Top 5 Athlete Speakers
- By Declan McManus
- May 04, 2021
As sports continue to skyrocket in popularity and become more and more a part of mainstream culture, today’s professional athletes have become involved in a wide variety of ventures. Whether it is business, media, or activism, athletes are no longer known for just their sport. The modern athlete has experience in a vast array of industries, and has the stories and knowledge to prove it. Today’s athletes are moguls off the field and superstars on it. Whether for your small or big business, non-profit, or anything in between, your team could benefit from an athlete speaker. Athletes are excellent speakers on leadership, team building, resiliency, diversity, and so many more crucial topics for business and groups today. Here are the top 5 athlete speakers currently based on a set of criteria including how powerful their message is, how easy they are to work with, and more:
5. Jeremy Roenick
Jeremy Roenick is a former NHL and Olympic hockey player, and a current member of the USA Hockey Hall of Fame. Roenick played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks over an illustrious 18-year career, tallying 513 goals and 703 assists in 1,363 career games. Roenick is one of three American-born players to score 500 goals in NHL history. Roenick also participated in two Olympic games for Team USA men’s hockey, winning one silver medal. Since his playing days ended, Roenick was a hockey analyst for NBC Sports, and now has his own show on the No Filter Network. JR is known for his outgoing and engaging personality, and will keep your audience entertained for hours on end with his stories and lessons learned from his career. Roenick is sure to bring a great story and a seasoned perspective to your speaking engagement!
4. Jessica Mendoza
Jessica Mendoza is a former NCAA and pro softball player, and current MLB broadcaster for ESPN. At Stanford University, Mendoza was a four-time First Team All-American outfielder, and owns several NCAA softball records. Mendoza was also a two-time Olympian, winning gold in women’s softball in 2004 and silver in 2008. She played four seasons professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch. Currently, Mendoza is an MLB analyst for ESPN, having had roles as a broadcaster on Sunday Night Baseball as well as ESPN radio for MLB games. Mendoza made history as the first woman to broadcast an MLB regular season, postseason, and World Series game. Jessica is an amazing speaker on diversity, breaking through barries, leadership, and more. She thrives in the moderated Q and A format and is known for allowing the client to customize the event to their needs. With her vast array of life experiences and stories, Jessica Mendoza is sure to bring a unique perspective to your event!
3. Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade is a former NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, currently working as an NBA analyst for Turner Sports. Wade played his college basketball at Marquette University, and was drafted 5th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft. In 16 NBA seasons, the majority with the Miami Heat, Wade won 3 NBA championships, and was a NBA Finals MVP, 13-time NBA All-Star, 8-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a 3-time member of the All-Defensive Team. Wade was also a member of the 2008 USA Olympic gold medalist team, as well as winning a bronze in 2004. Besides his role on TNT for NBA games, Wade recently purchased a minority stake in the Utah Jazz, where he plans on being involved in the operations of the team. As one of the premier NBA athletes both on and off the court, Dwyane Wade is a great person to teach your team how to have a champions mindset and achieve greatness in the face of pressure!
2. Doris Burke
Doris Burke is an NBA and NCAA basketball broadcaster and analyst for ESPN. Burke played college basketball at Providence College, where she played four years, made one appearance on the All-Big East second team and twice made the all-tournament team in the Big East Women’s Tournament. She left Providence as the program’s all-time leader in assists. Burke began her broadcasting career in 1980 as an analyst for her alma mater’s games on radio. In 1991, Burke began her career at ESPN, and has since taken part in many different roles, including men’s and women’s college basketball, WNBA coverage, and sideline coverage for all three. Currently, Burke is a full-time NBA analyst, becoming the first woman to be assigned a full-time regular season role at the national level. She has also been included in every NBA 2K video game since 2011, and has received global recognition from her part in the game. As a pioneer for women in the field of broadcasting, Doris Burke would bring an excellent perspective on breaking barriers, overcoming adversity, and believing in yourself!
1. Jake Olson
Jake Olson is a former USC long snapper, and the first and only completely blind player to ever play in a NCAA Division I football game. After being diagnosed with retinoblastoma, Jake lost his left eye before the age of one, and lost his right eye in November of 2009, after battling the cancer for 12 years. Jake was a business major at USC, and made history as the first blind player to play in a Division I game on September 2nd, 2017, in the Trojans’ game against Western Michigan. Jake’s amazing story has been detailed and featured in several major outlets, including ESPN, CNN, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. Currently, Jake travels around the country as a motivational speaker and has spoken to corporations and groups large and small. Jake talks about finding the setup in the setback, being grateful, and listening to the winner within. With his experience and incredible story, Jake Olson is a must-see for any of your speaking engagements!
To learn more about Engage, its talent, and how to book your next speaker contact us at info@letsengage.com or visit our website!
