Time Out: Quick Q&A With Sports Tech Leaders - Amir Zonozi
About Amir: Amir Zonozi is the CEO and Cofounder of Zoomph, a partnerships insights platform . Working with blue chip organizations like NFL, LPGA, ESPN, Angel City FC, Amazon, Ally & Chase. Amir specializes in optimizing partnership prospecting, performance, with broadcast and social data. Outside of work, Amir is a board member at WiST and recovering sneaker head, drone crasher, lucky husband to Kristin and father of 3 amazing boys.
1. What’s your favorite part of your job?
We have created such a great community of clients, investors, and employees - my favorite part is our people. It is the most rewarding experience to help these people win and to know such massive organizations put such a high amount of trust in us to help them win is something that means so much to our team and me.
2. What’s your favorite thing about being on the WiST board?
It is incredibly rewarding to play such a small role in such a massive movement with a fantastic network Marilou and WiST have created. I am adamant that WiST was a catalyst in Zoomph's success. Its ability for us to level the industry up together and the pride of knowing you are making a positive impact is incredibly rewarding. I love just being a part of something bigger than me and something painfully obvious in how we can level this industry up by being a beacon to more bright minds that think differently.
Zonozi Family
3. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what do you think it would be?
Nope. Forgive me, but this question is not me; this is it.This is the one chance we get to make a difference. There is no coming back, no extra lives. We have one chance to show who we are and make our impact on this world. We have no idea how much time we truly have, so we need to fight, and we need to be relentless and ready to fail for how many times it is worth failing until we win.
4. If you could be a professional athlete in any sport, what would it be?
I grew up watching Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James; how could it not be the NBA?! I used to wear a jersey every day to elementary school. They used to call me "Toni Kukoc" because I was usually the only foreigner on the court. My height peaked in 6th grade, so I went from being a center on the court to a wrestler on the mat, and somehow became the nerd helping the front office. Wouldn't change it for the world.
5. What is your favorite sports tech wearable, for your own personal use?
Apple Ultra Watch 2, but I do track a lot of my health data through a number of Withings products. I always wanted to try an OURA ring or Whoop, but love having as much data as possible and excited for AI to impact health tech.
6. Which talent would you most like to have?
You need to be the best at what you are, and you have everything in your power to grow your skillset, but don't hesitate to surround yourselves with others who excel in talents you don't have but I wish I had the talent and discipline to not check my phone as much as I do haha.
7. What is your favorite live sports memory?
My family was in Houston for a few weeks, and to make a long story short, I love the city of Houston, but we didn't want to be there. Still, we made the best of it. A few of my close industry friends came together to gift tickets to the Houston Astros with a gift card to give my two older boys a fun experience. It was both of my boys' first time attending an MLB game, and I can't talk about it without tearing up a little. There is something about sports that parallels life, and it meant so much to watch my middle son Rocky experience his first sporting event and my eldest, Hudson, to help adjust him to the sheer overload that attending a massive event can have on a little kid. We cheered, we met the nicest fans, we got them jerseys and popcorn, and it's a moment I will forever cherish - it had nothing to do with what was on the field, but it had everything to do with live sports.
8. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I am the father of three amazing boys, the husband of a fantastic wife at home, and the leader of one of the greatest teams ever assembled in sports tech at Zoomph. What can be better than that?
9. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Is it in Sharepoint?" - Our company's shared file management system "Is it in HubSpot?" - Our company's CRM.
10. What is your most treasured possession?
I like to keep drawings my kids make in my suitcase, wallet, etc. Everywhere I go, I have these moments that ground me and remind me that I am their father and an influence in how my behavior can impact them. From what I tweet to what I do when I think no one is looking, I know my actions impact how my children might act when they become adults and these mementos keep me present in the mind state.
11. Where would you like to live?
In a world where WiST wasn't needed because our mission was accomplished.
12. Who are your heroes in real life?
Doctors, Nurses and staff in Oncology departments - F Cancer.
13. If you could wear only one jersey for the rest of your life, what jersey would you wear?
Sean Taylor Commanders Jersey - no question but I have a crazy collection of gear of all Zoomph clients so much that my wife has cut my client gear budget lol
14. What are your go-to game/match foods and beverages, in-stadium and at home?
I am a sucker for a good steak and cheese but love me a good hotdog at the ball park. Also love a hoppy IPA.
15. What motto are you known for?
"Comfort is the enemy of greatness."
"Niches get riches."
"Attention is currency; content is commerce."
16. What is your favorite sports tech partnership or sports tech integration?
Honestly, anytime WiST brings on a new partner, it immediately tells me all I need to know about the company, and I am excited to help them win together. But when it comes to big sports tech news, I am a big fan of Ethan Joyce and Joe Lemire over at SBJ.
