#287: Jose Diaz, SMAC Entertainment - Managing Elite Talent & the Future of Athlete Brands

Jose Diaz is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Communications at SMAC Entertainment, where he leads talent management, brand partnerships, content development, and media strategy. With more than a decade of experience across entertainment, sports, and consumer culture, Diaz plays a central role in shaping how modern athletes and personalities build enduring brands beyond the field.

At SMAC, Diaz works closely with high-profile talent to develop multi-platform initiatives spanning television, digital media, and branded ventures. His work sits at the intersection of storytelling, commerce, and culture—helping translate talent vision into scalable businesses and long-term partnerships while navigating an increasingly complex media landscape.

In this episode, Diaz shares insights into building athlete-driven IP, managing talent at the highest level, and how SMAC approaches content, partnerships, and growth in today’s sports and entertainment economy. A University of Southern California graduate, Diaz brings a strategic, operator’s perspective on what it takes to create relevance, longevity, and impact in modern sports media.

Podcast Chapters:

00:56 Jose's Journey: From Intern to EVP

03:33 The Evolution of Smack: Talent Management to Content Creation

07:58 Identifying Athletes Worth Investing In

11:25 Protecting the Athlete's Core Responsibilities

14:30 Navigating Brand Partnerships and Authenticity

19:32 The Rise of Flag Football and Deanna Flores

23:43 Leveraging Major Events for Talent Exposure

26:17 Building Community Around Athlete Brands

28:18 Memorable Projects and Impactful Moments

29:45 Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Changing Industry

Jose Diaz:

🏠 Website: https://www.smac-ent.com/

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jdiaz021

Scott Garber:

🏠 Website: https://profluence.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

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