Sports Professionals Networking Event: Buenos Aires

by Lewis Howes | March 8th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

During my stay in Argentina I have had a number of Sports Networkers looking to meet up. Since I’m only here for a few more days before I leave for SXSW I decided to put together a Sports Networker meet up in Buenos Aires to bring together some of the best minds in the industry.

This is more of a meet up instead of a large Sports Networker event, but I’m expecting a great turn out.

The event will be held at the well known Hard Rock Cafe in Recoleta starting at 7:00pm on Wednesday March 10th.

Here is the address:
Av. Pueyrredón y Libertador
Buenos Aires Design
1119 – Buenos Aires

This event is free to attend so bring your co-workers, dress casual, have your business cards ready, and let’s have a fun night connecting with some great sports professionals in the Buenos Aires area. See you there!

In the Trenches: Building Your Network

by Lewis Howes | February 15th, 2010 | 4 Comments »

(This is a guest article by Cabe Flesher)

As the old saying goes, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” and this can’t ring more true than in the wide world of sports, specifically sponsorships sales. We are out there everyday trying to get in the door somehow and we have all heard the phrase, “Oh, I know someone I can call or email”.

Well, speaking from the trenches, it’s best to build on that network as much as possible. Networking now isn’t always about hitting the latest local networking event, which we all know is filled with the same sales people trying to sell each other and vying for the for real buyers in the room. It’s more about reaching out to our peers on a national level trying to develop a bond there that will someday pay off. Let’s face it we got into sponsorships because we want to get paid. So however you can achieve that should be your goal.

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?”

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.”

Create a Presence: The Influence of LinkedIn Groups

by Tyler Johnson | December 17th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Last May I was kicking back with Lewis Howes at a Chicago Cubs game, not knowing in two weeks time I would be doing the same thing with another colleague, Jude LaRose. Still digesting the LinkedIn knowledge Lewis dropped on me, Jude and I ended up not paying much attention to the play on the field and instead spent most of the time hatching a plan.

In working with LinkedIn, I have started to see the value in being a part of different groups and organizations that can benefit my career. With a desire to become more actively involved, we decided to start a group in Chicago for sports professionals working in the area.

How to Network at a Sports Symposium

by Darren Heitner | December 1st, 2009 | 4 Comments »

darren 02 We are about to enter Sports Symposium season. This Friday is the granddaddy of them all: The Princeton Sports Symposium. Amongst the panelists are former Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox general manager Roland Hemond, Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci, President of Ponturo Management and chairman of the Leverage Agency sports marketing firm Tony Ponturo, IMG agency’s executive vice president of sports programming Barry Frank, etc.

Other fantastic symposiums that are right around the corner include the UF Sports Law Symposium on January 29, 2010 and the University of Miami’s 13th Annual Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium on February 5, 2010. Travel costs in this economy are not always easy to justify, but these events are some of the best places to learn about the business of sports. They are also the premier spots to network with the sports industry’s leaders.

The Huddle: Nothing Beats a Team

by Frank Agin | November 30th, 2009 | No Comments »

golf 01 The sights and sounds of summer are arguably the best of the year. Ask most anyone and they will list summer as one of their favorite times of year.

If you ask why, you will get a variety of answers. Some will cite the long, sunny days filled with enjoying time at the beach. Others might mention backyard cook outs with family and friends. Still others will bring into the conversation an occasional round of golf.

The game of golf is unique in that there is something in the game for everyone. You can start playing when you are young and enjoy it until you are in retirement years. As long as you are able walk a few feet and swing your arms, you can play golf (not necessarily well, but you can still play).

4 Ways To Break Into Sports by Adding Value

by Lewis Howes | November 10th, 2009 | 8 Comments »

Here is the deal. I am getting a number of emails, phone calls, tweets, etc from people who are having problems in advancing their career or even getting getting a job in sports. It’s tough, I get it. However, relationships are the most powerful thing you can develop in the sports industry (or any industry for that matter).

Let me make this simple. Most of the time it does NOT matter how smart you are, talented you are, or how much experience you have. However, it does matter WHO you know, and more importantly WHO knows about what you have to offer. Think about it. We stay loyal to those we know, like, and trust… even if someone is better than another person at a certain skill. It is all about the RELATIONSHIPS!!!

You must add value to others. Period! Watch my quick video about 4 easy ways to add value to sports professionals to ensure you get a job in sports.

What do you think? Are there other ways you can add value to sports professionals and your network? Leave a comment below as I would love to see your ideas.

How To Get A Job In Sports

by Lewis Howes | October 6th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

There are many ways to get a job in sports, or in any industry for that matter. However, I find that there are two crucial, yet basic principles you should be doing on a regular basis to ensure your opportunities are flowing in.

Check out my latest (short) video below where I talk about these two basic principles that seem to work for me every time I implement them.

Make sure you read about how to work your passion in sports to ensure you are doing more of the right things to advance your sports career.

What else should we be doing to increase our opportunities in the sports industry? Have you implemented these two principles before and received any luck? Please share your thoughts in the comments section for those looking to gain an edge on the industry.

How is Your Sponsorship Program?

by Kris Mathis | August 25th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

Text Perception is reality I am told and recently sports sponsorship has taken it on the chin. Do we need to rehabilitate our image and if so, how? Some have suggested we should change the terms we use to describe our practice. Is this managing perception or folding in the face of uninformed critics? Jason Peck had a spirited discussion on the topic a while back on his blog. With that in mind, I thought it would be a decent enough time to take a look at a few of the terms we use day in and day out while networking in the biz.