REAL TALK! TRUE STORY!
Actual Mindset
Lets face it... EVERYONE wants to work in Sports and Entertainment!Its just about the coolest thing you can do other than actually being King James or Brad Pitt. And, if I'm honest with myself...Most weeks can be pretty cool, consisting of the following:
- working alongside a big time celebrity or professional athlete: D-Wade aka 3 or Nicki Minaj
- getting a few "Comped Tickets" to a game: NBA Finals, NFL Playoffs or Opening Days
- getting a little team swag here and there: Newest Gear the players wear
- Oh, and your office building isn't the norm...now'a days its usually some state-of-the-art multi billion dollar stadium! How cool is that?
For instance: finding yourself applying for food stamps, looking for odd jobs in the back of the paper or the dreaded Craigslist search, or merely piecing a block of string cheese, a banana, one piece of bologna and a few salty crackers from Wendy's all in one entree! o_O oh my!
PS. Nothing beats a good Ice cub Sandwich! lol
Oh, not to mention your apartment or "resting place" (a doggie mat in the middle of a strangers storage room) may be sooooooooooo small that you literally have to go outside just to change your mind on this entire subject! lmbo :)
Actual Topics
Hopefully, you're all giggly by now after seizing an opportunity to brighten your day by laughing at my pain. Its cool, that's why I'm writing this. However, we've got to key in on some tough topics for a minute. (Just so YOU can't say... "But... but... nobody told me!"Location, Location, Location!
Question? Is there a local sports team in your area? If so, What sport? High School? College? Pro?I'm going to tell you a secret... It doesn't matter what level or what sport it is...JUST DO IT! I don't care if you have to volunteer after a day of classes, work study, workouts and a tutor...get there! I don't care if you have to ride 4 trains, 2 buses and walk 9 blocks...get there! Oh, maybe you have a dedicated full time gig...that's nice and all but, make an effort and find the time to get there!
In order to make yourself known, you've got to get noticed. Lord knows they didn't teach me this in school and by the grace of God...I've got it down packed! (Not always a good thing by the way.)
Anyway... contact whomever is in charge...it can be the head coach, team mom, trainer or even ask a player. Let someone know who is affiliated with the team, school or staff know your interests.
Next, show up and show up often! It sucks, but you've got to be there ALL THE TIME! Not to mention, while being there...do a GREAT JOB! No "half-ass" work please! *excuse my language*
Also, put in a few good hours too. Remember, you are there for an opportunity...nothing else. You want your name to always be first on their minds. When your superior says... "Uhhh guys...I need someone too... before they even finish the rest of that sentence your hand better be raised as you blurt out... I"ll do it!" You're mindset has to be that no job is beneath you.
Larry the Cable Guy says it best... "Get-r-Done!"
Now... Sometimes, you'll have to move. Are you ready for that? If not, understand that you've just limited your options and cut your chances of success into 1/2, maybe less. If so, you better not be "High Maintenance or too picky." Only the strong will survive in the beginning. Even if you've gotta bum it out in your car... Do it! If you've gotta live on some one's couch for 3 to 6 months Do it! If you've gotta drive around your town early in the morning dropping in on LaQuinta Breakfast like you own the place... well... you get the point! Pack light too, Ain't Nobody Got Time For All That! You're going to be on the go...on the move...always working and always networking! It may be a full year or two before you have a place of your own and before you lay down on an actual bed. #FutonLiving #AirMattress #SoreBack
Your mindset should be: Always Be Ready...so that I don't have to get ready! (A beautiful friend told me that one-Thanks TK :)
I moved from having nice apartments at LSU to a 3Bedroom 2Bath House and 2 Car garage in Indianapolis with a few Rando coworkers as roomies alllllllll the way down to a Walk-In Closet of a studio in Miami... what???? :( I thought I was supposed to be moving up in the world...not shuffling backwards. *Remind yourself to Keep Calm and Carry On!
You've got to be a soldier... willing and ready for whatever curve ball life throws your way. Best believe a curve ball is coming!
Who Do You Know + Competition
Ask yourself... do you know anyone who works in sports or entertainment? Does your mom or dad know anyone? What about your professors? Current Co-workers? Best friend? Boy/Girl toy? Your little brother may play T-ball with an All-Time Great's son. You need to find out.The more People you know, the better. However, your whole career doesn't ride on this. In this instance, it wasn't just who I knew, but it was who knew me? Because I did some volunteer work for a guy who knew a guy...it all came full circle for me and I got a chance! Karma isn't as bad as they say she is huh??? lol
Think About It: 1000, 1, 24, 7
When I landed the gig at the NCAA...it was reported that 600 applications had been received for 19 positions. Similar to those statistics, a Coach at Stanford once told me something like this:
- 1000 people will apply for the same gig you do (If not more)
- 1 person will ultimately get the job
- 24 hours a day...you better be on your grind and making a name for yourself
- 7 days a week... you'll constantly be auditioning for the next opportunity that comes your way, and like Rocko says, "You ain't even know it!"
With that being said my friend... how about you log onto LinkedIn and FB right now and get to networking! lol You never know who knows someone you need to get to know until you ask. Once you apply online, you've gotta find someone to connect with you, some will inside yourself to step outside of your comfort zone, someway to get your little resume in front of the right person.
Note: Anybody just won't do! Its got to be the Hiring Manager!
Hours
The hours are simple... 8-5, clock out....then go home and relax... ... ... ... NOT! Yeah right.Be assured that you'll be working your tale off! Daily! Weekends! Holidays! Oh, and that special thing you do...you know that trip you always take annually where you have a blast, kick it with friends and family while laughing until your heart is content...yeah about that...its probably in jeopardy!
Hours are sometimes before the sun rises, sometimes after the sun sets. I can't even give you a direct schedule because its sports. Just understand that Overtime is a key word. And, like LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles would say, "Men! It takes a little more to be a Champion!"
The TV networks control the game times, and your boss will ultimately inform you when you can go home. Just bring lots and lots of snacks. We all know like the Snickers commercials "We aren't ourselves when we're hungry!" lol
Pay
Pahahahahahahh. I can't help but laugh at the fact that at some point I thought I'd be earning a Million Dollar Salary! Good luck bro!Understand that people will kill to get your job in sports. Yes, your job! The one that has you pulling the 100 lbs. coolers off the bottom of the bus as you pull a few muscles in your lower back after being cramped in the back seat right in front of the bathroom; hoping continuously that no one ate Indian or Mexican food for lunch during the 8 hours of travel with the team, or the one that has you washing dirty towels, socks and players shorts in the wee hours of the morning when you can barely keep your eyes open, or even the one that has your lips chapped and fingers bleeding from paper cuts due to all the envelops you've been licking over a 2 hour period all the while feeling like you're in solitary confinement while the A/C chills your bones. (If you have A/C.)
The Fan in YOU
Lord forbid you work for your favorite team or get to spend time standing on the same surface or in the same room as an Iconic childhood hero! This is always exciting to watch. You have to understand...there is no room for you to be unprofessional. It looks bad on you, it looks bad on the organization and I'm sure the player, dancer, coach or whatever doesn't need any added attention; let the media do their job please.You have to be unbiased in so many situations. Thank goodness for my journalism classes. If you're ever in the Press Box of an event, don't think you'll be brining your tin can of Chicago's Finest Popcorn (Garretts) along with pom-poms and a huge neon sign that says, "Beyoncé! Will You Marry Me? or Tom! Throw me your love... I'll catch it!"
No! That is not going to cut it, nor will it ever happen. Then again, if it does happen you'll be kindly escorted away by two guys who strong-arm people for a living and are taking bets on throwing you outside on your head. By this point...if you're lucky enough, you just might make it on ESPN's Not-Top-10 Plays! lol
Oh, whatever happens...never ask for a photo or autograph...you're a professional. Your job is to be the "Silent Backdrop." While you're standing there...inches away from Cam Newton's sweat dripping on a fan or a hug away from touching RGIII's last twisted Braid or Dreads (whatever they are)...simply do a little victory dance in your mind! Sing a cheer to yourself, "G-O. G-O. Me Me Me. Go Me. Go Me. I made RGIII's credentials this week!" lol Pretty sad I know.
Everything we do is for the fans. The Ultimate fan experience is what we are trying to provide! Its our job to give the fan an escape from the norm. From the tailgating, to the party planning, to all the group leaders and unique in-game experiences, to the luxury seats all the way up to the free gifts in the Nose-bleed seats, these folks paid good money for these seats and they don't need some snot nose kid with a credential stealing their thunder! They've got enough to fight for and they'll sure let you have it if they ever feel that you've slighted them in any manner. Please believe this!
Its the fans that watch on TV. Its the fans that shop with our sponsors. Its the fans that surf the web and visit the team store. Its the fans that buy these tickets and plan for months at a time for these games. Generations at a time...father-son, mother-daughter, grand dad and grand son, guys night out or Ladies night, and even the youth days...this is all about the Fan in them, not about the Fan in you. So, don't be bitter, just understand...you are a professional and you should never draw attention to yourself unless its by doing a phenomenal job ONLY.
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT... REAL TALK TRUE STORY.
Working in sports can suck... but I've had a great time doing it!
Enjoy a few pics.
:)
OG & Mark Cuban
Bucs Game!!!
Cubs Game and Lady Irish Practice
MLB Tour in NYC
ESPN U Audition
Sony Open in MIA
Catching a Panthers Game in NC
In Hotlanta!!! ATL Shawty!
Jags Stadium Tour
Director of Football Ops for Rollins College
Chicago Fire MLS Stadium Tour
Chicago Bulls Nuff Said
The World's Greatest!!! MJ
Leo Buckley Stadium: Friday Night Lights in Texas!!!
OG & Patrick Peterson LSU Tigers
2010 NCAA Interns
Club HYDE Game 6
OG and some Ball Playaz Game 7
Game 7 NBA Finals
The DJ Irie Foundation
The 2013 NBA Finals
Witness Miami Dolphins 2013
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