Mark H. McCormack

Mark H. McCormack was an American sports executive who became one of the most successful businessmen in history. He was the founder, president, and chairman of the sports marketing, management, and media firm IMG. Through his firm, McCormack revolutionized the sports industry, creating a multi-million-dollar industry in the process.

McCormack was born in 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio and attended high school in the suburb of Shaker Heights. After graduating high school, he moved on to college and attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he studied economics and law. While there, he connected with golf star Arnold Palmer, who suggested McCormack to be his coach and agent.

After his schooling, McCormak moved to New York City and began working for a law firm. Through his connections with Palmer, he was able to arrange for Palmer to appear on television in an advertisement for beer. This was a revolutionary idea at the time and prompt McCormack to start his own company.

In 1960 McCormack formed International Management Group and went on to become the Godfather of the modern sports industry. Through IMG, he revolutionized the sports management business, making it possible for clients to receive large endorsements, and significantly increased athlete’s salaries.

In addition to being a successful sports executive, McCormack was also an author and wrote several best-selling books on sports and business. His first book, What They Don’t Teach You At Harvard Business School, which was published in 1984, became an instant best-seller and was translated into several languages. In his book, McCormack discusses the importance of networking and using relationships to your advantage in the business world.

The second book, The World's Greatest Sports Negotiator, was published in 1998 and gives a behind the scenes look at how some of the most lucrative deals in sports history were negotiated. In his book, McCormack discusses the importance of dogged persistence when negotiating and making deals.

McCormack’s third book, What They Still Don’t Teach You At Harvard Business School, was written to help those break into the world of sports business. In this book, he shares his valuable insights on goal-setting and taking advantage of opportunities presented to you.

McCormack passed away in 2003, but his written works are still available to the public. His books, which are as relevant today as they were in the 1980s, provide invaluable advice on building a successful career in the world of sports and business. From negotiating deals to networking and building relationships, his teachings still resonate with aspiring industry leaders.