TSR members conducted a study during the week of September 26 – September 30, 2011. The focus of our study was to analyze whether technological innovations could possibly eliminate some employment positions within the sports industry, specifically the Ticket Sales position (Ex. Pacolian and StubHub).

We noticed a significant increase in Technology-Specific positions provided by Sports Industry employers. We usually post many of these positions during the Daily Job Blitzes on the Facebook page. This trend in tech-specific positions appeared to increase daily. This trend is what moved the TSR staff to conduct this research. As a company, we want to make sure all clients and inquirers are adequately prepared for the next generation of employment opportunities.

Here are the results, names of participating employers and employment websites:

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Adidas, NCAA, Madison Square Garden, StubHub, ESPN, TeamWorkOnline.com, Sports Recruitment International and Global Sports Jobs [IMPORTANT: Over 90% of the positions listed by StubHub were technology focused,no surprise].

September 26: Tech Jobs (4) Other (45)
September 27: Tech Jobs (8) Other (63)
September 28: Tech Jobs (10) Other (56)
September 29: Tech Jobs (15) Other (74)
September 30: Tech Jobs (10) Other (69)

This research shows a slight increase in the number of Technology-Focused employment positions posted daily. As a candidate, especially students, consider seeking a Minor is some Science/Technical discipline. This may strengthen your candidacy when applying for Sports Industry employment opportunities and definitely within other employment sectors.

TSR’s next research project will produce more detailed results, highlighting the frequency of “specific” employment positions.

The TSR staff has been questioning the value of Sports Management programs, especially those at the Graduate level. The required course curriculum for these programs mirror that of other disciplines including Marketing, Management, Finance, Mass Communications, and Economics. The issue is whether this degree is useful outside of the sports and/or necessary to secure employment within the Sports Industry.

A  Juris Doctor (Law Degree) is valuable within and outside of sports. The same holds true for a degree in Marketing, Finance, etc… These disciplines have diverse curriculums where they are not “focused and concentrated” on one specific industry, which is the opposite of for example a MS in Sports Management.

Analyzing the jobs located on ESPN.com and TeamWorkOnline.com result in a small percentage of employers requiring candidates to possess either an undergraduate or graduate degree in Sports Business/Management. This leads to our conclusion that Sports Job-seekers without a degree in this field is not at a disadvantage to their counterparts.

Sports is part of the Entertainment industry. This means that there will be an unlimited need for selling and marketing in order to be successful (outside of winning games). Selling or the “Art of Selling” is not something that can be taught in the classroom. A good salesman learns from experience and by studying/focusing on the traits of potential customers.

Another point is that many schools offering this degree promote the fact their students and graduates have retained internship placements with relevant sports industry employers. However, this can also be done at the undergraduate level where many universities have student societies and clubs with a focus in Sports Management and Marketing. The student-operated organizations provide Career and Networking Fairs for its members on campus and encourage its members to attend off-campus Sports Industry functions as well (The purpose is to Network with industry executives with the hope of landing either a job or internship). If this can be done at the undergraduate level, what would be the purpose of pursuing such a unique degree at the graduate level?

If you one possess a Sports Business/Management graduate level diploma, we do not write this to question your decision. We only question whether this program adds VALUE to the marketability of your career prospects either within or outside of the Sports Industry.  The purpose of enrolling in school and selecting a particular major is to get employment in a certain field upon graduation. Where is the benefit in a situation when the goal and the experience required to reach this goal are not parallel?

NOTE: The TSR staff does not attempt to discredit the overall relevance of a Sports Business/Management degree. We only intend to show that this discipline “may” not be a necessary tool when seeking employment opportunities in the Sports Industry.

“Job descriptions are virtually the same. A Software Tester for Microsoft has the same duties and responsibilities as a Software Tester for Google, APPLE, Oracle, etc………..”

TSR Staff

Attention Sports-Industry Job seekers: 

There are virtually no available employment opportunities that have not been around for a while (Exception: Mobile Application Developer). This means that the position you are applying for and the one you currently have are not new to the labor market. We say this so that as a candidate you recognize the need for more on your Resume/CV to distinguish you from the competition.

For example as a hypothetical, TeamWorkOnline.com has a position listed for a Director of Sales position for the Washington Redskins. There are 4 candidates who intend to apply. Each candidate is also the Director of Sales for their current employer. In viewing their Resume/CV any Hiring Manager would expect to see the following job duties and responsibilities: Managed a team of ” ” Sales Representatives, Responsible for the ” ” territory, Provided training and coaching, etc…… The point we are making is that nothing listed above would distinguish them.

However, the fortunate candidate to get the position will be the one who provides more detail. This individual will include the specific dollar amount of sales his team generated, the % of increase in sales from a prior quarter, top performance/performer accolades, new business generated, amount of his/her responsible budget, etc….

These additional characteristics will distinguish the successful candidate from his competitors. 

Many people look at the Resume/CV as a document used for making a “normal” job description sound the more articulate. This is the wrong attitude to take when conducting a job search. The job description for any position listed on your Resume/CV should be no more than 2 sentences. The description will then be followed by as many bullet points to reflect “specific” Results and Accomplishments. This information is critical and may be the determining factor if you are one who has received no callbacks or inquiries from recruiters where your Resume/CV is located on an online Sports Employment site.

The TSR staff will analyze the National pundit rationale in recommending all Sports-Industry job seekers make “Networking” an essential part of the employment search. Most Sports-Industry job consultants promote Networking as a zero-sum game, that without utilizing this method the chance of landing a job (specifically one with a Professional Sports franchise) are extremely narrow.

Networking is important. However, we do not feel as though it should receive a great deal of attention. Networking has its limitations. 

TeamWorkOnline.com: TeamWork is arguably the best online recruitment site for job opportunities with Pro-Sports franchises and related entities. There are no membership or access fees for job seekers. However, all participating companies license TeamWork’s technology which resides on the organizations website. Thetechnology posts new jobs on TeamWork’s site immediately after the team (or related entity) releases the information.

Which begs the question, why would an organization “pay” to list employment opportunities if networking was the best method in recruitment. Remember, most sports organizations, including the individual teams are private institutions. There is no obligation to publish these job opportunities and make the information available to the public. This is the total opposite to those receiving government funding whom must post all employment openings.

This is why we question the importance of Networking. It seems obvious these organizations are looking outside of the “inner-circle” for the best candidates. Otherwise why pay to post available opportunities, executive and entry-level positions.

The best method to Network is in writing a very seductive Cover Letter. Remember, as a job seeker your goal is to express “how” you will benefit the potential employer while fulfilling the obligations listed in the job description. Also, if you do not know the Hiring Manager or the individual to whom the Cover Letter will be addressed, research and mention something about them (or the organization), an accomplishment or achievement, in the opening paragraph. This will definitely help your candidacy.