Fan vs. Professional

Understanding the difference between being a fan and being a professional is an important differentiation to be able to make while entering into the sports industry. In some crazy way it happened that I have been working in the sports industry for more than half of a decade (it sounds a lot cooler to say then 6 years…). Most of my time has been with the Sudbury Wolves, but I’ve dabbled here and there, working with professional teams and players along the way. As the years passed I have continued to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a professional over a fan. Being a professional is seeing the sport as the business beyond the game and recognizing the implications of what happens in the game. It is respecting confidentiality of athletes and management, and it’s being loyal while upholding the brand of the organization you are a part of.

I remember a conversation with my aunt trying to explain to her the reason I would suddenly become a fan or cheer for the team I work for. She was prodding me on why I would be loyal to the team I’m working for instead of the one I am a fan of when the two teams are playing each other. “Well then are you even a fan? Well then you are a flighty fan at best.” At the time I had such a hard time expressing the reasons why, but ultimately the reason I can give is that when you are a professional your duty goes beyond the game.

Professionals are extremely invested in the well-being of the team because their entire life literally revolves around that team. Maybe not their entire life, but 60 hours a week amounts to the majority of the hours spent awake. Professionals are constantly thinking of the implications of what is happening during games, because that is their job. Losing streaks for professionals aren’t just about the act itself, but recognizing the ripple effect that will happen to all areas of the organization as a result of the loss. Everyone’s job becomes more difficult – from the players to the sales team, from the social media to the game presentation. Customer relations will blow up, season ticket holders will be angry; fans will start crying for change, the media will be more critical – even I have been called out on social media by a fan who insisted I, the person running the teams’ social media, should be fired.

That being said, fans are undoubtedly deeply invested into teams and the outcome of games but their investment is on a different level then of a professional. I recently read an interesting article about the psychology of sports fans that really hit the target. Eric Simons, author of ‘The Secret Lives of Sports Fans: The Science of Sports Obsessions’ said, “Fans get so much from identifying with a team, in ways even players don’t. The athletes can be mercenaries, but the fan is permanent.” Subsequently, fans watch the game as their past time but for players it is their job – the same way it is for a professional.

Another important aspect of being a professional is interacting with players and management. Depending on the department and team the amount you will interact with players will vary, but this will inevitably be part of the job. There is no doubt that this is cool, especially at the beginning, but remember that these athletes are people that are there to do their job. They are at work and so are you. My co-workers at work don’t fan boy/girl over me, they don’t ask for my autograph, or want my picture – although come to think about it I’m not sure why they don’t… I get that this may seem like a far-fetched analogy, “But Sara you aren’t a Conn Smythe Trophy Winner”, but a professional will be able to differentiate the fan within them. Respecting the confidentiality of the athletes and high-profile management is essential. Be conscious and mindful.

With all this said – being a professional is fun too.

Finding the balance between being a fan and being a professional is incredibly important for a career in the sports industry. Start considering what the differentiation is to you and how you will be a professional – I believe this is imperative as you begin your career. You’ll always have the fan inside of you for the team you grew up watching but you’ll inevitably become loyal to your new team – because that’s what being a professional is about.

 

Sara

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