For five and a half seasons, from 2013-2019, I served as Social Media Manager of the Buffalo Sabres (NHL).
Buffalo is my hometown, and I was even named after a Sabre (Craig Ramsay), so it was thrilling to be in this role, a true dream come true.
After 500+ games on social, I moved on to Digital Insights Manager for the Sabres and other sports brands owned by ownership.
Here are the positives of what it's like working on a pro sports team:
- You feel part of the team - little things like a branded name tag and season kickoff parties go a long way
- You get to know the players and realize quickly they're human beings who happen to be really good at ice hockey
- The perks are great, like an allotment of free tickets for family and friends or a press box seat for all home games
- You experience the thrills of good times, including (and especially) out in the community
- You realize that it's in many ways a 24/7 operation, with always things going on, not all coming to light publicly
On the flip side, there are challenges being a part of the larger pro sports industry:
- The hours are long, it's not a typical 9-to-5 in any way
- There are a lot of rules and regulations that must be followed, at the team and league levels, which can limit creativity
Still, the positives outweigh the negatives. If you're a big pro sports fan, and you ever have a chance to work in the pro sports industry, even for just a few years, definitely have a go at it. Jobs are posted across the industry at https://www.teamworkonline.com.
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