During a panel discussion at the '16 CAA World Congress of Sports, members of this year's class of The Champions: Pioneers and Innovators in Sports Business were asked what advice they would give to young people just starting in the business.
* The Switch President of Sports Joe Cohen reminded aspiring sports industry execs that “this is a nighttime and weekend business." Cohen: "You have to be dedicated, and if you don’t have a passion for sports, you don’t belong in this industry, as you have to give things up.”
* Bruins Owner and Delaware North Chair Jeremy Jacobs: “You’d better love it and work very, very hard. The more you know about the sport (you want to work in), the better you’ll do.”
* Basketball HOFer and NBA Cares Ambassador Bob Lanier: “Come early, stay late. That’s what we tell our players. Build a passion, have respect for others, believe in yourself. My dad said, 'Outwork the person next to you.'”
* Penske Corp. Chair Roger Penske: “My dad gave me a coin that said ‘Effort equals results.’ I have one in my pocket at every single race.”
* CBS Sports' Lesley Visser said, “Watch games with the sound turned down. What do you see yourself that you have gleaned from the game? Not what the announcers are telling you just happened.” She added the dearth of female execs remains the biggest challenge for female broadcasters: “I’ve never been hired by a woman, ever. Women are not moving up the ranks very well.”
