Reading through this blog has presented one common denominator thus far. The tips and tricks of finding a job in the sports communication space thus far have been dedicated toward the for-profit industry of sports. While a large majority of roles revolve n the for-profit segment of sports, there are several organizations that operate within a non-profit model but contribute to the great sports and sports communication landscape.
You may have not even realized that an organization within sports was considered a non-profit. Examples of large organizations include the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics (USOPC), Little League Baseball & Softball, USA Baseball, USA Football, Oregon School Activities Association and many others.
Most collegiate governing bodies including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Pac-12 Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Southeastern Conference (SEC) and many other conferences categorize themselves as non-profit organizations. Additionally, many museums that catalog the history of sports including the Pro Football Hall of Fame, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame also operate under a similar non-profit framework.
With many entities surrounding the sports industry maintaining non-profit status, there are opportunities to explore one’s career aspirations while working in this space. For instance, while exploring the Little League organization’s role in youth baseball and softball, one can determine that their organization maintains roles involved in sports communication.
Compared to directly working for a baseball team, Little League functions with a mission-driven focus to create a difference in the pursuit of its goal.
On the Little League website, the non-profit states, “Through effective leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment, together with training extensions and adherence to rule and policy at the District and local league levels, Little League provides inclusive, enjoyable opportunities for any child and volunteer to participate in a community-based program that is distinctive, unique, and promotes life lessons beyond the field of play.”
With this mission in mind, the organization still maintains a major presence in how a sports communicator would function. The non-profit maintains a media page where journalists are provided resources and news related to the league and its games. Media requests can be filed, questions can be answered, and the overall history of the organization can be found. This page is maintained by a team of sports communication professionals who function very similarly to that of a typical media or sports team.
Working for non-profits may not be each person’s typical career trajectory, but there is a position where sports communication and non-profits co-exist. Someone seeking to break into this intersection can maintain a successful career. This approach is not only limited to Little League. Many organizations listed within this blog post also maintain a public relations team to service media requests, maintain the public voice of the organization and function as a typical sports communication team working within the industry.