ASU Law grad turns passion for football into a career path
Cameron Johnsen, 2026 MSLB Graduate at ASU Law, courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2026 graduates.
For Cameron Johnsen, football has always been more than a pastime — football is a lifelong passion shaped by curiosity, analysis and excitement for the game’s biggest moments. What began as childhood mock drafts and late-night anticipation for the NFL draft eventually became something more: a clear vision for a future in the football industry.
That realization took shape for Johnsen during the COVID-19 pandemic, when time at home allowed him to reflect on what he truly wanted to pursue. It ultimately led him from Thunder Bay, Ontario, to the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where he enrolled in the Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business program. Now graduating with a Master of Sports Law and Business, Johnsen has already begun building his career as a scout with the East-West Shrine Bowl while preparing for his next opportunity in football.
For students still in the program, Johnsen reminds them to seize the day and be intentional.
“Enjoy the experience, but don’t lose sight of the opportunity in front of you. You have such a short window in this program to make the most of your time as a student and seek out experiences that will set up your future. The possibilities are endless, so take advantage of that and pursue what makes you want to get up each morning,” he said.
Note: Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: It really came during the COVID-19 pandemic after my first year of college. Spending over a year quarantined at home, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what I wanted to do with my life, and realized that my real career passion is sports, particularly football. Growing up, I was always scribbling down mock drafts in class and listening to sports business podcasts driving around with my dad. To this day, my excitement still keeps me up the night before the NFL draft. It was always my real passion, but I just hadn’t seriously considered making a career out of it before then.
Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: Getting closer to the industry in this program made me realize that it’s much more transparent than I previously thought. Fans care deeply about their teams, which drives aggressive reporting and public records checks that bring the inner operations of the sports business into public view.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: The Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business program attracted me because of the opportunity to earn a legal credential in sports, which is pretty rare. A lot of JD programs offer select courses or certificates in sports law, but having an entire program geared toward that material is exactly the kind of education I was looking for.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Undoubtedly, Aaron Hernandez was my most influential professor at ASU Law. Among many other things, he taught us the importance of relationships in all aspects of your life, including your career. Building strong relationships and treating people the right way is more powerful in the long run than any credential or technical knowledge.
Q: Looking back, what moment or experience at ASU stands out as especially meaningful to you, and why?
A: I had the opportunity to get involved with so many employment and professional development opportunities at ASU. I was able to experience Division I athletics administration as a graduate assistant in the fundraising department at Sun Devil Athletics, work as a college football scout with the East-West Shrine Bowl and participate in phenomenal professional development programs like the NFL/NCAA Administrators Academy and NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar. These experiences were just as valuable as what I learned in the classroom, and I wouldn’t have had them without the MSLB program.
Q: How has this degree helped you in your professional journey?
A: Being in the MSLB program means learning daily from professors, guest speakers and peers who have helped shape the sports industry. That makes for a community with tremendous insight and firsthand perspective on where the field is headed. My degree has given me a strong understanding of the sports industry’s changing legal, financial and regulatory landscape, while connecting me with mentors who I will continue to rely on throughout my career.
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