Spotlight: National Sports Marketing Network

Trade associations are an important part of any industry. They give you the chance to meet people with like interests and career paths. Many also offer conferences, charitable events and career services. You could think of them as the fraternities of “the real world”.  One industry trade association that I hope to become a member of and would recommend is the National Sports Marketing Network (NSMN). They have deemed themselves “the exclusive industry trade organization for sports business professionals in the United States” and rightfully so.  NSMN’s members include league commissioners, network and corporate executives, agency presidents and a host of other sports industry professionals.  This group is encouraging interaction between sports professionals and creating a more united front in the industry.

Cooling Out The Fans

This summer has been one for the record books. The heat has been overwhelming and outdoor arenas have not been the ideal place to venture, but in the sports world the show must go on! Baseball teams literally had their diehard fans sweating in the stands this season as temperatures were near 100+ in almost every state. Moreover, if you have been watching the games on TV you may have noticed that these outdoor arenas are far from full. Many of these venues are not prepared to accommodate these types of weather conditions and many fans have been forced to sit this season out.

Jumpstarting A Ruined Reputation

In November 2011, the indiscretions of Jerry Sandusky, a case that began in 2009, were brought to the attention of the public. I will not go in to detail, as the media has overwhelmed us with information for months; consequently, we all know the drama that ensued, culminating in him being found guilty to 45 of 48 counts in June 2012. Sandusky not only managed to ruin his reputation, but he also took with him the reputations of the legendary Joe Paterno and Penn State University.  Now with the conviction of Sandusky and the untimely passing of coach Paterno, Penn State is left to bear the brunt of the controversy. Receiving a seemingly exorbitant amount of punishment, Penn State has to rebuild and regain trust, but how?

Summer Olympics… Wait That’s This Year?

Around the world the Olympic games have retained their status as one of the most popular sporting events, but in the United States things are a bit different. In the past it seemed that most everyone in the U.S. knew the dates of the Olympics, the location, the stars to look for; but it seems, in this age, traditional events like the Olympics have lost their luster. I have talked to children who don’t even know about the Olympics. The Olympics used to be an event that united the nation, all of us coming together to support our athletes and show that we are the best. However, in a country of everyone for his/her self, is there still a place for these Olympic events? The athletes are not even as willing to win for their country. Will tradition weigh out technology?

Tiger Woods vs. The Sponsors

It is no secret that, since his indiscretions became public in late 2009, Tiger Woods has lost numerous tournaments and with them numerous endorsements. But were these losses somewhat correlated? Lets look at the numbers. When Tiger Woods was winning he was endorsed by a multitude of companies. Nike, General Motors, Titleist, TAG Heuer, and numerous others all wanted a piece of Mr. Woods and were willing to pay dearly to get that piece.