Working in social media and sports is something special. Not many people get the chance to pursue what they love and call the ballpark their “office”. And while it’s fun, the social media and sports industry is certainly a different beast– one that is hard to break into, intense and always evolving. It’s an extremely exciting and rewarding career, but like anything, it is a business.
The question is often asked: How do you get a start in the sports industry? If you have ever wondered what it takes to break into social media and sports (and sports in general), then this blog post is here to help you out. More than 25 professionals took the time to share their advice on landing a gig, the industry (like misconceptions) and what to do once you get a job. It’s a special thing when this many people are willing to offer their insight and expertise, so bookmark this page and take in all the great advice below.
List of Contributors
Josh Samuels- Columbus Clippers | Kevin Doyle- USA Football | Shahbaz Khan- Mithun Agency | Mac Slavin- Detroit Tigers | Jason Brower- Whitecaps | Ryan Delgado- Indians | Jonathan Gantt- Clemson Athletics | Taylor Stern- Cowboys | Matt Mesa- Dodgers | Adam Jacquez – OKC Dodgers | Aaron Gottlieb- Digiday | Jeff Tourial- West Coast Conference | Neil Horowitz- Wilshire Axon Sports | Brian Wolff- Buffalo Athletics | Brandon Fleshman- Facebook | Matt Wells- Notre Dame Sports Properties | Chris Doyle- St. John’s IceCaps | Carson McKee- Direct Contact | Mat Smith- REDBLACKS | Vincent Pannozzo- Miami Dolphins | Mark Hodgkin- American Conference | Ryan Kelly- Sheridan Bruins | Eric DeSalvo- UCF Knights | Caleb Mezzy- 160over90 | Jessie Kavana- ESPN | Jason Yellin- UT Athletics | Lynnea Phillips- UNC Athletics | Dylan Sellberg- Advulence
Josh Samuels, Web Communications at Columbus Clippers
Connect: @jsamuels6
Kevin Doyle, Business Development at USA Football
Connect: @stunnedmonkey
Mac Slavin, Social Media Specialist at Detroit Tigers
Connect: @macslavin
Shahbaz Khan, Social Media at Mithun Agency
Previously worked in sports at the Timberwolves
Connect: @UMN_SK
Jason Brower, Social Media at West Michigan Whitecpaps
Connect: @JaBrow
Ryan Delgado, Intern at Cleveland Indians
Connect: @_ryan_delgado
Jonathan Gantt, Director of New Media at Clemson
Connect: @Jonathan_Gantt
Matt Mesa, Social Media Coordinator at the Dodgers
Connect: @mtycks
Mat Smith, Social Media at REDBLACKS
Connect: @smith_mat
Taylor Stern, Social Media Coordinator at the Cowboys
Connect: @TayStern
Adam Jacquez, Group Sales Coordinator at OKC Dodgers
Connect: @AdamJacquez
Aaron Gottlieb, Audience Development Manager at Digiday
Previously worked in sports at Deep Focus, WNBA
Connect: @AaronGottlieb
Jeff Tourial, West Coast Conference
Associate Commissioner of Strategic Communications
Connect: @JeffTourial
Neil Horowitz, Customer Success Mgr at Wilshire Axon Sports
Connect: @njh287
Brian Wolff, University at Buffalo
Associate Director of Athletic Communications
Connect: @UBBrianWolff
Brandon Fleshman, Public Content at Facebook
Worked in sports at Stanford Athletics, SF Giants & Raiders
Connect: @brandonfleshman
Carson McKee, Owner at Direct Contact (directcontact.ca)
Connect: @carsonmckee
Matt Wells, Client Services Mgr at Notre Dame Sports Properties
Connect: @mattwellsey
Chris Doyle, Social Media at St. John’s IceCaps
Connect: @IceCapsChris
Vincent Pannozzo, Social Media Manager at Miami Dolphins
Connect: @vjpannozzo
Mark Hodgkin, Associate Commissioner of Digital Media
American Conference
Connect: @Mark_Hodgkin
Ryan Kelly, Social Media at Sheridan Bruins
Connect: @ryankelly2
Eric DeSalvo, Director of Digital & Social Media at UCF Knights
Connect: @EricDeSalvo
Caleb Mezzy, Social Media Manager at 160over90
Connect: @Caleb_Mezzy
Jason Yellin, Asst. Athletic Director/Media Relations at UT
Connect: @JasonYellin
Jessie Kavana, Graphic Designer at ESPN
Connect: @jkav24
Lynnea Phillips, Social Media Coordinator at UNC Athletics
Connect: @LynneaPhillips
Dylan Sellberg, Marketing Director at Advulence
Connect: @DylSell
A huge thank you to everyone that contributed! Now share with us below what you think people need to know about working in social media and sports!
Thanks for reading!