LA Sports Marketing--A Website Review

Being that networking is essential in the sports marketing business, I did some research to see what company’s are in my  area that I could contact for opportunities. In this blog I am going to do a website review of the LA Sports Marketing company—www.lasportsmarketing.com

I was pleased to learn from the front page that the company has 43 offices in 33 cities throughout the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For someone visiting their site seeking to be a client, or looking for job opportunities like me, this fact is important. The amount of offices speaks to the company’s success and also attributes to understanding what kind of business the company runs and on what scale.

The bio page only has two bios. I think this is lacking. Out of all the employees the company must have, I think it would be nice to get a feel of the company by having more employees listed.

The career section doe not list opportunities able to be applied to, but yet a general consensus on what type of career opportunities are at the company. I think this is ok, however I would like to know specific positions I am applying to before I apply.

The client portfolio is under construction, and being in business since 2000, I think this is questionable. If I were a client, I would not appreciate this lack of detail. Overall, the site is ok but it needs some work in my opinion. The highlight would be the emphasis of their loyalty and professionalism exerted to their work. The lowlight would definitely be the site structure. It is 2012 and it is very easy to get a modern, catchy, professional site. At this point, the site kind of makes me question what their offices are like and if they would have anything to offer me at all.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Find Themselves in a Media Rights Bind

A recent issue regarding media rights in sports has been with the baseball team, The Los Angeles Dodgers. The LA Dodgers are suing Fox over the sale of media rights. The lawsuit stated that Fox Sports, whom broadcasts all Dodger games violated an agreement they had together protecting the Dodgers and their bankruptcy situation. The Dodgers have a pending deal with the MLB in regards to the Dodgers' media rights. After agreeing to sell the Dodger franchise, they have found themselves in a world-wind of mess. Beginning in the year 2014 and on, the Dodger's media rights will be up for sale. This soon to be settlement with the MLB is stated by Fox to be breaching their contract with them. Fox believed the Dodgers should not be selling their media rights. 

 

The Dodgers requested of the court a restraining order on Fox. This would be to protect them from messing up any media rights deals and issues.  And after suing Fox Sports in bankruptcy court this month, the initial hearing on if this immediate situation was to be dismissed or not was canceled. Reuters cites that the Dodgers have been trying to get negotiations on the sale of the team going while the Fox situation is basically on the back burner. The Dodgers are offering to sell the entire team including their media rights, which is why they prefer to make a concrete deal with the MLB before Fox Sports takes advantage of their situation. 

I think that the Dodgers should not completely abandon Fox in their sale of media rights. Being they apparently have a stringent contract, I think there should not only be a deal made with the MLB but with Fox as well. The Dodgers can not assume they can abandon their legal commitments just because they are in a very bad situation currently business-wise. If the appropriate time is taken, and parties do not try to avoid each other, I think that a solution should be relatively smooth. I am sure the Dodgers want their media rights in the right hands at the end of the day. 

Sources:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/21/us-dodgers-idUSTRE7AK2EM20111121

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203699404577042220194179562.html

http://www.wgal.com/r/29827191/detail.html

NBA Lockout

 I think the biggest sports business conflict that has arisen in the past 5 years is definitely the NBA lockout. Unlike the NFL lockout, a resolution is not seemingly being able to be met on relatively easy terms.  Although the NBA Lockout of 2011 is not the first ever NBA lockout, it is proving to be the worst. The 2011-2012 season has completely been compromised, and as of today was supposed to be resolved already as weeks’ worth of originally scheduled games have been canceled.

Derek Fisher is the NBPA (National Basketball Player’s Association) president, and early on in the lockout he expressed many sentiments that on behalf of the players, everyone wanted to reach common ground before games were canceled and the NBA would be on a true stall. Many fans have been on edge throughout the entire lockout ordeal, hoping this would happen. Unfortunately, games have already been lost and fans are not the only ones that are upset. Television networks, vendors, and players are all losing money over what is happening.

Most recently, there has been a multitude of meetings and going back and forth between the NBA owners and the NBPA. Rejected deal after rejected deal, and revised deal after deal, no consensus has yet been reached.  Some players have even been cited as refusing to be bullied throughout the negotiation process. Now, it has come to somewhat like a scramble to reach a mutual deal so everyone my resume with the NBA season. Business has too long trampled what the NBA should be about—the game.

The lockout has been going on for 135 days, and new business issues arise almost on the daily. Although fans are optimistic that the season will return soon, many underlying factors are showing up. In one article I read, the agents that are influencing the NBA players’ requirements and demands all will have long careers, as the average NBA player plays only 4-5 years. True interests need to be examined by the NBA players so they are truly doing what is best for them, not who works for them. Essentially, the big picture now needs to be seen more than the immediate picture. The history of the NBA can forever be changed by the exchanges happening. I hope it is all resolved soon. 

Cited:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-10429217

http://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2011/11/12/2556803/nba-lockout-2011-news-update-details-revised-proposal-decertification-cbs-new-york-times

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-9675207

Missouri and the Big 12 Dillema

In the sports world, the trademark sports conference, "The Big 12," is expecting some changes. University of Missouri plans to leave the Big 12, and some are worried will it affect the Big 12 trademark. The University of Missouri wants to explore its conference options. I think this should be fine, as long as the Big 12 can replace them and keep their group of teams strong. Missouri backing out of the Big 12 can mean other teams wanting to do the same, which can result in the Big 12's demise. If everyone plays fair, and Missouri leaves courteously from the Big 12, I think the controversy will fade quickly.

On October 29, 2011, it was confirmed that the University of Missouri sent half of the 5 million dollar exit fee to the Big 12. However, the chairman of the Big 12 still holds that they will now be allowed to leave until next year due to regulations and rules, unless they want to go to court. As West Virginia is due to take Missouri's spot, the Big 12 still holds that Missouri is still a member of the Big 12, regardless what is going on. I think that Missouri needs to take a non-threatened stance against the Big 12, and look after its own best interest. The Big 12's trademark I think will be unscathed at the end of all the buzzing.


http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/article_98b9f561-c14b-59ec-8ffd-82d380c9a4a0.html

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/282166/6/Mizzou-chancellor-given-permission-to-leave-Big-12

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/oct/04/missouri-will-explore-conference-options/

Baseball's Top Contract: A-Rod Signs for 252 Million Dollars

      In a country that loves sports, many people in America know of an athlete, or athletes that they watch, like, or follow in professional sports that makes a huge amount of money. Whether it be a sport such as baseball, football, or basketball, sports tend to hold the grip on many children’s dreams and aspirations. Sports still hold the old dreams and aspirations of those all grown up. And many may wonder, what is a big factor of these dreams? Well, I’d go so far as saying this is obvious. I believe that most people would be able to pinpoint the well-known professional athlete lifestyle and salary as creating that “want to be an athlete” appeal amongst the masses.

      This leads me to discuss the biggest sports story in the past decade.  Arguably, it is Alex Rodriguez’s contract with the Texans. In baseball, known primarily as “A-Rod,” Alex Rodriguez signed one of the biggest contracts in history. In December of the year 2000, A-Rod signed a 252 million dollar contract with the Texas Rangers. This astonished not only the baseball industry but the sports industry as a whole.  A-Rod faced not just popularity but also scrutiny for his deal. Some thought he was worth the money, and of course many thought he was not.

      Being that A-Rod’s Texans contract was so massive, it sent A-Rod instantly to be placed under the microscope in the sports world. Every move he made and step he took, someone was watching. And he is attributed for changing baseball forever with his lucrative deal. His contract deal was accused as being responsible for baseball contracts escalating over the years following his signing. Many free agents expected more and more money, which caused problems for budgeting teams for team owners, recruits, and managers.  Regardless, A-Rod was able to take hold of the baseball industry like no one ever has. Since that 252 million dollar contract was signed, he has stayed as the leading example of what a large contract and team deal is. 

 Watch “The Biggest Plays in Sports Business”: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1368367744

Additional Links:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2005-11-29-cover-arod-contract_x.htm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/the_bonus/05/05/arod.book/1.html

A Website Review: www.entertainmentcareers.net

      In this blog post, I’d like to review a website I know all of us in the entertainment industry have visited at least once.  The website, www.entertainmentcareers.net, not only shows up  as the first site when searching “entertainment jobs” on Google, but it is also promoted in various school counseling offices as a job search source.  I have used it in the past, and as I have begun browsing through it again, I’d say that it is a website with potential. With the right self-marketing and some monthly membership fees, one can find themselves a job, or internship, smack dab and center in whatever section of the entertainment industry they are looking to work in.

Entertainmentcareers.net charges a fee (like sites similar to it) to be able to apply to jobs in the entertainment industry in various parts of the country. As most specialty-job sites do, this requirement of a fee is not too shocking.  You may browse jobs without a membership, which is great. For their membership “special”, you can get full-membership access to their site for $4.95 for the first month and $9.95 for each month after. Or, they offer consolidated monthly options—3 months for 25 dollars, 6 for 45 dollars, and 12 for 70 dollars. Is it worth the money? I’d say you’d have to test the site out and apply a few places for a month or two. If dead ends are all you see, and the right kind of jobs and internships are never there, I’d say to test another route.

As most know, the entertainment industry is somewhat like a bubble. Often, it is hard to find out when a company in the entertainment company is hiring, and even harder to get your foot in the door when they are. The site entertaimentcareers.net provides an insider look into a multiple of both big and little named entertainment companies looking for new employees. For this reason, I’d say the site is worth a try, if not just a browse. And if you are an entertainment business owner, you can post jobs to this site which is a great benefit as well. It allows to find those looking to work in places of business like your own. 

www.entertainmentcareers.net

Groupon Grows

            Social media can now be identified as a driving force for small and large businesses alike. In the entertainment world, social media has given individuals the access not only to great entertainment events, but also the opportunity to create their own entertainment events. In many of these social media sites today, people can find amazing deals and monetary savings on entertainment. Movies, music, shows, and everything in between can now be accessed in one’s local area with ease. Amongst the most popular social media sites, deal site Groupon has managed to double their usage by way of intense marketing and good finance management. Capitalizing on the appeal of their own business offerings, Groupon has made a statement to the world that they are here to stay. The news of them doubling their users indicates the intense rate of growth the company is experiencing.

            Now with 115 million users, Groupon has announced that they are discontinuing the usage of a financial measure they have been referencing but now see now unfit and unattractive to stock holders. This metric, called Adjusted Consolidated Segment Operating Income (ACSOI), excludes marketing costs. Groupon spent 4 million last year in the first quarter, and this year 208 million in the same bracket of time. Getting more customers is a priority to keep the business successful, and so marketing is directly critical.

            Groupon is extremely important to entertainment now. Although it is not entertainment based, it is definitely entertainment focused. From concert ticket discounts for top notch performers, party-planning, to club drink package deals, Groupon is now playing a significant role in people’s lives when it comes to going out and engaging in entertainment related activities. As the economy seemingly is causing the masses to be focused on frugality, Groupon gives this opportunity.

http://www.groupon.com

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/06/us-groupon-subscribers-idUSTRE7746I120110806