Sports and Business - Using Them Together

Dana E. Blozis

As an enthusiastic, perky 20-something I was promoted to a sales support position where I supervised and trained administrative staff at our company’s offices around the country. The staff was typically my age or younger and female. At the same time, I also provided rate quotes for their bosses—regional sales reps who were usually male and ranging in age from mid-30s to 60. I had no trouble relating to the women, but somehow I couldn’t get through to the men. My education and experience didn’t mean a thing to them. I had to prove myself all over again.

I was at a loss, but quite by accident, I stumbled on a gem which created an unexpected entrée into the world of business men, two things they live, breathe and die for—sports and business. I had always been on the fringe of both sports and business, going to games with my dad or the occasional boyfriend, but I had never been what you’d call a serious sports fan. I’d catch an episode of ESPN’s Sportscenter here and there or catch a glimpse of the latest sports scandal, but it wasn’t central to my being.  I needed to learn the game of sports and business as a unit in order to soar at work. 

That all changed with this job. One day a sales rep asked me about our local football team (Purdue). Living in a college town, I happened to know a little about the coach, this year’s quarterback and the team record. When I answered the rep’s question about who the team was playing that weekend, I hit a hot button and finally developed a rapport with this rep. Finally, I was in the boys’ club -- talking the talk and walking the walk of sports and business!

I soon made it a practice to learn how to continue this 'sports and business technique' by watching Sportscenter a few mornings a week, follow the daily sports headlines and surf the ‘net for highlights. To my amazement, it actually worked. Reps who had previously ignored me and gone straight over my head to the boss, finally started calling me. We’d talk sports for a few minutes (I knew all their favorite teams) and then move onto business, thereby combining both sports and business and creating an  “in” with not only the reps but also with sports and business-minded colleagues, managers and prospective clients. As an added bonus, I became the resident (female) expert of sports and business trivia, and I always have something to talk about on the elevator and at parties!

How can you master the sports and business arena to impress your colleagues, boss or boyfriend? It’s simple. Just follow these tips, and you’ll be a sports fan in no time!  Combining sports and business is the way to go!

1. Watch Sportscenter at least three days a week. It is on several times a day and the episodes are usually repeated. Check your local listings for specifics. This is a high-energy show that not only gives you the 411 on the latest sports news, highlights and scores but it also features interviews and in-depth profiles. I love it because it is fast-paced and easy to follow.

2. Read the sports section of your local paper every day. If you can’t squeeze it in that often, at least read the Sunday sports section. Scan the headlines and read the stories that interest you. If none of them really grab you, then read those on the front page of the section.

3. Stay up to date on sports news and highlights online. My favorite sites: ESPN (http://espn.go.com), Fox Sports on MSN (http://msn.foxsports.com) and Sports Illustrated (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/). 

4. Follow local sports teams. Know your local team’s record, the name of the team’s coach and star player, who’s playing whom, if they won or lost last night or last weekend, etc. Not sure? Ask your dad, your brother, your boyfriend, cubicle mate or neighbor. He’ll know.

5. Attend games or watch events on TV. This is the fastest way to get caught up in the hype and to learn the rules, players’ names and more. Go with someone who won’t mind the occasional question. For example, what’s a sac fly? What do RBI, ERA and DH mean? Who is David Stern? Randy Moss? Bobby Hull?

Using these practical tips, you’ll not only learn a lot about both sports and business, but you’ll find that your newfound knowledge provides an excellent conversation starter with prospective clients, colleagues, family and friends. Who knows – maybe you’ll even get that hot jock you’ve had your eye on!  Let me tell you from personal experience, a hot chick who is sports and business savvy always gets the guy!