Beyond the Basket - Paige Bueckers

part 3 - fresh starts and friendships

Monday August 26

Kiera POV

It's the first day of classes. Luckily, on Mondays, I only have one lecture, so I'm not extremely stressed about the learning aspect of college.

paigey sent you a chat

paigey
Good luck for your class today.

Me
thank you ❤️
you 2

I have the morning free before my 3 o'clock class, so I decide to start the day with some coffee. I invited Inês to join me, and we walk over to one of the coffee shops on campus and sit at a table.

"Do you want to come watch the Seattle game tonight with some of the team? It could introduce you to more of my friends besides Paige," Inês asks me." Yes, of course. I still haven't met anyone here except you and Paige," I reply.

I order an iced coffee for myself and a latte for Inês. "I have class in half an hour," Inês tells me, then leaves the coffee shop.

I leave the café soon after and, on my way back to my dorm, I crash into a familiar tall blonde.

"Kie, hey," Paige says to me. "Hey, Paige, good morning," I attempt to say before yawning. "Good morning. What are you up to?" she asks. "I was just getting coffee with Inês 'cause she had a morning class. How about you?" I reply. "Just getting coffee. I'm so tired. Luckily, my only class today is online, but I had a 6 am practice."

I open my dorm room door, sit on the couch, and sip my coffee. I grab my laptop to check my email before classes and see one from the agency I'm interning at.

Northeast Sports Talent Agency

Dear Ms. Parker,

This is confirmation that Kiera Parker is interning at Northeast Sports Talent Agency, a well-regarded agency representing athletes across the northeastern United States. This internship offers an immersive experience in sports management, focusing on athlete representation, contract negotiations, and marketing.

Responsibilities:

Client Relations:

Support the management of athlete schedules, including travel, events, and training sessions.

Assist in client communications, ensuring timely and accurate responses.

Contract Negotiations:

Observe and take notes during contract negotiations, learning the intricacies of deal-making.

Conduct market research on player salaries, team needs, and other relevant factors to assist in negotiation preparation.

Help draft initial contract proposals and amendments under supervision.

Marketing & Branding:

Collaborate with the marketing team to develop promotional materials and campaigns for clients.

Assist in planning and executing community outreach events and charity initiatives.

Monitor and analyze social media presence and provide insights for enhancing client visibility.

Research & Analysis:

Research potential endorsement opportunities and sponsorship deals for clients.

Prepare comprehensive reports on emerging trends in the sports industry, particularly in athlete branding and digital media.

Networking & Professional Development:

Attend local sports events, industry seminars, and networking gatherings to build connections within the sports community.