Mark H. McCormack (1930–2003) was an American lawyer, entrepreneur, and author widely regarded as the founder of the modern sports marketing industry. Born and raised in Chicago, he graduated from William & Mary College and Yale Law School before beginning his legal career in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1960, a handshake agreement with golfer Arnold Palmer led him to found the International Management Group (IMG), which grew into the world's most dominant sports marketing and talent management company, eventually representing hundreds of athletes, models, and major sporting events worldwide. He rose to acclaim as an author with his bestselling book What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School, followed by What They Still Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School, works that distilled his decades of real-world negotiation, sales, and management experience into practical, street-smart business advice. His books drew praise from prominent business leaders, including media executive Rupert Murdoch, and helped establish an entire genre of pragmatic, experience-based business writing distinct from traditional academic instruction. Known for his direct, results-driven approach to business and deal-making, McCormack's work continues to shape modern business writing and inspire readers across the world.