Never Give Up! Discussion on Perseverance with Arn Tellem

Denise Ilitch show

Denise talks to Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman of the Detroit Pistons basketball franchise. They discuss many lessons from his distinguished career as one of the top player agents in professional sports. Arn gives tangible advice for both people starting out in their careers as well as seasoned professionals. In particular, he talks about personal lessons of perseverance after losing a player as an agent, and gives suggestions to young people about education and career management. Arn talks about his decision to join the Pistons and how the opportunity to contribute to the region’s revitalization was a key factor for him. To that end, he discusses several community partnerships that earned the organization national recognition as he works to strengthen the connection between the Pistons and the community. They discuss the impact of bringing the franchise back to the city of Detroit after a 39-year absence and as well as the organization's growing relationship with Henry Ford Health.

Arn Tellem has represented more than 500 professional athletes in his career. He joined the Detroit Pistons organization as Vice Chairman in 2015, where he has broad responsibility for business and basketball strategy, planning, and development. Over the years, Arn has been recognized as the most influential Sports Agent by the Sports Business Journal, The Sporting News, and Forbes. He has written for numerous national publications, including the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and the Japan Times, and is frequently invited to lecture on issues related to sports law and business. He received his bachelor’s degree from Haverford College and his J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He is active in the Detroit business and philanthropic community.

Denise Ilitch, an owner of Ilitch Family Companies and President of Ilitch Enterprises, has been a part of Detroit’s business and philanthropic community for over 40 years. As a mother, lawyer, entrepreneur, devoted community servant and tireless advocate for women and children, she learned early, from her father, that everyone is worthy of contributing to the world. Her passion for affordable, accessible, quality education stems from her own experience as a first-generation student, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she currently serves on the Board of Regents, and a law degree from the University of Detroit Law School.

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