The Frenzy of Fan Dynamics

by Lewis Howes | January 27th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Scrunchleface (This is a guest article by Michelle Hill)

Football fans everywhere enjoy a special camaraderie; we join forces in unwavering support and devotion for our team, despite geographic location or economic status, we’re all on an even playing field (no pun intended) when it comes to rooting for our favorite team.

There are three important fan traits that explain the frenzy of fan dynamics:

1. Fans tend to immortalize coaches and players. I’ve witnessed football fans standing for hours at training camps and hotels, nervously clutching hats, jerseys, posters, and footballs, anticipating players and coaches to amble by, in hopes of grabbing an autograph or even just a close-up look. Sometimes though, it seems as if we believe coaches and players are Demigods – half human and half god. We hold them up on an unachievable pedestal mounted with unrealistic expectations.

#ClicheWednesday: Reaching New Goals

by Tyler Johnson | January 19th, 2010 | No Comments »

It may sound cliché, but I think everyone in the New Year should set out to try a few new things. Hopefully people haven’t already derailed their 2010 plans! One of my former colleagues sent me a tweet last week wanting to promote #ClicheWednesday on twitter that day. It was random, but knowing his use of social media in his job, it was new to me and I thought, hey good for Brian (@GrouponBrianSA).

New Year resolutions are about as common as New Year ’s Day hangovers and football. However, the essence of the motive is a great idea. Typically it is the execution and follow through that turns these resolutions into clichés.

RIP Chris Henry

by Sam Taggart | December 18th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Chris_Henry

“I kind of felt I dug myself out of the hole and started doing the right things.” -Chris Henry

Early yesterday morning, Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver, Chris Henry, passed away after falling out of the bed of a pickup truck. On Wednesday, Henry was involved in a domestic dispute with his fiancée at their home, when she got in a pickup truck and began to drive away. According to police, Henry hopped into the bed of the truck, beating on the back window. About a half-mile from his home, Henry fell out, suffering what turned out to be fatal injuries.

For most people, Henry is best known for his troubles off the field. His problems began in December 2005, when he was pulled over for speeding. During the stop, police found that Henry was driving without a license or valid insurance, and was in possession of marijuana. His problems continued in ‘06 (suspended for two games), ‘07 (suspended for eight games), and early ‘08. At one point in late 2007, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told Henry that any future issues could result in the end of his career in the league.

How To Write For The Sports Industry (Video)

by Lewis Howes | April 16th, 2009 | 15 Comments »

Terry Lefton is a killer writer for the SportsBusiness Journal, and I was fortunate enough to meet up him during the Marquis Jet Super Bowl party in Tampa. He shares some great insights about how difficult it is becoming a writer in the sports industry, but by specializing early you have a much greater chance at success.

Feel free to leave your comments below and ReTweet this video on Twitter

The Powerful Lesson of 3:59.4

by Lewis Howes | March 24th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

This article is part of “The Huddle” series by Frank Agin

On May 6th, 1954, an unidentified announcer gave the results for the recently completed race in a track and field meet being held at Oxford University. As he uttered “In the one-mile run, with a first place winning time of three-minutes …,” the crowd interrupted him, cheering in sheer excitement.

The winner of the race, the new world record holder and the first person to finish a mile in less than four minutes was Dr. Roger Bannister – a young medical student from Oxford University. His official time, once the crowd permitted the announcer to continue, was 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds.

In the years following Dr. Bannister’s May 6, 1954 feat, hundreds of runners have run sub-four-minute miles (and some runners have achieved the feat hundreds of times themselves). In fact, later in May 1954, John Landy, a miler from Australia, also ran the mile in less than four minutes – lowering the world record for the mile to 3:58.0.

As of today, men over the age of 30 have run miles in less than four minutes as well as men over the age of 40. There are even women within striking distance of the sub-four-minute milestone. Currently, the world record is more than 15 seconds under four minutes.

However, prior to Dr. Bannister’s accomplishment, few believed that a human would ever break the four-minute-mile barrier. Experts from the athletic, medical and scientific community regarded running a sub-four-minute mile as an insurmountable limitation of the human body. After all, the previous world record of 4:01.3 had stood unchanged for nine years.

Despite what the experts said, Bannister thought otherwise. In his mind, it was not a question of whether or not someone could run a sub-four-minute mile. For Bannister the questions to be answered were “who” and “when.”

Bannister believed that someone would break the four-minute barrier. He believed that he was capable of doing it. He believed that his unique training methods would enable him to do it. And, in the end, his convictions and confidence carried him to world-renowned prominence.

The story of Dr. Roger Bannister’s sub-four-minute mile has a simple lesson for us in business and life. That lesson is that what others believe to be our abilities and limitations has absolutely no bearing on how high we can take ourselves. What does matter ultimately (and primarily), however, is what we believe to be our abilities and limitations.

Each of us needs to believe that within us is a “sub-four-minute type” performance regarding our personal or professional achievement. We need to believe that we have that performance where we cast aside all self-doubt and are feeling a “not if, but when” sort of confidence. We need to endeavor to amaze those around us who do not believe – that population of so-called naysayers.

The lesson that Dr. Roger Bannister gave us in a particular 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds span of his life, is that for us to be as successful as we can be, the starting point is that we simply need to BELIEVE.

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Frank Agin writes a monthly sports themed networking series for SportsNetworker.com entitled “The Huddle“. Frank is the founder and president of AmSpirit Business Connections and consults with individuals

and businesses on how to become more successful through networking. He is the author of two sports related novels, Out of the Comfort Zone., and his latest hit, Rival.

Did you like this article? Please write your comments below on your own sub 4-minute miles in your life and check out the other articles from “The Huddle”:

How To Maximize Your Sponsorships in the Down Economy

by Lewis Howes | February 25th, 2009 | No Comments »

I spent time with Kevin McIntyre from Leverage Agency and Paul Sewell of the AVP during Super Bowl weekend. I wanted to know how the AVP was doing on sponsorships during the down economy, and what creative things they were doing to keep and attract new sponsors for the league.

The video is close to to 10 minutes so Ill keep this part short to give you time to watch the entire thing. These are the experts, and they offer a ton of value in this interview. (see if you can find the Bee that was stinging us in the car ride

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Like what you saw? Leave your comments on the challenges you are facing getting new sponsors, and share with others the creative things you are doing.

Stand Tall, Or Bow To A King…What Would You Do?

by Lewis Howes | February 17th, 2009 | 11 Comments »

This is a guest article in “The Huddle” series by Frank Agin:

The crowning spectacle of any Olympic Games is the opening ceremonies. No matter what Olympic sport of which you happen to be a fan (or even if you are a fan of no sport at all), this exhibition is captivating, entertaining and inspiring.

Traditionally, the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games is officially opened by the head of state of the host nation, such as a president, prime minister or even a king. From there nation after nation enters the stadium, each being led by an athlete representative that carries that country’s flag. As each country proceeds around the infield, when they pass where the head of state is seated, following tradition, the flag bearer dips the nation’s flag in deference to the host country’s lead dignitary.

Literally every nation follows this protocol – every nation but the United States. This exception to the tradition is considered tradition in and of itself and it relates back over 100 years to the 1908 London Games.

On July 14 at approximately 2:45 PM, with Austria leading the way, nations began to parade into London’s White City Stadium for the opening ceremonies of the 1908 Olympic Games. Eventually, the United States joined the procession, being led by 6’6”, 275 pound Ralph Rose as its flag bearer.

As the contingent of Americans marched before King Edward VII, to the outrage of the crowd, Rose did not lower the American flag as was custom. Although there is some debate as to just how much of an uproar this created amongst the British, one American’s response to the act was clear. Martin Sheridan, known as a burly, hot-tempered shot putter, emphatically stated, “This flag dips to no earthly king.”

As such, a tradition-bucking tradition was born. In the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games, the American delegation does not lower its flag. The American flag has remained high before kings, presidents and emperors. It has not dipped in great nations such as Canada, Germany and China.

No matter the dignitary and no matter the country, in the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games the Americans keep their flag standing tall with pride, confidence and optimism … proud of its past contribution to the world … confident of its place as a leader in global humanity … optimistic of its role in a great future.

You are no different than the American flag. You have every reason to stand tall in any situation, no matter who you encounter. And thus you should shy away from meeting no one.

Yes, there are people who have accomplished much – award-winning authors, note-worthy business professionals and civic leaders of every kind. Do not concede anything to them. Rather, stop, reflect, and take inventory of your own past. It is a proud one too – marked by wonderful milestones, accomplishments and achievements.

Yes, there are people who offer a great deal to society – architects of innovation, masters of a craft and commanders of loyal followers. Do not wilt in their presence. Rather have every confidence that no matter what you do, your contribution to society serves to make the world a better place – even if it is just in your little corner of it.

Yes, there are people whose crowning achievements are clearly ahead of them – future dignitaries, rising-corporate stars, and budding entrepreneur types. Nevertheless, do not back down from them. No matter how high their stock may rise, remember you should have every optimism that yours will rise too.

In short, no matter where you find yourself and no matter whose company you are in, believe that you belong. As such, stand tall, throw your shoulders back and offer yourself to those around you … but do not bow to any earthly king.
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Frank Agin writes a monthly sports themed networking series for SportsNetworker.com entitled “The Huddle“. Frank is the founder and president of AmSpirit Business Connections and consults with individuals and businesses on how to become more successful through networking. He is the author of two sports related novels, Out of the Comfort Zone., and his latest hit, Rival.

Did you like this article? Check out the other articles from “The Huddle”:

Super Bowl Weekend Networking and Events

by Lewis Howes | January 29th, 2009 | 11 Comments »

Check out the Big Game VIP Event hosted by Ashton Kutcher with guests like Demi Moore, Tiki and Ronde Barber, Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Drew Brees, Cole Hamels and Warrick Dunn.

Meet up with Leverage Agency and myself on Saturday for lunch. Full details here.

I will also be at the Diamonds and Pearls Pro Athlete event

And finally ESPN The Magazine’s Next Big Weekend with basically every major celebrity and pro athlete in attendance.

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Say hi to me if you will be in Tampa, and also, let me know your thoughts about SportsNetworker.com so I can continue to produce valuable content for you in 2009. Post your comments below.