Renie Anderson Goes Long

By Kaitlin Feaster

            From Kentucky to New York City Renie Anderson has experienced a very interesting business adventure. Anderson was born and raised in Kentucky on a farm that was run by her father. After high school Anderson decided that she wanted to attend the University of Mississippi because of its rich history and quaint college town. After graduating from Ole Miss Anderson moved to Los Angeles where she worked for a temp agency, it was in this job that she got her big break.

            While attending Ole Miss Anderson was a journalism major and I had no idea what she wanted to do when she “grew up”. Looking back some advice that she would give to current students is to take advantage of all the opportunities that the school has to offer, like going abroad. Something that Anderson learned as she got older was that once you are an adult and paying your bills you will not have time to go “find yourself”. Other things that Anderson stresses to students is to pay attention to school and to give everything you do 110 percent because otherwise what is the point?

            While working for a temp agency in L.A. Anderson got a job as Dave Barkers assistant. Here is where she learned that she had skills in marketing and advertising. Anderson went on to become the VP Business Development, Sponsorship and Media Sales.

            Sports property sales is predominantly a male oriented profession but after six years working with the National Football League Anderson says that she doesn’t see herself as a female executive, she sees herself as just an executive. She believes that she has the position she has because she is the best at what she does. Anderson says that working for the NFL is an amazing job filled with amazing opportunities to help others. She tries to help the company build a label with a great reputation by doing great things. Some philanthropic things that the NFL does to help others is the Breast Cancer Awareness month, Play 60 and Military Appreciation.

            When asked why she loves her job so much Anderson gave three strong reasons for working with the NFL.

            “Baseball is Americas pass time but football is America’s passion.” Said Anderson

            She believes that football is intense, meaningful and unifying. It is intense because people get really into their home teams, it is meaningful because of the traditions that come with it and it is unifying because it builds common interests and pulls people together.

Renie Anderson

Renie Anderson
By: Steven Gagliano

    After growing up on a farm in Morganfield, Kentucky, Renie Anderson has made the most of her opportunities her way to becoming the Senior Vice President of Sponsorship and Partnership Management for the NFL.

    After graduating from Ole Miss with a degree in Journalism, Anderson moved to California with the goal of writing for a newspaper. “I wanted be a writer and have a collection of romance and mystery novels” she said. Anderson worked for a temp agency in California before she was introduced to the commissioner of the Arena Football League, David Baker. She was hired to become his personal assistant.

    “He needed an assistant and I was desperate for a job’’ she said, “On my first day, he said three things: I need you to balance my checkbook, get my laundry, and call NFL owners to see if they want to buy AFL teams.’‘ she said. After four years on the job, Anderson began to take on much larger responsibilities including selling and managing the sponsors of the AFL.

    “I got to learn a little bit of everything, and had a great opportunity to learn about the business of sports.” she said. After leaving the AFL, Anderson interviewed with both the NBA and the NFL. “Ultimately it‘s where my passion lied and that was with the NFL” she said. “On Sundays, when you turn on a TV, that’s what I work for.” Anderson said when asked about her favorite part of her job with the NFL.

     Recently Anderson was named one of Sports Business Daily’s top sports executives under the age of 40. “It’s an honor to be recognized for the work that my team and I do. I hope I have the ability to lead by example and to inspire.” she said, “I still pinch myself, I’m from a town of 3,400 people and now I work on Park Ave. with the NFL, are you kidding me?” she said with a laugh.

    Anderson’s advice to those entering the work force is to do everything to the best of their ability. “Give it 110 percent everyday, why go into a job and do it halfway, thats boring” she said. After growing up in a town of 3,400 people, Anderson’s work for the NFL now touches more than 180 million fans. “I was always told no job is too small,” she said, “and I’ve walked through every open door.” Anderson has already accomplished so much and as she says “I know I look fabulous doing it.”