LI

#SBChat Special Edition

Jul 21, 2014

JC
Stage· 62 messages
Jul 21, 2014

How to get in and excel in the Sports Biz

JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:00 AM

Thanks everyone for joining in the conversation tonight. Looking forward to it.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:01 AM

We're new to Tawkers, so be gentle. Look forward to answering some of your #sportsbiz career questions tonight.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:01 AM

Hi Everyone!
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:02 AM

Hi JW.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:02 AM

Good evening, Mr. Imbriano.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:02 AM

Let's get this thing rolling!
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:02 AM

Or should I say "Looooooooooou?"
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:03 AM

I get asked all the time what is the best way to great in the sports biz. I am sure you do to. What is your advice JW?
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:03 AM

Ha, Mr. Lou to you...
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:03 AM

★ Spotlighted from Brian Tenem

“Lou - was your heart always into football before the career or did that come later?”

LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:04 AM

Hi Brian, I was a big football fan prior to getting the gig with the Patriots.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:04 AM

I too get asked this a lot. Get to know people in the industry. Pros are more accessible than ever, and if you don't take advantage of that - shame on you. Email, phone, LinkedIn, whatever. Don't be afraid to reach out and make connections.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:05 AM

But I always made sure I didm;t let my fandom interfere with the job. Gotta check your Jersey at the door...
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:05 AM

I believe internships are one of the best ways to break in to the sports industry.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:05 AM

You said exactly what I was going to say. At the end of the day, #sportsbiz orbs want you to solve a business problem. That usually has nothing to do with your fandom.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:06 AM

I do not feel that anyone needs to graduate with a degree in the sports biz.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:06 AM

Learning forst hand from folks who have actually done it is the way to go.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:07 AM

#sportsbiz degrees are helpful, but check the background of the professors in your program. Should have a healthy mix of academics and practitioners. All academics should be an immediate red flag.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:07 AM

JW we have been doing #sbchat for a while together and I do not think in's a coincidence that we share many of the same beliefs.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:07 AM

Without question.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:07 AM

★ Spotlighted from Dan Rosen

“Is there a lot of "who you know" in the world of sports business? How much does that weight does that have on a successful start in your experience?”

JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lana Jay

“I graduated a few years ago with a degree in sports marketing and still haven't been able to get a job. ”

LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:08 AM

Dan, Of course who you know is a factor in any industry ~ that's why internships make so much sense. But, if you work hard and do what you say you are going to do ~ you will get noticed.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:09 AM

It's a tough industry to break into, as degree programs are pumping out more #sportsbiz grads than ever (it is a popular major). Your first job may very well be in something other than sports.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:09 AM

★ Spotlighted from Trey Williamson

“What's more crucial in the Sports Marketing, the knowledge of the sports industry or understanding marketing in general. Is that a stupid question?”

JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:09 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mary Anna Howell

“What advice would you give someone who aspires to be in the #sportsbiz world but has few to no connections?”

JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:10 AM

Start making some connections, Mary. LinkedIn, phone calls, lunch and learns. Start building and growing your network. Cannot be a wallflower in this industry.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:10 AM

Trey, having an understanding of marketing and business in general will help ~ but the sports biz has some very different nuances to it. Build off your business knowledge.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:10 AM

Is their a certain part of the industry you suggest someone new to the business get involved in?
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:11 AM

Mary ~ It's a whole lot easier now with all the different social media platforms to engage with executives in the sports biz. But don't stop there...
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:11 AM

Everyone will tell you sales, basically because it is easily the most accessible and where there is the most turnover. It's also your conduit to the entire organization, as the lights don't stay on without it.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jeff Rose

“The industry is constantly changing, so how would you suggest staying at or even ahead of the curve?”

LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:12 AM

JW ~ What's the one big mistake rookies make when they enter the sports biz that they should avoid?
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:12 AM

Big believer in networking lunch and learns with fellow pros. No agenda, just getting out and talking about what keeps people up at night. Good way to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:14 AM

So many get into this industry and underestimate the life commitment involved. Ruins a lot of personal relationships as a result. You will work on weekends, you will work nights, you will work long hours. Get the ppl close to you conditioned to that.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:15 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mary Anna Howell

“What's the best piece of advice each of you has gotten since entering the sports industry?”

LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:15 AM

Jeff, I would make sure that you are the one always thinking about how to make things better and be the agent of change. Best practices are good to understand, but not necessarily to follow.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:16 AM

Lana, did you have any internships with sports organizations?
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:16 AM

My first boss once told me, "God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason." Always listen, always be a sponge.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:17 AM

Mary Anna ~ Learn every job with in the organization you are working for. The more you know about other areas the more valuable you can be to the organization.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:17 AM

Dan - Who you know is important, but not in a nepotism kind of way. Important to know the right people in your network that can help position you when the time is right.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:19 AM

Trey - knowledge of sports helps, but it is not necessary. If you can sell a fork, you can sell a sponsorship. Business principles don't change just because it is #sportsbiz.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:19 AM

Hey JW ~ What make you nuts about people working in the sports industry? Bad habits or other things that just make the industry look bad?
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:19 AM

With a lot of people applying for jobs within professional sports how can one make themselves stand out amongst the crowd? What do you guys look for when hiring someone new?
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:22 AM

Alison ~ Be a bigger fan of the job then the sport. Make sure that you display that you can help your future boss be better because of your dedication and hard work. Being reliable and the "go to" person makes it easier for managers and leaders.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:22 AM

Lou - you know what gives the industry a bad rap? People promoting success using metrics like impressions and on-air exposure. #Sportsbiz is strategic - not all banner hangers & ticket brokers.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:23 AM

Allison - Firstly, I ask my friends what they know about them, whether they've worked with them and whether they'd be a fit for my job. Outweighs anything you can put on paper.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:24 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mary Anna Howell

“So, a good reference goes a long way?”

LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:24 AM

So true JW. The sports biz is not just what it is perceived to be. Too many people get in thinking they will be having coffee with the coaches and players. That's not real.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:25 AM

Not just a good reference, but a good network. I know your references will prop you up. I look for people I know in those same orgs beyond your references.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:25 AM

What makes me crazy JW are the people working in sports that are just happy to be there and real make very little impact.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:26 AM

#Sportsbiz has a funny way of changing your fandom. You get jaded. You start watching games and analyzing signage and promos. It can be maddening.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:27 AM

The sports biz is not as glamorous as it appears. When I was a VP with the Patriots I was still lugging interactive inflatables for Patriots Experience, coming home exhausted and dirty.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:27 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mary Anna Howell

“Do you find that a lot of recent grads are attracted to the biz because they think it will be glamorous i.e. rubbing elbows with big-time players and coaches?”

JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:28 AM

That's an obvious draw, for sure. Fact is, you'll spend more time in a cube and in the stadium basement than with players/coaches over your career.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:29 AM

JW ~ you definitely watch games differently when you are working in the sports biz, opposed to just being a fan.
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:30 AM

Ok ~ before with wrap here JW ~ what parting advice would you like to give?
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:31 AM

I think JW moved over to Twitter and our regularly scheduled #sbchat.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:32 AM

Parting advice - this industry is about what you know, but more importantly, who you know as well. We all look the same on paper. What sets you apart are your network of folks that can get you to the top of the resume pile.
JC

J.W. Cannon · 1:32 AM

Thanks to everyone for joining in this evening. It was fun!
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:33 AM

Here's my final thought. It's a great business to be in, find some solid mentors and leaguers to follow and trust and learn as much as you can, but don't forget rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done is what will get you noticed!
LI

Lou Imbriano · 1:33 AM

Moving over to #sbchat on twitter. Thank you Tawkers!