Travels from Dallas, Texas, USA
Nancy Lieberman's speaking fee falls within range: $50,000 to $75,000
Hall of Fame point guard, Nancy Lieberman has no holes in her resume. The legendary WNBA player known as “Lady Magic,” she became the first woman to coach an NBA team and currently serves as the assistant coach of the Sacramento Kings. Beloved for her charisma, pioneering spirit, and admirable work ethic, she remains unquestionably one of the most influential and respected figures in sports.
Drawn to her New York City public school’s basketball court from early childhood, Nancy earned one of 12 coveted spots on the USA’s Women’s National Basketball Team, a silver medal in the World Championships, and a gold medal at the Pan American games – all before she turned 20. During her time at Old Dominion University, the Dallas Diamonds, the Washington Generals, and the Phoenix Mercury, she broke record after record, amassing a loyal fan base.
Upon becoming coach of the Texas Legends, an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, Nancy made history as the first female coach of an NBA team. She led the Legends to the playoffs in their first season as an expansion team. Since 2015 she’s been the assistant coach of the Sacramento Kings.
Nancy is a highly dedicated service leader. The founder of Nancy Lieberman Charities, she funds and personally coaches basketball camps and clinics across the country for disadvantaged youth and girls. Recently she has organized the construction of basketball courts nationwide to provide children from vulnerable populations a safe place to play.
Nancy is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, BIG3 Head Coach, 2018 Champion, and Coach of the Year. A two-time Olympian and silver medalist (1976), her coaching career has spanned the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, and the BIG3. At each step, she has broken barriers, elevated the profile of women in the game, and helped develop the current and next generation of basketball players. Under her leadership, Team Power won the BIG3 championship in 2018, making her the first female coach to win a title in a men’s pro league.
She helped the United States win medals at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal (silver medal), the 1979 World Championships in Seoul (gold medal), the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games in Mexico (gold medal) and Puerto Rico (silver medal), and the gold medal in the 1979 Jones Cup in Taipei.
After winning consecutive AIAW National Championships and one WNIT Championship at Old Dominion University, Nancy became a three-time All-American and two-time national player of the year in collegiate basketball for the Monarchs. She was the first pick in the first-ever women’s pro league, the Women’s Basketball League (WBL), for the Dallas Diamonds in 1980. In 1985, the Diamonds won the championship in the WABA, and Nancy was named Player of the Year.
She played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the Summer Pro League in 1981 under Pat Riley in preparation for her upcoming season with the Diamonds. In 1986 and 1987, Nancy joined the USBL, becoming the first woman to play in a men’s professional league, first with the Springfield Fame in 1986 and then with the Long Island Knights in 1987. The Lieberman Award, presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizes the top point guard in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball for their floor leadership, playmaking, and winning mentality.
Nancy is a world-renowned motivational and keynote speaker who has been featured by Nike, Bank of America, FedEx, and JP Morgan, among others. She sheds light on topics including business, sports, image and self-esteem, teamwork, winning, DEI (diversity, equality, and inclusion), racial and social justice, and women working in a man’s world.
An accomplished author, Nancy has written several books about her career and legacy in the game. Her most recent book, Playbook for Success, teaches the top sports-related skills women need to thrive in the corporate world. Her other works include Basketball for Women (with Robin Roberts), Lady Magic: The Autobiography of Nancy Lieberman-Cline, and her first work, Basketball My Way.
Nancy helps shape visions and develops strategies to address some of the world’s most challenging inequities in business, sports, social justice, diversity, inclusion, and the entertainment industry. Her wide-ranging, committed involvement across many sectors has been instrumental in being an agent of change and success.
Her on-court accomplishments have allowed her to make a significant impact in the community through Nancy Lieberman Charities. The charity changes the lives of children in urban neighborhoods through educational college scholarships, mentorship, basketball camps and clinics, and racial and social justice lecture programs. These initiatives include building 128 “Dream Courts” — pop-up classrooms providing over five million children in communities a safe place to enjoy healthy activities, build relationships with local law enforcement, and participate in community engagement.
For her community work, she was honored as a recipient of the 2023 National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award for using her success in sports to advance civil rights, human rights, and philanthropic work. She also received the Leigh Steinberg Humanitarian Award, presented during the 2023 NFL Super Bowl weekend, recognizing those in the sports community who address community issues and humanity’s welfare.
In 2017, she was recognized with the Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award for her community leadership and work as a catalyst for change. Her charity has also been recognized by the Department of Justice COPS Office and awarded $325,000 in grant funding. Most recently, she won the 2023 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Award.
Nancy Lieberman touches on the important role our attitude and state of mind plays in the legacy we leave and how we affect others’ lives. She affirms that while there are people who set “the tone for greatness” in various categories, we too can be one of them – and we are the only people with the power to get in the way of those goals.
Part of that mentality means fearing no one and respecting everyone. “You make people around you better. You set them up for success,” she explains. “You’re willing to show people how to lead – not just telling them, but showing them.”
Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman is an experienced world-renowned motivational and keynote speaker. A strong and admirable woman, she quickly connects with audiences whether at corporate events, kids’ basketball clinics, or philanthropic dinners.
Nancy’s go-getter attitude and the personal playbook rules that she’s used to build a legacy are easily applicable to anyone who wants to be at the top of their field. She has spoken on a range of topics including business and sports, image and self-esteem, teamwork and winning, and working and parenting.
Nancy has been featured at events for organizations such as Nike, Bank of America, World Ventures, JP Morgan, Express, Mannatech, Amway, FedEx and many more.
MERGING WORK INTO LIFE
After hanging up her official coach’s whistle, Nancy is now focused on sharing critical moments of her life with others. Her efforts building “Dream” basketball courts in underprivileged neighborhoods has proven to her, once again, the value of forging relationships that enhance trust, restore relationships or create meaningful connections.
VULNERABILITIES AT THE TOP
With success comes scrutiny, pressure and threats. As the first female NBA coach, Nancy has an unparalleled perspective on the good, the bad and the beautiful of taking the road less traveled and making course-changing decisions.
GROWING UP ON A MAN’S COURT
From taking the New York City subway as a little girl, to playing basketball at Harlem’s legendary Rucker Park, to taking cross-country flights to coach the Sacramento Kings, Nancy has earned street credibility in every sense of the phrase. In this honest talk, Nancy will share with you her journey of being accepted in a men’s locker room with the greats of the game, and her diversity insights along the way.
THE WILL TO WIN
If winning isn’t important, why do we play with a scoreboard? Whether faced with annual planning after a record-breaking year or dealing with organizational change, you need a leader’s mindset to create a winnable game plan -- and a coach’s spirit to secure team buy-in. Nancy has enjoyed the glory of victory and the pain of defeat, and she shares her own lessons learned on how to help a team rally around one mission.
IF THESE LOCKER ROOM WALLS COULD TALK
Nancy has never done anything the “normal” way. At age 18, she became the youngest basketball player to win a medal in the Olympics. At age 50, she broke her own oldest player record by coming out of retirement to play for the Detroit Shock. But she has not accomplished greatness alone. In her locker room stories spanning four decades, she shares stories about, and lessons learned from, the meaningful relationships she’s enjoyed as part of a team.
“Nancy has written a terrific guide for success in any area. Her insights into sports are vividly translated into specific tips for business success, and her points are well illustrated.” – Donald J. Trump, Chairman & C.E.O., Trump organizations
“[Lieberman’s] advice on leadership and teamwork translates to any arena.” – Harvey Mackay, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Swim with the Sharks without Being eaten Alive
“Nancy has clearly experienced so much success in the world of basketball. She also possesses many great leadership qualities that have driven her to success off the court. She is a committed, confident, and resourceful person who has demonstrated the ability to lead people and accomplish great things. She is a true Hall of Famer not only in basketball, but also in life.” – Executive Senior Vice President of Studio and event Production eSPN
“Nancy Lieberman is the best there ever was. An American legend, she brought home the gold for the U.S.A. She inspires millions of girls and boys to reach for the stars, to do their best, and to never give up. Business is a lot like basketball, and Nancy tells us – in words we can all understand – how to build great company teams and win competitive games in the economic market place.” – Business entrepreneur/Author of 1,000 Dollars & An idea
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Playbook for Success: A Hall of Famer′s Business Tactics for Teamwork and Leadership Make business success a slam dunk with basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman
Nancy “Lady Magic” Lieberman has a passion for winning. One of basketball′s all-time greats, she took home Olympic silver at age eighteen, was a two-time national champion in college, led victorious teams in the WBL and WNBA, and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. After retiring from the court, she became a winning coach in the WNBA, an ESPN analyst, a sought-after public speaker and consultant, a philanthropist, and, most recently, the first female head coach in the NBA′s Development League for the Dallas Mavericks affiliate the Texas Legends.
How did Lieberman blaze such a trail and break so many barriers, both in sports and business? By developing and sticking to her own playbook for success. Now, in Playbook for Success, she gives you the tools to create a champion′s mind-set, achieve peak performance, and win in the game of business.
Your own personal coaching session with this legendary competitor, Playbook for Success speaks in particular to women who are ready to play in any business arena they choose and push themselves to exceed any limit before them. With this practical guide, you′ll get a tough-minded mix of no-nonsense inspiration, real-life examples, and hard-and-fast sports principles you can use to hone your winner′s edge each day.
Start your training today with Playbook for Success and discover tested exercises and approaches to:
Nancy Lieberman understands the natural connection between excelling in both sports and business. Find the proven sports skills to bring your professional A-game to your business, compete, and win with Playbook for Success.
Basketball for Women Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman explains how to become a complete player in the new edition of her book. Lieberman shares what she has learned throughout her legendary basketball career and explains that striving for greatness means never backing down from challenges no matter the obstacle. In Basketball for Women, Lieberman covers shooting technique, defense, passing, and training she has used throughout her extensive career. The book includes more than 100 drills for player development and plays for offensive, defensive, and special situations that can be implemented into today’s fast-paced game.
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