The Ride-Alongs- New Book 

Why I Wrote The Ride-Alongs

It started as I watched a lot of news during the COVID-19 lockdowns and the protests that followed. I thought a lot about safety and community. Why is there such a gap between the police and the community and how can we close it?

So many people were moving out of New York City, the city I grew up in, one of my favorite cities on the planet, and safety was the number one issue they cited for leaving. I know one thing: You can’t solve a problem until you understand the problem.

To learn, to understand, and then to share that knowledge in a book, I decided I needed to spend time with police officers, community leaders, and people in the legal profession. By doing those things, I figured I could gain some understanding, especially about the lack of respect people show the police, and the lack of respect some police officers show the people they’re pledged to serve and protect.

I always say, no matter how flat the pancake is, it still has two sides. And no matter which side of this story you’re on, we all need to find ways to bridge the gap.

Why, if crime is down, do people feel less safe than they used to? Why is every precinct and police department staffing down twenty-five to thirty percent in the last five years? How can we solve the problem of recidivism and the cycle of poverty and despair that produces crime? When Judge Charles Solomon told me, “Crime has become a family business,” he wasn’t talking about the Mafia. He was talking about seeing the sons and daughters of people he’d put behind bars coming before him, another generation of criminals.

So I went on this journey – I rode in police cars through some of the toughest neighborhoods in New York City, feeling the fear and watching the determination and dedication of the officers I rode with. I visited the Police Academy and the Crime Lab. I met with community leaders in Harlem and Brooklyn to see things from their perspective. I met with members of the legal profession to learn what happens after an arrest. And I got to take part in one of the biggest gang takedowns in Bronx history.

I wrote about it all to take you on this journey with meso we could all be better informed and become part of the dialogue. The more we know, the more we can do – whether you live in New York City or anywhere else. And if you do feel safe where you are, you may be certain that crime is moving toward you. The circle isn’t shrinking; it’s getting wider.

This book is no ‘puff piece.’ I rode with many good cops, but I’m sure they’re not all great. I’m a Brooklyn guy; I can see things for what they are.

I hope you’ll read The Ride-Alongs. And I hope you’ll join me in looking for solutions that make the world better and everyone safer.

The Ride-Alongs will be released on September 15 and is available for pre-orders now on Amazon.

Previous Books

I started Steiner Sports in 1987 with a one-room office, $4,000 and single Mac computer. Today, Steiner Sports is the most successful memorabilia company of its kind with over $35 million in annual sales. My mindset has always been to be fearless – that mentality has helped me secure partnerships with the most elite names in sports; Derek Jeter, Eli Manning, Mark Messier and Carmelo Anthony, among others. My focus as a speaker is to grow your business by differentiating yourself from your competitors through building relationships, motivating your team, increasing productivity, and anticipating your customers’ needs.

Living on Purpose: Stories About Faith, Fortune and Fitness that Will Lead You to an Extraordinary Life

You’ve spent years chasing your passion and still feel unfulfilled. Or perhaps you abandoned your dream long ago for complacent security. Either way, there’s something missing in your life. But you can reset, reenergize, and find true happiness if you stop focusing on your passion and discover your purpose instead.

In Living on Purpose, Brandon Steiner explores the three foundational pillars of a satisfying, successful, fulfilling existence: Faith (in yourself and others), Fortune (dreaming BIG and following it through), and Fitness (making positive lifestyle changes). Drawing valuable lessons and strategies from the experiences of famous athletes and coaches, this enlightening guide will help you conquer your fear and get back into the game.

It’s time to make a new commitment to yourself, your relationships, and your dreams. Living on Purpose is your roadmap to the winner’s circle, because once you have a “why,” nothing can get in your way.

You Gotta Have Balls: How a Kid from Brooklyn Started from Scratch, Bought Yankee Stadium, and created a Sports Empire

Brandon Steiner went from a kid who sat in the nosebleed seats at Yankee and Shea Stadiums to CEO of Steiner Sports Marketing Inc., one of the largest sports marketing and memorabilia companies in the United States, with an inventory of more than 10,000 collectibles. You Gotta Have Balls details Steiner’s multiple entrepreneurial adventures, where he has both learned and taught others his fair share of “rules.” Along the way, he developed some of the most innovative approaches to business-methods that many of today’s companies would be wise to observe and employ themselves.

The Business Playbook: Leadership Lessons From the World of Sports

As CEO of Steiner Sports Marketing Inc., Brandon Steiner has worked with some of the greatest athletes, coaches and managers in sports. While collecting their personal stories and anecdotes,he has accumulated a wealth of expert knowledge on the enduring principles of leadership, strategy, planning and success.

In The Business Playbook, he combines his own proven business philosophy with their leadership lessons, distilling the experience of some of the sports world's biggest names into solid, practical business principles you can use to take your business or your career to the top. Steiner applied these same principles to his own business and has grown his company from a $4,000 investment into a $35 million powerhouse.

Reviews

“Brandon Steiner’s story illustrates not only how You Gotta Have Balls, but how to keep a million balls in the air at the same time. His delightful, insightful anecdotes will inspire anyone juggling life’s challenges.”

- Harvey Mackay, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive

“It take tremendous confidence and vision to start your own business and great leadership and execution to built it into a market leader. That’s exactly what Brandon has done. Hi business savvy has taken him from the streets of Brooklyn to the top of his trade.”

- Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

“Brandon has been a tremendous partner and friend over the years. He is one of the true playmakers in this business.”

- Eli Manning, New York Giants

“[You Gotta Have Balls] will light your fire, make you laugh your ass off, and respect the courage and the character of Brandon Steiner, a person that comes along once in a lifetime-and use his balls-growing experience and wisdom to grow your own. BUY THIS BOOK NOW!”

- Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The Little Red Book of Selling and The Sales Bible

“Brandon Steiner is the real closer when it comes to big business. The dirt! Who would have thought about dirt! He did. Brandon has worked his tail off to become what he is now.”

- Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees

“Nobody ever goes into Brandon’s office-it’s still too crowded.”

- Yogi Berra, New York Yankees

“I’ve known Brandon Steiner for the past twenty years, and I’ve never seen anybody more dedicated or committed to excellence in overcoming problems than him. His attitude is infectious, his competitiveness is unmatched, and his concern for other people is inspirational. I’ve learned a great deal from Brandon by being around him, and I’ve learned even more from his book.”

- Lou Holtz, legenedary football coach, active sportscaster, author and motivational speaker

“Being a good entrepreneur is like being a good point guard. You have to be creative, to see into the future, and to execute the best play possible. In this book, Brandon shows you how to do all of it.”

- Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

“Brandon thinks outside the box. He doesn't wait for an opportunity, he creates it!”

- Mark Messier, Stanley Cup Champion

“Brandon is a legend.”

- Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO VaynerMedia & VaynerSports, 4x New York Times Bestseller

“Brandon Steiner is not only the biggest sports memorabilia collector on the planet, but he is also one of the best collectors of relationships and business contacts. You Gotta Have Balls is a must read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

- Larry King