What is TAG and What Does TAG Do?
The Athlete Group (TAG) is an on-call consulting firm for the sports industry’s senior leaders, stakeholders, and their organizations. TAG develops successful solutions for the biggest challenges our clients face. Led by former NFL executive and Super Bowl champion Jake Rosenberg, TAG delivers unprecedented access to knowledge, experience, network, and a bench of proven experts that have never been aggregated and available for hire in this way.
Background
For your university, the immediate area of focus is how the operation and structure need to evolve to meet the demands of this radically different and rapidly changing environment. Your university sees itself as a leader in the collegiate athletics space. Additionally, you may be motivated to be an early mover for several reasons, but primarily, to gain a competitive advantage over your peers (win more games) and to be regarded as a progressive and forward-thinking institution. Despite the litany of outstanding issues that are still in flux, your university can at once benefit from TAG’s experience and expertise by beginning the process of transitioning to a model more optimal for asset-allocation based player acquisition and retention. TAG will be your partner to ensure that this process is well thought out and executed.
Purpose
The Athlete Group will work in partnership with your university on the execution of this pivotal transition for your program. The engagement will have an arc that parallels the process a team goes through over a season.
Full Scale Implementation Overall & Deliverables
Initially, TAG will complete a thorough ‘Self-Scout’ analysis to evaluate each aspect of your current operation and how it aligns with current challenges. Additionally, we will assess to what extent significant pieces are missing or need to be changed over time.
The second part is what we compare to ‘Training Camp/ Preseason’, and this is the start of the transition and reforming of the model. In this phase, the goal is to put you in a position where you are nimble and adaptive. We will make whatever changes we can while also being prepared for whatever new rules and laws are enacted. We will use TAG's resources and network to develop existing talent within the office. A focus of this stage will be the development and implementation of technology-based tools for more timely access to better information. With the recent evolution of college athletics, we can help you reorient the thought process, mentality, and execution of team building.
The final phase will come once there is greater certainty about the rules and structure and will be our ‘Regular Season’ phase. This is where the guts of the transition will be put into place and the most crucial new roles will be filled.
TAG’s goal is to ensure that your university is prepared for almost any outcome and in a position to nimbly react and lead the transition in whatever form it comes.
Cost / Details of TAG Engagement
3 GENERAL FRAMEWORKS FOR HIRING THE ATHLETE GROUP
Option A
Single Day Informational Seminar
(example)
$X day plus approved expenses (travel, materials, and additional resources where necessary).
Time is capped at 6 hours per day. Format to be mutually decided.
Combination of group and individual sessions.
Material covered can be curated based on needs and interest.
Based on scope, TAG will bring appropriate staff.
Option B
Retainer / On-Call
(minimum 6 months)
$X per month for 6 or 12 months plus approved expenses (travel, materials, and additional resources where necessary).
Time is capped at 40 (TBD) hours per month. No carry forward of unused hours.
In-person days on campus will count for 8 hours.
Option to pursue specific projects within the hour constraints.
Option C
Full Football Assessment and Implementation
$X to complete Phase 1 (the Assessment), Phase 2 (Foundation, Tools and Groundwork), and Phase 3 (Roll out and staff development).
Timeline TBD to complete all phases.
Will work with your university to expedite.
Saves $X versus 1 year on retainer; will be accelerated and focused execution.
Up to 8 days in person on campus per month.
Each engagement is entirely custom and bespoke. The options above are for example’s sake and would be tailored to your program’s unique needs. See below for an idea of what Option C could look like.
EXAMPLE OF FULL IMPLEMENTATION
3 GENERAL FRAMEWORKS FOR HIRING THE ATHLETE GROUP
Phase 1 - Self Scout
EVALUATION/ ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT STAFF AND STRUCTURE aka Self ScoutGain a full understanding of the current landscape at your university’s football program through the prism of an NFL front office lens.
PHASE 1 DELIVERABLES: Full analysis of current structure and operation of your university’s football program with clear assessment of next steps and key takeaways.
Full analysis of roles, competencies, information flow, staffing levels, processes, and personal dynamics.
Early identification of potential early adopters, leaders, as well as those who may be impediments to change and progress.
The general landscape of the program compared to impending transition.
Finding goals in the short term and long term to facilitate adoption of new model.
Where are the information gaps?
Map out the org chart and key processes.
TAG will offer on-call ability to answer questions or clarify for staff, coaches, etc.
Phase 2 - Training Camp / Preseason
FOUNDATION BUILDING, CREATION of MANAGEMENT TOOLS, and LAYING GROUNDWORK FOR CHANGEaka Training Camp/Preseason
The model begins its transition and Phase 2 puts your university’s football program in a position to make better decisions around player evaluation and acquisition.
PHASE 2 DELIVERABLES: Tech assessment and development of solutions; clear plans for aspirational organizational structure; all intermediate changes to staff, roles and processes have been made and implemented.
Assessment of current technology and future needs.
Development of tools and systems to help in management of roster and salary cap.
Key adjustments and changes for efficiency and immediate benefit.
Lower leverage implementation of changes in roles, information flow, and processes.
Address any obvious staff needs or holes named in Phase 1.
Establish clear job descriptions of existing staff and aspirational roles based on expected changes coming down the line.
Committing culture and core values of the program to writing.
This will be used to keep consistency during the transition.Develop aspirational org charts based on most recent information on structure of college football- there may be several different versions.
TAG will offer on-call ability to answer questions or clarify for staff, coaches, etc.
Phase 3 - Regular Season Games
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND FULL ROLL-OUT OF MODEL 2.0 aka Regular Season GamesCompletion of Phase 3 puts your university in a position to aggressively attack the new landscape of college athletics with a progressive process and structure most conducive to winning.
PHASE 3 DELIVERABLES: Your university will be structured in the best way to prosper in the NEW incarnation of college athletics. New roles and structures will be scoped, hired, onboarded, and trained.
Analysis, interviews, and research to assess final rules and best organizational structure and processes.
Develop and implement new processes and workflows.
Fill the most significant and impactful gaps.
Define new roles and execute sourcing and hiring.
Oversee, train, and develop.
Import added TAG resources as needed to onboard/ train and to solve specific niche problems/ issues.
TAG will offer on-call ability to answer questions or clarify for staff, coaches, etc.