Jewish Philanthropy Podcast · Dovid M Cohen

An Unstoppable Drive - Adam Neuman

·47 min·4 clips

Adam Newman stayed up past midnight hyperlinking shoe URLs to practice being the best in every small task.

This episode of the Jewish Philanthropy Podcast features host David M. Cohen interviewing Adam Newman, the Chief of Staff, Strategy and Operations, and Deputy General Counsel for the Big Ten Conference. Newman discusses his professional journey and his philosophy on work, passion, and leadership within college athletics. He recalls observing a lack of passion in the professional lives of some adults during his upbringing in Baltimore, which shaped his own determination to find fulfilling work. Newman describes undertaking internships in media and television before focusing on sports, emphasizing a personal benchmark of outworking everyone else by being the first to arrive and last to leave. He shares a specific anecdote about meticulously formatting an email with hyperlinks for a friend as an example of building consistent, high-effort habits. His break came through a speechwriting role for Yeshiva University President Richard Joel, where he connected with Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf. This connection led to a coveted legal internship with the Vikings, where Newman proactively took on extra projects like rewriting LinkedIn pages and website bios. He maintained this internship through multiple law school breaks, eventually connecting with Kevin Warren, who later hired him at the Big Ten. Newman explains his current dual role involves legal work like contract drafting and strategic policy concerning player safety, conference expansion with UCLA and USC, and media rights. He notes the Big Ten oversees 28 sports across 14 institutions, supporting roughly 10,000 student athletes. A surprising insight is his observation that professional athletes are often more relatable than people assume, though strict policies forbid fan-like behavior in the workplace. He contrasts the complex challenges of college athletics, like transgender participation and name, image, and likeness rules, with the more straightforward business model of professional leagues. Newman reveals the Big Ten established a mental health cabinet, and surveys on therapist-to-student-athlete ratios led some schools to hire more clinicians. He recounts seeing Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields practicing alone early on game day as an example of elite athlete dedication. The conversation is informal, motivational, and rich with personal anecdotes, blending career advice with insights into the sports industry. Listeners interested in sports management, career development, or Jewish professional journeys would find this episode engaging. Those seeking a deeply analytical critique of college sports or a focus on traditional philanthropy might find it less aligned with their interests.

As heard by us

A warm conversation about sports, service, and how careers get built.

Adam Newman's route through law school and the Big Ten gives the conversation a real center: responsibility comes early, and the people around him seem to matter.

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Why you'd press play

Listen if you want a Jewish philanthropy conversation that moves from law school to Big Ten leadership.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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