We recently connected with Ricardo Hill and have shared our conversation below.

Ricardo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I came up with the idea to start THRILL Sports & Entertainment in 2023, two years into the start of my legal career. However, when reflecting on the journey, this business has been something that I have been building throughout my entire life. I have always been an athlete, and have always had dreams of making it to the NBA. However, being only 5’9” and about 175 pounds made that a little challenging to accomplish (shocker!). That didn’t stop me from playing, and it definitely did not stop me from dreaming big. My playing dreams changed a bit, though. It went from playing in the NBA, to just playing for as long as the game would allow me. After my high school career at Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, I played collegiately at the University of Akron (DI) and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (DII), where I was able to accomplish that dream! That road had many ups and downs, but I made connections with some elite players, coaches, and a bunch of personnel. This was everything to me, and I wanted to stay involved with the game for as long as I could even after I was done playing. I was then presented with the opportunity to get connected some attorneys, and ultimately decided to attend law school at the University of Cincinnati., where I began the road to becoming a corporate attorney. Then it hit me… I can stay involved with the game. I can make an impact. I realized that some of the business acumen that I have developed from my role as a law firm corporate attorney can translate a bit into athlete representation. Not only that, but it can present an opportunity to help other athletes live THEIR dream. That’s when THRILL came to life. So I got licensed as an NBA Agent in 2024. And in a way… I DID make it to the NBA.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

THRILL Sports & Entertainment is a sports agency that provides representation for athletes as they build their brands and navigate through their career. THRILL provides NIL advising, contract representation for NBA and overseas professional contracts, and assistance with brand development for our athletes. I founded this out of a desire to make an impact with the sports industry, and work to assist athletes in their journeys of playing collegiate and professional sports. I, Ricardo Hill Jr., Esq., am a licensed NBPA Agent, FIBA Agent, a former college point guard myself, playing at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. I also am an attorney, practicing corporate law in Cincinnati, Ohio. In its first year in business, THRILL has been able to assist over 10 athletes in achieving their dreams of playing both collegiately and professionally, negotiating and advising on NIL deals, and providing brand partnerships. However, what I am most proud of is the opportunity to bring friends, family, and loved ones on this journey with me, as I have created a core team of some of my best friends, and continue to create business partnerships with others. I couldn’t achieve this dream without them. My goal is to ensure that as the THRILL agency grows, so does my community!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

So far – the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been by providing the best service that I possibly can, making my clients feel comfortable and important, and ultimately getting referrals. I am blessed to have worked with my current clients, as they are all very humble, cool, and resilient athletes. Each athlete has their own unique story that makes them who they are and gives them a reason for pursuing their dreams. My goal is to help them tell that story, express themselves, and accomplish feats greater than they could even imagine. The more I am able to help them to do that, the more likely they are that they will want to continue working with me, and the more likely they are to tell their teammates and friends about the brand!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source for new clients has been through social media, particularly Instagram and Twitter/X. These platforms are where people receive the latest updates in the sports worlds, and are often where athletes build their respective brands, share their best on-court and off-the-court moments through highlights reels and photos, and ultimately tell their personal stories. Because of this, these platforms allow me to connect with players and coaches on different levels and discuss how THRILL can help them reach the next step in their careers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.thrillsportsent.com
• Instagram: @cardohill14
• Twitter: @cardohill14
• Other: THRILL Instagram: @thrillsportsent
  THRILL Twitter/X: @thrillsportsent