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Scott Pioli, a first-generation college student, explained that whatever he was given in his life, he was required to give back. For Pioli, a former NFL executive for 26 years and current NFL Network analyst, it was about helping the people around him like he was in his upbringing.

“Don’t just open the door,” Pioli said. “Bring people in, sit them down at the table and let them be a part of it.”

On Wednesday, Pioli visited Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. In his time in the NFL, Pioli earned the NFL Executive of the Year award five times and won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. Olivia Stomski, director of the Newhouse Sports Media Center, moderated the discussion.

Despite earning his masters degree in 2005, Pioli’s graduate journey at SU began in 1988. Before finishing his degree, he was offered a full time offensive lines coaching job at Murray State University in 1990. After he left Murray State in 1992, Pioli went on to help manage multiple NFL teams, before finishing his academic requirements in the same year he won his third Super Bowl.

Griffin Bloomstein, a sophomore at Newhouse, said he’s a long time Patriots fan. He was intrigued with the career path Pioli took and the diverse range of involvement he has.

In his time in the NFL, Pioli hired more women and people of color to his staff than any other executive, Stomski said. Pioli believed everyone should have the same opportunity regardless of how you look.

“You know, I was born with privilege. I’m a white dude,” Pioli said. “There’s something really messed up about that.”

With the federal government’s recent policy changes affecting DEIA initiatives, Pioli spoke about how complicated this period of time in the sports industry is. He emphasized the idea to not “lose your crap” and instead keep doing what you believe in and never stop.

Along with being an executive, Pioli serves as a board trustee for the Women’s Sports Foundation and is a member of the Women Leaders in Sports National Advisory Council. Nina Bilotti, an SU graduate student studying advertising, is very passionate about pursuing a position in the sports industry and was thrilled to hear about Pioli’s role in the space.

“I really wanted to hear him talk about his involvement in elevating women in sports,” Bilotti said. “It was super inspirational for me.”

Pioli talked about opportunities in sports for women, explaining the unfortunate bias that still exists against women. While getting through the door is an accomplishment, people need to continue preaching values like truth and inclusion, Pioli said.

Teddy Caputo, an SU graduate student studying television, radio and film, said this too was his main takeaway from the discussion. He was surprised by some of Pioli’s insights, not expecting a journalistic perspective from someone in business.

Along with opportunities in the media industry, Pioli talked about the growth and bright future of both women’s soccer and flag football. Flag football has been approved to be featured in the 2028 Olympics. Pioli said he was excited for the space and how much attention it’s been getting.

“I’m excited that women are getting seen, and that people are investing real money as a real investment not as philanthropy because it’s not philanthropy,” Pioli said.

While only staying at SU for one year when he first started his degree, Pioli emphasized how prestigious the university is and the importance of staying connected. He talked about the network “beyond the keg parties” and other festivities, but the impact of the people you meet.

Pioli underscored the need to establish relationships with your peers and the need to help others before yourself. Although there are still disparities in the sports industry, Pioli said this generation is being educated about it.

Bloomstein’s takeaways were mainly about how to treat others in the sports industry. Two things Bloomstein noted: leaving the industry better than you found it, and caring for the others around him.

“No matter what situation you were born into, it’s always important to remember how you uplift people and how the world interacts,” Bloomstein said.

Published on March 6, 2025 at 1:00 am