Work in Sports: 6 Tips to Get Ahead

by Darren Heitner | March 10th, 2010 | No Comments »

Canadian Veggie Graduating from your undergraduate institution in April or May and want to break into the business of sports (particularly in the representation of athletes) but have no idea where to start? Here’s a list of options. There is no “right” path to success, but the following list provides some insight into ways that you can better prepare yourself for the life as a sports agent and possibly get your first foot through the door.

1. Don’t stop learning. Have you taken the LSAT or GRE? If not, it may be too late to take either standardized test in order to be admitted into a law school or masters program this Fall. If you have taken one of the 2 tests, you may want to consider getting a graduate/law degree. For one, the NFL requires that you have one if you wish to be certified by the players’ association. But even if you just want to focus your practice on basketball, baseball, or some other sport, the knowledge, tools, and connections you will gain from a masters program or law school are very valuable in this field. My own two cents – Go to law school and see if the school allows you to take some out-of-law classes like Sport Marketing.

Interview with Joe Fonzi, Sports Broadcaster

by Matt Crevin | February 19th, 2010 | No Comments »

This week Matt Crevin from Voice of the Box interviews Joe Fonzi. Joe is one of the top sports broadcasters in the state of California. He shares how he broke into sports and broadcasting as well as provides details on his tips to success.

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?”

Interview with Ryan Leong, Radio Correspondent

by Matt Crevin | January 28th, 2010 | No Comments »

This week Matt Crevin from Voice of the Box interviews veteran radio correspondent Ryan Leong. Ryan discusses his role, how he got his start and pearls of wisdom on how to break into a career in the sports radio business.

Find a Job in Sports: Be Your Own PR Agent

by Gail Sideman | January 26th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

a natural sound I’ve decided to take a detour from writing about current issues and events surrounding sports public relations to provide some simple tips to young people entering the business.

I recently read a query from a college-age man who is set to graduate this spring. He asked for advice from the panel about how to get a job in sports the sports industry. I asked myself, “What took you so long to ask?”

My post today is an effort to help people who are preparing for this stage of education not have to ask that question. You’re read it right – as a second-semester senior in college, you will hopefully not have to ask how to break into your field of choice because you’ll have already done your research, laid a foundation for your own brand and even completed an internship or two. In essence, you must create your own public relations campaign and pitch yourself.

Interview with Mike Eaby of Westwood One Radio

by Matt Crevin | January 21st, 2010 | No Comments »

Matt Crevin from Voice of the Box interviews One of Westwood One’s top radio producers Mike Eaby. Mike details what exactly happens in the radio booth during an NFL broadcast. Mike is one of the best in the business and describes his behind the scenes role and how he got his start.

#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.

Interview with Kevin Lynch, Sports Writer

by Matt Crevin | January 7th, 2010 | No Comments »

This week Matt Crevin from Voice of the Box interviews writer Kevin Lynch. Kevin has been covering the NFL for 21 years and explains his role as well as the keys to staying current in the ever changing world of sports journalism.

Top 9 Ways To Break Into Sports

by Lewis Howes | January 5th, 2010 | 5 Comments »

star5112 (This is a guest article by Mark Washo)

I host a weekly online Sports Management chat as an Adjunct Professor for Sports Management Worldwide where I’m able to invite guest speakers from within the sports industry to participate. Over the past few months the students have learned from executives at many top teams, companies and agencies.

I also have been on the sports conference circuit in the past year, participating in numerous sports business panels. Whether I am sitting on a panel or facilitating chats, I hear the same reoccurring advice about how to break into the sports industry. Here are some tips from recent calls to help give sports job seekers a head start.

1. Network, network, network- build your pro sports Rolodex

One of the most important things you can do when trying to break into sports, is to build your Rolodex of professional sports contacts. Learfield’s Mary Lee Gilliland comments “Job seekers should seek out events and opportunities to meet as many sports executives and people working in the industry as they can. The first place sports executives look when they have open positions, is within their own network. I receive dozens of e-mails a year from my friends in the business asking me if I know of candidates that would be qualified for their open positions.”

Interview with the Player Participation Crew

by Matt Crevin | December 30th, 2009 | No Comments »

This week Matt Crevin of Voice of the Box interviews the player participation crew. Each team within the NFL has a crew like this at work to document every play. They determine which players are in each and every play from scrimmage. Learn about this behind the scenes role with a heavy emphasis on sports photography.