Sports sales is much broader than most people realize. While many people think of ticket sales, the industry also includes corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, premium seating, and university fundraising. At its core, sports sales is about building relationships, understanding people's needs, and creating value for organizations and fans alike. It can be a challenging profession, but it is also one of the most rewarding ways to build a career in sports. 

If you enjoy building relationships, communicating with people, and challenging yourself to grow, sports sales may be a great fit. You do not need to be the loudest person in the room or have a perfect sales personality. The most successful people I've worked with are coachable, hardworking, competitive, and willing to put the team's success ahead of their own. Sports sales is a grind, but for the right person, it can be an incredibly rewarding career. 

One of the most common answers you'll hear is that "every day is different." While the conversations, clients, and opportunities may change, the reality is that the core of sports sales is very consistent.

On a typical non-game day, you're prospecting for new business, following up with current clients, making calls, sending emails, and working to hit your activity goals. You'll spend much of your day building relationships, servicing accounts, and looking for opportunities to create meaningful conversations.

Ultimately, the goal is to move people toward a face-to-face meeting. The first mission is understanding why someone would buy. The second mission is conducting a quality appointment and helping them find the solution that's right for them. Sports sales is a relationship business, and most of your day revolves around building and strengthening those relationships.

Sports can be an incredible industry, but it is important to understand the reality of the work. Entry-level positions often require long hours, significant effort, and may not pay as much as students expect. Just because your favorite athlete makes millions of dollars doesn't mean you will. The people who thrive in sports are usually the ones who genuinely love the work, embrace the grind, and see the long-term opportunity ahead of them. 

Start by building relevant experience, developing your network, and learning as much as you can about the industry. Internships, networking conversations, and industry exposure all play a role. Most importantly, don't wait until graduation to start preparing. The students who stand out are often the ones who have spent time intentionally building relationships and gaining experience before they begin applying. 

Internships are one of the best ways to gain relevant experience, but they are not the only factor employers consider. I would rather see a student with one meaningful internship and a strong professional network than someone with multiple internships but very few industry connections. If you have a relevant internship, you're already in a strong position. The key is maximizing the opportunities and relationships that come from that experience. 

Networking is one of the most important skills you can develop if you want to work in sports. Many opportunities come through relationships, referrals, and conversations. Networking isn't about asking people for jobs. It's about learning from professionals, building genuine connections, and staying engaged over time. The strongest networks are built through consistency, curiosity, and follow-up. 

That's okay. Most people don't start with a network. The good news is that the sports industry is full of professionals who are willing to help students who are respectful, prepared, and eager to learn. Start by reaching out, asking thoughtful questions, and following up after conversations. Everyone starts somewhere, and your network can grow much faster than you think when you're intentional about building it. 

Mentorship through SCL is designed to be practical and personalized. Depending on your goals, we may work on resume reviews, LinkedIn and TeamWork Online profile reviews, interview preparation, networking strategies, accountability, and understanding the sports industry more broadly. You'll also have the ability to reach out with questions between scheduled conversations because career development doesn't always happen on a set schedule. 

Being introverted does not mean you can't be successful in sports sales. I'm naturally introverted myself. To me, introversion simply means where you get your energy from, not whether you can communicate effectively with others. While some people are naturally outgoing, many successful sales professionals have learned how to build relationships in a way that feels authentic to them. If you're willing to grow, practice, and step outside your comfort zone, there is no reason you can't succeed. 

No, and anyone who guarantees a job should make you cautious. What SCL can do is help you become a stronger candidate. My goal is to provide guidance, preparation, feedback, and tools that help you navigate the process more effectively. While I can't control hiring decisions, I can help you put yourself in the best possible position to earn opportunities and grow your confidence along the way.