What I Like... With Former NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning

Former NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning

In our continuing series, SportsBusiness Daily/SportsBusiness Journal asks top sports execs for their thoughts, ideas, aspirations and likes. Today, former NBA All-Star ALONZO MOURNING.

What I like in an out-of-the-box idea: Every American family donate $5 to a fund that supports educational and enrichment after-school programs in impoverished areas.

A timeless idea: Become the change that you want to see.

A business deal I admire: MAGIC JOHNSON partnering with national corporations (Starbucks, TGIF, movie theaters, etc.) that are placed in, and provide jobs for, urban communities.

An influential person in my career: JOHN THOMPSON, Hall of Fame basketball coach of Georgetown Univ.

A sports facility: AmericanAirlines Arena.

An ad: Nike -- Just do it.
 
A hire: MICKY ARISON hiring PAT RILEY as head coach of the Miami Heat in 1995.

A trend: Wireless devices (sidekicks/BlackBerrys).

An innovation: Hybrid cars/SUVs.

Mourning's Favorite Decision-Maker  Is Warren Buffet

A decision-maker: WARREN BUFFET.

Ideas or inventions I wish I had thought of: Tylenol, Velcro, cell phones.

A fantasy job: President/CEO of Microsoft.

A film that bears watching: "Men of Honor," the story of the first AA navy diver who overcame adversity through discrimination to become the best in his class.

What I like about my job: The relationships I've developed and having a chance to see the world.

Sports: Brings people of all races together.

Basketball: The energy, tenacity and camaraderie.

Sports business: The investment opportunities it creates.

Sports media: It provides exposure.

Pro sports: Signifies the best in the business.

College sports: Portrays the untainted excitement and hunger of an amateur.

Competing: Makes me better.

The future (or direction) of sports business: Sports business will grow because of the enhanced opportunities and exposure the media provides.

What I would like to change: The educational system.

See: Every public school developed under a private school concept.

See more of: Qualified and experienced teachers.

See different: Spend more on our children's education and less on our incarcerations.

Reinvent: Government health-care plan.

Reintroduce: Holistic and natural medicines.

Eliminate: Cigarettes and cigars.

Continue: Decreasing our dependency on foreign oil.

What I don't like in general: Bad people.

Pet peeve: Lazy athletes.

About pro sports: No consistent medical benefits for all retired players.

About college sports: Players should be minimally compensated.

In sports business: Solicitation of players out of college.

In media: Maliciousness.

About sports fans: The obnoxious ones.

What I like that would surprise those who know me: Yoga.

Above all else: My relationship with God.

About myself: My will to succeed.

Heroes: All the men and women who protected us during 9/11 and after.

Some Of Mourning's Favorite Basketball Players Include Michael Jordan (l), Patrick Ewing (r)

Players: BILL RUSSELL, PATRICK EWING, MICHAEL JORDAN, HAKEEM OLAJUWON.

Team: Washington Redskins.

City: Miami.

Possession: My watch collection.

Memento: My 2006 championship ring.

Time of year: Summertime.

Books: The Bible, "Why Christians Get Sick," "7 Spiritual Laws of Success" and "Resilience."

Authors: Me, and next to me, DEEPAK CHOPRA.

Magazines: Jet, Ebony, Essence, Black Enterprise, Golf Digest.

Gadgets: My sidekick.

Chores: Washing dishes.

Hobbies: Reading and golf.

Movies: "Men of Honor," "Coming to America" and "The Color Purple."

Mourning's Favorite Scent Is Vera Wang For Men

TV: "Sanford and Son."

Concerts: SADE.

Dessert: My mom's sweet potato pie.

Drink: Water.

Scent: Vera Wang for Men.

Vacation spots: Jamaica.

Cars: My '63 white-on-white Thunderbird convertible.

Aftershave: Tend Skin.