In the latest episode of Always an Athlete, hosted by Gunster’s Jonathan K. Osborne, trailblazing sports executive Val Ackerman—whose career spans the WNBA launch, the NBA, USA Basketball, and the Big East Conference—joins the show for an insightful conversation on why competition, resilience, and leadership are skills that carry far beyond the court.
Osborne and Ackerman discuss what it was like to be at the forefront of the women’s sports boom as the WNBA’s inaugural commissioner, her approach to leading one of college basketball's most competitive conferences, and her playbook on leadership that lasts.
Listen Now: Always an Athlete featuring Val Ackerman
Jonathan K. Osborne serves as Gunster's Fort Lauderdale Office Managing Shareholder and is chair of the firm's White Collar Defense & Internal Investigations practice. He began his practice at Gunster and later returned to the firm after serving in the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Florida. As a former college athlete, Osborne explores the intersection of competition, advocacy, and leadership through a dedicated blog and podcast that draw on his experiences in the courtroom and on the court.
- Blog: Holding Court examines law, sports, and leadership with practical insights and lessons from high-stakes competition. Visit Holding Court to read the latest posts.
- Podcast: Always an Athlete convenes conversations on competition in sports, business, law, and leadership, featuring interviews with leaders in sports, business, and law. Check out Always an Athlete.
