The Work in Sports Podcast - Insider Advice for Sports Careers

Where is the Sports Industry Going?! Calling all up-and-coming broadcast talent – here’s your chance to make a name for yourself overnight.   Compete against others in SiriusXM’s “MLB Fan Call of the Month” contest starting on Thursday, September 3rd at 10 AM Eastern.  Visit SiriusXM dot com slash MLB Fan Call, and make your voice heard before the contest closes on September 10th.  One winner, as judged by the SiriusXM programming team, will have their play-by-play call air on SiriusXM MLB Radio, and advance to compete in the final “Fan Call of the Year” contest for a grand prize that includes a trip for two (2) to attend the 2021 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, plus the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to call a half-inning of the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, LIVE on SiriusXM MLB Radio! Go to SiriusXM dot com slash MLB Fan Call for a full set of contest rules, prizing details, and more.  Alright, let’s start the countdown… Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning at WorkInsports.com and this is the work in sports podcast… Cool note to add to our new sponsor, SiriusXM, coming up on Wednesday we’re going to have on SiriusXM Manager of Sports Partnerships and Marketing Andrew Diamond -- I thought it would be super cool to change our normal format and do a little something different.  Andrew is going to take us through his job and his role at SiriusXM in sports partnerships, through the lens of the “Fan Call of the Year” contest -- from concept brainstorming to organizing the teams necessary to make the concept real, to meeting with stakeholders, promoting and activating -- you’ll get an idea of what it’s really like to work in marketing, by seeing how an idea turns into reality.  I’m excited about this, because I love the idea of learning about the role through the actual process of creating a sports partnership! Of course I love the idea… it was my idea!  Tune in Wednesday for that -- and seriously, if I was even slightly interested in sports broadcasting, or just wanted to have some fun, I would be all over this “fan call of the year” contest -- you could call a half-inning of the futures game on SiriusXM MLB radio and get a trip to the all-star game in Atlanta? Super cool. Alright on to today’s topic.  Actually quick recap -- last weeks episode we talked about cancel vs. consequence culture -- and again we used misogyny in the sports industry as the launching point for the discussion… If you haven’t listened to the episode you should, it’s raw and it’s honest, but I also want to follow up on two things: 1: For those of you that requested I stick to sports and stop having conversations about topics like this -- stop it. You are embarrassing yourself. Don’t listen if you don’t want to be challenged, and if you truly think subjects like misogyny and social justice don’t intersect with sports and our day to day existence -- wake up. Every sports league, team, lifestyle brand, agency and organization connected to sports is taking on these issues because they are important, and they affect all of us.   2: I did get called out for one thing, and I’d like to say thank you for it. Kae Dube, rightfully pointed out that not all women have 2 X chromosomes.   And she is right, she knows I didn’t say it in a derogatory way so we are cool, but I should not have been as verbally clever as I was being,

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and engaged Learning at WorkInSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast… I know this may sound trite, but I learn something from every interview I conduct on this show. It’s true - when you keep yourself open to learning and open to your own need for improvement, you start to see the opportunity in everything.  I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag, but today’s guest Shahbaz Khan director of digital content for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, really woke me up during this interview with his ideas.  Now, full disclosure -- if someone asked me what my dream job would be right now, it would be leading a digital content group for a pro sports team -- so Shahbaz had me piqued from the get-go. One thing I always listen for in all of my interviews is HOW someone got the gig they currently occupy, or frankly any of their jobs. Did they find out about the job on our site WorkInSports.com -- like Dan Kaufmann from the New York Jets? Did they get it by referral and networking like Hannah Huesman from the Philadelphia Phillies?  How did they get where they are? Well, Shahbaz shares a story, coming up shortly, about how he got his job with the Twolves that I have now cited in multiple speaking engagements that I have been a part of -- it’s a zoom world, and I’ve been doing a lot of career-focused panels.  I’ll summarize quickly, and then you can listen to him share the details. But essentially he wanted to work for the Twolves as a social media associate, and he figured out a way to make himself come to life.  He started a new twitter account and started doing the job. Seriously. He started doing the job of a social media associate for the Twolves. He was able to then show the Twolves how he would operate in the position -- his tone, his creativity, he created his own proof of concept. This is what we mean by -- what else can you do to stand out?  He could have submitted his resume and waited - but he went the extra 10%. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again -- it takes a lot of faith to hire someone, you are banking on their words and the paper they hand you celebrating themselves. You interview them, and you hear theem sell themselves… but you never really know how they will operate until you get them in your building...and that is daunting.  I have hired people before that were incredible in the interview process, their references were good, their resume was tight -- and then in the job itself they failed.  What Shahbaz did was genius, because it overcame the fear employers have of hiring someone who can’t really perform when the red light goes on.  If you can figure out this magic for yourself, if you can figure out how to show proof of concept, and show you can do the job and help quell any fears an employer may have on making you their next hire -- that is magic. And Shahbaz caputed that in his process. I’m telling you -- there is a lot more than just this story coming up, Shahbaz shares great stuff on creating digital content during this interview, so I’ll shut up and let you listen… here he is Shahbaz Khan, Director of Digital Content for the Timberwolves and Lynx. Questions for Shahbaz Khan, Minnesota Timberwolves Director of Digital Content 1: I love getting into my guest’s background and seeing something that jumps out – for you this is clear:  you started college studying electron...

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp VP of Content and Engaged Learning at WorkinSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast. So, I want to rant for a little bit - it’s my show, I get the soapbox and I’m deciding to use it.  There is so much anger and division on cancel vs. consequence, and I want to try and have a meaningful conversation with you through the lens of Mike Milbury’s recent comments on the NHL on NBC Stanley Cup Playoff coverage.  For those of you not in the know, during a recent game Milbury and analyst Brian Boucher were discussing the benefits of the NHL's playoff bubble. Boucher: "If you think about it, it's a terrific environment with regard to -- if you enjoy playing and enjoy being with your teammates for long periods of time, it's a perfect place," Boucher said. And then Milbury added: "Not even any woman here to disrupt your concentration," Since the comment, Milbury has announced that he will not be part of NBC Sports' broadcasts  "In light of the attention caused by my recent remark, I have decided to step away from my role at NBC Sports for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs," the 68-year-old Milbury said in a statement released Saturday. "I do not want my presence to interfere with the athletes as they try to win the greatest trophy in sports.” There was and is outrage on both sides of the subject -- some say it’s an overreaction, and Milbury’s comments were just the truth and this is another example of cancel culture.  Others say this is the same tired cliches minimizing women, their impact and value, degrading them to a distraction and fodder for men to ogle at...and that this is an example of there being consequences because words matter, and what you say matters.   Let me start by saying this -- analysts have a tough job of trying to speak off the cuff in a fast-paced game and when they try to be irreverent, get off-topic, play for a laugh line, or teeter out of their lane -- things get out of control fast.   But, the best at it, don’t seem to run into this problem -- because they have focus and they know their job is to talk about the game in front of them, not seek out high fives from adoring fans who think they are witty and on the edge.   Let’s get into the comment itself in the most simple way possible --  is it fair? or is it cliche?  Look, I’m a white straight married male, the most privileged class in our society, and I’m so fricking tired of the stupid, old, cliched tropes like this toward women. This is the most banal, boring observation about the human condition -- women are a distraction and men are just prey to their seductiveness. This is the slippery slope of irreverent commentary -- it may look harmless or funny to some when isolated -- “ah, what he said wasn’t so bad, loosen up!”   But put it in context, weigh it down with the history of misogyny, put yourself in someone else’s shoes who has battled inequality and hasn’t been fed privilege throughout their life… and maybe you’ll hear things differently. To be honest, I’d be offended if I was on either side of this narrative -- of course, it’s more insulting to women, who surely don’t deserve to be relegated to “distraction”. But if I was a player, in the frickin Stanley Cup finals, and some dude was assuming I couldn’t hold my focus and concentrati...

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast. Well, I’m not often one to get into self-aggrandizement -- ok, maybe a little - but I have to say this is a pretty proud day.  On September 9th, 2017 we launched this podcast with the intention of helping guide young professionals into sports careers. We aimed to share advice, insider knowledge, seasoned perspectives, and cover the journey of hundreds of careers and organizations.  The first-ever guest on the Work in Sports podcast -- and some of your old schoolers who have been here from the beginning -- Scott MacDonald, Jake Kernen, James Ebo, Kelsey Smith, Carlton Robie, Dasmine Evans, Gary Pinson, and others I’m forgetting and sorry -- probably remember it was Carl Manteau then Senior Director of Group Sales for the Milwaukee Bucks.  Today is episode 300 of the show. Alright, slight confession it;’s actually 301, my math didn’t line up as I had planned but don’t get lost in the details, I’m on a roll here.  Three years ago, Carl and I talked about the journey into sports from inside sales, today we talk about new subjects like mental health through a pandemic, group sales when there are no groups to sell to, and developing culture in a world that is distant and through computer screens.  Now, while that sounds depressing -- it is not. Carl is one of the most positive, insightful, and motivating people I know. He paints a picture of light with his words, sharing ideas that can make this time productive, efficient, and set us all up for future success.  He highlights the good things, like the positive culture of working in sports, and how we can support one anothers mental health with simple gestures. This is a podcast of positivity, rooted in reality - we aren’t painting unicorns on the ceiling, we’re seeing the silver inside the grey.  Here’s my guy, Carl Manteau, who is now the Senior Director of Group Sales for the Chicago Blackhawks.. Questions For Carl Manteau, Chicago Blackhawks Senior Director of Group Sales    1: The returning champion!  In February, you left the Milwaukee Bucks, an organization you had been with for almost 7 years, to join the Chicago Blackhawks as Senior Director of Group Sales.  What has it been like starting with a new organization and having the entire world turn upside down just a few weeks after starting? 2: For a decade or longer I’ve been telling young people, if you want to work in sports look to sales, that is where the opportunities are. In February we had 25,000 jobs on WorkInSports.com – around 12,000 of those, almost 50%, were in sales.  We dropped down to 8k jobs in April, and now we are back up to 16k. But only 622 are in sales.  What do we tell all the young professionals who were listening to guys like us say they should work in sales, and now there are either no jobs for them, or they lost the one they had? What advice can we give them now? 3: I know you can’t predict the future – but the NHL is in its playoff bubble right now, and it looks like the next season will start in December versus the normal October start.  Has the conversation shifted to “how” to bring fans back into the arena versus “if” you can bring fans back? 4:  Things have likely settled down a bit now as we’ve hit the 7t...

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast… I’ve been thinking a lot about energy, burnout and mental health lately - so in searching through our database of inbound questions for this here show, I was hunting and pecking for questions on this subject...and I found a lot.  This is something many of you are dealing with and want to discuss. These are very personal subjects, but I think it can help to have a larger discussion so that you, the individual at home, can know you are not alone in this battle for mental health and energy and the battle against burnout.    I picked this one from jane in Ohio -- but really I could have picked 20 others. Before I get into Jane’s question, know that you can send me your career-focused questions either by connecting with me on LinkedIn and messaging me there or by emailing be at bclapp at workinsports.com --  Here’s Jane’s really good question -- “Hi Brian, I’m a big fan of the podcast and the knowledge you share - you have helped me immensely in my career. I have a topic for you to discuss on your show. In the first few months of quarantine, I framed my mind around the idea that this would be just a few months, and I could get through it. I took a pay cut but kept my job, and I’ve sat in my apartment essentially by myself for 3 months, but I kept telling myself it was temporary. The longer this drags on, the more I feel myself losing hope. I don’t mean suicidal or anything that dramatic, but I would use terms like depressed, confused, frustrated, and kind of burnt out. I’m not looking to you to solve me in a clinical sense, I just want to have the conversation so that others know they aren’t alone if they are feeling the same way”  Hey Jane, first off thanks for your email, showing this level of vulnerability and putting yourself out there is impressive, so thank you.  First I’ll share a couple of personal anecdotes then we’ll get into a little more robust ideas on how to handle this. I want to stress beforehand, I’m not a doctor or psychiatrist and if you are feeling depressed and having suicidal thoughts, please I beg you talk to someone. Someone you love, someone with expertise - just talk to someone. Another voice matters.  As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been thinking a lot about burnout, energy, and mental health lately. Energy is an important topic to me -- and think of energy like spirit, enthusiasm and excitement -- not necessarily the ability to run a marathon.  I believe, we all have things in our life that provide us energy. We gain energy from certain experiences, lifestyles, endeavors, challenges -- I know people who gain energy from social experiences, so they needed to have a balance of work and workplace social engagement. I know people that gain energy from completing a complex task, so they always kept a Rubix cube with them, or a book of puzzles, I know others that gain energy from their environment -- so a walk in the woods or a run makes them feel energized. I think learning this about yourself is one of the most important goals you can have in life.  What gives you strength, energy, vitality enthusiasm?  Pay attention to your body and your energy levels and understand what makes them grow and change and diminish and flourish.  When you figure this out, lean into those experiences.  I battle some seasonal depression -- maybe depression isn’t the right word,

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp VP of Content and Engaged learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast… Community relations is food for the soul of an organization.  Still one of my favorite quotes. It’s from an anonymous CEO, I’d give credit if I could. And it’s a true statement. When most departments of an organization are focused on internally beneficial revenue creation, it is the community relations department that is focused on more outwardly impactful projects.  They are literally giving, with no intention to receive anything but joy and fulfillment.  But, even though the quote hits the mark on the spirit of community relations, it’s purpose and mission, it doesn’t take into account the actual scope of the job.  What we see from the outside are hundreds of events each year utilizing the reach and power of a team brand and its athletes to make a difference in the local community. Support for education, the military, cancer survivors, blood drives, coaching -- that what we see, and are moved by as human beings. But when we talk about the job, when we talk about Community Relations as a career, yes it starts with caring about the people and the causes -- but it also requires elite skills. Event management, marketing, promotions, budgeting, staffing, leadership skills, and more are required to impact and change the local community.  It starts with heart, but it requires skill.   Today’s guest is a shining example of that mix, a combination of elite skill and unrivaled passion and enthusiasm for making a positive change the world.  Kevin Brown is the Director of Community Relations for the Detroit Red Wings and the Director of the Detroit Red Wings Foundation -- it’s my pleasure to have him as our guest  Here we go -- let’s dive into the world of community relations with Kevin Brown… Questions for Kevin Brown, Detroit Red Wings Director of Community Relations and Director of the Detroit Red Wings Foundation 1: Let’s start with an easy one – in your opinion why is community relations such an important part of the sports industry? 2: Early in your career you worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and like most sports focused people, you filled various early career roles – Game Day Supervisor, Training Camp Assistant, Team Services Assistant – how did you eventually figure out Community Relations was your path? 3: You earned your degree in marketing, and now find yourself in community relations – do you find there to be valuable links between the two fields? 4: Most people understand what community relations is, but I don’t think they full appreciate the depth of the role – how would you describe the main skill sets necessary to thrive in community relations?  5: During your years with the Bucs, you were also the Super Bowl Community Relations rep from 2010- 2016. Every player I’ve interviewed over my career just shakes their head when they talk about the playoffs or super bowl, as if to say “it’s a whole different world” Did you feel the same about your super bowl experience, like this just ramped everything up? 6: What do you remember most about your first Super Bowl event?  7: After 14 years with the Bucs and the NFL you jumped to the NHL in a newly developed Director ...

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast! Alright, a quick recap of the past few weeks shows -- they’ve been awesome. If you haven’t listened go back and check out: * Raleigh Anne Gray, CEO of Must Love Sports and Senior Director of Athlete Exchange for Wasserman* Melissa Silberman, Atlanta hawks Director of Partnership Activation * Ameena Soliman, Player Personnel Coordinator for the  Philadelphia Eagles* Neeta Sreekanth COO of INFLCR I just noticed that it’s been ladies’ night on the Work In Sports podcast for the last month-- love that! It wasn’t even intentional! Coming up this week is Kevin Brown, Director of Community Relations for the Detroit Red Wings and Director of the Detroit Red Wings Foundation -- super cool guy, I learned a lot about the power of community relations from our conversation. I know you will like it.  We’re also getting all of our fall semester sports curriculums up and running -- for those of you who don’t know, we have an online Sports Career Game Plan program with over 120 pages of content, 30+ videos, downloadable worksheets and audio files and more.  Our program is being used by Grand Canyon University, University of Florida, Ball State, University of Findlay, Fontbonne University, Dubuque University, and many more.  If you are a professor listening, this program is available to you -- it teaches the strategies and tactics to get hired in sports. Period. From the feedback we’ve received from students, it’s life-changing.  If you are interested in learning more or seeing a demo -- email me - b clapp at work in sports dot come. If you are a student -- push your professor to learn more about our program. Your goal is to get a job after college, and we’ll teach you how.  Alright on to today.  Before we get into today’s question - I have a request for all of you. I need more podcasts to listen to, personally.  Now, here are the rules: * I don’t need more sports podcasts, I have plenty of those and I know what I like. * I need more podcasts for when I’m not listening to sports. * I don’t need political podcasts, I have a few I listen to and respect, and I’m well covered there. * I really really like well-produced professional podcasts that tell a story over a 6-10 episode arc. * Examples: Winds of Change, The Clearing, The Catch and Kill podcast..and the granddaddy Serial.* If you have any interview-style shows, like mine but not necessarily related to sports or sports careers, let me know those too...I’m always trying to improve my questioning and techniques.  I’m looking for more smart, insightful podcasts so if you have a suggestion that hooked you - please let me know. I’m a content junkie, and I like to learn.  Jump over to our private Facebook group, by searching for the Work In Sports podcast on Facebook - answer a few questions so I k...

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcasts… So think about this for a second -- remove all your preconceived notions - remove everything you’ve been told over the years - clear your mind. You are a 19-year old elite college athlete. A basketball star, a softball star, a football star - doesn’t matter, you are elite.   I love this dream already - I always wanted to be an elite 19-year old athlete, instead of a well, you know, a decent high school athlete who went on to a successful intramural career. Ok, back on track, dream scenario, elite athlete… You, the 19 year old elite athlete, start to appear in marketing materials for your university. You are selling tickets. Your jersey, with your name and number on it, is top selling merchandise, generating massive revenue. A video game company, puts your face, your body, your brand on the cover of their game...and sells millions. You, the product generating everything, the machine that makes it all go, sees nothing.  Meanwhile, you post a video of your most recent training session on youtube -- it generates thousands of views, tons of comments… and by a mistake, you had on the option to include ads, on the video, so it generates some revenue for you.   It’s your brand, it’s you. But now you are penalized, threatened with losing your eligibility over generating revenue on yourself and for yourself. So everyone else can profit off of you, but you can’t. Just to clarify with some real numbers, the NCAA generates over a billion dollars yearly in just media right deals, to broadcast their events, and thee athletes upon who’s back this is generated receive a good old fashioned opportunity to gain an education - not without value, but not exactly equal either.  This scenario doesn’t have to be relegated to the elite 1% Zion Williamsons and  Trevor Lawrences who end up on video games -- literally any student-athlete should be able to build a brand and monetize it. They have access, stories, fan bases and if they work to cultivate and grow that reach they should reap the benefits. Period. Full Stop. pont made. Drop the mic. Is there nuance to my dream scenario we are overlooking, sure, but stick with the overarching scenario - the big birds eye view is far from equitable. Now, it took 50 or so years, but we may finally be reaching a point that makes more sense for everyone.  Without getting too litigious -- the NCAA has forbade athletes from profiting off their name, image or likeness (NIL) forever. But California, who knows how to party, signed a law last year saying in our state student athletes can profit off of their NIL -- called the fair pay to play act.  Basically telling the NCAA - you don’t hold all the power.  While many college coaches and administrators started clutching their pearls, decrying the coming downfall of American civilization if athletes are allowed to, you know, make money, 30 other states passed the Fair Pay to play act -- forcing the NCAA hand.  The NCAA backed into a corner said “sure sure sure” we love that idea… we universally agree to allow student athletes to profit off their nams images and likeness in 2021.  According to research company MediaKix --   influencer marketing is a 5-10 billion dollar enterprise.  Now,

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged learning at WorkInSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast… If you haven’t listened to last week's interview with Ameena Soliman, Player Personnel Coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles yet, I suggest you do that… right after you listen to this episode.  As a long time fan of the show and Florida State Football Recruiting Assistant Jake Kernen remarked to me in our private Facebook group “the interview with Ameena Soliman is some of your best work yet. “ Now, I’d like to take all the credit, because I’m only humble from time to time, but in all honestly, Ameena made it great because of her answers and approach to the conversation, so go give it a listen. Coming up later this week---  is my interview with Neeta Sreekanth, COO of INFLCR, a sports tech company building the brand and monetizing the impact of athletes. With the NCAA approving Names, Images, and Likeness rules going into effect in 2021, student-athletes will be able to profit off of their brand.  Neeta and her team at INFLCR are leading the way in marketing, branding and monetizing this potential… and what is really cool is that they are working collectively with the schools and the athletes to follow best practices and make it a win-win for everyone.  I like this a lot, I respect it, because rather than saying “let’s grab all the athletes and go crazy!” they are doing this in a responsible manner that still helps the students get exposure but in a responsible manner. It’s a great interview - Neeta started out by telling me she likes to spit fire on podcasts… and she did.  Tune in for that on Wednesday, and in the coming weeks, I have Kevin brown Director of Community Relations for the Detroit Red Wings and The Detroit Red Wings Foundation. Another incredible conversation… and Shahbaz Khan, Director of Digital Content for the TWolves and Lynx. We keep crushing these interviews! If you guys and gas listening have specific types of guests you want me ot have on, or recommend a specific person, hit me up. Connect on LinkedIn and let me know! Also, if you have a specific sports career-focused question - share it with me and I’ll do a deep dive on the podcast! Today’s question comes in from Hannah in Nevada,  “Hi Brian, I’m looking to land my first real grown-up job out of college, I know not the greatest time, and I’m struggling with my resume. I have some experience, I have some good grades, I have clubs and stuff -- but I’m having trouble making it show the best version of me! Can you help?” Hannah -- I will gladly do so! Oh my gosh I just channeled the giant crab Tamatoa in Moana, my kids love that movie... and if you haven’t seen it the always funny Jermaine Clement plays the giant crab and ...why am I going down this tangent? Ok, back on track.  First things first -- some overarching concepts then we’ll dig in. Coordinator, assistant, associate -- searches like that, When they say 3-5 years’ experience, they don’t really mean it. They really mean 0-3, but for some reason, employers always say their dreams rather than their expectation. Don’t let that discourage you. The expectation is that the entry-level candidates won’t have a ton of exper...

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast… I started to read a new book the other day and after about 70 pages I had to put it down.  This is abnormal for me, I’m the type of personality that once I start something I have to finish it. I have to know how it ended.  This is true for novels, movies, hikes to waterfalls you name it. I have to reach the moment of closure.  I could be watching the worst Matthew McConaughey romantic comedy, which is slowly rotting my brain away with each passing line of dialogue (hello Failure to Launch), but I still have to see how it ends.  This frustrates my wife, who can cut ties in a moment's notice… but that’s another story. She’s from Philly, she doesn’t suffer fools.   Back to the book.  I had to put down this book for a very simple reason. And this is a book of great acclaim, an international best seller that was turned into a pretty darn successful movie. I put it down because it followed every generalized cliche you could possibly make about races, cultures, religions and creeds. The Japanese character was good at math and a whiz on computers. The Palenstinian character had been involved in terrorist acts. The Russian character was cold, calculating and emotionless. The Mexican character worked hard in the fields and then drank beer every night. The Jewish character was tight with their money and a shrewd negotiator.  Of course, the American character was dashing, intelligent, and fearless -- I'll leave that to your own interpretations.  But I didn’t make it much past those characters. This isn’t me being “woke” or pandering to our current culture war,  I just really hate generalizations. I hate cliches, I hate lazy, boring storytelling.    Spreading this narrative and reinforcing to people where they should fit, is a dangerous weapon, meant to discourage. I’m not having it. I may spark some outrage with this, but I fail to believe we are all pre-determined to fit into categories at birth. We can be whoever we work and are driven to be.  Period.  Of course, I am oversimplifying, there are systemic obstacles that prevent many of us from becoming exactly who we desire to be, but the over-arching point is simple -- none of us fit into a cliche, we are all individuals.   Generalizations like the ones exhibited by this trash book slide their way into our sports world often.  I just finished reading an article where the EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, Renie Anderson, posted an opinion piece on NFL.com reminding people that “hey, women work in sports too, and there are lots of us in the NFL!” Let me repeat that - She is an Executive VP and Chief Revenue Officer in the NFL - which immediately qualifies her as a badass - and she had to write an article telling people that women really do work in sports. In 2020.  Let’s break down some more walls, let's get out of this generalized, homogenized world and invite in change, diversity,

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast… I know I probably say this all the time...but I am on a hot streak lately for great guests. Last week Melissa Silberman Director of Partnership Activation for the Atlanta Hawks really brought it. Great info and insight. Later this week, Ameena Soliman Player Personnel Coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles will blow you away. She is so impressive -- focused, measured, direct -- just totally in control, which I loved.  Last week I also conducted interviews with Neeta Sreekanth COO of INFLCR - for those of you who follow me on LinkedIn likely saw mee share a photo with Neeta posing with Ken Griffey JR. while being photobombed by Trey Wingo.  Here is a professional woman barely across 30 - and she’s already worked in key roles for the Dallas Cowboys and ESPN prior to joining INFLCR -- so cool. And Kevin Brown -- Director of Community Relations for the Detroit Red Wings and Director of the Detroit Red Wings foundation -- Kevin is another one, so insightful, so passionate and so driven to make a difference in the world. He uses sports as a way to make a positive change in the community -- it is so inspiring. Ameena debuts later this week ---then Neeta...then Kevin… so stay tuned and subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a thing. Alright today’s question comes in from me.  Let me explain.  The impact of covid hits us all.  Feels weird to hear someone you respect in the industry so much can be let go, like wait, that’s a thing? Makes you fear for yourself a bit…  if they can be removed, who the hell am I?  My dad got laid off when I was a kid and I remember feeling like -- wait, that’s possible? He’s superman.  Makes you feel vulnerable.  But it’s also a chance to give -- I've been connecting my guy with my contacts for the last few days and that feels good, the ability to pay him back for all he’s done for me, even if just in some small way.  BUT. the reason I am saying this week question comes from me is because --- it does.  The question is “how do you become a strong mentor to others?” Everyone has a chance to mentor others, even if you are a college student, you can lead high schoolers and underclassmen.  Mentoring makes a difference -- so let’s talk about how this works and then I’m going to give you examples from being mentored by my guy, Steve Becker.  1:  There is no set it and forget it process to mentoring...everyone you mentor is different, so everyone needs different things from you. Don’t try to fit the experience into your world, be flexible. 2: Understand your mentee - what motivates them? what are their goals? what are their roadblocks? How do these things line up with your skills? 3:  Be vulnerable -- admit mistakes, missteps -- etc there is noting that connects you more with people than resisting the urge to be a know it all.

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast.  There are so many interesting conversations to have right now surrounding the abnormal sports world we are currently immersed in.  The other day I was asked during a panel discussion what I thought were the most important skills someone in the industry should be utlilizing right now.  Now, in normal conditions I say coachability, competitiveness and curiosity. Those are literally my three favorite terms when it comes to employment in any industry.  But right now I’ve had to adjust my thinking some -- those three terms are still incredibly viable - but I’m going to throw three more at you.  Flexibility, improvisation and innovation. Let’s break these down a bit because they are all aligned, but subtly different.  We’ll start with Flexibility -  there is a narrative in every industry that we continue doing things because that’s the way we’ve always done things. Routine. History. Legacy decisions.   This is not acceptable now. The assumption that we just keep plugging along without change is flawed. We need to entertain ideas and we need to be flexible in their deployment. We need to be flexible in the ways we generate revenue, allocate resources and more.  Processes and objectives need to change.  Improvisation -- this is the act of coming up with ideas on the spot.  We all need to open up and engage the parts of our brain that spark creativity and different thinking. We’ve been so long following patterns, that we need to spark the fire of improvisation.  We all need to consider the unconventional.  Look at high school sports -- the NBA can have a bubble, the NFL can test daily, high school athletes are at higher risk of contracting and spreading. This is beyond doubt. That is not a political statement, it is fact. So when people say “have you considered playing in spring, have you considered a condensed schedule...have you considered ...have you considered…” We have to turn on the thought provoking sides of our brain and say “we should consider everything” Innovation -- chaos breeds opportunity -- Where is it?  This needs to be the mantra of all businesses and employees -- where is the opportunity, how can we shift, re-align, change products, change approaches, INNOVATE. Companies that changed their clothing textiles to mask development, innovated.  Sports business that created digital platforms and webinars and podcasts and virtual internships… they innovated! We need that spirit back. Innovate. Improvise. Be flexible. No one embodies that more than today’s guest. Melissa Silberman is the Director of Partnership Activation for the Atlanta Hawks -- simply put, she works to make sure team sponsors have impactful campaigns that reach their audience with powerful messaging.  Well, a big percentage of that is through in-arena activations -- the 21,000 crazy fans coming to State Farm Arena on game night ar seeing and engaging with sponsor activities. So how does Melissa and her team show their sponsor there us great value in association with the Hawks, without 21,000 crazy fans coming to game night.  Flexibility. Innovation. Improvisation. 

Hey everybody, I'm Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast. I’ve been ending every show sharing the importance of wearing a mask -- but I don’t want to bury this conversation at the end.  It’s not a political statement, it’s not controversial, it’s a simple thing we all have to do. Wear a mask.  Be safe.  I want sports to return, I want fewer people to die, I want my kids to go back to school safely. We can all contribute to that... just start with wearing a mask.  Later today I’m really pumped to be interviewing Ameena Soliman, Player Personnel Coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Ameena spent multiple years with the Temple University football program, interned with the NFL league offices, and began working for the Eagles three years ago -- we talk player personnel, the combine, learning to evaluate players,  being a woman in sports, and even deeper being a Muslim woman in sports who wears a hijab and I’m guessing has been the subject of stereotyping -- we’ll learn more shortly.  And then Wednesday this week -- check out my interview with Melissa Silberman, Director of Partnership Activation for the Atlanta Hawks. Very cool business conversation - Melissa is in the business of providing sponsors value with, a lot of the time, in-arena marketing activations.  Well -- how do you pivot when there are no fans in the stadium and still create value for sponsors. That’s what we talk about and it’s really fascinating so tune into that on Wednesday. Today - great question coming in from Michael J. Hi Brian! Hope all is going well! I have enjoyed listening to your podcast! I will be attending my first virtual networking event in a couple of weeks. I am a person with a lot of social anxiety and struggle with networking events. Would you be able to provide any advice on how to handle a virtual networking event? Thank you, Michael Johnson Great question Michael. Many points to be made here. Networking isn’t easy for most of us I’d say envision it as a bell curve. There are 10% of people who love and adore the art of networking. 10% of people who are deathly afraid of it, and then 80% of people who are in the middle, don’t love it don’t hate it.  I’m in the 80%. Don’t love it, don’t hate it.  What this really means though is 90% of people, aren’t really avid fans of networking. But we all realize it’s important.  Social anxiety is a real thing.  Of course you know this, you don’t need me to validate you -- but anyone out there that deals with social anxiety needs to accept it, not fight it. Don’t try to convince yourself you aren’t or you can fix it. Be who you are, it’s OK.  I’m reading a book right now, it’s based on a story from the 1930-50’s so before WWII, during and after. There is a character who was gay but tried for decades to “fix” himself. I found this heartachingly sad.  I would hope anyone, anywhere today would be themselves...be who they are, accept it, love who you are, and figure out how to get the best out of yourself.  If you are someone who deals with social anxiety, learn your triggers, figure ou those things that really inhibit you.  I remember our team of reporters interviewing Ricky Williams back in th day ...

Raleigh Anne Gray is the Senior Director of Athlete Exchange at Wasserman and the CEO and Founder of Must Love Sports - she joins host Brian Clapp on this weeks edition of the Work In Sports podcast to discuss how Must Love Sports is adapting to help young professionals, explain her role at Wasserman and provide incredible sports career advice and guidance!

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast.Big week this week! Coming up on Wednesday is my interview with Raleigh Anne Gray -- Raleigh is incredibly impressive -- having worked at ESPN, Twitter, The Players Tribune and currently at Wasserman.Get this -  at Wasserman, she is the senior director of athlete exchange -- which means, she works directly with the athletes Wasserman represents to help them build their brand and audience. Dream job.And as if that wasn’t enough -- she also launched Must Love Sports a sports company dedicated to helping people in the sports industry connect and learn from one another. During the corona quarantine, she said to herself… how can I help? She identified students aren’t able to complete their internship requirements to graduate, so she created a virtual internship session, utilizing all of her industry contacts to put together a curriculum and program to help students… for free. 355 students enrolled. Can you tell I’m a big fan of Raliegh… stay tuned for that on Wednesday. Also, later today I’m interviewing Mlissa Silberman, Director of Partnership Activation for the Atlanta Hawks, and leter this week I’m bringing back returning champion Joan Lynch from Working nation to discuss how sportsindustry employment will change in the near future.For those of you who are long time listeners, Joan was on the show last year and was one of our most popular guests. She knows employment, and as one of the main people behind the 30 for 30 series on ESPN, she knows sports. I’ve also booked some other really cool guests in the coming weeks so make sure to stay tuned, subscribe, all that good stuff. Also, if you are a professor listening, it’s time for you to check out our sports career game plan -- we have an online curriculum that will knock your socks off. Perfect for the online world we are migrating towards. 120 pages of carer changing content, over 3 hours of videos, downloadable worksheets and checklists, quizzes, assignments and more. It is a living textbook - growing with your students and preparing them to enter the sports world. If I just piqued your interest… email me, bclapp@workinsports.com and I’ll show you the goods.And for the rest of you who aren’t professors… tell your professors about it. And for the rest of you that aren’t in school -- well, tell someone. Alright let’s get into today’s question -- Oh one quick note, every once in a while Apple podcasts will send me all the most recent reviews of the show. Thankfully, we have 194 ratings and a 4.9 average --  so you guys and gals like the content -- thank you.But I found one review quite funny -- Headline: A Not Annoying Podcast “Brian has great information, great guests and a great show. He also speaks at a normal speed which is so much better than those slow-talking podcasters speaking in soft tones. I want good info given to me in a normal conversational tone and speed.” Cheers to fast talking!Alright today’s question comes from Nick S who it looks like just finished getting his MBA at Jacksonville State University -- Congrats Nick:Nick writes in --Hey Brian!Just finished the newest Gap Year episode. I took my gap year before grad school, and just graduated in May with my MBA. Perfect timing right? I obviously want to work in sports, but I feel the need to get a job as soon as possible. Do you think that it would be viable to accept a position in a business, and be able to switch to the sports industry down the road? I have no idea what to do if I were to receive, say, a marketing offer from a business company rather than a sports team. Great question Nick -- let’s get into it. I obviously have feelings on this and I will share t...