One of the most common pieces of advice for those wanting to break into sport is to make sure you really understand the industry. That’s undeniably true and undeniably important.
But from the outside looking in, that can be tricky. The best way to learn is on the job, and most traditional media focuses more on the big picture than on the nuts and bolts of how sport actually works (maybe with the exception of The Athletic).
SportsPro
SportsPro has been around since 2008, originally starting out with a focus on Formula One before quickly broadening its horizons. It was set up by journalist Tom Rubython and later picked up by the Henley Media Group, helping it grow into what it is today.
The range of topics they cover is seriously broad, from politics and governance to sustainability in sport. They also run an informative podcast, and if you’re prepared to pay, you’ll get access to in-depth reports and white papers on key industry issues.
The only slight downside is that the content isn’t quite as accessible as it once was. You can only view two pieces per month without signing up (it’s free), but that small inconvenience really shouldn’t put you off. The quality of insight is up there with the best the industry has to offer.
Disclaimer: It’s my daily source of information.
Link: https://www.sportspro.com/
Front Office Sports
Front Office Sports has a very cool backstory. Adam White was an 18-year-old student at the University of Miami with no idea what he wanted to do, all he knew was that he loved sport. He was working out in the mornings, playing baseball at night, and realised he had a free window in the afternoons. So, he started a blog.
Originally focused on long-form Q&As, it’s since transformed into a leading multi-platform media organisation. These days, FOS offers daily newsletters, podcasts, and video series that all centre around the business side of sport.
America often leads the way when it comes to sports innovation, and with most of its content focused on the US market, it’s a great way to stay ahead of the curve.
That said, the focus is very much on the commercial side, think partnerships, marketing, media, ad ops. If you’re after news outside of that space, it might not be for you. But if you are, the content is excellent and with major investment from RedBird IMI, it’s only going to grow.
Link: https://frontofficesports.com/
Sports Business Journal
The final one is arguably the most prestigious name in the industry. I was introduced to Sports Business Journal on day one of my first job in sport. The Managing Director pulled me aside and said, “If you want to get ahead, this is what you should be reading.” Glad to say he wasn’t wrong.
Out of the three outlets I’ve mentioned, this one has the longest and richest history, starting back in 1998 as a weekly trade magazine before evolving into the behemoth it is today. They cover every conceivable topic in the sports industry (more than I can list here) and each area is led by genuine experts.
I can’t stress this enough: this is a must-read.
Link: https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/