We all know NBC as the National Broadcasting Company, a large corporation that provides media all around the country. But after visiting the NBC Sports headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, I now understand that NBC stands for “Nothing But Cohesion”.
In my short experience with the Manhattan Sports Business Academy, I have learned to appreciate the under-the-radar factors that make a company or an enterprise successful. In order for a company to thrive, all sectors and segments must come together and work cohesively to create a great product or service. NBC is the perfect example of this. Marc Iacovelli, the Director of Program Planning & Scheduling at NBC Sports, and Jonathan Ciccone, Staff Jib Camera Operator, gave us a comprehensive tour of the NBC Sports Studios. After, Marc gave the class a presentation on the history and motives of the organization. He eloquently explained how NBC Sports does such a supreme job at creating and spreading media content in a way that is unmatched by any other company.
“To be able to not only meet people in the industry with such impressive sports backgrounds, but also to be around peers who share a similar passion as mine makes me motivated to do great things in the sports business world.”
When I asked Marc what he did to be a part of such a respected and thriving company, he stated: “I had a dream to be in sports and I fought to be in the industry. It’s amazing how people want something in life but don’t fight for it. I fought for it, and here I am.” This statement connected with me more so than maybe anything else I have heard in my recent career. As a young boy growing up in Los Angeles, success and passion were all around me. With a family background heavily passionate about sports, it was inevitable to develop a huge appetite for the athletic world. When the opportunity to apply to an elite program like MSBA arose, I jumped on it quicker than Albert Pujols jumps on an inside fastball. When I gained acceptance to the program, I knew this was my chance to fight my way into the sports industry.
Throughout my first week with MSBA 2016, I can say I have gained confidence in my ability to not only find the subway station but to get off at the right stop; considering the public transportation skills I learned in Los Angeles are non-existent, I am pleased with myself for this feat. I have also greatly enjoyed interning at Cogent Entertainment Marketing and meeting my very charismatic classmates. To be able to not only meet people in the industry with such impressive sports backgrounds, but also to be around peers who share a similar passion as mine makes me motivated to do great things in the sports business world.
By listening to speakers like Mr. Iacovelli and the many others, I have been fortunate enough to see and hear what has worked for young professionals like myself and what key steps I might need to take to be able to be in their shoes one day. New York City is filled with more sports agencies and companies than I could have even imagined, and thanks to the experiences I have earned thus far in MSBA, I feel more ready than ever to see what the next six weeks has in store.
If a fight is what the sports world wants, a fight is what the sports world will get.