The central goal of Sports Business Classroom (SBC) is to provide opportunities for students to find NBA-related employment. Recently Ron Gutterman, an alumn of the 2021 Las Vegas Immersive, was hired by the Denver Nuggets as the team’s digital content specialist. On Friday, Gutterman spoke to SBC on his journey:

SBC: How did you hear about SBC ahead of the 2021 Immersive, and why did you sign up for it?

Gutterman: I heard about SBC through social media and had made plans to sign up for the 2020 immersive after doing some research on the program. Speaking with former attendees and some of the instructors, it seemed like the perfect way to kickstart a career in basketball. Obviously, the 2020 immersive didn’t happen, so I made sure to wait until 2021 when it was in person in Las Vegas.

SBC: What was your major, and what did you take out of the experience?

Gutterman: My major was scouting, video, and analytics (SVA). My long-term goal has always been to work in the decision-making side of the NBA, so I felt the major would be extremely valuable. Through the major, I learned tons about the game itself with film study and the trade deadline. But I also learned about the type of mentality needed to succeed in that world, better preparing me to face industry professionals when I eventually interviewed for my current job with the Nuggets.

SBC: What was your next step after Las Vegas?

Gutterman: I met with [USC and SBC professor] Jeff Fellenzer to revamp my resume, then started applying to just about any job that met my qualifications. The job I ultimately ended up getting, I heard about from [Eric Pincus] via social media. So I likely wouldn’t have heard about the job at all had it not been for SBC.

SBC: You were also writing for Lakers Nation before your new position. What drew you to writing on the NBA?

Gutterman: As a younger college student, I had a feeling that writing would be the most accessible way to build a portfolio that showed my knowledge level. Lakers Nation was one of my favorite Lakers-based publications in high school, so I reached out to the editor and asked about internships. I put together some sample writings in the process and ultimately got the job [in 2018], and I stayed there for about four years.

SBC: Covering the Lakers, were you based in Los Angeles? If so, how was relocating to Denver?

Gutterman: Yes, I was based in LA and had to relocate to Denver on pretty short notice. But the Nuggets were extremely understanding of that and offered to help with some of my relocation expenses. I was able to successfully move about four weeks removed from the initial job offer

SBC: What was the hiring process with the Nuggets?

Gutterman: I applied, interviewed for, but ultimately didn’t get a position with them towards the end of 2021. But after that process, I kept tabs on the organization and noticed that a few people had left for other jobs. Seeing that, I reached back out to see if they had any open positions, and they told me they had restructured some things and had a new position that met my experience. I did a couple more rounds of interviews before being offered the job.

SBC: What are your job responsibilities?

Gutterman: I am the team’s writer and digital content specialist. Essentially, my role is to take the lead on all things relating to the team’s website and YouTube channels. I’ll write articles, post highlights to YouTube, and attend all games and press conferences to collect quotes and videos.

SBC: How’s it been so far?

Gutterman: Through the first week, it’s been really good. The team was very excited to have me on board and made sure the transition was as smooth as possible. And being a direct part of the NBA world has been incredible.

SBC: How much did Sports Business Classroom help you get from A to Z?

Gutterman: The content of the SBC program certainly helped to fine-tune my basketball knowledge, but the connections I made have been the real selling point. I’ve met basketball professionals and other students with incredible knowledge that I would never have been able to meet without SBC

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @EricPincus.