By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
When athletes have to make personal appearances, attend autograph signings, community events, and more, someone has to schedule it, coordinate it and, of course, get the players there.
Who is that oh so important someone for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks?
It’s Brandon Barkley, 27, who, as Player Relations Manager, is responsible for all of the above and more. In honor of Black History Month, Texas Metro News sat down and talked with Brandon about how he keeps track of 15 players and their whereabouts, his typical day, the best part of his job, what’s on his playlist and more.
TMN: Tell us about your position as Player Relations Manager:
Brandon Barkley: Well, I’ve been here for about two years now. I work with the players in terms of everything that goes on in the community. I’m the liaison between both the players and the business office, coordinating what needs to happen, be it at local schools or events at hospitals or whatever it may be. Usually, you’ll see me in the background at whatever event it is in public. I also help them with work related to sponsorship ticket sales, marketing, anything you can think of related to the Mavs and our players you’ll see me smack dab in the middle. In a nutshell that is what I do.
TMN: What is the best part of your job?
B.B.: The experiences I’ve been able to have; both good and bad. It’s pretty fun, going to the games and being able to help people. It’s awesome to be able to be a part of the NBA and a great organization like the Mavericks. That’s the first thing.
Second is being able to help people. I feel like there is a connection when we get to go to these communities and go to these places and experience them and be able to see the kids faces and the people we help. Sports really is something that brings people together and puts a smile on their face so it’s awesome.
TMN: What is a typical day for you?
B.B.: Well, every day is kind of different. In general, I live and die by the calendar. So it’s what’s happening on the day—is it an appearance that is happening or obviously a game—that can dictate what I’m doing. It’s basically keeping tabs on what everyone is doing in terms of one through 15 on the roster. That way I can keep a good idea of what needs to happen and schedule things for them. Really it’s just monitoring everything every day and just making sure if something is happening, I’m reminding guys that it’s happening or being able to assist. It’s a lot of helping not only with the players but with a lot of other departments within the Mavericks. It’s an ever-growing process.
TMN: What talent would you most like to have?
B.B.: I think that I can sing but I know I can’t so I think to be able to sing would be awesome. I’m always envious of those people that have like really nice voices. That would be my No. 1 talent I wish I could have or play an instrument or something like that.
TMN: What is your greatest achievement so far?
B.B.: I would say being able to do what I do every day. Again, I think it’s a blessing and an honor to be able to work for such a great organization and great people. Cynt Marshall [Mavs CEO] is fantastic. I’m just so blessed and honored and thankful I get to work for a place like the Mavericks where it’s so easy to be yourself. It’s a fun work environment and one that I think is truly looking out for me along with continuing to help me grow. These past couple of years have been fantastic.
TMN: When and where are you the happiest?
B.B.: On a basketball court. I played basketball in college [Grand Valley State University in Michigan] and my entire life. Every place I go, I look for a basketball court or goal. It’s always the happiest place for me. Bouncing a ball. Nothing better.
TMN: What do you most dislike?
B.B.: I really dislike when people are not genuine about what they are trying to do. To me, a big part of what I believe in is doing right by people. I like to think of myself as a servant leader; trying to help everyone win. And I really can’t stand when there is someone that is not genuine or honest with their intentions. That’s a big pet peeve of mine.
TMN: What do you value the most in your friends?
B.B.: I’m big on being real. For me, I’m going to be honest with a person. I want everyone I’m associated with or even if I’m cool with you, I definitely want to see you win. That’s the biggest thing to me is having friends who want to see me be successful as well.
TMN: What’s on your playlist?
B.B.: My playlist goes all over the place. I enjoy some old school stuff. I’ll listen to Isley Brothers, Teddy Pendergrass, Michael Jackson and then move to new school, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert; I’m different. My wife likes country music, so I’ll listen to that too. When Luka [Doncic] and KP [Kristaps Porzingis] joined the team they liked to listen to Spanish music so I started listening to that a little bit. My playlist is all over the place.
TMN: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Brandon: One thing I would definitely change is my knees wouldn’t hurt so much. I played basketball for a really long time. I would love to replenish my body. Got a lot of wear and tear.
TMN: If you were to die, and come back as a person or a thing and you could choose what to come back as, what would it be and why?
B.B.: I think I would want to come back—as like a Jeff Bezos because I’d love to take that money and be able to donate it to places that have affected me. Being from Detroit, we sure could use some funding especially when you look at places like Flint, back in Michigan. I would take that and go into various communities and help. And I’d try to get a little piece of the Mavs off of Mark [Cuban]. I would want to do that just because of the power it would bring in terms of being able to help folks. I’d like to experience that and be generous and help people.
TMN: What is the most overrated virtue?
B.B.: I think what is mostly overrated is loyalty. There is a difference between being loyal and it being reciprocated. You can be loyal to someone but if they are doing you wrong, you don’t need to be loyal to a situation that is negative for you. I feel like this whole thing that you should be loyal to people…it’s always, it’s really about the situation that should be looked at and inspected. I am a very loyal person, but I am always going to look at the situation and make sure it’s right for me, right for the other person. You don’t want to do it [be loyal] blindly.
