Football, TV, and Real Estate: Howard Cross

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Chris Kidd, Financial Coach and Contributor on the Price of Business on Business Talk 1110 AM KTEK (on Bloomberg’s home in Houston) recently interviewed former New York Giants tight end, Howard Cross. Howard is a co-host on the YES Network’s “This Week in Football,” and he is also a successful real estate broker with Cresa NY.

Howard CrossWhat did you do to start planning for life after football while you were still playing?

I did internships almost every year while I was playing to prepare for life after football. I tried everything and it gave me insight on how things worked off the field.

What was your biggest adjustment you had to make when you retired from the NFL?

The biggest adjustment for me when I retired was trying to find a true team-like situation. It was hard to find a job where we were all working toward the same goal. The foundation of a team is working together to complete the same objective. 

You are a commercial real estate leasing broker and you also co-host This Week in Football on the YES Network. Which one do you enjoy most?

I enjoy both. Real estate is my profession and I have a great team. Working as a co-host on the YES Network gives me the opportunity to keep up with the game that I grew up playing while being involved without coaching players.

What do you like the most about being a real estate broker?

What I like most about being a real estate broker is winning deals. It is a lot like a game. There is the preparation, then the pitch. When you win, it is a true team effort.

Do you ever do business with any of your former teammates or former opponents?

No, I have not done business with any former teammates or opponents which is surprising. I pitched the NFL for their work and got nowhere. They used a broker that knew someone at the NFL.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced during your real estate career?

The biggest challenge that I face is that I am honest and do the right thing by my clients. It really hurts when I watch someone make a mistake. It is not always their decision, but they don’t always get the best deal. We do the right thing regardless of the commission.

What lessons have you learned that have helped you become a better broker?

The most important lesson that I have learned to make me a better broker is to do the right thing regardless of the situation. If you do it enough, it pays back in spades. I take care of my clients and treat them the way I would want to be treated. 

Contact information:

Cresa Website: www.cresa.com   

Howard Cross’ Profile: http://cresa.com/hcross