About Ross

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Ross Bernstein Speaking

The best-selling author of nearly 50 sports books, Ross Bernstein, is an award-winning peak performance business speaker who’s keynoted conferences on ALL SEVEN continents for audiences as small as 10 and as large as 10,000. Ross and his books have been featured on thousands of television and radio programs over the years, including CNN, ESPN, Bloomberg, Fox News, and “CBS This Morning,” as well as in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today. He’s spent the better part of the past 25 years studying the DNA of championship teams, and his program, “The Champion’s Code: Building Relationships Through Life Lessons of Integrity and Accountability from the Sports World to the Business World,” not only illustrates what it takes to become the best of the best, but it also explores the fine line between cheating and gamesmanship in sports as it relates to values and integrity in the workplace. As a working media member in his home state of Minnesota, Ross has unique behind-the-scenes access to all the local sports franchises in the area, including the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, Wild, and Gophers. As such, he spends lots of his time in dugouts, clubhouses, locker rooms, and press boxes — and it’s here where Ross has met and interviewed thousands of professional athletes over the years. Ross’ program is all about the DNA of what makes champions in sports so unique and how that relates to business. His PowerPoint is full of amazing photos of inspirational sports stories and about successful teams that tie into ethics and accountability and doing things the right way — with respect. There are reasons specific teams win consistently, whereas others don’t... and he explains why. It’s mainly based on the “Good to Great” concept of how the best companies can separate themselves from the rest of the pack through servant leadership, creating a culture of excellence, developing deeper relationships, and giving extraordinary customer service. Ross speaks at over 100 conferences per year, mostly at large association conferences, franchise leadership events, and Fortune 500 sales groups — his program is very high energy and a great way to open or close a big event. Give him a call; he would LOVE to be a member of YOUR team for the day!

BEST-SELLING SPORTS AUTHOR

Bernstein Books, LLC

As a best-selling sports author, Ross has written nearly 50 books. His award-winning books have reached No. 1 multiple times in the sports category on Amazon.com, and twice he has come to the Top 10 overall in the world for his books “The Code” and “Perseverance.” Over the years, Ross has appeared on thousands of TV, radio, print, and online media outlets as a guest and sports expert.

PUBLISHER

Bernstein Books Publishing

As a publisher, Ross has self-published many different titles under his Bernstein Books Publishing umbrella. In addition, Ross also does private label publishing and ghostwriting for various celebrity clients with whom he chooses to work with. Ross interviews hundreds of celebrity athletes and media personalities yearly for his various book projects. He invariably writes and publishes many of their biographies. As such, Ross will write and publish their books, turning their life stories into “motivational biographies” that are on the speaking circuit.

TELEVISION guest & analyst

In addition to doing numerous TV interviews annually, Ross is also a regular contributing on-air analyst for NBC Sports. The two programs Ross primarily contributes to are “NHL Rivals” and “NHL Top 10” — both highly rated and shown throughout the US and Canada.

MOTION PICTURE & DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECTS

Ross’ best-selling book “The Code” inspired the 2013 film “The Last Gladiators” by Academy Award-winning director Alex Gibney. Ross worked as a consultant on the project. He was also featured on-screen, which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival and then played in theaters throughout North America. Ross also worked as a producer and was featured extensively on-screen for the 2009 documentary “Unspoken Rules,” based on his book “The Code.” Produced by award-winning Infinity Films out of Vancouver, the movie was shown extensively on the SuperChannel throughout Canada.

Ross has worked as a consultant, contributor, and on-screen talent with several production companies on various motion picture, television, and documentary film projects over the years. Among them include: HBO (consultant: 2010 feature “Broad Street Bullies”), Disney (consultant: 2003 feature “Miracle”), History Channel (consultant: 2008 documentary about the “Miracle on Ice” for the “Our Generation” series), Northland Films (contributor and on-screen talent: 2008 documentary “Pond Hockey”). Ross has also optioned a couple of his books for movie projects, including “The Sheikh of Baghdad,” which was picked up by 3 Arts Entertainment out of Los Angeles. This project is currently pending.

SCREEN-PLAYS

Ross has a handful of treatments for feature films based on his books. The one he is most excited about and is currently shopping for is entitled: “The Bullies.” The movie is based on the hilarious true-life story of the 1978 Birmingham (Alabama) Bulls of the now-defunct World Hockey Association, which set a modern-day professional hockey record for the most fighting penalty minutes... ever. Ross decided that this story had to be told after writing biographies with Glen Sonmor, the coach of the team, and Dave “Killer” Hanson (of the movie “Slap Shot” fame), who was one of the many enforcers on the team. “Glen’s Goons,” as they were known, fought their way to the top that year en route to changing the rules of the game. This story is about more than just hockey. However, it is also a poignant look at how the rebel WHA took on the mighty NHL in a classic David vs. Goliath battle that forever changed antitrust laws in sports. An amalgam between “Slap Shot,” “Bull Durham,” and “Miracle,” this movie has got to be made. Stay tuned!

PERSONAL

Ross and his wife Sara, who met at the University of Minnesota and have been married for 25 years, have a 17-year-old daughter and reside in Apple Valley, Minn. They are passionate about traveling the world as a family and have enjoyed visiting all seven continents together. When Ross isn’t speaking, writing, or traveling, he enjoys golf, hockey, running, and spending time with friends and family. Oh, and he also really enjoys sleeping and doing absolutely nothing!

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

Ross is incredibly proud that he has worked closely with dozens of charitable, non-profit, and philanthropic organizations and events over the past two decades, raising millions of dollars for various causes. Ross currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the Herb Brooks Foundation, a reason that is especially near and dear to his heart. Whether playing in or serving as a corporate sponsor in celebrity golf or hockey tournaments; attending charity galas and balls; donating money or books to fundraising events; or setting up charitable foundations for his many book subjects and clients — Ross believes strongly in giving back. As an author and speaker, Ross has donated countless hours to several non-profit charitable organizations and participated in several strategic fundraising initiatives.

Ross has also written and published several books for charitable organizations he strongly believes in. In the Fall of 2009, Ross proudly donated complimentary copies of his coffee table book “Maroon & Gold Forever: Celebrating 125 Years of Gopher Football” to every season ticket holder in conjunction with the grand opening of TCF Bank Stadium. In addition, Ross created a series of books for both the US Hockey Hall of Fame and the University of Minnesota “M” Club Hall of Fame. Both books, “The M” and “The Hall,” were given away as gifts at their organization’s annual gala induction dinners, with proceeds from sales going directly to the organizations.