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