10 Ways to Land Jobs at Sports Conferences

by Lewis Howes | February 10th, 2010 | 6 Comments »

SportsBusiness 03 (This is a guest article by Jason Kobeda)

The ability to network has become an essential skill for those seeking employment in the sports industry. When I began pursuing a career in the NFL, I quickly learned how much competition there was. I traveled to the Senior Bowl week of practices and NFL Combine, where NFL personnel congregate during the off-season to evaluate talent. This presented rare opportunities to meet key people and I returned the following three years while completing my degree.

These are a few methods I used to put myself in the same room with the NFL personnel who had the power to hire me. These tips relate to football events, but are transferable to other sports business conference, MLB Winter Meetings, NBA Combine, etc.

1. Write introductory letters: Anytime you know you’re going to see someone that’s important to your career search, always write them a letter beforehand telling them what you want to do and that you’re hoping to meet them at the event. It is then much easier and more effective to approach that person and say, “Mr./Mrs. —-, my name is Jason Kobeda, it’s nice to meet you. I’m not sure if you got my letter last week, but may I have a minute of your time to discuss potential internships in your department?”

Sports Careers Conference

by Lewis Howes | June 2nd, 2009 | 2 Comments »

If you are looking to take your career in sports to the next level, then look no further than the Sports Careers Conference on June 28-30 in Dallas, Texas. Instead of talking about all of the great things that will go on during the conference, I was able to speak with Mark Tudi, the founder of SportsCareers.com who is organizing the this great event. Check out the video below to see why you should attend, and I look forward to seeing you there!

Break Into the Sports Industry With Princeton University

by Lewis Howes | November 18th, 2008 | 5 Comments »

Are you looking to find a job into the sports industry but not sure how to get a break? In my mind, there is no better way to get connected with the decision makers then by attending a sports industry conference. Luckily for us, Princeton University has created a premier event with some of the biggest players in the industry.

The 2008 Princeton Sports Symposium presented by Leverage Agency will be held on the Princeton University Campus on Friday, December 5 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm in the Friend Center.

The third annual Princeton Sports Symposium will bring together the most knowledgeable and successful professionals in the sports industry from around the country (and actually the world) to discuss various aspects and trends of the business. The event will give students and sports professionals an opportunity to learn from and network with the most accomplished individuals in the sports industry, many of whom Princeton University alumni.

This half-day event will feature a keynote conversation with Mark Shapiro ‘89, executive vice president and general manager of the Cleveland Indians and his father Ronald M. Shapiro, co-founder and chairman of the Shapiro Negotiations Institute. Mark played four years of football for Princeton University and graduated with a degree in history. He was named to the elite Forty Under 40 by the SportsBusiness Journal recognizing the top 40 sports executives under the age of 40, and he was named twice General Manager of the Year by The Sporting News. Ron is considered one of baseball’s most respected agent-attorneys representing more Hall of Famers than any other agent, and The Sporting News named him as one of the 100 most powerful people in sports. He is also a bestselling author and civic leader.

The keynote conversation is followed by seven panel discussions. Panel topics include: The Olympic Games, Sports Marketing and Sponsorships, Sports Media and Technology, Athlete Marketing and Representation as well as Professional Sports and College Sports.

The numbers:
•    46 speakers and moderators
•    24 Chairmen, Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors, and Presidents
•    12 SportsBusiness Journal Forty Under 40 Award Winners
•    9 Senior Vice Presidents and Executive Vice Presidents
•    8 Princeton University alumni
•    2 Chief Marketing Officers
•    2 Olympic Gold Medalists
•    1 Commissioner
•    1 Current Princeton University student
•    Professionals from the Breeders’ Cup Limited, Canadian Football League, Cleveland Indians, Comcast SportsNet, CNBC, ESPN, IMG, Ladies Professional Golf Association, National Basketball Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Proskauer Rose, Sports Illustrated, USA Boxing and many other organizations

Speakers include:
•    Greg Avioli, President and Chief Executive Officer, Breeders’ Cup Ltd.
•    Bob Basche, Chairman, Millsport
•    Jordan Bazant, Founder and Principal, The Agency
•    David Birnbaum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, TAKKLE
•    Ken Brenner ‘89, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Legacy Direct Inc.
•    Susan Briglia, Vice President, Branded Content, Collegiate Images LLC
•    Zak Brown, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Just Marketing Intl.
•    Kathryn Carter, Executive Vice President, Soccer United Marketing
•    Mark Cohon, Commissioner, Canadian Football League
•    Pat Coyle, President, Coyle Media Inc.
•    Joey Cheek ‘11, U.S. Speed Skater and Olympic Gold Medalist
•    David L. Dunn, Chief Executive Officer, Athletes First

And many, many more!

This event is primarily for sports business students, but if you are in the Princeton area and are looking to find a break into the industry, this may just be the event for you. For more information, please contact Jonathan Lea ‘08 at jlea@Princeton.edu or Anthony Soroka ‘09 at astoroka@Princeton.edu.