Careers In Sports -- Very Comptetive

Read the article below and answer the questions as comment posts:

Breaking Into the Sports-Management Game
Training Helps In a Highly Competitive ArenaBy Rebecca R. Kahlenberg

Special to The Washington Post Sunday, February 5, 2006
In February, millions of Super Bowl viewers will return to day jobs that have nothing to do with athletic pursuits. But for Bethesda resident Ricky Mattei, 24, every workday is sports-related.
In January, Mattei began working as an account executive for Washington's professional men's soccer team, D.C. United, for which his job focuses on persuading more Hispanic fans to attend games. "I said I'd never go into sales, but I love it," he said.

Sports management is a $221 billion industry, up from $182.8 billion in 1999, according to the Charlotte-based Sports Business Journal. The field includes advertising, endorsements, facility construction, apparel, broadcast rights, concessions, ticket sales, community recreation programs and much more.

But insiders caution that being an athlete or avid sports fan doesn't automatically mean you are cut out for employment in the sports world. "There's a naive sex appeal sometimes among people who read the sports section or watch ESPN SportsCenter three times a day and think that because they know players' batting averages they should be working in sports," said Jeff Yocom, vice president for executive search and placement of the Tualatin, Ore., sports-marketing firm Game Face Inc. "At the end of the day, sports is a business," Yocom said.
The doors to a sports career are more open than they used to be to people of all backgrounds, experts said. "For years, people got into sports because they had an uncle on the team or knew someone . . . or because they had a letter jacket," said G. Lynn Lashbrook, president and founder of Sports Management Worldwide, an online sports-management training and placement organization in Portland, Ore. "But now it's more business-oriented," with more opportunities for women and minorities. Still, it's not easy to get into or succeed in this industry. "There is still a much larger supply of candidates than places in the field," said Yocom.

In applying for jobs, it's an advantage to have taken relevant courses and have an undergraduate or graduate degree in sports management. Alternatively, you can complete a training program that specializes in the sports business. Mattei attended such a program at Game Face's Executive Academy, which he describes as "mostly a sales training camp." Although he had no prior sports-related work experience other than as a professional volleyball player in Puerto Rico, he landed a job with D.C. United shortly after completing the two-week program.
An internship is another path to a sports job, said Ronald Dick, assistant professor of sports management at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. "It helps you get your feet wet," he said, noting that internships are usually unpaid, last two to three months and vary in the duties assigned.

When seeking an internship or entry level sports job, think broadly, including minor league and college teams, high school athletic departments and community recreation programs, Dick said. "There are only 30 general managers in Major League Baseball in the world and only a handful of real-life Jerry Maguires," he said, referring to the fictional sports agent in the 1996 film.
Matt Goldberg, a senior at James Madison University who is majoring in sports management and business, spent last summer as an unpaid intern at Octagon, a McLean sports- and entertainment-marketing firm. His tasks were mostly menial, including making copies, sending letters and shipping merchandise, he recalled. "You definitely have to put in your time," he said, noting that he loves the "behind-the scenes aspects of sports" and hopes to become a professional team's general manager.

To build your career, seek out teams that need your help rather than ones that are already winning championships, advised Robert Cornilles, president of Game Face. "Ask yourself, 'where can I make the most difference?' " he said. Also, keep in mind that sports is a mobile industry. "Your first job is not likely to be where you will retire," he said. "Very few people start and end with the Redskins."

And even though some professional athletes draw millions of dollars, don't expect anyone to show you that kind of money. Sports management "is primarily a young person's industry, with long hours and relatively low pay," Cornilles said.
But there are perks, he noted, such as the opportunity to be around exceptional athletes or attend games frequently. Besides, he said, "you've got the coolest business card in town when you work in sports."

1. Are you interested in a sports related career? If yes explain.

2. To break into this industry you often have to work for little or no money to start. Do you think this industry is worth that sacrifice? Explain.

3. What do you think some of the perks would be if you worked in the sports industry.

4. Why do you think this industry is in such high demand???

Stadium Food Vendors -- Are the Worth it??

Going out to a professional or college sporting event can be very expensive. It is bad enough that we have to pay $75-$150 or more per ticket but then there is the cost of food and drink. Answer the questions below to let me know how you feel about buy food and drink at a sporting or entertainment event.

1. Why are food and beverage products at sporting events so expensive?

2. Why do we spend two, three and sometime four times as much to buy food and drink at a sporting event than a normal restaurant?

3. Do you think these outrages prices are fair?  Explain your answer either way!

4. What can you do about the high prices?

Risk in College Sports

You are are college junior who is rated as a top ten pro prospect for the NFL draft. You could potentially earn a signing bonus of 4-6 million dollars. Answer the questions below as comment posts.













1. What are some of the risks you have to deal with until you are drafted?



















2. How can you protect yourself from these risks?











3. What could potentially happen if you don't protect yourself?

BONUS: What is the famous company that handles issues like this??

Stadium Security

Read the security policies below from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. This is were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play and where the Outback Bowl is played. The listed security is tight and there are things going on behind the scenes that involve high tech equipment. Answer the questions as comment posts.

Stadium Policies

Safety and security for our guests, employees, entertainers and players have always been our number one concern. We want all people entering the venue to be confident that measures have been taken to secure their environment. The Outback Bowl and Tampa Sports Authority will implement and reinforce several security measures for the game. Numerous measures will be obvious to fans while some other measures will not be made public in order to maintain their effectiveness.
The Tampa Sports Authority, managers of Raymond James Stadium, is known throughout the sports industry as security innovators. Having created the first ever stadium disaster/evacuation/ emergency plan, the staff is trained in preparing for difficult security situations. Additionally, the staff has received plaudits through their work with the National Football League in hosting three successful Super Bowls since 1984, particularly Super Bowl XXV held during the Gulf War without incident.
For major events such as the Outback Bowl the stadium security deployment includes more than 600 personnel representing the Hillsborough County Sheriff Dept., Tampa Police Dept., Florida Highway Patrol, Emergency Medical Services and private security. The staff also work closely with federal agencies such as the FBI and FAA.
In addition to the 24 hour security that is always in place at the stadium, vehicles and personnel will under go daily searches in the days leading up to and including the game. Everyone and everything is subject to inspection and search (this includes vehicles, coaches, media, entertainers, employees, fans, and personal belongings - no exceptions). In the unlikely event of cold weather guests will be asked to unbutton/unzip jackets or remove/raise heavy sweaters for visual security inspection.
Some of the security measures are sure to cause delays upon entering the parking lots and stadium, therefore we ask for the patience and full cooperation of all guests attending the game, and request their respect for the policies and the personnel enforcing them.

The following items will NOT be permitted in the stadium:
Backpacks
Thunder sticks
Large duffle bags
Seat cushions
Rolled up ponchos or blankets
Banners or flags with sticks or poles
Umbrellas
Video cameras
Coolers
Strollers
Weapons or fireworks
Lasers
Horns or air horns
Food, drinks, cans, bottles, glass
Cameras with lenses longer than 12"
Large radios or TV w/no earphones
Items that can be used as projectiles
Anything that would obstruct a fan's view
Pets
Skates, skateboards, skate shoes, cycles, segways
Drugs and/or narcotics
Whistles
Lunch boxes
Flasks

Actions prohibited in Raymond James Stadium:

Smoking (except in designated locations)
Throwing or kicking any objects
Standing on chairs
Stepping over chair backs
Standing or sitting in the following areas: main level, club level or upper level aisles, ramps and chair backs
Disorderly conduct including public intoxication, fighting and profanity
Abuse of intoxicants
Spitting tobacco juice
Placing cups on any walls
Running or jogging
Entering field without proper credential
Selling of game tickets except by box office
Hanging signs over equipment or existing signage

Parking Lot Policies:

All vehicles subject to search
Disorderly behavior will not be tolerated
Throwing or kicking of objects is prohibited
Running is prohibited
Parking tickets are not valid for re-entry
Patrons are not allowed to save spaces. One space per vehicle
Tents over 10'x10' without prior approval and proper permits are not allowed
Buses and campers over 25 ft long must park in lots 8, 13 or 14
Selling of tickets in parking lots is prohibited Tailgating in parking lots is permitted, but patrons may not infringe on another patron's area and there must be room for vehicles to get out of lots (Cannot block row access).

1. In your opinion do you think all of this security is necessary? Explain.

2. Do you think it is fair that the cost of this security is built into the price of your ticket? Explain.

3. Do think it is right that these venues can search your personal property to see if you have anything deemed unsafe? Explain.

Do Young People Need Insurance??

You have just graduated from college and are starting a new job. You are moving into an apartment in downtown Washington DC. Your job is about six miles from your apartment. Answer the questions below as comment posts.

1. What are some of the risks that you now have given your new responsibilities in life?

2. What do you stand to lose from these risks?

3. What will be your risk management plan to deal with these risks?

Knock Offs Good or Bad

On any given day in China you could find literally thousands of unlicensed(knock offs) merchandise. You could buy a New York Yankees jersey for much less than it would cost in the states. You could get a David Ortiz jersey for pennies on the dollar? Answer the questions below based on how you feel about this.


1. Is this good for consumers of sports merchandise? Justify your answer.



2. Is this fair to the licensee(those people/business who pay to have the rights to use logos)? Justify your answer.



3. Is this fair to the licensor(those people/teams/businesses that own the logos and trademarks)? Justify your answer.




4. What is the overall impact on unlicensed merchandise on the market?

Apex Bojangles High School???

Read the small excerpt below  from a WRAL article and answer the questions as comment posts.

Selling naming rights could help generate Wake schools funds

At least one Wake County school board member thinks the school system should look at selling the naming rights at high school stadiums to help with school funding.

The public school system is looking at $80 million less in funding for the upcoming school year, because of low revenue and state-mandated budget cuts.

Finding companies willing to pay for exposure at high school sporting events is one option officials should consider, board member Keith Sutton said Thursday.

The school board did discuss the idea in 2003 but never decided on the matter.
School system spokesman Michael Evans said Thursday that given the current financial situation of the school system, every idea is worth considering.

"But we need to do the due diligence to have the information for the (board members) so they can make an informed decision, and that's what we're doing right now," Evans said.
Sutton said he believes stadium sponsorships could be a win-win for every party involved as many companies are scaling back advertising revenue.

"We can offer, perhaps, a better bang for their buck and give them more exposure for smaller dollars," he said

1. Would the companies that agreed to do this be sponsors or endorsers?  Explain your answer.

2. How would you feel about Apex high school's football field being named Taco Bell Field? Explain.

3. Do you think this is an ethical thing to do since schools are paid with public tax dollars? Explain.

4. Who do you think would be a good corporate/business to sell the naming rights to Apex high athletic fields to? Explain.

Ridiculous Ad Placement

Before our blog moves on from advertising to Endorsements and Sponsorship I thought we would have some fun with poor ad placement. Click the links and view the ads and the pages they are placed on. Answer the questions below as comment posts:


Grilling Your Kids?

Muslim Marriage Counseling?

Does Ad Make You Want to Fly??

Do you want to buy a car from a company that is losing money??

XBOX Anyone?


1. Explain your best guess as to how you think this happens. Think it through!!



2. Do you think this poor placement will adversely effect the message of the products for sale??




3. How do you think this problem can be fixed?? Think it Through.