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What I Like: Marshall Zelaznik, UFC

PROFESSIONAL

What I Like …

Photo by: ZUFFA PHOTOGRAPHY

An insight: Reasonable minds will disagree, but there is always a way to find common ground.

An influential person in my career: My mentor and former law partner, Cliff Schaffer. He taught me how to be firm and always look for the positive in every situation. Also, UFC President Dana White, as his passion for our sport and the business is the fuel that allowed us to grow UFC’s brand on a global scale.  

An out-of-the-box idea: In a world full of so many apps, who will figure out how to deliver everything we want by just thinking about it?    

A timeless idea: Give the people what they want.

A business deal: When high-definition was first launched, I negotiated a deal to convert the Olympic films library to HD. The deal involved both the International

Marshall Zelaznik
Executive vice president and chief content officer, UFC

What I do:
I oversee media deals in more than 150 countries while managing our direct-to-consumer business of pay-per-view and UFC Fight Pass.
Where I’m From: Originally from New York; grew up in Los Angeles; reside in Los Angeles, but I work out of UFC’s global headquarters in Las Vegas.
Where I Went to School: Bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University, Long Beach; J.D. from the University of San Francisco.
My First Job: Busboy, store crew member/cashier, Trader Joe’s.

Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee. We moved the film library in Lausanne, Switzerland, to the NFL Films lab in Mount Laurel, N.J. It was like moving the crown jewels.

A sports event: My favorite event is the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. For a high-energy great time, nothing beats a live UFC event in Las Vegas. Every sports fan should experience a UFC event here.

A hire: Theo Epstein. After leading the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series in 86 years, he now has the Chicago Cubs positioned for future success.

A brand: Starbucks. I find myself in a Starbucks each week and I don’t drink coffee. They have found a way to create an

UFC in Las Vegas can’t be beat
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
environment that actually relaxes you when you are waiting for your tea in line.

An idea or invention I wish I had thought of: Uber.

A fantasy job: U.S. Supreme Court Justice.


What I Like About …

My job: The ability to learn about new markets and business every day. I get to

Theo Epstein, a good hire
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
work with the development and growth of what effectively is a new sport. It makes things very interesting and presents amazing challenges.

Sports: I am a firm believer that people who have participated in team sports understand the need to sacrifice for the good of the team. This can easily translate into success in your business life.   

Sports technology: The ability to track and monitor an athlete and their performance has not only helped the athlete, but also increased the fans’ appreciation of their capabilities.  

The direction of sports business: Sports leagues and teams are now evolving into media companies. They will all need to build a wider infrastructure to grow their business in this space to be more relevant in the future.   

Sports fans: The thrill and agony. In 2009, my son and I were so disappointed

when Arsenal lost in the semifinals of the FA Cup against Chelsea. My son began to cry and I remember telling him “This is the pain you feel at times when you are a true fan. This pain will make the victories down the road that much sweeter.”


What I Would like to …

Change in what I do: I want to see everyone succeed. As a result, I have a tendency to not let people fail, which can prevent them from learning from their mistakes.

See: More female athletes achieve the levels of success of Ronda Rousey and Serena Williams.  

See more of in sports: More technology to assist officials in making the right in-game calls. Do we really need to bring out the chains to see if there is a first down?

Dream job: On the bench in D.C.
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See less of in sports: Officials huddling. We want them to make the right calls, but we have to find a way to use more advanced technology to help speed up the games.

Eliminate: Doping from sports. I’m proud of how UFC has tackled this issue.


What I Don’t Like …

In general: Ego.

Photo by: GETTY IMAGES

Pet peeve: When I don’t get TSA PreCheck at the airport.

In sports: Arena parking costs.

In business: Opinions without basis.


PERSONAL

What I Like …

Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
People: Doers. I like people who do things and not just talk about them.

That would surprise those who know me: If I hadn’t gone to law school, I was on my way to culinary school.  

About myself: I grew up in a single-parent home and owe my success to my strong mother. I was lucky to have great friends and I’m proud of the relationships I’ve maintained with friends from elementary school. For more than 25

Arsenal
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
years, I’ve been in the same Rotisserie baseball league with my friends from law school.

Heroes: Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and my mom.

Players: Dan Marino, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente and LeBron James.

Teams: Miami Dolphins, Arsenal and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Possessions: iPhone and BlackBerry. Yes, I have a BlackBerry Q10.

Memento: My father’s watch. It is an old Benrus with a gold band that I wore at my wedding.  

Time of year: Spring. There is so much anticipation that comes with this time of year, from the start of baseball season and the entry to summer.

Music: Old-school rap (Ice Cube and Public Enemy) and classic rock (the Rolling Stones and AC/DC).

Books: “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Jungle.”

Authors: Laura Hillenbrand, Michael Lewis and poet Edgar Guest.

Magazine: The Economist.

Gadgets: iPhone and Bose headphones.

Apps: UFC.TV, theScore, Twitter, Pandora and U-verse TV Anywhere.

Trips: Tokyo, New York and Brazil. For personal, I am all about Europe.

Movies: “Jaws,” “Whiplash” and “The Big Lebowski.”  

TV: ESPN “SportsCenter,” “Homeland,” “The Leftovers” and “Frontline.”

Concert: The Rolling Stones’ VooDoo Lounge Tour in 1994.

Artists: Damien Hirst and Banksy.

Dessert: Hot fudge sundae.

Drink: Iced green tea.

Vacation spots: Amalfi Coast or Tuscany.

Cars: 1964 GTO or BMW M3.

Quote: “We are stronger together than we are alone,” Walter Payton


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