Episode 1. Paraag Marathe : President of SF 49ers
On today’s episode, we are joined by Paraag Marathe, President of the San Francisco 49ers. Involved in football operations since 2001, he began as an intern focusing on contract negotiations and salary cap management. He helped launch 49ers Enterprises, extending beyond NFL operations into global sports entertainment and investment. Paraag shares early life experiences, highlighting challenges and motivations that shaped his career.
Paraag’s love for sports, nurtured through playing baseball and soccer, was inspired by the movie "Jerry Maguire," leading him to sports management. He secured an internship at IMG, introducing him to the sports industry, and later joined Bain & Company, becoming their go-to person for sports projects. A significant opportunity arose when Bill Walsh of the 49ers contacted Bain for a draft project, eventually leading to his full-time job in professional sports. Despite significant criticism for his unconventional background and young age, Paraag focused on his work and developed a thick skin.
Paraag believes personal fulfillment, love, and relationships are more important than career achievements. The conversation touches on mental health issues in the Asian American community and his family's struggle with cultural stigmas, particularly anorexia. Paraag shares his mentality around paying his success forward and the importance of sharing stories of overcoming adversity and breaking stereotypes.