Yesterday, we were joined by Chris Chaney, Founder of the Ivy Sports Symposium.

Who Is Chris Chaney?

A graduate of Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, Chris is the founder of the prestigious Ivy Sports Symposium. The Symposium is a non-profit organization that hosts an annual sports business forum and has been considered one of the global sports industry’s premier conferences ever since 2006.

Chris is also currently the CEO of Chaney Sportainment Group (CSG), a boutique global consulting agency that partners with disruptive start-ups and emerging ventures at the intersection of sports, media and technology.

CSG acts as a catalyst for innovative, high-growth (consumer) brands in the underserved small and lower middle markets by providing them with strategic advice and access to capital.

In 2011 Forbes.com honored Chris as a “30 Under 30″ Award recipient. The award recognizes today’s most impressive up-and-comers in the sports industry.

SEA Members Learn and Network with Sports Business Professionals

During the LIVE Q&A with Chris we discussed:

• How and why he decided to pursue a career in sports and specifically, as an entrepreneur.
• What he does on a daily basis in his role as the CEO of Chaney Sportainment Group.
• The value Chris places on mentorship in the sports industry.
• How important social media has become to his own personal sports career.

Chris Chaney Discusses What It Takes To Make It In Sports

One of the questions we ask all of our LIVE Q&A guests is to provide one piece of advice to our members that will help them land their dream job in sports.

The video below includes a short clip (3 mins) from the LIVE Q&A where Chris addresses this question.

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The post How To Land Your Dream Job In Sports with Chris Chaney, Ivy Sports Symposium – Founder appeared first on Sports Networker.

Have you been trying everything in your power to make the right network connections to accomplish this?

Well, the NCAA is here to help you and will provide education on career development and potential career opportunities for nearly 300 student-athletes from Divisions I, II and III at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum, June 8-11 in Indianapolis.

The 300 student-athletes who were selected for the Career in Sports Forum were chosen by a committee made up of administrators from member institutions, conference offices and affiliate member organizations. Also included are the 2013-14 Ethnic Minority & Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship recipients.

According to an NCAA press release, the forum will focus on assisting student-athletes with making a successful transition from competition to their future professions in intercollegiate athletics.

The Career in Sports Forum will bring career leaders together to discuss their professional career paths while enlightening and encouraging student-athletes on career choices and future decisions they’ll need to consider.

Session topics include: discussion on skills sets needed to perform at the highest level, nontraditional careers in athletics, best practices in athletics administration, personal and professional branding, resources for applying to graduate school, and human resource hiring processes.

There will also be team-building sessions where the student-athletes are put in smaller groups to discuss key issues and take leadership roles amongst their peers. The student-athletes will also engage in dialogue with senior administrators from the NCAA national office and will have a formal networking dinner with NCAA administrators.

The NCAA will not be accepting any more student-athletes for this year’s forum, but be aware that this type of conference exists and look into becoming one of the selected few in the coming years or take a gander at one of their other beneficial programs.

In addition to the Career in Sports Forum, the NCAA hosts a wide array of programming designed to enhance skills sets and prepare student-athletes and administrators for leadership opportunities.

The NCAA Leadership Development group oversees the leadership and grant programs, along with the development of various types of membership resources.

For more information on NCAA Leadership Development programs, you can visit www.ncaa.org.

Photo courtesy of: NCAA

The post NCAA to Provide Sports Networking Event in Indy appeared first on Sports Networker.

Thuzio

The athletes provide a variety of different experiences to the public such as: coaching, social dinners and lunches, game watching and analysis, corporate speaking, client entertaining and events, celebrations including birthday parties and bar mitzvahs, flag football, golf outings, charity event hosting and auction items.

Athletes such as baseball’s R.A. Dickey and Keith Hernandez, football’s Eric Dickerson and Lawrence Taylor, basketball’s Zach Randolph and Caron Butler and hockey’s Clark Gillies and Mike Bossy grace the roster of Thuzio for event experiences.

Thuzio helps the public connect to professional athletes and other talent for unforgettable experiences. They make it easy to book online by providing pricing, handling all the communications, payments and logistics with the talent, and ensuring a great customer experience.

Thuzio also offers athletes a way of keeping their lives in check financially after their sports career is over.

Nearly 80 per cent of professional athletes end their pro career without any kind of fall back plan financially. They wind up jobless and fall into financial trouble which can lead to bankruptcy and divorce. Thuzio pays the athlete 80 percent of the fees collected and retains the rest.

The company was founded by former NFL running back Tiki Barber – of New York Giants fame – and Mark Gerson, the co-founder and Chairman of Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), the largest expert network company in the world.

For more information about Thuzio check out this article Sports Networker’s COO, Trevor Turnbull wrote for Entrepreneur in February titled: Former NFL Running Back Tiki Barber Creates Online Marketplace for Athletes

You can also watch this great video about Thuzio to get more information about who they are, what they do and how it works.

Thuzio.com – How it Works

Photo Credit: Thuzio

The post Thuzio Connects Athletes with the Public appeared first on Sports Networker.

“I guess it wasn’t a well-kept secret but yes, I am dating Tiger Woods,” Vonn said on her Facebook page. “Our relationship evolved from a friendship into something more over these past few months and it has made me very happy.”

The photos confirm rumors that had been circulating for months. In January, Woods made a stop in Austria, where Vonn was competing in the Alpine Skiing world championships, on his way to a golf tournament in Abu Dhabi. Then, two weeks ago after winning the Cadillac Championship at Doral, photos showed a woman, believed to be Vonn in a golf cart at a marina where Woods’ yacht was docked.

“This season has been great so far and I’m happy with my wins at Torrey and Doral,” Woods said. “Something nice that’s happened off the course was meeting Lindsey Vonn. Lindsey and I have been friends for some time, but over the last few months we have become very close and are now dating.”

Both Woods and Vonn are recently divorced. Vonn’s divorce with her ex-husband Thomas Vonn became official in January, while the marriage Woods and ex-wife Elin Nordegren collapsed in 2010 after it was exposed that Woods had been involved in multiple affairs.

The post Tiger Woods, Lindsey Vonn Confirm Dating Rumors appeared first on Sports Networker.

#5. OMS – Online Marketing Summit

Location – San Diego, CA

Social media-enabled consumers and brand advocates are beginning to be the most powerful marketing tools. Because of this alone the Online Marketing Summit is a must attend event for any marketer. Valuable insights and ideas from world class experts help you have a better understanding of how to build your brand and business in a marketing environment that is radically changing. The workshops provided run the gamut in pursuit of all the latest insights on content marketing, demand generation, email, mobile, search and social strategy. The content is fresh and relevant and keeps today’s marketer’s on top of the trends as well as arming today’s marketer with the necessary insights needed to begin and succeed in social media sports marketing. If you want to optimize your career opportunities along with optimal networking results the OMS has to be on your “Bucket List”. Make sure you take advantage of this summit, it is a leader in innovation and a foundation in sports marketing on the  horizon.

#4. Sports Media Marketing Summit

Location – The Paley Center for Media New York , NY

This event is a must for all sports minded individuals. Focused on what is trending in sports media as well as what is important to the consumer. Other areas addressed are the types of  innovative ideas we can expect in the future of sports marketing. It is hard to pack in as much knowledge, networking, creative thought and career insight into a half day event the way the Sports Media Marketing Summit does. Top speakers such as Mike Lorenc the head of industry, ticketing and live events from Google Inc and John Rood Executive Vice President of sales and marketing and business development for DC Entertainment combine with a monster sponsorship team including the likes of Sports Illustrated as well as Google and Nielson to set up an event that can have immense potential in regards to career growth and network alliance.

#3. New Mainstream Business Summit

Location – Miami, FL

Multi-Cultural is the new mainstream for today’s sports marketer. The key to success is the expansion of cultural diversity in marketing. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to reach the top of this industry that they attend this summit. Cutting edge insights that bring hard hitting case studies, workshops and keynote speakers together for what is absolutely one of the most important conferences you can attend. Presented by Geoscape this summit focuses on taking leadership of this growing trend and placing yourself at the forefront  of what is a great economic opportunity. A very up scale venue at the Conrad Hotel in Miami, provides an exciting flair to the vast discoveries in creative multi-cultural sports marketing strategy’s. Big on the latest technology and first class accommodations the New Mainstream Business Summit is on every top 5 sports marketing event to attend list.

#2. IMG Sports Marketing Symposium

Location – TBD

This event is the Super Bowl of sports marketing events. The insights opinions and data circulated at this summit come from the industry’s most influential and respected people. Since 2003 the Symposium has been a giant taking a compendious look into all aspects of sports business marketing including research, resources and analysis of every marketing platform needed to succeed in sports marketing. With the Brandside Marketers heading up this venue, the networking perks that come with attending  events such as these are inestimable. The Symposium features case study’s, interviews and emerging trends on all of the most critical fields such as brand strategy, media strategy, reasearch, sponsorship, advertising as well as social and mobile marketing. Speakers such as Chris Burton- Group Vice President of Global Sponsorships SAP. David Abrutyn- Senior Vice President and global managing director for IMG Consulting and Valarie Camillo- Vice President of team marketing and business operations for the NBA , make up a list of presiders that truly is unprecedented to say the least. The smartest people examining the most important issues at the highest level makes attending the IMG Sports Marketing Symposium an undeniable necessity for anyone that is remotely interested in sports marketing.

#1. DECA Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference

Location – Orlando, FL

If you are going to pursue a career  in Sports Marketing, then attending this conference is a priority. Learning from the Pro’s in this popular industry is the name of the game and this conference is the Holy Grail of professional knowledge. Set against a back drop the caliber Orlando provides, participants receive an insiders look at the information vital to success while taking in the experience of a theme park at the same time, resulting in an event that is non comparable at any level. The conference focuses on concepts that are discussed in a living classroom pertaining to sports and entertainment marketing for Universal Studios. The top sports executives describe target marketing, pricing, advertising media, licensing, economic impact as well as the need for sports in today’s society and much more. This event is always sold out and always delivers the goods.

Sports marketing is a challenging business and it is growing ever larger by the day. Taking advantage of conferences, seminars and summits is going to help you get a foot up on the competition. learn to utilize information and contacts made from attending these events and you will see positive production immediately.

Comment below on other great opportunities to market yourself and your brand. Make sure to follow us Facebook and on Twitter @SportsNetworker

The post Top 5 List of Sports Marketing Events You Must Attend appeared first on Sports Networker.

Golf as a Networking Tool

Strengths in Playing Golf

Everybody knows that it’s not what you know, but whom. Creating, maintaining and growing networks of business contacts however are difficult and time-consuming tasks, and unfortunately there is no silver bullet, no quick and easy answer. There are however, useful and practical tools for accomplishing this goal. You probably have the mental image of middle aged business men standing around in striped shirts and Khakis pants chatting while they lean on stainless steel clubs, discussing the details of their business plans. However clichéd this image may be, it’s based on a real idea, the idea of using Golf as a networking tool. Golf is a valuable way of creating and maintaining those invaluable relationships that you depend on for your livelihood. By playing golf with current and future business contacts you can show them what kind of a person you are, create lasting interpersonal relationships and, of course, create a relaxed, low stress environment where you can propose and discuss matters of business. Golf, if used properly can be an ideal environment for establishing the relationships that will determine the success of your business.

Building Relationships

Competitive sports bring out both the best and the worst in people everywhere. They foster trust and friendship among team members and competitors alike. However, on a daily basis we hear of un-sportsman like and dishonest behavior, whether that is game rigging or illegal drug use. People’s reputations are made and destroyed on an almost daily basis in professional sports. The same applies for any competitive sport played among business associates. The game you play is a reflection of who you are and the trust you merit. An honest, well played game of golf, will increase people’s confidence and trust in you as an individual. Snap judgments will be made about whom you are, how you behave when you are winning or losing, and how dedicated you are to the activities you undertake. People will be able to decide fairly quickly whether or not they can trust you based on the game you play and the way you treat those you play with.

Golf Over Other Networking Tools

The confidence people develop in you will play a major role in the relationships you can form with them. People may know off the bat if they can trust you or not, but relationships are based on the time we commit to them. There’s no way around it. If you want people to trust you, you need to give them time. Large public gatherings are very impersonal and individual one on one time there is often short. Business lunches are short and more often than not in large noisy public spaces. Playing 18 holes of golf often requires players to commit to several hours of time spent in a quiet, generally private environment. The time you take from your busy schedule to devote to this shared experience shows that you personally care about your associates. Technically you could make the same argument about almost any other competitive sport: soccer, basketball or softball. All these sports promote friendship and require a sacrifice of time. However, golf does have a very real advantage over these other sports.

An Environment for Networking

Golf fosters an environment that is ideal for discussing business. It’s rather difficult to discuss business with associates who are at the other side of the field yelling at the top of their lungs “I’m open, I’m open,” or when you can hardly draw your breath after sprinting down the court for a lay up. That’s not to say that golf is necessarily easy. As a matter of fact it is a game that requires great skill. However, golf is a game that is played outside, in beautifully maintained green lawns amid ponds, sand traps and trees. Perfectly manicured landscapes and quite concentration create an environment where you can talk to your associates without the worry of being interrupted or cut short. You don’t have to worry about taking a short pause, because it probably won’t make you miss your shot. You see; golf is an invaluable tool for businessmen and women alike. It’s a real opportunity to show others who you are and learn more about your current and future associates. Furthermore, it lends itself to discussing business and fostering the relationships that will assure your future success. Take a swing at it and don’t miss out.

Comment below on tools you use to network. Make sure to follow us for more resources on breaking into and climbing the ladder in Sports Business. You can send us a tweet @SportsNetworker

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Our CEO, Lewis Howes, was a guest speaker last summer and saw first hand the valuable experience, mentoring and networking opportunities that the MSBA students receive. During his presentation to the students, Lewis challenged each of them to identify, contact and interview Sports Business Professionals that they’d like to meet.

Many of the students took his challenge and as a result, they were able to connect with top Sports Business Professionals including John Skipper – President, ESPN, DeMaurice Smith – Executive Director, NFLPA, Jamey Rootes – President, Houston Texans and Howard Roseman – General Manager, Philadelphia Eagles

It is this type of experience that really separate the MSBA from other educational programs. You not only get to learn from knowledgable guest speakers, but you are challenged to step outside of your comfort zone and meet the people you need to know to get one step closer to landing your dream job in sports!

Want To Learn More About The MSBA?

The Manhattan Sports Business Academy Opens Doors

The MSBA is an eight-week summer leadership program based in New York City. MSBA is designed for undergraduate & graduate students and young professionals seeking invaluable experiences in sports business while jump-starting their careers through internships, mentoring and networking.

“Manhattan Sports Business Academy is a game-changing opportunity for serious young professionals seeking a competitive advantage in our demanding and evolving industry.  I wish this type of program existed when I was looking for a way to break in.”
 – Darren Rovell, ESPN Sports Business Reporter

MSBA takes a 360-degree approach to immersing students into the professional world.  We ensure that members understand the industry at every level while building a network of established executives from top-tier organizations like MLB, NBA & NFL and connecting with like-minded peers from around the world.

MSBA Program – 2012 Review

Following a competitive selection process, MSBA offers an intimate group of students a unique and comprehensive learning experience which includes internship placement, career development workshops, weekly guest lectures, one-on-one mentoring with established professionals, weekend group outings, and an optional fitness component.

Applications for Summer 2013 are now available online!

For more information about our program, and to apply, please visit us at www.goMSBA.com.

The post MSBA Program Offers Invaluable Experience For Aspiring Sports Business Professionals appeared first on Sports Networker.

Not to mention, they will help you stay on top of the latest industry trends. They also help improve your self-confidence and self-esteem when interacting with professionals in the industry.

However, attending these conferences and events can be costly. Here’s a review of a few well established conferences and events so you may spend your time and money wisely.

Sports Networking Events in the New Year

1) The Business of Sports: A Night of Networking Events

Pros: Definitely the cost, it doesn’t get any better than free. Additionally, this event is held in several major cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, which gives you the opportunity to network with professionals working in your market. The Business of Sports is also be good opportunity to meet new friends or gain a support system, raise your personal profile, and have some fun with like-minded individuals. Usually these events take place in local pubs. The laid back atmosphere can help ease the tension of the approaching new people, especially if you attend alone.

Cons: If you’re looking to meet and/or learn from highly ranked sports executives in the industry in a structured manner, this may not be your first choice. These events are usually more free form, and attract individuals who want to enter the field or want to advance in the field, the same position you may be in.

2) Sports Industry Networking and Career (SINC) Conference

• 1 – 4 people – $229
• 5 – 9 people – $209
• 10 – 19 people – $189
• 20 – 25 people – $169

Pros: Time. This event is evenly spread between two days, which gives attendees more opportunities to network with fellow attendees and attend many panels of their choosing. The multiplicity of panels introduce attendees to various areas within sports business and helps attendees learn valuable skills and knowledge. Lastly, the SINC conference has a unique networking experience with lunch networking roundtables. It gives attendees the opportunity to actually sit and speak with the sports executives over lunch.

Cons: No discounted rates for young professionals or students.

3) SMWW Basketball Career Conference in Sports

• General Public: $175 – $225
• Students: $125 – $160
• Discounts are available for team employees, sports agents, military, and faculty. Summer League game tickets are included in your conference fee for all games on Saturday.

Pros: The location. Las Vegas is a great place to visit, but even better when you get to network and socialize with some of the best in the basketball industry. Additionally, this is one of the few conferences that is dedicated to a particular sport. This gives you the opportunity to network within the industry with fellow basketball minded individuals. Additionally, for college students, one hour of college credit is available for attending the conference. Lastly, this is an awesome way to source mentors and gurus who can cut your learning curve to where you want to go within the basketball industry.

Cons: The location. Again, Las Vegas is great, but this essentially one day conference is sure to cost you a pretty penny if don’t live close or are just short on funds.

BONUS: Ivy Sports Symposium (ISS)

• Professional (Regular): $375
• Ivy League Alum: $275
• Young Leader: $275
• Student: $100

Pros: The Ivy Sports Symposium is an annual student-run (and well-run) conference that is considered one of the global sports industry’s premier events. ISS attracts professionals at all stages of the game and always has the most influential executives and individuals in attendance. Additionally, the panels and workshops cater to professionals at any level, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned professional, you’ll learn new ideas, industry tips and insider trends and information. With the mixture of professionals in attendance, it is easy to gain valuable contacts, establish new client relationships, or even gain a mentor or mentee. Lastly, the event attracts and caters to people from across the globe, which is beneficial for professionals interested in sports internationally.

Cons: Like SWCC, it’s only one day, and a long day at that. The conference begins at 8:00 am with registration and a light breakfast, and usually ends around 8:00 pm. There’s only so much networking someone can do (or take) in one day. Also, with so many young professionals seeking the advice of industry giants such as, David Falk or Billy King, you may grow weary of waiting in long lines to speak with them after their panel discussions. However, this is common to all great networking events; it’s a part of the process and likely won’t change. Lastly, some of the best panel discussions are scheduled simultaneously, which may leave you choosing between two topics you’re really interested in. This is somewhat of a good problem, depending on your prospective.

These are just a few of the many conferences and opportunities available for you to network and hopefully break into the industry. Other conferences to consider include the Sports Financial Advisors Association (SFAA) National Conference, the Sports Lawyers Association Conference, and events held at colleges and universities in your area. With all these opportunities, this year it is a great time to get out there and network. Happy Networking!

Comment below on how you plan to network in 2013. Make sure to follow us on Twitter @SportsNetworker

The post 3 Sports Networking Events To Attend In 2013 appeared first on Sports Networker.

The responses we received varied from current students to young professionals currently working in sports.

And, even though we know that this is not an exhaustive list, these are some of the proactive, passionate few that are doing what it takes to rise above the competition to excel in sports.

Here is a list of some of the up and coming stars in sports business:

The 2013 Rising Stars In #Sportsbiz

Laura Culbertson

Account Executive, Minnesota Vikings

In addition to her work as an Account Executive with the Minnesot Vikings, Laura has held part time and seasonal positions with the Minnesota Twins since 2010. Being in the ticket sales team for the Vikings since 2009, she went through the ups and downs of Favre, no Favre, a stadium roof collapse, the NFL lockout, possible relocation to LA, and a new stadium.

Twitter: @lkculbertson
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lkculbertson

Austin Schindel

Social Media Reporter, XFINITY Sports

Austin draws his inspiration and expertise from experiences working for the Washington Redskins, Nationals, and multiple online sports publications.

Recently, he has become an expert in social media and has worked on behalf of the XFINITY sports brand at some of the biggest sporting events of the year. In addition, he has introduced the online sports community to virtual and on site interviews with big name sports stars and professionals.

Twitter: @XFinitySports | @AustinSchindel
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/austin-schindel/19/a00/a/

Doron Tamari

Director of Marketing, Elite Level Sport Marketing

When talking about someone with a well-rounded sports business background, you have to think of Doron. He’s had experience working on the professional and collegiate level, as well as the domestic and international stage. Doron has a wide range of experience with different types of professional leagues. While he spent time working with the Brooklyn (then New Jersey) Nets, he helped prepare the brand for their eventual move to Atlantic Avenue and a return to the NBA stage of top teams.

Doron also has experience with start-up leagues, spending a summer working with the up-and-coming Sky Blue FC of the WPS. On the collegiate level, Doron has been an integral part of sports marketing initiatives for both the University of Maryland and Ohio State University.

Twitter: @DoronTam
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dorontamari

Kasia Michalska

Deputy Venue Logistics Manager, 2012 London Olmypic/Paralympic Games

Kasia is a recent graduate of the London Metropolitan University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations; she’s currently pursuing a Masters of Science in International Sport Management.

Kasia was recently the Deputy Venue Logitstics Manger at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. where she was second-in-charge for all logistics operations at an assigned venue. Additionally, she had to successfully implement and adhere to venue specific logistics operating plans. During her sports business career, she’s also volunteered with Arsenal, where she worked on various football projects within the community.

Twitter: @KasiaJT26
LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/pub/kasia-michalska/47/49b/24b

Richard Burgunder

Founder/CMO, Extremus 

Richard exhibits the true meaning of the word entrepreneur as an American sports marketing executive, professional extreme athlete, and global brand ambassador. He is the Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Extremus, a premier full-service sports marketing and management company devoted to maximizing brand performance for global extreme sports and active lifestyle industry leaders.

By heightening brand awareness and developing sound marketing strategies, Extremus creates innovative business solutions for today’s distinctive extreme sports leaders.

Twitter: @GoExtremus
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardburgunder

Keith Wan

Director of Sports/Athlete Marketing, Leverage Agency

Besides being multi-faceted and brokering deals on both the athlete and property side, Keith provides guidance to tons of students seeking to break into the industry.

As someone who has been interviewed by Trevor as a rising star in sports business, I (Lucas Biebelberg) can say with certainly that the short success I have had has been under the guidance of Keith’s steady hand and supervision.

Twitter: @RealKeithWan
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/keith-wan/5/847/884

Chris Stathos

Guest Contributor, Sports Networker

Chris is a junior at William Jewell College in Missouri, and in addition to maintaining a 3.98 GPA, has already worked for four professional sports franchises. Spanning three leagues (NFL, MLB, and the MLS), Chris has worked for the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and Sporting Kansas City in a variety of roles.

In addition to his professional career, Chris takes an active role in helping his peers take their careers to the next level. He has been a major player in helping to create a Sports Management major at William Jewel and actively utilizes his extensive experience to mentor his peers.

Twitter: @TheRealStathos
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chrisstathos

Michael Hirn

Sports Director, WWRD TV-32

Mike has been working in radio and television broadcasting for approximately 15 years now and in that time, has built up a vast knowledge of broadcasting experience and techniques.

For the past four years, Mike was the play by play voice and Interactive Communications Director of the Lima Warriors Semi-Pro Football team. In addition to his duties with the Warriors, Mike also calls various high school games for internet broadcast in Northwestern Ohio and helps feature student athletes as they head to college.

One of the things Mike is most proud of so far in his career is that for the past year, he has been the Sports Director at WWRD-RTV32 in Dayton, Ohio. All of these opportunities have helped build Mike into the broadcaster that he is today, and he hopes that it will continue to propel him even further in the industry as one of the rising stars of broadcasting.

Twitter: @MichaelHirnPBP
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-hirn/35/554/5aa

Michael Sansarran

Co-Founder/President of Business Sports Society, Fordham University

Michael Sansarran is a true inspiration, leader and sports business professional who is quickly rising to the top in the industry. He is the co-founder and current President of the Business Sports Society at Fordham Univerity. The organization is Fordham’s premier student-geared sports business society, serving as the door of opportunity for aspiring sports business professionals at Fordham. Through Michael’s thorough planning and design, the club provides students with real-world experiences such as company visits, guest speaker panels, and internship opportunity postings.

Michael is majoring in Business Administration, minoring in Communications and Media Studies, while dually concentrating in Marketing and Management Systems. He is also pursuing a Co-Curricular Certificate in the Business Side of Sports.

Twitter: @MikeyFordham
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-rajesh-sansarran/35/a6b/17b

Louis Frangella

Vice President of the Business Sports Society, Fordham University

Louis Frangella is an embodiment of hard work and proactive decision-making. He is bound to be an authoritative figure in sports business. His top accolade is being the co-founder and current Vice President of the Business Sports Society at Fordham University, the first implemented effort established at the University catered to helping students pursue a career in the business side of sports. His tenacious approach to work qualifies him as one of the elite up-and-coming stars in the business worthy of recognition. He has already built an impressive resume working in many different capacities within the industry.

This is a testament to his versatility and his ability to perform efficiently at any given position. Upon the conclusion with his current role as an intern for IMG Consulting, he will begin interning with Leverage Agency securing sponsorships at a high-profile level. There is no doubt Louis will, one day, be very high-profile himself in his line of work.

Twitter: @L_Frangella
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lfrangella

Joshua Lagan

Statistics Analyst, ESPN

Joshua Lagan is a rising junior at the University of Connecticut, where he is a New England Scholar and a member of the Dean’s List. Joshua has already completed three internships and was a member of the inaugural class of the Manhattan Sports Business Academy. In January of 2012, Joshua accepted a position as a Statistics Analyst for ESPN, and he maintains his job there while attending classes full-time.

In addition, Joshua is a consultant for the UConn Sports Business Academy, and a founding member of the Collegiate Sports Business Network. Joshua credits his mentors, the people who invested in him, for his success – namely Mark Zampino, Meghan Hanrahan, Ben Sturner, and Rosalyn Durant.

Twitter: @JoshuaLagan
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joshualagan

Lucas Biebelberg

Special Assistant to the CEO, Leverage Agency 

Lucas Biebelberg is a contributing author to SportsNetworker.com, and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Rutgers University. While participating in the Manhattan Sports Business Academy, Lucas interned for 16W Marketing, a talent and event marketing company in Rutherford, NJ. At the conclusion of his internship, Lucas made the jump to the Leverage Agency in Manhattan as the Special Assistant to the CEO.

Lucas strongly believes that mentorship is the key to success in any industry, and credits his accomplishments thus far to the five biggest people who have helped and guided him in his sports endeavors: Lon Rosen, Jason Belzer, Dave Maryles, Lowell Taub, and Ben Sturner.

Twitter: @LucasBiebelberg
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lucasbiebelberg

Alex Shoemaker

Editorial Producer, Sports Networker | Sports Editor, Eugene Daily News

Alex is in his senior year at the University of Oregon working towards a degree in journalism. While his focus is in journalism, he has strong footing in sports business. With the completion of his degree from Oregon, Alex will also receive a minor in economics to complete his skillset as a writer.

His passion for athletics and writing/editing has led him to his current position as editorial producer with Sports Networker. Alex oversees the day-to-day content on the site as well as communicating with the site’s community contributors and guest authors. He hopes to continue building the site into the perfect resource for sports business professionals, like himself.

In addition to his work with Sports Networker, Alex has done work with Comcast SportsNet NW, ESPN Radio 1080 the Fan Portland, OR, Pac-12.org, Bleacher Report, and he is the current sports editor for a local website, Eugene Daily News, in Eugene, OR.

Twitter: @MrAlexShoemaker
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexshoemaker

Mark Burns

Assistant Producer/Writer, Sports Networker | Intern, Elite Talent Agency 

Mark recently graduated from the University of Michigan in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Political Science in addition to another minor in Crime and Justice. He’s currently in his second year of law school at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He has aspirations of breaking into the sports/entertainment industry and more specifically, to make a career either representing athletes/entertainers or work in the legal office of a professional franchise.

During his young career, Mark has already had the opportunity to intern with two sports organizations, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Nashville Predators. In addition, Mark has gained experience outside of the sports industry and in a similar competitive field: entertainment. This past summer, Mark completed a remote internship with with DDO Artists Agency (now Movement Talent Agency). In January, Mark will be obtaining additional experience in the entertainment industry, as he’ll be starting an internship with Elite Talent Agency on Music Row.

He’s truly passionate about sports, writing, and the law, and is in pursuit of meshing those three subjects together in one form or another. Mark’s internship experience, proactive nature, unmatched work ethic, and his writing and communication skills are what set him apart from his peers.

Twitter: @markjburns88
LinkedIn: www.linkedincom/in/markjburns

Nick Bartlett

Internet Marketer, Sports Networker

Nick recently graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the spring of 2012 with a double major in Business Marketing and Management. He currently is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Sport Management at Minnesota State University, Mankato. It is his goal to further understand more about business in the sports industry while developing valuable relationships.

He’s now on his third sports related internship with Sports Networker and previously has held sports marketing internships with a semi pro football team and Eastbay. In his spare time, Nick also coaches high school basketball.

Twitter: @NickBartlett12
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nickbartlett12

Kiah Teunissen

Market Researcher, Sports Networker 

Kiah Teunissen is currently in her fourth year of undergraduate schooling, as she pursues an advertising degree and public relations specialization from Michigan State University. She has agency aspirations of account management, but is open to a variety of postgraduate opportunities.

During the summer of 2011, she acquired her first internship through a full-service music management company in North Hollywood, Calif. — The DBHH Firm. The following fall semester, she obtained her position as a marketing intern for the MSU athletic department. She is currently still interning for MSU Athletics in addition to a market research position with Sports Networker.

Throughout her internship opportunities, she has spent time communicating with corporate sponsors, creating and implementing new marketing strategies, writing game-day scripts, maintaining social media and developing website content. With her music and sports experience, she is confident in establishing her career in the entertainment industry post graduation.

Twitter: @KiahJaneWay
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kiahteunissen

The post Rising Stars In #Sportsbiz In 2013 appeared first on Sports Networker.

I know, I know. You’ve heard it before. If you’re a regular Sports Networker reader—and I hope you are if you’re passionate about working in sports—you’ve certainly been convinced of the power of personal branding. If you’re a college student (like me), you might still be figuring out what your personal brand looks like, and I’m here to tell you that’s perfectly okay. However, I would like to share some tips with you that have worked for me on my own journey in the sports industry.

Building a Personal Brand as a College Student

1. Build a Personal Brand Deck to Bring to Every Interview

While I’m researching for an interview, I also prepare what I call my “personal brand deck” to bring along and leave with my interviewer. Typically, I will include my resume, cover letter, one-page biography, testimonials (from previous internship supervisors), a writing sample, and any other appropriate documents in a simple portfolio folder that you can buy at your local office supply store. This is certain to impress the person you interview with because it shows you are approaching the interview very seriously.

2. Get on LinkedIn and Use it Often

If you’re not already on LinkedIn, sign up right NOW! It’s free, easy-to-use, and will go a long way in helping you connect with the decision makers who can hire you when you graduate from college. Also, take some time to really develop an excellent profile that gives potential employers a 360 view of who you are. This is your chance to pitch the product you know best—YOU!

3. Develop a Personal Website

Go ahead and purchase a personal domain (e.g. www.firstnamelastname.com) through a site like WordPress. These are relatively cheap and have a good selection of themes that are easy to customize with your own content. However, be sure that what you place on your website is consistent with your resume and LinkedIn profile. It is imperative that your personal brand remains uniform across platforms.

4. Get Your Own Business Cards…

…and when you do, always carry a few with you wherever you go. You never know who you will meet on a given day. These will also obviously come in handy while attending networking events. Those who have your business card can easily see your electronic resume when they visit the personal website listed on that business card. You did buy a domain like I told you, didn’t you?

5. Network, Network, Network

If you’ve had the opportunity to intern with a team or other sports organization, keep in touch with your supervisors there. Send periodic email updates while you’re still in college so that you’re fresh in that person’s mind when it comes time to graduate and find a job. Also learn how to reach out to leaders in the industry. Connect and interview them to ask for career tips—NOT a job. Attend major conferences where top industry executives will be speaking. Never stop networking. You never know which connection will be the one that helps you land your dream job after college.

6. Read, Read, Read

If you’re in college, internships are a wonderful way to gain industry experience while learning the tools of the trade. Multiple internships over the course of your four years in college, however, can sometimes be difficult to manage while trying to juggle classes, extracurricular activities, and a social life as well. As someone who has interned for four different professional sports franchises in the last 18 months, I know this first-hand. Bottom line: always be learning. Read books and Internet articles (like the ones found right here on Sports Networker) about the industry. Email sports executives that you know and even ones you don’t know asking for answers to your questions about the industry. In the words of Albert Einstein, “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”

7. Establish a unique brand position

What makes your personal brand unique? In a recent Sports Networker article, Chris McKinney notes the importance of answering the following question: “If you position yourself as a business, or a brand, what sets you apart? What’s your expertise? What’s your specialty?” Personally, I have a passion for entrepreneurship, and I even helped to start a small consulting business (that I still work for) when I was a sophomore. I bring that entrepreneurial spirit into the sports industry by offering value as an innovator that can connect the dots before the dots are even there. In today’s world, it is essential that organizations in sports business stay at the forefront of the industry or else they will be left behind. New ideas sparked by an entrepreneurial mindset are the solution to that problem.

While building a personal brand requires quality self-reflection as well as time to grow your network, it is essential that every college student works hard to develop one. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start selling your personal brand to the world!

Comment below and send us a tweet @SportsNetworker

The post How to Build a Personal Brand as a College Student appeared first on Sports Networker.