While I understand the point being made, I donโt love the holier-than-thou attitude toward peopleโs financial situations in sports.
I spent years grinding after college (and still am) working for free, working for pennies, and doing whatever it took to stay in the profession. If weโre being honest, one of the main reasons I made it through was the financial support available during COVID. Without it, I wouldโve been in a MUCH tougher spot. Iโm still dealing with the financial consequences of chasing this career path.
Was it worth it? Yes. Was it enjoyable? Not exactly.
Most people who get into sports understand they probably wonโt be making six figures right away. But acknowledging that reality doesnโt mean people shouldnโt be fairly compensated for the work they do. When youโre consistently putting in long days/weeks/months, itโs reasonable to believe your time and effort have value.
There are a lot of talented people in this profession navigating financial challenges without much support. We can recognize the sacrifices required to work in sports while also recognizing that better compensation is a fair conversation to have. I think this is a fine line we walk and that we should be mindful of commenting on someone elseโs financial reality and honestly, this is going to be even more of a conversation moving forward as things such as groceries, gas, and rent continue to climb.
Since I have helped set the smsports community ablaze tonight I will add this.
To the department heads who are dealing with exec staffs and ADs who are going to look at Chat 2.0 and start asking questions like how quickly can we downsize, it is your job to advocate for your departments and educate the powers at be on what this actually is, powerful tools that if used properly can help your departments become more efficient.
It is also your job to remind them that AI canโt go sit on a baseline or sideline and capture content or mic up a player. It canโt go to an OV and make a connection with a family or athlete, and cant cover an event. It also canโt understand what a coach means when they say something like โjust add that thing you did four graphics ago that I told you I liked.โ And Iโd love to see how it interprets โit just doesnโt pop enough for me.โ
The fact is creatives are just as important to their athletic departments today as they were yesterday and if you oversee a department, like I do, it is your responsibility to everyone who reports to you to make sure that message is heard and understood.
Clemson's creative HQ has photo and video studios, a podcast studio, and rows of editing bays that make it look more like a Hollywood studio than a college campus.
That's the point.
@EllynBriggs on how athletic departments are becoming full-blown media companies โฌ๏ธ
I know a lot of focus is on the athletes, coaches and ADs...but boy oh boy the rest of the college sports industry doesn't seem to be in a good place right now. I also hear stuff like this ALL THE TIME from my sources.
https://t.co/uFFcgGMPWY
Shaq's message to the Cavs GM:
"What the f*** are you doing? Why is Emoni Bates in the f**** G-League? What the f*** is going on? This MF can play. The last game you put him in, he had 7 3PTS. Don't you think you need that for a championship?"
This is one of the most special boxes I have received because it comes from one of my favorite all time players... MAXX CROSBY!
The @EMUFB Eagles were kind enough to send me a package and there's something in here that blew me away!
Thank you Coach Creighton and Maxx!!
Gentle reminder. Working in sports is not your identity.
At the end of the day, you're a human being. Be passionate about your hobbies, friends, loved ones, and family.
That should never change ๐ฏ
Letโs Normalize Supporting Eachother First Instead Of Judging. Letโs Formulate Our Own Opinions About Others Instead Of Going Off Of Passed Down Judgements. Put On For The Ones That Hold It Down For You. Keep Your Circle Small. Youโre Not For Everybody & Everybodyโs Not For You But Lead With Love Instead Of Hate & Watch How Much Better Your Life Will Be. Energy Is Contagious & What You Give Off Is What You Will Receive. If You Know Who You Are & What Youโre About, No Negativity & BS Will Distract You As Long As You Donโt Feed Into It. Less Talking + More Action = Greater Results. ๐ฆ ๐