Leigh Steinbreg, Sports Agent and Author | Sports Business Radio Podcast

Sports Business Radio
Sports Business RadioApr 28, 2026

Why It Matters

Effective draft preparation elevates a player’s market value and mitigates team risk, directly impacting contract outcomes and agent revenue.

Key Takeaways

  • Agents start draft prep with intensive training and nutrition programs.
  • Players practice combine drills and five specific testables early February.
  • Simulated GM interviews teach candidates to answer scouting questions.
  • Character and background checks address team concerns before draft day.
  • Agents manage information flow to keep teams honest and avoid leaks.

Summary

Leigh Steinbreg, a veteran sports agent and author, explains how he readies clients for the NFL draft. His approach begins months ahead, sending prospects to specialized training camps that combine advanced nutrition plans with targeted workouts designed to master the five measurable drills featured at the combine.

The agent’s regimen also includes mock interviews with former general managers, rehearsing the exact questions teams ask and ensuring players can discuss plays on a chalkboard confidently. Parallel to physical prep, Steinbreg conducts thorough character and background screenings to pre‑empt any red flags that could deter teams.

Steinbreg emphasizes the strategic handling of information, noting that he avoids “cross‑fertilizing” data between interested clubs to maintain transparency and protect his client’s negotiating position. By the Thursday night draft, he aims to have cultivated honest dialogue with multiple franchises while highlighting the player’s strongest attributes.

This meticulous preparation not only boosts a prospect’s draft stock but also reduces risk for teams, illustrating how agents can add measurable value in a highly competitive talent market.

Original Description

Leigh Steinberg, Iconic Sports Agent, Best-selling author and Philanthropist, joins Sports Business Radio for a conversation.
Steinberg has represented more than 300 professional athletes, including eight No. 1 NFL draft picks, 64 first round picks and 12 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. He has also directed more than $1.2 billion toward charitable causes.
In his book "The Comeback: A Playbook for Turning Life’s Setbacks into Victories", Steinberg opens up about his struggle with alcohol addiction, the journey to recovery, and his return to the top of the sports world. The Comeback is currently available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
On Sports Business Radio, Steinberg discusses the recent NFL Draft, his work with Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, how the sports agent industry has evolved and how he served as a consultant for the hit movies “Jerry Maguire” and “Any Given Sunday”.
#sportsagent #NFL #LeighSteinberg

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