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Here you’ll find interviews with (almost) every job in the sports industry.
We ask people living the dream:
“How did you get your job?” and “What does it actually involve?”
So that you can land a dream job in sports too.

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“I never thought working in sport was an option—until I found myself negotiating Premier League broadcast rights.” - Andrew Ryan

Meet Andrew Ryan, the Managing Director at FIBA Media.

Andrew plays a critical role in shaping global basketball media rights, negotiating deals that bring FIBA events to audiences worldwide. His work directly impacts how fans experience international basketball, from World Cups to Olympic qualifiers.

With a background in law, Andrew’s career started in a completely different field before transitioning into sports media. He gained experience working with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Absolute Radio in London, where he first delved into media rights and broadcasting.

If you’ve ever wondered how to pivot into sport from another industry, or how to work internationally in sports media, Andrew’s story is packed with valuable lessons. He shares insights on networking, career persistence, and what it takes to work in the commercial side of global sport.

🔥 Quickfire Questions

1. What inspired you to work in sport?
   I was obsessed with sport from a young age. My twin brother and I watched everything—cricket, tennis, rugby, AFL, even lawn bowls.

2. What was your first ever sports-related role?
   Indoor cricket umpire at Redcliffe City Indoor Sports when I was a teenager.
   

3. After high school, what extra study did you do?
   I completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at the University of Queensland, then a postgraduate certificate in sports law in the UK.
   

4. What's one interview question you were asked for a job in sport?
   At the IOC, they asked: "What’s your favourite Olympic moment?" It’s a great way to test genuine passion.
   

5. A book or podcast recommendation that helped your career?
   How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It’s all about how to engage with people effectively.
   

6. If you could try another job in sport for a day, what would it be?
   Commentating the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

🔥 Quickfire Journey

1. Early Passion for Sport – Grew up obsessed with all sports but didn’t see working in sport as an obvious career option.

2. Legal Background – Studied law and psychology at university, not initially planning a sports career.

3. First Media Rights Experience – Moved to London and worked on Premier League broadcast rights at Absolute Radio.

4. Olympic Experience – Transitioned into sports through the IOC, where he worked on media rights deals.

5. FIBA Media – Now managing global basketball media rights, negotiating deals across the world

💬 Quotes from Andrew

"I never thought working in sport was an option—until I found myself negotiating Premier League broadcast rights."

"My career began with an indoor cricket umpiring gig. Now, I negotiate global media deals for basketball."

"Working in sport isn’t just about passion—it’s about finding the right opportunities and making them count."

"I took an unconventional path into sport, proving that there’s no one-size-fits-all way to build a career in this industry."

"Sport is more than entertainment—it’s a business. Understanding that helped me carve out my career."

"The sports industry was never on my radar in high school, but the right connections and persistence got me here."

"I’ve been obsessed with sport since childhood. Now, I get to help bring it to audiences worldwide."

"Media rights might not sound glamorous, but they’re the backbone of global sport."

"Networking isn’t just about meeting people—it’s about being prepared when the right person crosses your path."

"Breaking into the sports industry is tough, but persistence and adaptability will take you far."

Career Journey: How did Andrew get here?

Early Passion for Sport:

Andrew grew up in Australia with a deep love for sport, watching everything from rugby league to cricket. However, he didn’t see sport as a viable career path early on. In high school, he took on a work experience stint at Queensland Cricket, which was seen as an unusual move at the time.

From Law to Sport:

After high school, Andrew pursued a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at the University of Queensland. He started his career in legal roles, but his passion for sport never faded. It wasn’t until he moved to London and got an opportunity to work on Premier League broadcast rights that he saw a clear path into the industry.

Transition to Sports Business:

Andrew’s work in broadcasting led him to a role with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where he worked on media rights and commercial deals. His legal background helped him navigate complex negotiations in the sports world.

FIBA Media – Leading Global Basketball Broadcasts:

Today, Andrew is the Managing Director of FIBA Media, overseeing the commercial sales process for international basketball tournaments. He manages partnerships with major broadcasters and ensures FIBA’s media rights strategy aligns with the ever-changing landscape of sports broadcasting.

Role Overview: What does being Managing director of FIBA Media actually involve?

Andrew Ryan’s role at FIBA Media is all about commercialising basketball on a global scale. He oversees the sale of media rights across hundreds of countries, ensuring that FIBA’s events—such as the Men’s and Women’s World Cups—reach the widest possible audience.

Key Responsibilities

Broadcast Rights Sales: Andrew oversees the complex process of negotiating media rights for FIBA’s major tournaments, including the World Cup and Olympic qualifiers. His team secures deals across more than 200 markets, ensuring international basketball reaches millions of fans. These agreements involve navigating regional broadcasting landscapes, managing relationships with major networks like BeIN Sports and StarTimes, and structuring multi-year contracts to secure financial stability.

Strategic Planning: A major part of Andrew’s role is forecasting how sports consumption will evolve over the next four years. This means analysing trends in social media, streaming, and traditional TV to design a rights structure that balances maximum reach and revenue. His team must predict the impact of new digital platforms and ensure contracts allow flexibility for emerging technologies while still protecting FIBA’s core partnerships.

Content Distribution: Andrew works with broadcasters to determine how FIBA’s content is packaged and presented. This includes game highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live coverage across various platforms. He also ensures that FIBA’s digital content strategy aligns with broadcast rights, preventing conflicts between streaming services and TV networks while maintaining high engagement with basketball fans.

Athlete Marketing Program – Recognising the power of individual players in growing the sport, Andrew’s team provides FIBA’s top athletes with curated video content to share with their audiences. For global stars like Luka Dončić, this means delivering high-quality game highlights, exclusive interviews, and branded content immediately after games, helping FIBA boost visibility through player-led social media promotion.

OTT (Over-the-Top) Media Growth: As streaming platforms gain influence, Andrew is leading efforts to expand FIBA’s direct-to-consumer offerings. This includes developing new OTT services, negotiating digital carve-outs within existing contracts, and creating content specifically for online distribution. His goal is to future-proof FIBA’s media presence by balancing traditional broadcast deals with the growing demand for on-demand sports content.

Questions asked by Members

1. How did you first break into sport?

2. What’s the biggest challenge in negotiating sports media rights?

3. How does FIBA decide which broadcasters to partner with?

4. What are the key skills needed to work in international sports media?

5. What’s the best way to network in sports business?

6. How has digital media changed sports broadcasting?

7. What’s the biggest difference between working at the IOC and FIBA?

8. How can someone break into a career in sports commentary?

9. What trends do you see shaping sports media in the next decade?

10. What advice would you give to young professionals trying to get into sports business?

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