quote:
“But those who TRUST in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
- Isaiah 40:31