Careers in the Sports Industry Part 2

You now know how to get the necessary education to have a sports job. You have analyzed your best traits and think you are perfect for this job. Congratulations!
At this point, you're probably thinking: "Where are the opportunities in sports and how can I get them?" Let's take a look at some of the most well known options: ticket sales, community relations, public relations, media relations, and game operations. In the process, you will see a general overview of each position while being able to view sample job and internship postings from online job boards.

Ticket Sales

Within ticket sales you will find the most job openings in the sports field. This is a good stepping stone for new graduates and anyone who makes a career change into the sports industry. Ticket sales representatives are responsible for selling individual and group season ticket packages through telemarketing, e-mail, and presentations. They work all game nights, create new ideas to sell tickets, and are expected to attain sales goals while staying within a certain budget.

Group sales representatives sell tickets to corporate groups, churches, schools, and youth sports leagues, just to name a few. They may visit clients at games to encourage them to buy group tickets or give tours of a venue. They market group seating options such as luxury boxes, picnics, birthday parties, and other pre-game events.

When hiring ticket representatives, teams usually look for:

Previous sales experience (1-2 years)

Experience in cold calling

Candidates who are detail oriented

Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays

Courtesy of the NHL jobs board, here is a sample job listing for a ticket sales representative:

Ticket Sales Representative - Boston Bruins (Boston, MA)

Your Role: Ticket Sales Representatives (TSR) generate excitement and drive revenue by selling season tickets, partial plans, and group ticket packages to area businesses, individuals, and local groups/organizations. Includes phone prospecting, setting appointments, hosting in-arena tours, participating in sales/promotional events, and prospecting at TD Banknorth Garden events. TSR's deliver exceptional customer service, updating and maintaining account records, and other duties as assigned.

Our Expectations: Prior experience in sales, customer service, telemarketing, and outside presentations is preferred. TSRs must be able to communicate effectively in a professional manner. We look for highly motivated, competitive, and positive individuals with strong aspirations to be successful. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays is necessary. College degree required.

Note: When you apply for this job online, you will be required to answer the following questions:

1. Yes/No: I have previous sales experience.

2. Yes/No: I have a bachelor's degree.

Community Relations and Development

Professionals who work in community relations are responsible for overseeing a team's charitable activities including appearances in the community, donations to charities, and team fan mail. Preferred candidates will have a degree in sports administration, journalism, or business management. They should be able to take initiative on projects, maintain accurate records, and work on several projects at one time.

Here is a description of a community development internship for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball:

*** Community Development *** The Community Development Intern will be strongly involved with the community and is responsible for promoting a good charitable name for the organization. The selected individual is responsible for processing and responding to donation and group ticket requests as well as mailing out or delivering the approved donations/tickets. This intern will be responsible for setting up and coordinating programs such as Grand Slam for Youth Program, Astros Buddies and other charitable programs.

The intern will assist in scheduling and coordinating engagement photos, 1st pitches and other events that may take place during the designated semester, as well as schedule community events with local children and the players. The intern will have direct involvement with elementary and middle schools to assist in projects such as honor roll, perfect attendance and other programs. The selected intern will assume additional roles on an as needed basis. Must be proficient in Excel, Word and Outlook and be able to work all games (which may include day, night, weekend and holiday games).

Public Relations

Public relations representatives work with teams to help them put together publicity mailings, gather news clippings, and assist with press conferences. They may also write press releases and work on newsletters. Employers seek candidates who have degrees in journalism, public relations, management, or communications. Public relations job candidates should also have excellent writing and communications skills.

Someone who wants to do an internship in public relations will have the following responsibilities, as this listing for the Philadelphia Flyers shows:

Assist with generating and pitching story ideas to National, Regional, and Local media

Assist with brainstorming, planning, and executing Wachovia Spectrum/Center Publicity Events

Assist with media tours

Assist with publicity mailings

Handle correspondence concerning the Wachovia Spectrum/Center and other related issues

Keep a comprehensive record of events that occur at the Wachovia Spectrum/Center

Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Media Relations

Professionals in media relations prepare game day statistics, write and edit team media guides, write press releases, and arrange for player interviews. They are expected to act professional at all times; since for future jobs, employers will be looking for candidates who have a good record of interacting with coaches, reporters, players, and outside media. A degree in journalism as well as background with a college sports information department is preferred.

Sample listing for a media relations intern with the Houston Astros:

*** Media Relations *** The Media Relations intern will deal exclusively with the media; both for internal and external purposes. The selected individual will sort through all newspaper sites, package all pertinent clips, and distribute it throughout the office or to media personnel. This intern will also run the minor league reports and recap all the games from the previous day. Other duties include running stat packets for media and internal use. This intern will set up the press box for media personnel prior to the games, as well as pass out media credentials on game days. This intern must be proficient in Word, Excel, and PageMaker and be able to work all games (which may include day, night, weekend and holiday games). Recommended majors include anything in the Communication field, particularly journalism, public relations and marketing. This intern will assume additional roles on an as needed basis.

Game Operations

Those working in game operations help successfully execute professional sporting events. They are responsible for in game promotions, giveaways, entertainment, and any special ceremonies at a game. They develop video pieces, music selections, and prepare time logs and scripts. During the event, they help everything run smoothly and ensure everyone, from the PA announcer to the audio technicians, are working together without problems. An ideal candidate for game operations should have at least one internship experience under their belts, be able to handle manual labor, work on multiple projects, and be able to delegate responsibilities. Appropriate degrees include those in sports marketing, broadcast production, or stage design.

For an example of what it is like to work in game operations, take a look at a listing for a Game Night Producer for the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Plan, format and execute the Pittsburgh Penguins game night presentation including but not limited to pre-game and post-game ceremonies, PA announcements, JumboTron, matrix messages, music, organ, national anthems and in-arena and concourse promotions

Coordinate with the Corporate Sales Department to ensure proper sponsor visibility and fulfillment of all contractual obligations

Work under pressure and make complex decisions in a time-sensitive situation

Possess a technical understanding of control room workflow, capabilities, and limitations

Ability to interface and lead Pens Patrol and other game night staff as well as coordinate logistical issues within the arena

Qualifications:

A minimum of 3-5 years experience working in a live event or broadcast environment with an emphasis on producing and directing as well as experience writing game scripts and coordinating in-game promotions and special events

Excellent communication and time management skills with a friendly and professional demeanor

Ability to demonstrate flexible and creative problem solving skills

A working understanding of broadcast control room flow of operations

The ability to make quick and complex decisions under pressure situations in a team environment

The ability to communicate and cooperate with technical crew, building staff, and Pittsburgh Penguins staff.

Now that you know just some of the options available to you, you can decide what sounds most appealing. The listings and information provided are just small samples of what the job is like. The best things to do now are to talk to people working in your chosen job and apply for openings that fit your experience. Best of luck!