Robert Tuchman is the founder of TSE Sports & Entertainment. He is one of the foremost leading authorities regarding sports business. In 2006, Tuchman sold the majority of TSE Sports & Entertainment to North America Sports Media. TSE Sports & Entertainment became Premiere Corporate Events in June 2008.
Today the company specializes in working with corporations to provide sports travel packages, event hospitality, and marketing programs that reach their customers through the power of sports & entertainment. Major clients include such titans as AT&T and Anheuser-Busch. Roberts latest book The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live: An Insiders Guide to Creating the Sports Experience of a Lifetime was released earlier this year.
OWS: Robert, you used to be an investment advisor with Lehman Brothers — do you have any investment advice for readers?
Robert: LOL, absolutely not. If you saw my portfolio over the past two years, I would advise doing the opposite.
OWS: On a more serious note; you graduated from Boston University with a broadcast journalism degree before you ended up working at Lehman Brothers for a few years. What convinced you to switch careers and eventually start your own company?
Robert: I realized very quickly that I needed to be working in something I loved to enjoy each day. Fortunately I didn’t give into all the people that were telling me Lehman was the safe bet. Funny how life works out sometimes.
OWS: A number of notable sports journalists/figures have come out of Boston University’s journalism program. Can you talk a bit about your time there?
Robert: There was a ton of talent in the Communications program at BU. It was really competitive and I enjoyed my time there. I was fortunate to intern and work for some really great sportscasters including Bob Wolff and Bill Pidto. I worked for Mike Adams at New England Cable News, recently I was on his radio show in Boston. He didn’t remember me nor did he really seem to care…he is a funny guy.
OWS: You have noted in the past that one of the executives you most admire is Bob Kraft and one of the brands you most admired is Apple. Can you express your reasoning?
Robert: Bob Kraft came in and completely changed the energy about the Patriots. He then went on to win and bring Super Bowl trophies to a franchise that was never considered good. He is a life long Patriots fan. I am a life long Jets fan. I am obsessed about that team, one day my ultimate goal would be to own that team and do what Bob Kraft did for the Pats for the Jets. I actually hope someone beats me too it!
OWS: This past year your book The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live was published. First of all–congratulations. What was the inspiration to compile such a list?
Robert: Sports travel has been my business over the past ten years. I have learned so much about what you need to know to get tickets, hotel, and all the things needed when traveling to sporting events. I wanted to share that knowledge with others.
OWS: I love the tagline for the book; “An Insiders Guide to Creating the Sports Experience of a Lifetime.” You have spent years traveling to sporting events, presumably for work and pleasure. Can you recall the greatest sporting moment that you have seen live?
Robert: Before I ever got into the business it happened, game seven Stanley Cup Finals 1994, section 340. Nothing has come close.
OWS: You have obviously met a multitude of athletes over the past dozen or so years. What is your favorite/funniest experience?
Robert: Had a chance to meet my idols growing up Wesley Walker and Freeman McNeil. Both turned out to be nice guys. Also met a lot of guys I couldn’t stand growing up, mainly because they played for the teams I couldn’t stand; Jim Rice, Andre Tippett, Bill Walton…all three of these guys are some of the nicest people I have met in sports. I wish I rooted for them when I was younger!
OWS: I read somewhere that you said Benjamin Button made you cry. C’mon man. What’s worse; that you were actually asked what movie last made you cry or that you admitted to this? Can you defend this statement?
Robert: All true, I am ok with my masculinity. I’ll admit it.
OWS: Thanks for taking time to speak with us, Robert. We assume tickets for our OWS (obsessed with sports) suite for the 2010 Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium are in the mail. Please stock the suite with Busch Light, Sky Vodka and several hundreds of pounds worth of nachos. Thanks again!
Robert: For sure, just send me the OWS credit card number…
Be sure to pick up The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live: An Insiders Guide to Creating the Sports Experience of a Lifetime. It also makes a great gift for the holidays.
C’mon man, swing for the fences, Don Julio tequila (better than Patron), and a keg of Sam Adams.