Keynote Speaker · Leadership & Organizational Transformation
You Want Game?
Inspiration from the trenches of today's Sport Media Monsters.
Keynote speaker, executive coach, and organizational strategist trusted by universities and nonprofits to ignite lasting change.
Trusted by leading institutions
Jim Was Ground-Zero at the World's Biggest Sports Media Networks
In 1977 Jim formally joined ESPN as employee #14 and soon ascended the ranks.
In 1990 Jim led media production of 100,000+ sporting events annually on what became FOX Sports.
In 2000 Jim joined the GOLF Channel in bankruptcy to help lead them to a $1.2B sales to NBC.
Keynote Programs
What Jim Speaks On
The wake-up call of a massive firing - and only a dream in-hand.
How organizations build — or break — the leadership pipelines that determine their future. Jim reveals the structural decisions that separate thriving institutions from stagnant ones.
Audiences leave with a clear framework for diagnosing and redesigning their leadership culture.
Leading Through Transformation.
Change is inevitable. Transformation is a choice. Jim equips leaders with the mindset, language, and tools to guide their teams through disruption without losing momentum or mission.
Teams gain a shared vocabulary and actionable roadmap for navigating organizational change.
Purpose-Driven Performance...real teamwork.
The most resilient organizations are built on a foundation of shared purpose. Jim shows how mission-driven leaders unlock extraordinary performance — even in resource-constrained environments.
Leaders discover how to align individual motivation with organizational mission for sustainable results.
“Jim Bates and I were roommates when ESPN began it’s birth. My father and I agreed Jim needed to join...quickly. I cannot think of anyone that was at more critical moments within the ‘Sports Media’ monsters than Jim. If he says it - it happened...and he lived to tell (you) about it!”
Booking Inquiries
Ready to Transform Your Next Event?
Jim works with a select number of organizations each year. Reach out early to discuss availability, topics, and how he can tailor his message to your audience.
Inquire About Booking