MSM Student Christopher Gil Kicks Sports Career into High Gear
Christopher Gil, M.S. ’23, is the founder and CEO of Optimal Sports Management, a sports marketing agency that specializes in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) marketing for high school, college and professional football players. Christopher launched the agency in 2021 and is now pursuing his M.S. in Management (MSM) degree at LMU.
“LMU’s MSM program had everything I was looking for in a grad program – based in Los Angeles, in-person classes and only nine months to a degree,” he said. “I wanted to enhance my business skills and looked into an MBA, but it takes a minimum of two years. That was too long because my company is growing at such a fast rate.”
Christopher, who earned his undergraduate degree in sports media from USC, spent three years working in sports management for several professional sports teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers marketing department and two sports management firms. Working for NFL attorneys and agents opened his eyes to the athletic representation industry.
“I felt a strong connection to the players and loved seeing them be the best versions of themselves both on and off the field,” he said.
At Optimal Sports, Christopher creates new income streams for clients to succeed as college and professional athletes by monetizing them through vehicles such as endorsement deals, apparel lines and autograph sessions. His firm currently works with athletes from UCLA, USC, University of Arizona, Notre Dame and Stanford.
One question that Christopher often gets from potential clients is “Why should I go with you and Optimal Sports Management over someone else?” His reply: “What distinguishes us from other companies is that my team and I are relatively young. We know what's in and what's out. I’m able to resonate well with players on and off the field.”
Christopher’s ultimate goal is to become an NFL agent. To do this, he must pass the NFL players exam, which is given only once a year and tests your knowledge about the nuances and details of collective bargain agreements.
“Having a graduate business degree from LMU will not only help me get the best salary contracts for my players, it will also help me take that next important step in my career.”