December was a whirlwind for Adam Richelieu, 29, who discovered he made the 2020 Forbes 30 under 30 list while on his way to work.
Richelieu knew he had been nominated after receiving an email from Forbes that asked for more information and his headshot but when weeks passed and he never heard anything else, he figured he had not made the final cut. He decided to pull up the list up on his phone when it was released and was shocked to see his own face.
“You set goals and you think, that I’ll do, and others [goals] you think will probably not happen. To actually see it [making Forbes 30 under 30] come into play is a cool thing,” Richelieu said.
Richelieu works for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) where he helps players and their agents negotiate contracts.
According to his Forbes profile, Richelieu developed a way to “standardize rookie contract language and has created several new statistical categories related to contract finances. He's also played a key role in driving up position-specific contract values.”
Richelieu grew up in the Hybla Valley neighborhood of Alexandria and graduated from West Potomac High School. He was actively involved in the Fort Hunt Youth Athletic Association. Richelieu credits some of his success to growing up in such a diverse and progressive area, which allowed him to navigate interacting with people from different backgrounds.
Following graduation from Auburn University, Richelieu considered pursuing law and received a legal internship. At the same time, he also worked for Auburn Athletics. He was on the field during Auburn’s legendary “Kick Six” play and said that being there and witnessing the excitement and celebration following the play, solidified his desire to work in the sports industry.
Richelieu moved back to the Washington, D.C. metro area to attend graduate school at George Washington University. Through a combination of determination, persistence and good-timing, Richelieu attained his current job working for the NFLPA.
Most people glamorize working in the sports industry and might imagine his days are spent in intense negotiations, but Richelieu said his job is very research heavy. He learned a lot of the qualities needed for his job from his father, who was an attorney in Alexandria.
Richelieu was honored to make the prestigious list alongside so many other successful individuals and humbled that his hometown has taken an interest in his story.
