Gary Vaynerchuk, chairman of VaynerX and CEO of VaynerMedia, recently joined Adam Breneman on the Next Up show for an unfiltered conversation about several key topics shaping the future of sports and entertainment. Their discussion covered ownership, obsession, artificial intelligence, and the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals on young athletes.
Vaynerchuk shared career-defining moments from his journey, including transforming his father’s company from $3 million to $60 million in revenue before eventually walking away with nothing. He also discussed the difficult decision to fire his best friend to save the company. These experiences have shaped his perspective on what it takes to build something sustainable.
One of the key points Vaynerchuk made was that most coaches are losing the trust of their players. He believes NIL money is not changing young athletes but rather exposing their true characteristics. When offering advice to 17-year-olds who are already earning money through NIL deals, Vaynerchuk’s message is straightforward: ‘Tune your parents out.’
The conversation also explored Vaynerchuk’s personal work ethic, including his experience of working 100-hour weeks in his 20s. He emphasized that balance is relative and that maintaining momentum is crucial. Looking to the future, Vaynerchuk predicts significant changes driven by artificial intelligence. He foresees a world where future generations might interact with robots in profound ways, potentially even forming marital relationships with them. He also speculates that Google could become obsolete and that AI-powered machines might replace human athletes in some capacities.
This discussion with Gary Vaynerchuk offers insights into the intersection of sports, technology, and culture, providing a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
