When Todd Richards speaks, EVERYONE should listen.

This is why: Todd is extremely funny, like snorting the milk out of your nose funny. Also, Todd is an OG (old school) and he knows things, like lots and lots of things especially as it pertains to all things action sports, being a professional athlete, Star Wars, and Audi’s.   (Click on the Meet The Agents link to read Todd’s bio)

Many of you listened to Todd during the 2022 Winter Olympics as an NBC Olympic Analyst when he delivered the hands-down best Olympic commentating in the history of the Men's Snowboard Halfpipe Finals. (Thank you Todd for saying what all of us were thinking at home!)

 We caught up with Todd at his office, The Pannikin Coffee Shop in Encinitas, California to kick off this series of “5 Questions with Someone In Action Sports We Want To Talk To,” or “Between Two Cups of Coffee With Todd Richards” (we will come up with something clever to call this series at a later date, suggestions welcomed). So, let’s dive into our reflective moments with Todd Richards.

 What do you value in life or when it comes to people?

TR: I value being true to your word. Remembering where you came from. Every professional athlete started off as a kid with stars in their eyes, dreaming of making it big. Most importantly, be humble. Let your actions/riding speak for you. Save the resume for an email, not a lift ride. 

 What do you wish you knew earlier in your career? 

TR: The first is I wish I had a better understanding of finances and money management when I started earning money from sponsors. That’s BIG. I hope everyone gets the chance to find themselves in that position and takes the time to learn how to make their money work for them and not blow it. Second, enjoy the ride while you are on it. Enjoy every bad travel situation, every long car ride, every sub-par contest day. Often the times that you are most frustrated, make for the best stories later in life. 

 What excites you about the action sports industry these days? 

The “anything goes” attitude. There is room for every style and scene now. It didn’t use to be this way. When I was coming up in skating and snowboarding you had to stay in the "cool lane" or get ridiculed. Now, you see so many different styles and different approaches to these sports we love. There is no right or wrong way to express your own style. 

Tell us about a “pinch-me moment” in your career?

TR: Having Craig Kelly address me by name. I was young and was just coming up in the snowboard scene. Craig was a God as far as I was concerned. He said, “What’s up Todd Richards…TR..” during a contest at the lodge at A-Basin, Colorado in 1990. I will never ever forget that moment. (We wouldn't either.)

What is one of your go-to life hacks?

TR: For snowboarding: never throw away those little silica packs that come with some foods. Save them and bring them with you in a plastic bag. If your goggle lenses start fogging, put the lenses in the bag with the silica packs, and the moisture is sucked out and you are back in business. (Did your mind just explode because ours did)

 And the 6^th question we snuck in because we can, what stokes you out about being a part of The Sports Management Mastermind:

TR:  I love that I can help guide the next generation to avoid some of the potential pitfalls, trip ups, and places where you waste time and emotion while trying to make it.  If I had someone or something like this when I was coming up as a young athlete in action sports (instead of people telling me that snowboarding and skateboarding are not jobs) it would have been amazing, a game-changer.

 Well, there you have it, Todd Richards, Olympian, Commentator, Action Sports legend, Podcast Host, a man of many hats and talents, and our favorite co-host of the Sports Management Mastermind.  If you want to learn more from Todd, which trust us you do, then join us for the 4-Week Sports Management Mastermind (starting May 24th) and please tune in to the Monday MASS podcast each week.