If you’re trying to break into the sports industry, here’s a secret that might change the game for you:
The people who end up with the coolest sports careers? They try more things. Period.
They reach out more. They show up more. They ask more questions. They send the cold emails. They apply even if they’re not 100% qualified. They say yes to informational interviews, attend networking events, they post more engaging content, and chat with people they just met on LinkedIn. It’s not magic – it’s volume.
⚽️ More Shots on Goal = More Chances to Win
In sports, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score. The same applies to your career.
Too often, we think success will come from perfect timing, the perfect resume, or the perfect connection. But the truth is: success comes from taking a lot of swings. You don’t need every connection or opportunity to be a win – you just need enough of them to move forward.
Those who keep their career plans private, only apply to a few jobs, or avoid reaching out until they feel “ready” tend to move slower and miss opportunities that could have changed everything.
So here’s a better mindset:
Get in the game. Meet people. Ask questions. Apply. Share your goals. Be visible. Be curious. Be Brave.
🧠 Be Curious, Not Calculated
People love talking to people who are genuinely interested in what they do. If you’re early in your career, your best move is to show curiosity, not to pitch yourself or ask for a job, but to learn.
Ask a college athletics administrator how they got started. DM a WNBA social media coordinator and ask what they wish they’d known in college. Reach out to a ticket sales rep at your favorite NWSL team just to hear how game day really works behind the scenes.
You can’t think of it as bothering them – you’re cultivating relationships. That curiosity plants seeds that grow into real connections, unexpected referrals, and future opportunities. And we’ll be honest, not everyone will respond. People working in sports are Busy with a capital B! So we go back to this – the more you reach out the more responses you might get. Reach out once, don’t get a response, get sad and quit? Nope, that’s not you. You want to work in sports. Head up, keep going. You got this!
💬 Don’t Wait for the “Perfect” Moment
The most important conversations in your career will rarely come with flashing lights or an obvious payoff. In fact, some of the most career-changing meetings will be the ones you almost skipped.
You’ll never know in advance which email, chat, or conversation is going to lead to something. That’s the point. If you only show up when something feels guaranteed to benefit you, you’ll miss most of what makes this industry tick: luck, timing, and human connection.
🌱 Your Career is a Garden, Not a To-Do List
You can’t force a job offer to happen. But you can create the conditions for it to grow.
Every time you:
-
Ask a new question
-
Reach out to a new person
-
Join a new Slack group
-
Sign up for a new career workshop
-
Or volunteer to help at a local tournament…
You’re increasing your “surface area for luck.” The more chances you give the outside world to meet you, the more likely it is that something – someone – will help you on your path.
You Don’t Need to Know the Outcome. Just Make the Move.
If you’re trying to break into the sports industry, don’t wait for permission. Start building your own momentum.
📬 Send the email.
🗣️ Ask the question.
🎟️ Attend the event.
📚 Join communities (like The Sports Intern!)
The more you’re in motion, the more the right people, projects, and opportunities can find you.
Let the others wait. You’re already creating your own luck.
