Inside NBA Summer League’s ‘Sports Business Classroom’ with ESPN Analyst Bobby Marks
Every summer, ESPN NBA Front Office Insider Bobby Marks brings expert analysis to ESPN’s NBA Summer League coverage — one of the most dynamic periods on the basketball calendar. Beyond the broadcast booth, he’s also helping shape the league’s future.
For the past two years, Marks has helped lead Sports Business Classroom (SBC), a program dedicated to developing the next generation of front-office professionals. Since its launch at 2016’s Summer League, SBC has become a launchpad for aspiring executives, scouts, agents and media members.
“This year we had our largest class yet,” Marks noted. “140 students from all kinds of backgrounds.”
Participants choose a major such as salary cap, athlete representation, NIL, media broadcast, scouting, or video analytics, attending general sessions during the day and diving deeper into topics like contract structuring and the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement at night. The week culminates in a simulated NBA trade deadline, where students take on the roles of team executives, negotiate deals and handle media pressure in real time — mirroring the league’s high-stakes environment.
This year’s program featured over 100 guest speakers, including NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Thunder GM Sam Presti, Duke Men’s Basketball GM Rachel Baker, and projected 2026 No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa. Each student also receives one-on-one mentorship from an established team, agency or media pro.
Balancing SBC with ESPN commitments is a challenge Marks embraces. “NBA Today and other ESPN responsibilities come first, but this program is a priority,” he says. “I’m fortunate to have an amazing staff managing the logistics so I can focus where I’m needed most.”
With 30 years in the business, including two decades with the Nets, Marks views mentorship as a way to give back. “There’s always a next wave of front-office staff, scouts, and media pros. Helping them matters.”
Beyond basketball ops, SBC emphasizes career readiness. “Industry pros like Jeff Fellenzer from USC help students with resumes and interview skills,” Marks adds. “It’s about making their path a little smoother.”
The program’s success stories showcase its impact. “One of our students last year, Richie Martin, is now a graduate assistant at George Washington University,” Marks says. “Others landed jobs with the Nets, Celtics and Pacers or joined top agencies like Klutch, Excel and Wasserman.”
But SBC isn’t just about what happens during the week. “We stay in touch. When jobs come up, we make sure students hear about them early,” Marks explains. “It’s about building a network that lasts beyond Summer League.”
