I know the bad news seems to just be piling up on the job front, so I’ll start with some good news.
At NASCAR’s media tour on Thursday, Brian France offered a reminder about the strengths of stock car racing. His summation, as reported by ESPN.com, also applies to many popular sports.
"This is the most difficult economy in a generation," France said. "But NASCAR has been in business for 60 years because we have a sport that endures. We are working with the speedways and glad to see they are offering tickets-pricing incentives to the fans. And we're working to help the teams develop a new business model."
So the bad news? France acknowledged that teams are having difficulties finding sponsors and the sport is concerned about fans being able to afford to attend its races. It’s a common refrain for many professional sports these days.
NASCAR has opened a new marketing office. Like other sports, it will need to find new ideas to attract sponsors and connect with fans. Sports may have to consider new price structures. Things are going to be tough.
But the close connection that people have to sports gives this industry an edge in getting back on track. People will try to find a way to continue to follow their favorite sports. So while the short-term looks bleak, I agree with France’s long-term assessment.
Hey!
Have you heard about the 2009 Sports Industry Networking and Career (SINC) Conference an upcoming event to be held March 6-7 in Washington, DC. In association with George Washington University, the SINC Conference is an event for students and recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in sports. It’s a great opportunity for attendees to hear from the leaders in the industry, and to see if the sports industry is right for them. There are keynote speakers, panels, breakout sessions and an hr session with top sports industry recruiters. Go to http://www.sinc-conference.com/ for more details.