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The Stories Behind Miracle, HBO Sports & NIL Success Every Athlete Needs to Hear with Ross Greenburg and Stephanie Grady
Jul 25, 2026 1:35:50 S13 E36

The Stories Behind Miracle, HBO Sports & NIL Success Every Athlete Needs to Hear with Ross Greenburg and Stephanie Grady

The Stories Behind Miracle, HBO Sports & NIL Success Every Athlete Needs to Hear with Ross Greenburg and Stephanie Grady
Next on the Tee: Where Golf Legends Live & Your Game Gets Better
0:00 1:35:50

About this episode

What does it take to tell one of the greatest sports stories ever put on film? And what does it take to prepare today's young athletes for success in a world where talent alone isn't enough?

This week on Next on the Tee, I have two extraordinary guests who answer those questions from very different perspectives.

First, legendary producer and former HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg returns to the show. Ross has won well over 100 major television awards and created some of the finest sports documentaries ever produced. We catch up on his upcoming documentary, The 99ers, celebrating the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team that captured the 1999 World Cup and changed women's sports forever.

As a huge fan of the movie Miracle, I couldn't resist asking Ross to take us behind the scenes of bringing one of the greatest moments in sports history to life. We relive the unforgettable Miracle on Ice, celebrate Team USA's recent Olympic gold medal, and talk about why that incredible story still resonates decades later.

Ross also shares updates on his outstanding USGA documentaries and, exclusively on Next on the Tee, announces his newest project—a golf book exploring the little "creative interpretations" many of us have with the Rules of Golf. If you've ever improved a lie, taken a generous drop, or found yourself reaching for an "executive mulligan," you'll definitely want to hear what's coming.

Then I'm joined by 2-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Stephanie Grady, making her Next on the Tee debut.

Stephanie's journey is remarkable. A nationally accomplished junior figure skater whose Olympic dreams were cut short by injury, she switched her focus to broadcast journalism at Penn State, became an award-winning television news anchor before making another bold career change. Today, she and her husband help high school and college athletes successfully navigate the rapidly changing NIL landscape through their company, Influential Athlete.

Our conversation goes far beyond endorsement deals. Stephanie shares practical advice for athletes and parents about building confidence without creating entitlement, handling media interviews, developing a personal brand, making smart decisions off the field, and avoiding the pitfalls that can derail promising careers. We also discuss one of the biggest challenges facing young athletes today—how the choices they make after the game or after midnight can impact everything they've worked so hard to achieve. You know what I always say: nothing good ever happens after midnight...

Whether you're a golfer, sports fan, parent, coach, or simply someone who enjoys hearing remarkable people share the lessons they've learned at the highest levels of competition and broadcasting, this episode is packed with stories, wisdom, and inspiration.

So settle in, relax, and let us take your mind off everything else for the next hour.

Thank you, as always, for pressing play.

#NextOnTheTee #GolfPodcast #RossGreenburg #StephanieGrady #HBOSports #MiracleMovie #NIL #CollegeAthletics #SportsDocumentary #USGA #Olympics #YouthSports #GolfLife #SportsLeadership #Podcast

Key Takeaways

  • Ross Greenburg, former HBO Sports President and award-winning producer, is working on The 99ers documentary about the 1999 U.S. Women's National Soccer Team World Cup victory and has a new golf book project exploring creative interpretations of the Rules of Golf.
  • Stephanie Grady, a 2-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and former junior figure skater, co-founded Influential Athlete to help high school and college athletes navigate NIL opportunities and build personal brands.
  • Young athletes today face challenges beyond talent development, including managing personal brand, handling media interviews, making smart off-field decisions, and understanding how choices after games or late at night can impact their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ross Greenburg's upcoming documentary project?

The 99ers, a documentary celebrating the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team that won the 1999 World Cup and changed women's sports.

What is Stephanie Grady's company and what does it do?

Influential Athlete, which she co-founded with her husband to help high school and college athletes navigate the NIL landscape and build personal brands.

What was Stephanie Grady's athletic background?

She was a nationally accomplished junior figure skater whose Olympic dreams were cut short by injury, after which she pursued broadcast journalism.

What topics does Stephanie Grady advise athletes on?

Building confidence without entitlement, handling media interviews, developing personal brands, making smart decisions off the field, and avoiding career-derailing pitfalls.