TRIBUTE BY NSMN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEN KARPF

The sports business industry has lost a legend.

28 years ago, I met Doug when he was a speaker at an Ad Club event in NYC. I had the idea to start NSMN and he was the very first industry executive to meet with me. I was still working at TIME magazine, and Doug had an opening in his department at IMG. He tried to get me to work for him, but I believed in my idea to start the industry trade association, so I declined the job of a lifetime: to work for Doug! I think he was surprised but he respected my decision and from that point on, I had his full support of NSMN.

He joined NSMN's National Board in 1998, and he has served as a trusted advisor to me for 27 years. He was one of the smartest and most direct advisors I ever had, and I owe him a lot for his time and interest in helping a 24-year-old when at the time, he was one of the top executives at IMG and one of the most respected sports executives in the country. He is a true legend from the early days of IMG with a long list of industry accomplishments.

Doug introduced me to more sports executives than anyone else in my career. He sent me NYT articles to read, and he advised in a way that was so instrumental to NSMN's early success. There was no one like him. He arrived early to every NYC Chapter event to meet my father for coffee and together they would watch me set up for our events. They had a great friendship. Doug was the best. He was a huge supporter and fundraiser for ALS, which took his brother.

He was a 27-year member of the trade association. He never wanted any attention or spotlight. He just wanted to make our industry better. I'm so saddened to hear of his loss. NSMN will honor him in in a big way as soon as I wrap my head around this tremendous loss. Sending my thoughts to his colleagues, friends and family.

RIP Doug. The sports business industry was better and smarter because of you.