Where did Negotiation Warriors begin — and why does it matter? In this first full episode, Doug Pires and Jessica DeBear of the Stopping By Podcast turn the tables and interview me about the origin of Negotiation Warriors and the mindset behind elite negotiators in professional sports. After more than three decades in the NFL — as an agent and as General Counsel of the Chicago Bears — I have learned that negotiation is not about being loud or combative. It’s about preparation, discipline, leverage, and understanding the full ecosystem around every decision. There is so much we can learn from the best negotiators. In this episode, we discuss:
• The inspiration behind Negotiation Warriors
• Lessons learned from negotiating player contracts in the NFL
• The importance of preparation in high-stakes environments
• What it means to develop a “Negotiation Warrior” mindset
• The fascination of the money made by professional atheltes
• Learning from the greatest negotiators in professional sports This episode sets the foundation for future conversations with elite negotiators across sports — agents, front office executives, owners, and players.
🎙️ Subscribe for upcoming episodes featuring some of the most respected negotiators in professional sports. If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to follow and share it on X, Instagram and Youtube, and tag us @frontoffice360.
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