6 Inside Ticket Sales Managers walk into an Arena…
Ok, it sounds like the great start to a joke, but in essence this piece is more about how those managers got into their coveted sports jobs.
I often get asked how I got my foot in the door in professional sports and the answer is usually a bit longer than expected. Like many of those whom I’ve crossed paths with, the opportunity that helped launch my sports career was being a part of an Inside Sales Department with the Chicago White Sox. If you are looking for a book on the topic, check out Mark Washo’s Break Into Sports (or find him on Twitter @BreakintoSports). I’ve recommended this book to college grads looking to get into sports for a while.
As so many sports executives get their start in ticket sales, I figured I’d round up a few Inside Sales Managers around professional sports jobs and knock out a few simple questions to learn more about this revenue generating niche. The group has over thirty plus years of combined experience in professional sports and includes; Cody Haynes (Houston Rockets, NBA), Eric McKenzie (Cleveland Indians, MLB), Jude LaRose (Chicago Fire, MLS), Derek Iversen (Colorado Avalanche, NHL & Denver Nuggets, NBA), Travis Apple (Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB) and Jake Reynolds (Washington Capitals, NHL & Washington Wizards, NBA). [click to continue…]
Tyler Johnson is an innovative thinker inspired by the likes of Bill Veeck, Jon Spoelstra, Pat Williams & Brooks Boyer. Currently working for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment as a Group Sales Account Executive for the Denver Nuggets. Prior he worked as the New Business Development Executive with the Chicago White Sox. Tyler has also worked directly with the inventor and creator of Arena football and also for Mike Ditka’s former Chicago AFL franchise. As a former collegiate athlete and business sensed individual Tyler ventured to combine his passions to get into the business side of sports.
Whether we choose to call ourselves entrepreneurs or self-employed sports professionals, we all need to maximize our efficiency, increase our daily energy, and care for ourselves on several levels. The 5 tips below will propel you forward toward a healthier vocational life.
1. Think Nutritional Plan, NOT Diet
A diet is associated with deprivation. A nutritional plan is choosing the right foods so your body and mind can operate at maximum efficiency. As a sports professional, you have freedom to plan your weekly meals much in the same way you started your own business. You didn’t go into business haphazardly; you proactively planned, you purchased the right equipment, and you had a vision of what you wanted your business to become. [click to continue…]
Michelle Hill, the Strong Copy Quarterback for Winning Proof, is a sports and fitness copywriter. My mission is to help pro athletes, coaches, and sports agents increase their success score in their entrepreneurial endeavors with my writing expertise and creative turn of mind.I write website content, client letters, media pitch letters, sponsorship proposals, and brochures for sports-related companies. www.winningproof.com
Much of success in sports and business happens between your ears. You may not be the most skilled at what you do (yet), but you can instantly become just like the world’s greatest athletes by having the same attitude and mindset as them. Having worked with pros in both sports and in business, I have discovered that the road to success are the same in both areas. So is the road to failure. Take your game to the next level by avoiding the most common mental mistakes below. [click to continue…]
It was fun teaming up with Daniel over at The UK Sports Network to have the opportunity to connect so many talented individuals working in the sports industry. We were blessed to have Football Fans Census as our premier sponsor as well, and look forward to working with their team more in the future.
After talking with many of the attendees, I realized there is a big need for these events as they are limited on sports business networking opportunities as well as understanding how sports teams and organizations can utilize and measure social media ROI better to increase fan and customer engagement.
Sports Networker and the UK Sports Network plan to do more event in the future, so stay tuned for those announcements. In the meantime, take a look at the slide show below from the attendees at the event.
If you missed this event, or would like to learn about future events, social media in sports tips, or other resources for the sports industry then make sure to sign up for the Sports Networker Newsletter to get weekly updates.
I started to receive an a lot of emails from people who wanted introductions to other executives in my network. They also were asking for tips, advanced training on various sports industry topics, and wanted to find partners to help during their career and in their sports business.
These weekly email requests were becoming overwhelming, and that’s when the idea of the SEA came to me. I realized there was a huge void in the online world for helping sports professionals receive ongoing education, connect with other top executives, and find a way to generate more opportunities.
Most sports professionals who have know how valuable they are.
Things change when you meet people face to face. I don’t know how the chemicals in our bodies transform when we actually see how someone looks, listen to the sound of their voice, touch their hand when we greet, and observe how they interact with others… but somehow you just know when you meet with someone if it will be a mutually beneficial business relationship.
These new connections can help you get to where you want to be in life, and throughout your sports career.
Wouldn’t you agree?
Attending sports conferences is the best way to connect with many of the top sports executives in the industry. However, it can be time consuming, and cost a lot of money along the way.
This is just one of the reasons to join the Sports Executives Association. This will allow you to still meet and stay connected to those top sports professionals, but from the comfort of your home or office and at the time which is most convenient for you.
Watch below to learn more about the pros and cons of attending conferences and write in the comment section below some of the benefits your have seen from attending conferences and meeting sports professionals face to face.
The Sports Executives Association is coming soon. Many of you have asked for more information, and emailing me about the release date. It’s coming soon, and I wanted to thank you for your patience.
I don’t want to spoil all of the goods by sharing with you every last detail, but I wanted to share with you this brief video to prepare you for the launch.
If you have not already signed up on the list to hear about the official launch date, make sure you sign up here and I will be sending out information over the next few weeks.
This week Matt Crevin from Voice from the Box interviews Jeff Chapman. Jeff is a top flight statistician for radio and TV broadcasts. With most sports being so numbers driven, Jeff provides detail about his role and what it takes to crunch the numbers and provide the information to the broadcasters.
If you are passionate about pursuing a career in the sports industry and want to discover how top level insiders got their start, connect with Matt today. Matt provides a unique look into the careers of many sports industry executives, revealing their success stories, advice and techniques you can put to use as part of your search strategy. Collaborate with Matt and start listening, learning, creating and executing your own action plan!
Equipped with business background and sports insider’s knowledge, Matt is ready to share his passion and knowledge with you! He delivers to his individual clients a unique process and format which gives sports industry hopefuls a unique look into the numerous career opportunities available in the sports industry and more importantly how to position yourself to break in.
This week Matt Crevin from, Voice of the Box, interviews Jim Mercurio, VP of Stadium Operations and Security for the San Francisco 49ers. Jim is like a mayor of a small city on GameDays and is directly responsible for anywhere between 1,200 and 1,400 employees. Jim discusses the numerous jobs that fall under his management as well as tips for breaking in to a job in sports.
If you are passionate about pursuing a career in the sports industry and want to discover how top level insiders got their start, connect with Matt today. Matt provides a unique look into the careers of many sports industry executives, revealing their success stories, advice and techniques you can put to use as part of your search strategy. Collaborate with Matt and start listening, learning, creating and executing your own action plan!
Equipped with business background and sports insider’s knowledge, Matt is ready to share his passion and knowledge with you! He delivers to his individual clients a unique process and format which gives sports industry hopefuls a unique look into the numerous career opportunities available in the sports industry and more importantly how to position yourself to break in.
For the record, I am a Sixers fan, and I love Allen Iverson.
The Background
Three years ago, yesterday, Allen Iverson asked for a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. “As hard as it is to admit,” he said, “a change may be the best thing for everyone.” Eleven days later, Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets, seemingly having played his last game as a Sixer.
This September, Iverson signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. He played three games (starting none) and averaged 22 minutes, 12.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 rebounds. However, the veteran could not accept his role as a bench player, and his relationship with the Grizzlies quickly deteriorated. In early November, he left the team for personal reasons, and on November 25th, he announced his intentions to retire from the National Basketball Association.
Sam is a Creative Strategist for VaynerMedia, a social media agency based in New York City. Sam previously worked as an Account Executive for the New York Jets as well as the New Jersey Nets and spent time working with former NBA player Jalen Rose as well as NFL safety Kerry Rhodes. He now focuses on creative strategy across VaynerMedia's portfolio. You can follow Sam at http://twitter.com/gosam & visit VaynerMedia at http://www.vaynermedia.com.
There is no better way to learn how to excel in business than to learn from those that have been there and done that. Here's what you get inside the FREE Sports Job Guide:
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For the record, I am a Sixers fan, and I love Allen Iverson.
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