jerry rice

Reasons to Work in Sports

Many of the articles I’ve written and read talk about how hard it is to get into the sports business world and the depressing side of the market. Today we are going to focus on the reasons to work in sports and what motivates us to get through that long journey and what’s at the end of the tunnel.

While my dreams have yet to be fulfilled, I’ve already had great experiences that keep me focused on my path to success in sports. You have to look past the failures and remember why you chose this career. There is a reason this is one of the most popular businesses in the country.

So here are my top five reasons for working in sports.

5. Traveling around the country 

See the World

No matter where you work, you’ll have the opportunities to travel the country. More than likely it will be switching jobs and working for different teams. But when you work with a sports team you’ll have the chance to travel and watch them play or travel because of business reasons. This allows you the opportunity to see many parts of the country you wouldn’t normally see had you decided a different career path. Visiting new cities and seeing different sports venues is an exciting experience. For me, I hope to one day visit every MLB park. Having a job in sports will give you the opening to see such glorious venues.

4. Being around athletes  

Allows you to meet famous athletes (Jerry Rice on the Left, Kyle Mauch on far Right)

Let’s all be honest, most of us view athletes as these non-human figures that are bigger than life. We post them on our wall and wait in long lines to have them scribble something on a baseball. We pay ridiculous amounts of money to watch them play a sport. Being in their presence and getting to see the human side of them is something truly great and something you only get when working with a team, unless you’re a relative of course. When you work in sports you see these guys on a daily basis and get a look at what their life is really like and how they’re not much different from any of us, except for the fact that they can hit a curveball or 96 MPH fastball. But other than that, they’re just like everyone else and it’s neat to get to see that side of them.

3. Because we’re still fans

Fans of the Game

I would say the number one reason people decide to get involved in the sports business is because they have a love for the game, whichever sport that might be. It’s that feeling of being around something you’ve only seen or heard on TV. We want to be a part of that, and if we aren’t gifted enough to be the athlete, what better way to get involved than to work with the team? Choosing a job where you’ll be around something you love will go along in the success of your career and in your own personal life because you’ll love getting up to go to work every day. It will feel more like a hobby than a job.

2. Being around a major league team

Being Around the Team

While this could be closely related to being around players and being a fan, having the chance to be around a major league team is a whole other thrill in itself. You get the opportunity to walk on the field where some of your favorite players have played, or be in the clubhouse and front office. You get to watch games from the box. It’s the ultimate thrill that comes from working in sports. While working with a minor league baseball team, my favorite thing was to be able to sit there and watch these guys practice. Before anyone else is there you can post up right behind home plate, or in some cases maybe on the field, and watch these amazing athletes do some incredible things. Having that access, and getting paid to have that access, is why so many people want to get involved with sports. It’s fun and makes your job great.

1. The lasting friendships

Lasting Relationships

While doing these internships or short job opportunities you’ll have the chance to meet great people who have the same interest as you. Think about it; at home you probably get together with a few friends who have an interest in sports and you’ll talk about a certain topic, but when you work in sports everybody is well equipped for the conversation. You’ll hear different points-of-view you would have never thought of. It becomes fun talking about sports and watching these games with people that love the sport as much as you do. Once you leave that place you’ll forever have a friend. And that friend could also be the key to a future job. Meeting other people that work in sports and gaining friendships through certain jobs are without a doubt the greatest reasons for working in sports.

There are other factors for why people decide to get involved in sports and it’s important that we remember why we’re doing this. There are a lot times where you can get discouraged in your quest to work in the business of sports. Remind yourself why you started this journey and look forward to the good times that are ahead. It’s a privilege to work in sports and all the hard work will pay off in the end.

Reasons to Work in Sports

*Check out Jake’s piece from last week! Top 5 Sports Business Schools