The Sports Info Business

The folks at Bluekai, a Bellvue, Washington based company that takes a data-centric approach to audience targeting, posted a Super Bowl related Infographic that I thought was worth sharing.  Now, the 2012 Super Bowl still a few weeks away, and there are the NFC and AFC Championship games to be decided this weekend before we jump to the Super Bowl.

I have always been a fan of stats and there are a few that are certainly worth to note from this Infographic.  How about:

**  In the last decade, Anheuser-Bush spent more on Super Bowl Advertisements than any other company ($235 Million dollars)

** In 2010, 33% of Super Bowl advertisers spent (13 companies) spent 10% or more of their yearly ad budget on Super Bowl spots.

** 30 second television sports are going for $3.5 million dollars for this year’s big game.

Before we get to the big game however, the New England Patriots will battle the Baltimore Ravens (3:00 p.m. East Coast time on CBS) and the San Francisco 49ers will square off vs the New York Giants (6:30 p.m. East Coast start on Fox Sports).  Only then will be know the final two teams for the February 5th game.

One last thought, if you’d like to see a nice graphic of the road to the Super Bowl, click here to see what NFL.com created.  It shows each of the 2011-12 NFL playoff teams and significant post-season events.

When you combine technology and sports related business, you have my ear.  Or in this case my eyes.  In this case, uh, maybe my legs too.

Yesterday, as I was writing and researching my first blog post for 2012, I came across a start up company called, Gympact.

The concept is simple.  Gym-Pact uses its site as a motivational tool to help get people who pay gym memberships to actually use it.  The concept of GymPact came from a Harvard behavioral economics class, and their pilot in Boston had a 90% success at getting people to the gym when they committed.

Via a free downloadable app, Gym-Pact lets you set the financial stakes of not getting to the gym, plus earn cash rewards and real prizes for fulfilling your Pact.  All you need is an iPhone.   In order to make money from this venture, you have to sign up and meet or exceed your commitment to going to the the gym.

As for getting paid to stay healthy, each Sunday night, the company calculates how much was paid by those who didn’t get to the gym that week. The money is then divided among those who made their Pact, based on the number of days committed (i.e. 3 days Pact = 3 portions).

Do I think this is type of tool can make a difference in motivating people to work out.  Yes, I do.

It reminds me of a story I heard last week, of a family member who joked that they might be thebest customer for a Los Angeles based gym.

This unnamed family member has been paying her gym membership for years and never goes.  I do think this grand mother would get there more often if she knew she might be losing more money but not going. 

As for company co-founders and  Harvard classmates Yifan Zhang and  Geoff Oberhofer,  If they practice what they preach, this dynamic duo is either very healthy or proceeds from their company will help pay for their lack of exercise.

The calendar officially says January 1st and that means we all have a clean slate for 2012.  Clear the cobwebs from your brain today and get ready to follow these easy steps of starting the new year off on the right foot.

When we begin anew, there are many things we wish to accomplish.  Things like exercise, organization and goal setting are the first items that come to mind.

Some of us make lists of things to do.  I am one of those people.

So with no further ado, I present to you my mini list of the First Five Things to do in 2012.

1. Update Your Business Networks

We all know how important business networking is, yet often times, the lines blur of where are contacts are.  Let me provide you an example.  How many of your business contacts overlap between your main contact database, which rests on your smart phone or computer, and other networks like LinkedIn and Facebook?  Mine too.  One of the first things I did this weekend was to sync my Facebook Contacts with my computer (lots of emails have changed and it was a good exercise) and then I moved to LinkedIn where I added people from my main contact data base.  I am willing to bet that some of us still have business card contacts that have not been entered into any contact list….

2) Refresh Your Resume

2011 is behind us, yet you certainly have accomplished items in your life that needs to be addressed in this space.  It could be a new job, work related accomplishment or just new items you have learned which should be addressed.  While the reports have been conflicted about the direction of unemployment and job growth, we should all be prepared for the next great opportunity.

3) Back Up Your Files

We are all guilty of not doing this item often enough, but a new year brings a new opportunity and a reminder that we will all kick ourselves if we don’t do it and then something crashes.  It is easier to stay ‘whew’ then ‘oh no!’  Hit the back up button and then grab lunch or watch an NFL football game today.  it is that easy.

4) Update Your Computer Software

This is also relatively easy to do.  Many of our machines need just a little attention and yet we neglect them and live in denial.  From computer systems, to operating systems to smart phone apps, it usually takes a few minutes of items running in the background.  Take time when its slow, like a long weekend like this and punch in those updates.

5) Renew old friendships

This kind of goes together with point number one.  However, my first point was about sync’ing and updating.  This is more about outreach.   I enjoy hearing from friends and colleagues with their annual holiday letter, but if friendships really mean something, take a few minutes to reach out and reconnect more than once a year.  Make a call from the road (I have a lot of experience with this), send an email or even a quick text message to let them know you are thinking of them.

Those are my five easy items to begin your year.  I could have goen the much more traditional route and said things like:  clean up your home office/business office desk, clean out the garage or even start a new exercise program.

Yesterday morning, I was playing catch up with several of my email  in boxes when I came across an interesting social media info graphic, compliments of fellow sports marketer Joe Favorito.
Joe sends out an interesting Sunday newsletter and yesterday’s version contained a link to this Infographic who’s sub header read: How Social are the World’s Most valuable brands.
Now, Google, followed by Disney were listed at the top of the chart, followed by Apple, Starbucks, Blackberry and Coke (Google has nearly five million people that like their facebook page while Starbucks has more than 26 million folks).
Once again, I immediately looked, NOT at the individual companies at first, but at the categories represented in the graph. Some of the expected listings included technology, media, restaurants and beverages.  The graph stated that this company looked at the value of 50 of the world’s leading brands.
Now, I think anyone that reads this blog regularly knows and believes like I do that some sports organizations are some of the most valuable brand names, at the very least in the United States. However, there was not one sports team included in this chart. Was the sports category overlooked by the good folks at Socialgility or did they feel that sports organizations simply did not qualify to be included in this chart?
To defend the chart, it said World’s brands not just the United States, but there probably not many places you can go in the world and not hear about the New York Yankees, as just one example to think about for now.

The scores are based on five categories, including popularity, receptiveness, interaction, network reach and trust.

Nonetheless, there are important lessons to be learned in what others are producing in this space, one being that there is a high correlation between social media performance and brand value.

Today, I’d like to address a bit of college football that went on yesterday.  It would be too easy to speak about the UCLA vs USC game last night, a 50-0 debacle that was solopsided, I was glad I taped it on the DVR instead of watching it live.  I normally watch sporting events live but gave into the post thanksgiving/ get out of the house for a few hourstheory on a Saturday night.  I knew something was amiss when a friend of mine, who was at the game, texted me early on and said “Are you watching this?”

Most of the other news sites, sports blogs and USC fans have already pointed out the the obvious.

** The Trojans beat the Bruins for the 12th time in the last 13 meetings.

** UCLA head coach, specifically Rick Neuheisel’s head, appears to be on the chopping block after going 0-4 to USC since taking over the program.

** Will Matt Barkeley, the USC quarterback who tossed six, yes six touchdowns and threw for 423 yards last night go pro?

What I’d rather talk about is football on television.  With the remote in hand, and well before the Trojans slaughtered the Bruins, I was looking for a game to watch around noon, west coast time.

Here is what was on TV, at the same time.

Preview of the #2 Alabama vs #24 Auburn, Iron Bowl game (KCBS, Channel 2)

Grambling State vs Southern (KNBC, Channel 4)

#15 Michigan vs Ohio State (KABC, Channel 7)

Tennessee vs Kentucky (KDOC, Channel 12)

Maryland vs North Carolina State (Channel 13)

#23 Georgia Tech vs Georgia (ESPN, Channel 15)

UConn vs Rutgers (ESPN 2, (Channel 16)

Iowa State vs, #9 Oklahoma (FX, Channel 17)

and I did manage to bump into the Rice vs SMU contest on Fox Sports West, which was not even close to the other stations on the dial.

Nine, count ‘em nine different football games at the same time.  ….And that is just what I found on the dial.

The question is, at what point is so much too much?  I am not one to curtail football games on television.  I am a sport guy and love the options.

That said, can the industry survive this level of saturation?  Deals are done for exposure and the markets are so fragmented that at some point, there will have to be some sort of fall out.  Until then, get ready for the 2011 college football Bowl Season.

This morning, I received an email from an old friend of mine. I am not saying he is old, just that I’ve known him for a long time.  This gentleman is a sports writer and his email asked me to comment on his latest story which was posted on the Internet.

It is not the first time he has asked me, nor is it the first time I have complied with his request.  My comments were also connected to my Facebook feed.

However, today, his email made me think twice about the request.

During the pre-Internet years, this journalist regularly wrote news stories, features and columns for his newspaper.  During this time, I often read up to five newspapers a day, and often chuckled when I came across his stories.

During all of those years of reading his stuff, he never once asked me to comment on what he wrote.  Maybe I brought it up when were were together or chatting on the phone, but that was it.  it was not part of his job description.

Today however, is a different world.  Everything is being measured.  Savvy “old school” sports writers have been coached on what the impact means to their content and the comments and what type of impact it can mean to making a story more viral.

Today, we are all salesman.  A sports writer in today’s world is selling his or her content as much as I am.

Speaking of which, if you like today’s take, pass it on.  Make a comment.  I’m in sales too.

It has been a few weeks since I have posted to this blog.

Call it a sabbatical, call it preparing to launch the new version of this blog.   I took a little time away to take care of important matters.

Now back, I have been trying to figure out what was the best topic to come back and engage you, the reader in when I returned.

I had many different options of what to lead with, but after watching a taped version of 60 Minutes last week. I chose to feature NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Why would I choose, Rosenhaus, who was once labeled on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the Most Hated Man in pro football?

Many reasons actually.  First, if you are reading this and have seen the 60 Minutes feature on him from last Sunday, stop and watch the feature, which I linked above.

I have never been a big Rosenhaus fan, but then again, I do not know the man so its not a fair statement.

What I do know, after watching the feature, is that Drew is:

** Committed to his players, under any circumstance

** Is very successful as a sports agent

** Smarter than I previously gave him credit

** Is just a bit full of himself to think that the National Football League cannot succeed without him.

** Drew might want to update his website.  As I was researching this blog, I clicked on a few places on his site and noticed that Drew has not had any new “news” posted since May 2011.  For the NFL’s most successful agent, he might want one of his tech guys to get on the ball.

That said, Rosenhause is an interesting case study that many folks who want to work in sports need to observe.  Along with Scott Boras in baseball, Rosenhaus is one of the best at what he does.  Those that want to choose to be a sports agent, can learn both positive and negative things from folks like this.

A Few General Observations From the Program

He certainly used the 60 Minutes interview to help brand himself, both during the discussion and his business.  Drew’s company, RSR, stands for Rosenhaus Sports Representation.

The impact of Drew and his brother Jason taking Tae Kwon Do lessons as kids is evident.  The self disipline as well as inner and outer strength has transformed the self described “Mamma’s Boy” into a business threat for any professional football agent today.

Having a law degree from an institution like Duke University has not hurt Rosenhaus’ business acumen.

I’m not sure Rosenhaus uses the word “balance” in his vocabulary.  With more than 170 active players under contract, if he wants each client to feel like he’s their only client, the agent is certainly tired by the end of the week.

In a business world were people want to see success and copy it, when it comes to sports agents, specifically in professional football, there is no one out there like Drew Rosenhaus.

It’s time we profile another sport executive and this week, it is Tyler Johnson’s turn at fame and glory.  Tyler is asked 10 questions and here is a bit of his insight into the Sports Marketing and Sports Management business.

1.Tell us about the Denver Nuggets, your position and your responsibilities

I’ve been with the Denver Nuggets since October 2010 as an Account Executive focusing on group and corporate sales. While I do also cross sell season and partial ticket packages, my main focus is on creating unique value added group nights and experiences.

2. Tell us what your average week is like, both in season and the off-season

Probably one of the things I like most about sports business is that no two weeks are alike.  Hours are definitely extended during the season in being around the stadium.  Whether it is hosting clients, servicing group accounts, ensuring on & off court experiences run smoothly you can definitely have some long, but fulfilling days in season.

The off-season focus shifts a bit more towards season ticket sales and a bit more time out of the office.  Being relatively new to Denver, I try to get involved in programs that my group clientele are involved in, attend as many networking functions as I can and make as many quality contacts I can with my extra time of the off season.  About half of my time is in the office and the other half out on appointments or at events.

3. Can you talk about your career path, starting from your college days at the University of Northern Iowa until you arrived to your current position with the Nuggets today

Being a football player in college and originally heading in the direction of being an accounting major (Northern Iowa has one of the top CPA programs in the country),  I wanted to ensure I’d make it to the big leagues in the business of sports.  After my sophomore year I switched  to a Major in marketing with an emphasis on sales.  Since I red-shirted and was going to be around, I picked up a minor in Economics as well.

With the guidance of my Sales Management professor Dr. Steve Corbin, I had arranged a independent study in Sports Marketing since UNI did not offer any such courses.   As part Dr. Corbin’s sales course, I interviewed several people about their experiences in getting into the sports world.  Two of those influential people I interview were Mike Tatoian, currently the EVP COO of Dover Motorsports, Inc. and Ralph Ockenfels the VP of Marketing for the Tennessee Titans.  They’re prompt advice to me – get experience!

After I graduated I interned for the Quad City Steamwheelers of the af2 doing everything from operations, events, setting up group ticket programs, assisting with players and everything in between.  Once the summer concluded I took a job in Chicago selling corporate hospitality for the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Masters and NCAA Final Four.  At the same the White Sox were winning the 2005 World Series and I felt like in my current position I was not continuing to learn or develop as a young professional.  I jumped at the chance when they decided to add me as a seasonal sales representative (intern) and get back into the business of team sports.

At the conclusion of my internship and the baseball season with the White Sox, there were not any available positions, so I took a full time role as an AE with the Mike Ditka’s Chicago Rush of the Arena football league.  By next Spring a position opened up with the White Sox as an Account Executive and I was hired on full time.  About two seasons later, we restructured our ticket sales department and moved to a role of New Business Development.

Two years later, I had to satisfy a personal goal of living in Colorado.  By the end of last Summer I had spoken with most of the teams out in the area in person.  As September came around, I interviewed by phone with the Nuggets of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.  I told the Nuggets I’d be happy to meet in person.  So I packed my Jeep full to the brim, met with them the following Monday, October 4^th and started that Friday.

4. What is the best advice you have ever received?

I feel as though I’ve been blessed with a lot of great mentors in life and my career.  So I wanted to note a few thoughts and quotes that have resonated with me.

“Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, well, you’re just dumb” – My Head Coach at UNI said this to me in a special teams meeting once when, well I got fooled twice.  I know he may have George We’d this saying, but I liked Coach Farley’s version.

“Life isn’t about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself” – Unknown. OK this one was on a card a good friend had given me years back and remains at my desk.

“Don’t talk about it, be about it”  – Former All-American teammate of mine Matt ‘Sprout’ Mitchell said this all the time, it became our motto of our Defense.

“Be yourself, be proud, do what makes you happy” – my parents have always shared this with me.  And nothing ever beats those moments when a hug with mom & dad acknowledges that you’ve managed to do all three for yourself and for them.

5. What Are the your top sports memories you are most fond of telling others

I feel like I have enough stories to fill a small book.  However, probably one of the most exciting to be around was Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in 2009.  The atmosphere of those last few outs was incredible. After the game I returned to the office.  I had to run something for the upcoming home stand down to the box office.  Jerry Reinsdorf’s office was right across from the Ticket Sales department and President Obama was waiting on the line to Congratulate Mark.  As I walked to the box office, I beat Obama to his congratulations as Mark came down the hall.  The smile on Mark’s face was pure joy, like a little kid.

Being the classy guy Mark was, he personalized the SI cover for every employee at the White Sox.  This also remains at my desk.

Of course I have Ozzie stories left and right, but those are more for HBO comedy specials.

6. How has the NBA lockout impacted you personally as well as others that work for the organization?

As a company, we are proceeding with business as usual.  My off-season routine is unchanged.  Planning and organizing group events for this season.

7. What do you tell people you meet who want a career working in the sports management business?  Practical tips?

I tell them the same things people told me.  Interview, connect and talk with people who have jobs that you’d like to have someday.  Learn their paths, get their insight, and take the time to research what you’re getting into.

With the evolution of Social Media, which I’ve been extremely found of as a business tool, people need to brand themselves.  There are many more ways today to brand yourself outside of your resume.  Your resume should just be a tease of what you can do.

Then, do three more things, get experience, get experience, and get more experience.

8.  Name three mentors (at least) and why they’ve had an impact.

- UNI Head Football Coach Mark Farley, he set high yet reasonable goals, managed people & media well, and taught me a lot about myself.  After each season, we’d have an individual meeting with coach.  Before my last two seasons, he’d tell me they’re recruiting someone this off season to beat me out.  I started those last two seasons and our team was better for it.

- Brooks Boyer, the SVP Sales & Marketing Chicago White Sox and the CEO of Silver Chalice, was one of the most inspirational team leaders I’ve been lucky enough to be around.  His drive for personal, team and organizational success were evident in everything he did.  Everything.  The continuity and synergies created through departments always ensure things were headed towards their maximum potential.

- Brian Jordan, Group Sales Executive, Chicago White Sox, was a daily mentor towards me from my first day with the White Sox in 2006.  Brian unfortunately had to sit through a million questions of mine from how to utilize CRM, to placing orders through Ticketmaster, yada yada yada.  He taught me how set up group nights, entertain and service clientele and how to balance work and life.  Like many great mentors and co-workers, he became a lifelong friend.

9. If you were not working in sports today, what would you be doing?

I’d most likely be found on a football field or cooking in a kitchen.

Playing NCAA football gives you a minor itself in sports organizational management and strategy.  Being a free safety (QB of the defense in our scheme), I had to know everything in & out, for myself and the other 10 guys.  Working with and developing college athletes physically and mentally is something that I thought I was going to do for a while.

My love from cooking comes from my mom!  I want to have a restaurant someday, regardless where my sports career takes me.  I’m addicted to the Food Network, eating locally and finding new recipe ideas to integrate.  I’m constantly tempted to take up a night course in the Culinary Arts to learn more.

Other than that, I’d go for being a roadie for a great band or being a ski instructor…

10. Executives talk about being passionate in your job.  What are you passionate about and why?

Simply put, I’m passionate about people & ideas.  Seeing something come together from concept to tip-off is extremely fulfilling.  A great thing about working in the sports world is dealing with all types of fans and industries.  The variety of people and limitless ideas that are around sports is what keeps me passionate.  When you have a fluid team to help, it only makes the passion multiply.

Lastly, is there anything I didn’t ask that you’d like to share in this space?

Have fun!  Enjoy what you do and never stop networking.  No matter what business you are in, relationships, whether with friends or in business comes down to trusting people.

If I can ever help anybody with anything, you can reach me by e-mail at tylerdeanjohnson6@gmail.com

I am not a designer.  I admit it.  However, I have been fascinated by all of the cool infographics that have been showing up online lately.   I have mentioned them and posted a few here in the last two weeks.  This includes the Facebook vs Twitter Infographic or the 2011 Obsessed with Facebook Infographic.

This morning, I got up determined to create my first-ever sports infographic.  I have not seen many online.  The closest I have ever seen something like this in the sports world is the USA Today Snapshots from the printed paper.  I stumbled across the salaries page on ESPN.com and thought that would be a good place to start.

As a former PR man for the Dodgers, I was always taught to stay away from talking abut salaries.  It was just not done.  In today’s terms it is common knowledge.  So I set out to create a graphic that showed the top seven teams in terms of 2011 Major League Baseball team salaries as well as the bottom seven teams in total compensation.

With the Largest payroll in Baseball at $206+ million, the Yankees also received special attention in this graphic.  On the left, as you can see I have listed the top nine individual salaries for the 2011 Yankee players with Alex Rodriguez leading the list at $33 million dollars.

I learned from this that Rodriguez just about the same salary as the entire Pittsburgh Pirates team.  If you, the reader, share this on Facebook, Twitter or other social media, then I’ll know the graphic was a hit.  Now, you tell me.

————-

Sportsinfo101.com has just started a Facebook page, so you can learn when new blogs are posted.  Join us here

When it comes to basketball and sponsorship, the women got there before the men did.

Yesterday, The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Boost Mobile, announced a landmark multi-year marketing partnership that will make Boost Mobile the first league-wide marquee partner of the WNBA.  The partnership with Boost Mobile provides the wireless services partner expanded exposure across the league.  The ground-breaking portion of this deal will place the Boost Mobile name across the jerseys of WNBA players.  Of course we would expect things like arena signage, promotional ties in such as “WNBA Top 15 Moments presented by Boost Mobile”

Here are some of the elements Boost receives as part of the agreement:
**The Boost Mobile brand will be prominently featured on the front of the game jerseys of 10 WNBA teams, including Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Tulsa Shock, and Washington Mystics.

** The jerseys, which will debut in games tonight, will mark the first time the WNBA has had a league partner with jersey branding with multiple WNBA teams throughout the season other than adidas.

** Boost Mobile will also have a strong presence in these 10 teams’ arenas, where its brand will be displayed on courts and pole pads.

** Additionally, special programming highlighting the “WNBA’s Top 15 Moments presented by Boost Mobile” will be included as part of the league’s 15th season celebration. All 15 moments will be featured during an NBA TV special presentation that will air on Aug. 26. They also will be highlighted during select WNBA national game broadcasts, and will be featured on a special microsite on WNBA.com. Fans will be able to rank their favorite moments from Aug. 23 to Sept. 13. The top five greatest moments will be counted down during the WNBA Finals broadcast beginning Oct. 2.

** The sponsor will also have a presence throughout court-side signage and in-game advertisements during national game telecasts, along with a variety of in-game promotions, prominent exposure on WNBA.com and NBA.com, and inclusion in WNBA social media channels.

Boost Mobile will also be the presenting partner of the WNBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals. Beginning next year, Boost Mobile will be the title partner of WNBA All-Star, the presenting partner of WNBA Tip-Off and WNBA All-Star balloting, an associate partner at the WNBA Draft, and will be featured within the WNBA-specific area of NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas each year.

Financial terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed in the official press release.

If you live in the United States, chances are your knowledge of Rugby is minimal and you probably have no idea the 2011 Rugby World Cup will begin this weekend.

When will the Rugby World Cup take place you ask?  It begins on September 9 and will continue until October 23.

Give yourself an extra credit point if you can tell me where the event is being played.

I didn’t know either.

Answer — New Zealand.

Much like has been the case with soccer on the world stage, Americans do not know the sport of Rugby.

Its not televised.

We have not grown up playing the sport.

However, after quickly checking of my sports reference calendar,  I quickly learned a few things about Rugby.

For this year’s tournament, here are the listings of the four pools:

Pool A

Canada

France

Japan

New Zealand

Pool B

Argentina

England

Georgia

Romania

Scotland

Pool C

United States

Australia

Ireland

Italy

Russia

Pool D

Fiji

Nambia

Samoa

South Africa

Wales

Here is the American’s tournament schedule for Pool C

USA

September 9, vs. Ireland  7:30 p.m. local time  (New Plymouth)

September 15 vs. Russia, 7:30 p.m. local time (New Plymouth)

September 23 vs Australia, 8:30 p.m. local time (Wellington)

September 27 vs Italy, 7:30 p.m. local time (Nelson)

Now, if you regularly read this blog, Rugby is not a topic I often write about in this space.  I wanted to measure the popularity of the sport in a popular place — Facebook.  The Rugby’s World Cup Facebook page has 1.2 million fans.

How does this compare?

Well, the Milwaukee Brewers, with the best record in the national League, have less than 500,000 fans.

They have more Facebook fans than the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Page and certainly squash’s the U.S. Open Tennis effort on Facebook.