There are a lot of misconceptions about what it’s like to work in sports and what will help open doors to opportunities. So often, people have a notion of a “dream job” that is either unrealistic or makes them blindsided to other fantastic options out there. After more than 13 years in the industry at various types of organizations throughout sports, there are a few key things I’ve learned. So, you want to work in sports? Here are my five most important pieces of advice.
1) Don’t chase logos.
Early in my career, I interviewed at Nike, and I cried when I got on to campus (yes, literally). Why? Well, first, working for Nike was a dream as a marketer, and it felt like the pinnacle of sports advertising. Second, as a runner, I saw some of myself in their brand. The emotional attachment to working there was a bit irrational.
Having worked across so many organizations now, I realize how silly it is to place a company I’ve never worked for on a pedestal. Yes, that job might have been incredibly fulfilling, but putting a belief on a logo and not the work environment can easily set you up for disappointment.
The jobs where I felt most fulfilled throughout my career have often been the most unexpected. Why? Because the logo doesn’t matter if the environment isn’t right. Putting organizations on a pedestal will only set you up for disappointment.
In sports, it’s important to throw away the notion of a “dream job”. Don’t chase logos. Chase the right role and environment.
2) Be open to all opportunities.
Too often, when people say they want to work in sports, it means the team side. People often overlook the endless opportunities well beyond teams from agencies, brands, sporting goods, leagues, and tech partners.
Limiting your search to the team side (or one particular silo in sports) limits your opportunities. Sports jobs are few and far between, so it’s essential to cast your net wide.
One of my first jobs in sports was with a nonprofit called the Atlanta Track Club, a running organization with a membership with more than 30,000 members and 40+ events a year. While it’s not an organization most people think of when they say they want to work in sports, it was exactly what I needed. Being a smaller organization meant that everyone had responsibility, no matter their role or level. As a result, I got to take on big projects early on that working for a bigger team org may not have offered, from owning the social strategy to going through a complete website redesign.
Too often, we close the door on organizations because they aren’t the bright and shiny choice. What I’ve learned, though, is that there are so many fantastic opportunities well beyond the traditional sports mold.
Be open to the doors that crack open. Leagues, tech partners, agencies, brands, nonprofits, teams — all of these can be great options.
3) Be open to moving if you can.
Since graduating college, I’ve lived in DC, Atlanta (2x), Indianapolis, Baltimore, New York City and now Charlotte. None of these cities were exactly on my list of dream places to live, but it’s where the job opportunities came open, and I took a leap and said “yes” each time an opportunity came my way. And always, the cities I moved to surprised me in the best kind of way.
If you want to work in sports, it’s tough to look at a map and say, “I want to live here.” Sports roles can be far and few between, and jobs simply don’t open all that often. Being willing to relocate is a significant advantage, not just at the start of your career.
One of my mantras is that nothing is permanent. When you realize that, it’s freeing. Don’t be afraid to take leaps to places you’ve never thought of.
4) Don’t get discouraged.
When you look at someone’s resume, you only see the yeses. You don’t see all the nos, the time, the doubt, the failure, the sacrifices.
Trying to break into sports and move up can be brutal. I’ve heard hundreds and hundreds of nos throughout my career, but I’ve tried my best not to get caught up in them (even the ones that have felt devasting).
It often takes a lot of nos to get to that yes eventually. This is true for your first job and every job after. Nos are part of the process, but they don’t define you. Be gracious, know your value and keep on.
Patience and persistence will eventually pay off.
5) You MUST learn to love the industry.
I’m going to keep this one short and sweet, although it’s probably the most important on the list: You must learn to love the industry more than you love sports.
At the end of the day, this is a business. Long-term success requires understanding organizational goals and ensuring the work maps back to that. Fandom alone won’t do that. Become a student of the business.
What advice would you share for someone looking to work in sports? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
