Subscribe Now: For the Latest Info in the Sports Agent Industry
Subscribe via email
Today I wanted to discuss exactly what requirements must be completed in order to be a certified NFL agent. First I would like to say congratulations on making this decision but remember anything great takes time, patient, resilience, and innovation. The NFL is very stringent when it comes to applying to become an agent due to issues in the past and raising the bar for more qualified serious hopefuls. Below are the requirements but I would like to go into further detail to clarify any questions you may have. First a $2500 non-refundable fee which they use for the background investigation, seminar in D. C. and testing. Agent hopefuls should be aware there is also an annual fee that ranges from $1200 - $1500 and professional liability insurance one must obtained to be fully certified. The only time to apply for the agent exam is from January 15th – February 10th, if you miss the date you would have to wait another year to apply. If you do not pass the test the NFLPA will give you the following year to retake it, and if you don’t pass then you would have to wait 5 years. More importantly you need a Master’s or J.D. (Law Degree) in order to be eligible for the exam. The test is held in mid July and if you pass the exam, continued certification is necessary by attending one of 3 agent summits offered throughout the year. One being located in the west coast, second during the NFL Combine in February, and the third back east during a lawyer summit. Upon submitting your application successfully you will hear back in Mid May and receive information as well as study materials in regards to the exam in July. Upon completing the exam you will find out no later than October 1st if you passed the exam. Now the hard part starts where you must land an internship or job with an agency learn the intricacies of the industry and start recruiting. Many agents I have spoke to, followed, and interviewed state about 5 years to see some progress. So I tell people it’s not for the faint of heart and a very long and grueling business. But if you are passionate about this field, love the game of football, and feel you can help these young professionals go for it.
Required:
Non-refundable Application fee of $2,500.00
Undergraduate AND Post Graduate degree (Master’s or Law) from an accredited college/university
Authorization to perform a background investigation
Mandatory attendance at a 2012 two (2) day seminar in Washington, DC
Successful completion of written proctored examination
Valid Email address
Reference Site:
12 March, 2012
// //
0
comments
//
Following my dream of being an NFL and NBA agent I regularly follow various websites that are geared to give current and up and coming agents information about what agencies signed which athlete, and unfortunately which ones just left. I can only imagine the feeling that the agent gets when receiving a termination letter from their client. A feeling of anger, disbelief, shock, and asking oneself “What did I do wrong?” Whether you have worked with a client for 6 months, a year, or 5 years it can be detrimental to the agent and his reputation.
Just to give you an idea of how one week can change, I recently read about Mark Teixeira that just left Scott Boras after 12 years feeling that it was about agent not Mark Teixeira the baseball player. Kris Humphries fired his old agent, signed with Dan Fegan, and then after a year went back to his old agent Marc Cornstein.
The way I see it is the athlete is convinced whether through another agent, family member, or himself that it is time for a change. This ultimately falls on what is best for the athlete and his family. If the athlete feels he can get more money with a bigger agency, better marketing, or feels he is better taken care of, can determine if the agent will keep that initial client. I feel that if an agent takes the time to truly get to know the player and family and is completely honest with them will yield better results. From an outsider looking in especially on bigger agencies I feel that there is not enough one on one attention and you are just a number among the client roster. Smaller agencies might have a harder time putting together better deals because of the limited resources and contacts. So in hindsight both big and small agencies have their pros and cons but, when looking at the bigger picture I feel by signing with an agent that not also has your best interest, has a clear understanding of what their doing, can be just as good as the bigger firms. At the end of the day it’s whom you feel as the athlete that can get the job done.
06 March, 2012
// //
0
comments
//
Upon reading various articles on Experts Views on Business Plans I learned a lot of valuable concepts, ideas, and strategies. One of the ideals that stood out was by Patti Brotherton. Patti would sit down at the end of the year and reflect on what has transpired over the last year and figure out what she can do better goals wise as well as growth wise. I feel this is a great tool for any business owner to get a better understanding of what works and what does not in their practice. More importantly by writing you goals and giving set deadlines will see them become a reality. Another individual that resonated with me is Donald Trump and how he stresses the importance of a business plan because without it, you are bound to fail. This is important because it gives you a sense of what you are doing and how you will get where you want to be.
Another great article I read was by Paul Heyworth who stresses the importance of a business plan and the message it conveys. Paul stresses targets that way you can measure what you have achieved so far. More importantly it gives you a clear vision of your projections and what you need to be focusing on. This also helps in the finance side because if an investor is looking to be a part of your company you need clear cut numbers to show to them for confidence in your business.
The plans I will focus on are due dates, goals, and follow up. By holding oneself accountable will guarantee work gets done by certain deadlines. Also for investors I feel that projections, hard numbers, and consistent performance are the most important factors when investors are on the fence about investing in your company. One factor that business owners, entrepreneurs, and potential investors should implement is always looking for a company or opportunity that has a history of earnings. That way your risk is not as high because you are investing in a successful company that knows what they are doing.
References:
16 February, 2012
// //
0
comments
//
The first individual I would like to talk about would be Mark Cuban the owner of the Dallas Mavericks. At the age of 31 Mark and his friend Todd Wagner started AudioNet back in 1995 which eventually became Broadcast.com in 1998 and had grown to 330 employees, they had eventually sold the company for $5.9 billion in Yahoo stock. After Mark went on to various business ventures none more bigger than purchasing the Dallas Mavericks in 2000. Mark has also been an investor in many different startups and business endeavors.
Mark stresses that in any business the only thing that matters is the bottom line. More so in running a major sports franchise, your team has to win because it has a trickling effect all the way down to the fans. Without wins fans have nothing to cheer for because they want to become a part of something. Winning cures everything and finding out the formula for success in any business takes time. In any business endeavor you have to be committed, focused and put in 100% effort in order to have success. More importantly Mark stresses to find out your strengths and find great people that compensate for your weaknesses. More so he focuses on using transactional value to cash. Stating to pay off all debts then look at your options. By having no debt you are put in a better position, by paying everything in cash, you can always negotiate. Mark also talks about investing in you, and looking at investments in startups compared to the stock market.
The second individual I would like to talk about is Daniel Snyder who is the current owner of the Washington Redskins, owner of Dick Clark productions, and investor in Red Zebra Broadcasting. Snyder first made his mark in the business world when he and his sister Michelle founded a marketing company, Snyder Communications LP that focused on different faucets of marketing. Eventually through mergers and acquisitions Snyder Communications was sold to a French Advertising and Marketing Group for $2 billion.
Upon reading various articles about Daniel Snyder, he discusses one must think outside the box and really look at different areas to capitalize in. An example would be his Washington Redskins; beyond that what other revenues streams can organically come from this. Is this through sponsorships, marketing, television etc.? Investors want a thorough explanation of projections and how you are going to meet them. By having a detailed game plan and keen sense of where the investor is coming from, can determine ultimately if you will receive financial backing at all.
Business Plans can be challenging and overwhelming but by clearly defining what your goals and plans are, can determine how successful your business starts off. More importantly learning from successful entrepreneurs and the mistakes they made can also cut the learning curve and future headache. By implementing some tried and tested knowledge will prove dividends in the long run.
References:
31 January, 2012
// //
0
comments
//
Breaking Down a New NFL Agent Cost
I’m sure at one point or another we all have seen the movie Jerry Maguire starring Tom Cruise that gave an insider look on what exactly happens in the sports agency world. Just to give the readers exactly how it works and some of the cost incurred in starting this new endeavor, I wanted to give a breakdown of the cost. First the NFLPA made it a few years back that if an individual wanted to sit for the agent certification exam they would need an advance degree whether it is a Law Degree or a Master’s Degree. Check out https://www.nflplayers.com/About-Us/FAQs/Agent-Certification-FAQs/; secondly, pay a one-time fee currently $2500 last year $1650 for the agent application, test, and background check. Then one must pay NFL annual dues $1200 for 10 or less active players and $1700 for 10 or more. Lastly one must get professional liability insurance, which can run roughly $1000 a year. After looking at the added cost this definitely adds up and can be highly expensive starting this new career path.
But with the bad there is some promising information as well. A common misconception about becoming a sports agent is that your sports agent salary is dependent upon player contract negotiations. In actuality you can build your salary in a variety of ways by offering different services including endorsement opportunities, financial planning, personal appearance and many more.
Annual Athlete & Sports Agent Salary Potential
Naturally, everyone wants to know how much their sports agent salary will be and this depends on the athlete client(s) you sign. Major league sports are big business and the following table contains realistic annual salaries for high-end clients. It is common for successful sports agents to make well over $1,000,000 per year, all it takes is one solid client and you can have a rewarding sports agent career.
Top Athlete Salaries
Sports League | Athlete Salary | Agent Salary |
MLB | $20,000,000 | $600,000 |
NBA | $25,000,000 | $750,000 |
NFL | $18,000,000 | $540,000 |
NHL | $10,000,000 | $300,000 |
Of course, these are the top athletes on their respective teams and it may be more realistic to start off recruiting some lower level or young, up and coming clients. Here is another chart I put together.
Sports League | Athlete Salary | Agent Salary |
MLB | $2,800,000 | $84,000 |
NBA | $4,200,000 | $126,000 |
NFL | $1,700,000 | $51,000 |
NHL | $1,800,000 | $54,000 |
I hope this information here provides some valuable insight and focus on something that you want to do as a career and not a job, which will provide overall happiness in the long run.
References:
18 January, 2012
// //
0
comments
//
5 years ago, a college scout or recruiter would have to drive several hours to watch, meet, and entice a potential recruit for their university. This due to the fact that technology was not as advance and it was difficult to get up to date information on a specific athlete, including real live stats. With the advancement of technology recruiters are having a much easier time canvassing and zeroing in on what athletes they want to recruit and which ones they want to spend their time on. Greg Kannerstein, director of athletics stated “The nature of the recruiting process gets more organized every year”. Parents are becoming savvier and athletes are more knowledgeable about the recruiting process. In a way it seems that it can beneficial for both parties because a lot of the grey areas are out in the in open already.
Before many kids that were recruited by smaller schools had to promote themselves by making DVDs of their highlights and sending it out to athletic recruiters and directors. Now with the advent of technology kids can post their reel or demo of their sports accolades on YouTube. Making it much easier for universities to preview the potential recruit. One university baseball coach liked the idea of kids putting on their own recruiting video due to the fact that it is raw. Meaning that you do not get a lot of added fluff and you truly seem the kids true mechanics and if there is something that can benefit the collegiate team.
One success story of marketing yourself was Lacrosse player Ian Mitchell of Washington Township High School in New Jersey. Ian did exceptionally well in Lacrosse but had a hard time reaching recruits, so he took the liberty of posting a video on YouTube, which highlighted a 10-minute span of an Olympic Conference game. Mitchell had about 40 plus views but all from college coaches. The video can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NTIpScT144.
With technology evolving young kids and college athletes will be able to market themselves and reach different target markets. Whether it is a prominent kid trying to get an athletic scholarship or a recent college grad trying to get signed by a pro team, YouTube is definitely a great way to market one’s skills for an inexpensive cost.
References:
06 January, 2012
// //
1 comments
//
I recently had the opportunity to speak with David Canter, chairman and ceo of DEC mgmt. Some of David’s highlights consist of negotiating a 9 yr. 135.75 million dollar deal for running back Stephen Davis. Also negotiating the largest ever NFL playing contract for a punter representing pro bowler Todd Sauerbrun. After giving a brief introduction of my background and myself I wanted to ask David more in depth questions in regards to the sports agency field.
I noticed you have Strong Safety Eric Weddle as one of your clients had did you end up recruiting him?
At the time I actually had an intern doing work for me in regards of scouting potential clients for the upcoming draft. He actually had set up a meeting with Eric and wanted me to speak with him in possible representing him. Eric had played football for BYU and was an MVP for his team the years he played there. Eric did not really get too much recognition because it was a smaller school. When I met with Eric we connected instantly and stated we would be in touch throughout the year. We basically texted for about a year and by chance we ended up being in Vegas at the same time, we had a strong connection and Eric ended up giving me a chance.
How do you separate yourself from the big firms?
First of all, I’m not trying to be those guys, that represent 50 -100 clients. I create a one-on-one personal experience for each and every player I represent. They know when they call me they deal directly with me and not some intern handling my matters.
Being a new agent what are some ways agents get a hold of college athletes?
Well, I can’t give away my secrets, but universities put on agent days where athletes can meet with agents and hear what they have to offer. Usually parents or coaches are there with them to help guide them through the process. You would need to contact the compliance department in order to be registered.
What do you feel about new agents going after 6th and 7th rounders in the NFL Draft?
My advice to any new agent is don’t, that is a sure way you will go broke. Many of them do not last in the league, so your best bet is to go for the 1st – 5th rounder’s, but remember the higher the caliber athlete the tougher the competition. But the lower round picks are just as hard to recruit as the high round picks, so aim high.
What advice do you have for somebody getting started in the field?
Be willing to work your butt off and not got paid for a couple of years. You are competing with other people that want this opportunity just as bad as you, if not more. Be willing to move because you never know what that specific opportunity may bring. More importantly remember this is a field you are passionate about and remember that as a way to carry you through the hard times.
References:
06 December, 2011
// //
0
comments
//
With the NBA lockout finally coming to an end, and the NBA 2011 - 2012 season officially to start on Christmas Day one wonders what great NBA free agents will be available? The NBA free agency officially begins on December 9th where we might see some top players go to different teams hopefully contributing to the overall team’s success. The unique scenario about this year’s free agency market is the abundance of big men available. I have compiled my top 3 best players that can make a difference for any team and make a push deep into the playoffs.
1. MARC GASOL
Center, 26 years old, 7'1
2011 stats: 11.7 points, 7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks in 32 minutes per game
The younger brother of Lakers star Paul Gasol isn't a big scorer -- his career-high for points in a game is 30. He's also not the incredible rebounder you'd think he'd be, given his size: he's an average rebounder at center, and a bit above average at power forward. On offense, he sets brilliant screens, can pass well and has a decent mid-range jumper. His overall value is on defense, which he is great at shot blocking and does not foul too much. He would be a great addition to any team especially needing a center coming off the bench.
2. TYSON CHANDLER
Center, 29 years old, 7'1
2011 stats: 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.1 blocks in 28 minutes per game
Chandler is the best defender at center in the league next to Dwight Howard. He is a huge reason why the Dallas Mavericks won the 2011 NBA Championship. He is offense is strictly near the basket and does not really create his own shots. He is really good around the basket and can finish with ease. He might score a lot if you do not create for him but his defense makes up for it. Giving the circumstance somebody you definitely want to pick up.
3. NENE
Center, 29 years old, 6'11
2011 stats: 14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks in 30 minutes per game
Overall Nene is solid on both sides of the ball he averages enough points to be a threat and does an efficient job at being a center. His defense one-on-one is phenomenal and any team would be lucky to have him. Don’t be surprise if you seem him in a Miami Heat’s jersey come start of the season as they try to fill their final piece to win a championship.
It will be interesting to see what happens when the dust settles and where many NBA free agents end up. Like anything adding a new player to a team can help or hinder a team. I’m just excited as any fan for the NBA season to start as we had one of the best years the past 2010-11 season.
References:
30 November, 2011
// //
0
comments
//
With the advancement of technology and living in a world that needs their information instantly, bloggers are now becoming 21st century journalists. The days of applying to the New York Time or the San Francisco Chronicle to be a writer has passed with new innovative ways to break into this field. Recently three bloggers had sued New York City due to the fact the Police Department denied them of press credentials because they had worked for online or nontraditional news outlets were ultimately issued credentials for the sporting events. Each blogger had varied experience in the journalism all owing their own website that did some form of publication to various countries, audiences, and sports enthusiasts.
A press card simply carries two kinds of credentials: working press cards, for a “full-time employee of a news-gathering organization covering spot or breaking news on a regular basis,” and press identification cards, for journalists who are “employed by a legitimate news organization” but who do “not normally cover spot or breaking news events.”
Strike force, which is a subsidiary of MMA, has also had problems with denying reporters access and coverage for major fights. President Dana White has been refusing access to all UFC events in recent years after the writers published stories that White didn’t consider worthy of his companies PR clip file. Besides bloggers, Dana White banned ESPN and CBS sports from gaining access into the event. This in a large part of certain information that is not censored or review before being released, this ultimately can damage the publicity of the athlete or organization. It simple seems on who covers the team and how that can determine access and opportunity in the locker rooms.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban feels that sports writers have become the equivalent of paparazzi rather than reporters. Mark Cuban also stated “The last few years have brought about a lot of change in how people publish and receive information.” Having reporters or journalists in the locker room asking questions that are not relevant to the game can be annoying for anybody. I feel by laying specific ground rules on what can or cannot be said can be a roadmap of what ethics these reporters must go by. If not the ramifications for this can be in a form of losing their press card for an extended period of time, or worse losing access to that organization completely.
References:
15 November, 2011
// //
1 comments
//
As we now approach day 134 of the NBA lockout representatives for the NBA and player’s union met this past Thursday in an effort to salvage what remains of an already-shortened season. After meeting for 11 hours on Thursday and 16 hours on Wednesday both sides still were unable to produce a fair collective bargaining agreement that both would agree on. Although the NBA presented a proposal to the players of an offer they feel is fair and if approved by next week, a 72-game season would start on December 15th.
NBA Commissioner David Stern stated, “There comes a time when you have to be through negotiating and we are.” The National Basketball Players Association are still upset about being unable to narrow the gap on salary cap and luxury tax system issues that have put negotiations in a standstill, with either side willing to budge. With Derek Fisher and Billy Hunter representing the players they will go back to their collective side and present the latest offer to the union and come back with an answer come early Monday or Tuesday next week. The owners are firm on create a favorable system over the revenue split, which would allow smaller market teams to compete for a championship.
There has been threats that if the players do not take this deal, the owner’s next offer will be to drop the players’ split to only 47% from 50%, and include a NHL-style flex-cap on the table. Which the players union would not go for and might consider decertification as their only option, this would ultimately wipe out the 2011-12 season and possible if it goes to court the process could effect the following season as well. Decertification of a union means that the union would be giving up a lot of benefits and the power to collectively bargain on behalf of its members. Which this situation will then be upheld in court, which can be drawn out over a long time due to court proceedings.
I feel this is unfortunate for the fans, arena employees, businesses, and NBA players, due to the fact that collectively everyone wants a season. There is a lot of red tape that still needs to be address with the owners being difficult to deal with. I hope for everybody this gets resolved and we can enjoy professional basketball sooner than the latter.
References:
11 November, 2011
// //
0
comments
//
I wanted to discuss today about various live-streaming websites that have been seized for copyright
infringement of sporting events. In the past year there have been numerous sites that offer a live stream
to Internet users wanting to watch their favorite sports team. For someone that wishes not to pay for
cable this is definitely a great way to watch sports or even your favorite t.v. show or movie. The
problem is the legality involved with this, due to the fact that this method of viewing is considered
pirated and illegal viewing of sporting events.
This past year prior to the Super Bowl ten popular video streaming websites were shutdown due to
copyright infringement. The argument behind this is the illegal streaming of professional sporting events
over the Internet financially hurts leagues and broadcasters who then must increase tickets prices and
pay-per-view events to compensate for their losses. I see where law enforcement partners are coming
from to protect copyrighted material but speaking from personal experience using these various sites; I
still think it is not fair. The sports industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and they are worried about
fans watching a free stream of their favorite sports team. I feel by letting fans watch the event this can
drive up revenue in other areas such as apparel, beer/alcohol, and increase popularity for that specific
team.
The government has actively been shutting down these streams during NFL Sunday, which I too have
experienced. You would be lucky nowadays to even get 5 minutes of a game before the site is shut
down, as they have been getting stricter on live streams of sporting events. Another tactic the
government is employing is asking domain names to be forfeited and users are being re-directed to a
banner stating the sites have been seized due to copyright infringement. It seems that the only option is
to either get cable or watch the game at a friend’s house or bar. Eventually a person will give in and end
up getting cable, which is directly tied to sports franchises, which ultimately will increase revenue for
these leagues.
References:
28 October, 2011
// //
0
comments
//
I recently had to put together a Social Media Presentation on Tom Brady's use of social platforms. Enclosed are my thoughts, recommendations, and overall impact of implementing these new ideas. Hope you enjoy, just click on the youtube link for the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcYKqocHIg4
Anthony Reeser
16 October, 2011
// //
0
comments
//
Interview with Kelli Masters
I was fortunate enough to interview owner/ceo Kelli Masters with Kmm sports. She is a partner at her law firm practicing business litigation and runs her own sports agency as a separate entity. Growing up she was one of the top baton twirlers where she had traveled the world to compete, which gave her a sense of athletic competition. After working in the legal field since 2000, Kelli branched out and in 2004, she registered to become a sports agent where she first represented Olympians, then eventually expanded out to baseball and the NFL. Currently Kelli’s NFL client roster consists of 3rd round draft pick of the 2010 Gerald McCoy who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She also has other notable clients that play for the Dallas Cowboys, and Indianapolis Colts.
I spoke to Kelli on October 14th 2011, as she was wrapping up duties with her law firm.
I was curious to see how Kelli first got started in the industry and she had stated at first she never intended to become a sports agent, but knew she wanted to practice law. She had represented Olympian Guard Young where she had met through college and was able to secure endorsement deals and various public speaking appearances for him. She stated, “ I really enjoyed the inner-workings of the business aspects of sports and wanted to expand in other sports arenas”. I notice you have signed Gerald McCoy which was a top 5 draft pick in this past draft, how did you recruit him? Kelli actually met Gerald McCoy about 5 years ago at a high school church function where he was the guest speaker. Kelli had a chance to meet with the parents and gave her business card to them stating if he ever needs representation down the road call me. Gerald ended up going to Oklahoma Kelli’s alma mater where eventually Gerald’s parents gave her a call. Kelli stated it was highly competitive to sign him because she had to compete with a lot of other agencies trying to sign him. In the end it was between another firm and Kelli so to make things work, Kelli and the other sports agency partnered up to help Gerald in the draft.
Kelli went on to describe the draft as one of the most exciting and nerve racking experiences because of the anticipation, but really enjoyed seeing Gerald’s family proud of their son being picked so early in the draft. What is the NFLPA process for someone that wants to be certified to become an agent? Kelli stated you have to go to the www.nflplayers.com website where you have to register and pay the fee for the exam which is offered once a year in Washington D.C. The deadline runs from January 1st to January 31st the fee runs around $1300, once you pass the exam you have to take out liability insurance which varies from state to state in price, and pay another additional fee to represent athletes in a particular state. Kelli really stressed that starting out especially on your own can get really expensive. A perfect example of this would be when you sign a player they need additional training before entering the NFL combine which can cost upwards from $15,000 to $20,000 and hopefully if they make an active roster you might break even.
Kelli it seems like the business can be very tough and challenging to break in especially if you do not have the financial means or support, knowing what you know now, what advice can you give someone looking to get into this field? Your best bet would simply be getting an internship with a team, union, or a sports agency. That way you can see first hand behind the scenes what really takes place as a business point of view, ideally if you can get hired by a sports agency which will back you in recruiting players even better.
After speaking with Kelli I found out invaluable information about the sports industry world where sometimes you have to partner up with another firm just for a deal to work. More importantly the challenges one must face when going into this line of work. Kelli told me that this is not an overnight business endeavor, but takes years of hard-work, patience, and consistent dedication in order for it to work. For Kelli she stressed that in the end it was well worth it because of her passion in the field and how far her company has come. Having this opportunity to speak with Kelli was an eye-opener on what kind of financing, challenges, and paperwork you must do in order to licensed by the NFLPA. More importantly being strategic about starting off in the field. Kelli brought up a good point on being able to identify talent because you do not want to waste money on a client that never gets drafted or signed onto a team. It can be a very expensive lesson which especially starting out you have to be extra careful. I’m glad I’m doing extensive research into this field because I now have a basis of the costs, roadblocks, and challenges I have to face just getting started in the field.
14 October, 2011
// //
0
comments
//
After reading the following article “Sports Still Draw Fans Despite Recession” I was not surprised especially in the South that despite a bad economy fans were still attending games of their favorite college or professional team and still doing well financially. Bigger well know colleges such as LSU, Alabama, and Florida have a huge following from always being in the hunt for a national championship. Over the years they have created fan loyalty that despite tough times, fans make it a priority to attend or watch games. A major sporting event for many people is a release from everyday life and a way to bond with friends and loved ones. Being able to have a beer, yell at a your favorite team, hi-five your buddy during the game is a definite stress reliever for most.
Unfortunately for the not as popular teams or teams that struggle to win across the spectrum of sports, are struggling to generate revenue in many different ways. Thus resulting in poor attendance at games, job layoffs, and in some cases shutting down of the whole league, such as the Arena Football League. Even Nascar and Major League Baseball have felt the effects of the economy and have to figure out creative ways to keep the fans coming back. Being an owner or investor of a team can be a headache due to the large overhead to pay for the stadium, players, concessions, etc. But by strategically thinking outside of the box even unknown losing teams can sustain the recession and bring fans to watch the game.
One concept teams can incorporate would be the use of specialty discount websites such as Group on. Consumers are cutting back more than ever and are conservative on what and how they spend their money. By create a partnership with these vendors, fans can still get tickets for a discounted price which in result they will feel they are getting a deal to attend the event. Most of the time it is getting the fans inside the stadium where they end-up spending more money on memorabilia and concessions. By strategically offering this limited deal will drive business to arenas and stadium thus resulting in additional revenue.
Another concept would be to offer additional extra curricular activities outside of the sporting event. Maybe build a mini entertainment center in the arena where people can go to eat at a restaurant, watch a movie, or even go dancing. This will generate more revenue and put in the consumers mind, hey we cannot also watch a sporting event here but also catch a movie and some dinner. By marketing subconsciously to the consumer that this specific arena or stadium is a place to go for all our entertainment needs will not also spread the word but make it a regular destination.
Lastly another option is seek additional help in advertising and marketing by hiring a new consulting agency. Sometimes fresh, innovative ideas can kick start revenue streams, due to the fact that fans have not seen that type of promotion, sponsorship, or event. Arena Advertising expresses there is never an idea too old or that has not been tried before, sometimes it comes down to understand the market and thinking out of the box. Which with the economy nowadays, one must be strategic in order to fill the seats in the stadiums and arenas. According to NCAA.org you have to convince the public that the product being promoted is a commodity that they either want or need. One must be able to understand key trends, interest of the audience, and opportunities to bring back fans, alums, and students.
Even though the economy is not as good as it has been in the past decade, people our passionate about sports and dedicated to their favorite teams whether college or the pros. It is getting them to come back on a consistent basis even though the team is not doing as well is the hard-part. But by offering various incentives, deals, and specials will entice even the hardest critiques. Ultimately it is creating that special experience for that person in attendance that will want to come back for more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKOEZ1LlSlo
Resources:
08 October, 2011
// //
0
comments
//
With the addition of enormous national TV contracts and a huge spike in NFL popularity, league revenue last year was about $8.5 billion; one of the biggest stories in the past decade has to be the growth of the NFL.
From going to your local sports bar on Sunday, to watch your favorite team, in your brand new jersey you bought to show your team support one can’t help but notice the popularity of the NFL in recent years. It has become a part of everyday culture as fans talk about how well their team faired at work, joining fantasy football leagues, and more importantly religiously watch almost all of the games scheduled, regardless if there team is playing or not. The NFL has become more popular year after year Nielsen reported “last year the average viewership of SB XLIV was 106.5 million viewers, which surpassed the series finale of M*A*S*H as the most watched telecast of all time” Whether it is we identify ourselves with a team, or use it as an outlet to bond with friends and family everyone is constantly looking towards Sunday as an escape. With the addition of social media, and the advancement of technology on how easy it has become to watch football, the growth of the NFL will continue to grow.
Business has been very lucrative for the NFL consistently, that commissioner Roger Goodell wants the league to reach $25 billion in revenue by 2027, which basically mean $1 billion in additionally revenue would have to happen each year to reach that milestone. With numerous teams and individuals breaking NFL records it will only add to the excitement the NFL provides for its fans. More importantly with a cast of heroes, villains, controversy, media, and intriguing storylines, I would say the NFL has a great shot on achieving that goal.
*Enclosed is a link that highlights other key moments this past decade in sports Watch this CNBC video, “The Biggest Plays in Sports Business”: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1368367744
Resources:
26 September, 2011
// //
0
comments
//
I recently had the chance to speak with Alex Snowden (CEO/Owner) of Hitz Sports Management in regards to getting an internship in the sports agency field and the future of sports recruiting. I wanted to focus the interview on objective criteria, separating the people from the problem and mutual benefit.
Alex how did you get started in the industry?
I first interned at a small boutique firm called 4th and 1 sports management where I was able to learn the business from recruiting, contract negotiations, and endorsements. After I felt I had a grasp and understanding of the business I decided to open up my own firm.
What changes have you seen in the past few years?
One of the bigger sports agency firms IMG started IMG academies in Florida, which is a huge drawing pool for a lot of young professional athletes to come out of. Essentially IMG academy recruits kids at young age and help develop their skills, so when the kids are older, IMG has the first opportunity to recruit them. Which is unfair and unethical but it is hard to compete with bigger firms that have deep pockets and can get away with stuff like that. Another big change within the industry is social media and how agents use it to scout, recruit, market, and retain clients.
How do you recruit players?
First of all you need to live in an area where there is a variety of university within driving distance. Building relationships with scouts and coaches help tremendously because they can refer you athletes that might need representation. More importantly meeting with the player and the family is the best way to ultimately recruit.
What advice can you give somebody trying to break into the industry?
The best way to get started in the field would be an internship with a reputable company. One should look at their website, players represented and services they provide to make a sound decision. More importantly one has to be willing to relocate if this is something that they really want to do. Knowing how to think out of the box and being tech savvy goes a long way too when firms are deciding who they want to hire. Lastly have a passion for this line of work and work really hard.
Resources:
www.sportsagentblog.com
06 September, 2011
// //
0
comments
//
Powered by Blogger.
Welcome Sports Enthusiasts!
Below is the latest breaking news in sports.
Total Pageviews
Blog Archive
-
▼
2012
(6)
- ▼ March 2012 (2)
- ► February 2012 (1)
- ► January 2012 (3)
-
►
2011
(19)
- ► December 2011 (1)
- ► November 2011 (3)
- ► October 2011 (4)
- ► September 2011 (2)
- ► August 2011 (2)
