In this episode of Pay Your Dues, host Greg Inglin sits down with Fred Rivera to explore his remarkable rise from a blue-collar upbringing in Los Angeles to becoming a respected leader in sports law, Executive Vice President and Special Advisor for the Seattle Mariners, as well as CEO & Founder of The Rivera Group, a trusted sports business advisory firm. Drawing from the conversation, Fred shares vivid stories of his hardworking grandparents, how baseball became his childhood anchor, and the struggles he overcame as a student before finding his path through law school.
The episode dives into emotional intellect, mentorship, developing leadership skills, and what defines the qualities of a good leader - highlighting lessons from Fred’s tenure at the Department of Justice and his impactful role with theMariners. Listeners gain unique insight into leadership qualities, the realities of sports law, and the role community and business play in shaping major league sports organizations.
What you can expect from this episode:
- An inside look at Fred Rivera’s journey from a hardworking family in Santa Monica to leading in sports law.
- Candid reflections on emotional intellect, leadership skills, and the qualities of a good leader - featuring stories aboutmentorship, overcoming self-doubt, and lessons learned from legendary figures like Janet Reno.
- Real-world insight into how sports law intersects with business, community engagement, and modern challenges such as team ownership, highlighting the unique impact of leadership in the world of professional sports.
Guest Resources:
The Rivera Group: Website
Fred Rivera: LinkedIn
About My Guest: Fred Rivera is a seasoned legal and sports executive with a rich career spanning government service,private law practice, and professional sports management. Born and raised in Southern California in a hardworking, blue-collar family, he forged his path through education beginning at community college and culminating in law school at Gonzaga University. Fred’s early career included a notable tenure as a trial lawyer in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where he developed expertise in lending discrimination and gained deep insights into financial institutions and business leadership. Transitioning to private practice, he rose to managing partner at a major Seattle law firm, Perkins Coie, overseeing a large team and a prestigious client roster. Later, as general counsel for theSeattle Mariners, Fred played a pivotal role in player arbitration, community engagement, stadium lease negotiations, media operations, and real estatedevelopment.
Now leading the Rivera Group, he advises on sports franchise investments and fractional ownership, blending his legal acumen with his passion for sports to drive innovative business endeavors in the industry.
Guest idea? Feedback? Connect with Greg on LinkedIn.
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Want to skip to the good part? Here’s this episode’s segments:
00:00 Foundations of Hard Work and Passion
04:00 The Journey to Education and Law School
06:47 Early Career and Influences in D.C.
09:50 Transitioning to Private Practice
12:54 Leadership and Managing at Perkins Coie
15:48 The Role of Community and Advocacy
18:44 Becoming General Counsel for the Mariners
29:32 Navigating Arbitration in Sports Contracts
31:14 The Emotional Connection of Sports to Community
33:47 The Cultural Significance of Sports
35:44 The Role of Sports in Economic Development
37:57 Community Engagement and Youth Involvement in Sports
41:07 The Evolution of Sports and Entertainment Districts
43:01 Fractional Ownership in Sports Teams
47:03 The Global Impact of Sports Investment
49:45 Reflections on Personal Growth and Legacy