Introduction to Sports Marketing by Aaron Smith offers insight and know how in a well established arena of expertise.

Whether you are a professional marketing guru who just wants to review a full synopsis of the technique or a brand new student of the field, this book is packed with concise, easily accessible information relating to this unique business.

Written in an easy to understand language that attempts to avoid confusing the reader with industry specific lingo, Introduction to Sports Marketing is an invaluable resource for anyone considering a future in the industry.  Aaron Smith has taken the essence of sports marketing and boiled it down to an easy to understand model, and he starts at the beginning so that anyone can follow along.

Focusing on teaching the student who is completely fresh to the industry, the book explains principles and practices relating to strategic marketing.  Many texts on the market focus on areas of expertise that can confound beginners; unlike those, Smith’s book attempts to walk the reader through the sometimes confusing realm of applying theories to the reality of a sports marketing environment.

In addition to an introduction to the field, Smith covers many areas in the industry.  Here are a few that are examined in detail:

-    How to conduct analysis of a sports organization to develop strategies for marketing their brand.

-    How to take your objectives and successfully incorporate a strategy with a focus on team marketing.

-    How to determine a viable direction in regards to a marketing framework that takes into account segmentation and marketing mix variables.

In addition to walking you through the basics of the industry the book is filled with case studies that will help the student relate the information he/she is learning to a real world environment.  The author offers exercises and questions to test the student’s knowledge as he learns different principles specific to the industry.

Set up more like a course than a typical book, Introduction to Sports Marketing also offers online resources to help the student continue their learning and expand their knowledge of how the material applies to a real marketplace.  For anyone interested in a future in the ever developing field of marketing with an emphasis on sports this book would be a great place to start.

In case you missed this year’s two day CSRI conference at Chapel Hill here is a run down of the events and topics that were covered.

Day One

The first day of the conference that took place at UNC Chapel Hill consisted of three one-and-a-half hour panel discussions followed by an address from keynote speaker Jeremy Bloom.  The three panels were as follows:

1.    Panel one was titled, Special Admit Limbo: How Long Can You Go?  The focus of this panel was a topic largely regarded by most as something that has not changed and continues to be debated in the arena and probably will for some time, namely the commercialization of sports and players’ eligibility.  The discussion centered on students’ rights to play in regards to outside commercialization and influence.

2.    Panel two was called, the ESPNification of College Sports.  This panel focused on the commercialization of sport and its relation to actual college play.

3.    College-Sports Arms Race: Is there an End in Sight?  Panel number three focused on college spending in regards to sports and the increasing amount colleges are required to spend in order to stay at a competitive level.

The end of day three wrapped up with a keynote address by Jeremy Bloom, three-time world champion and two-time Olympian competition skier.  The focus of the speech was on the questions that colleges need to be asking in terms whether college athletics are a business or simply amateur sport.

Day Two

Day two focused on presentation of academic research in the field of sports and sport business in relation to colligate athletes.  The forum centered around two keynote speeches.

The presentations were vast and diverse in terms of their content and a complete summary would be lengthy.   But one noteworthy presentation reported research on a college athlete’s efforts expended in class vs. practicing for sports.  The study concluded that practice for sport greatly outweighed any other scholastic undertaking that a college athlete faced.

The two keynote speakers were Dr. John Gerdy of Ohio University, who spoke on the way intercollegiate athletics had begun to model professional sports, and Dr. Bernie Mullin of The Aspire Group, who lectured on the difference between the NBA and college basketball.

Sitting at a Desk

It is a necessary evil in many jobs to have to sit at a desk for most of your workdays. The importance of posture should not be underestimated. Posture, especially when sitting at a desk for extended periods of time, is one of the main contributing factors to shoulder pain. Poor posture can adversely affect your overall health and cause other debilitating pain over time if you don’t take care of your body and position it correctly. The height of a desk may also have to do with posture and the way you position your body when working as well.

Using a Keyboard and Mouse

Computers are wonderful machines. They help us to achieve so much more than we ever thought possible, yet the use of computers for hours on end has many adverse effects. Improper positioning of hands, arms, wrists, and fingers can ultimately contributing to muscle pain and shoulder injury. Use an ergonomic keyboard and cushion your wrists when typing for long periods of time. The position you use when operating a mouse also can affect your shoulder health.

Video Games

Although it’s been on the market for over two years, Nintendo’s Wii game console has many different games and positions that cause shoulder pain as well. Games that involve the throwing motion or punching motion cause damage to the shoulder because force is needed to active the game console. The velocity of a punch or throw is measured, so players have to physically throw and punch harder, with little or no resistance.

Many players complain of muscle pain and minor injuries, but repeated use of these games could ultimately end up causing lasting damage. Self-massage and the use of these kinds of games in moderation are some solutions for players who complain of shoulder pain after using the system.

Statistics on the longevity of a career in massage therapy are scarce, even in the archives of the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is not uncommon to find therapists who have been practicing their craft for fifteen or more years, but many full time massage therapists currently working have five to ten years of experience to their credit.

According to statistics, massage therapy is a career path filled with opportunity, as the profession is forecasted to experience 64% growth between the years of 2006 and 2016. Most states now regulate the profession and require licensing that involves detailed testing that requires much study and hands-on experience before the license can be awarded.

Due to physical and emotional demands of massage therapy, full-time work generally consists of a work week of twenty-five to thirty-two hours. Therapy generally costs somewhere between $80-$120 per hour in major metropolitan areas, and about half of that amount in areas with less concentrated populations. Clearly, if a massage therapist is in business for him- or herself, this is a lucrative wage indeed. However, building a client base is essential to success for full-time therapists.

Many massage therapists work part-time, during nights and weekends in order to meet the demands of their clientele, as many people are not willing to take time off from their work day in order to receive treatment. Additionally, part-time therapists and some full-time therapists opt to work for a massage therapy center, spa, or other venue as opposed to striking out on their own.

People who make massage therapy a long-term career generally do so because they enjoy helping people feel better and achieve a better quality of life. The peaceful setting and rapport that comes with regularly dealing with people has to be something that a career therapist is enthusiastic about. Honing the skills as a therapist is of paramount importance to building and maintaining a good client base.

Many long-lived therapists have had to learn how to deal with a variety of issues, from communicating effectively to dealing with many different body types. It is a profession that is not for the judgmental person. Successful massage therapists are comfortable with themselves and people in general and always have the best interest of the client in mind. This helps the client as well as the therapist, since many referrals come from word-of-mouth more than anything else.

General Sports

While these blogs aren’t focused solely on football, they do contain plenty of football-related information to keep you busy.

1. AOL Sports: AOL makes it easy to keep up with the latest in sports news with this accessible feed. You’ll find all kinds of articles and numerous sports polls that allow you to get your opinion out there.
2. FOX Sports: As the home of many on-air football games, FOX is chock-full of football goodies for you to read. There are fantasy football stats, news, rumors and much more.
3. Bleacher Report: Check out this site for insightful commentary on football, baseball, basketball and even F1 racing.
4. CBS Sports: Visit this blog to find out where your favorite team stands, get the latest news or even watch a few highlights from a variety of games.
5. Ball Hype: Ball Hype isn’t necessarily a blog in and of itself, but it acts as an aggregator, bringing together new stories and posts about sports from all over the web.
6. Empty the Bench: While this blog may be more geared towards basketball, it still contains a good amount of football posts and has a continuing section on fantasy football.
7. SportzNutz: If you’re crazy about sports then you’ll appreciate this site. It contains a number of weekly stories geared towards both men and women, posts scores, links to team merchandise and more.
8. Juiced Sports: Get in the know about the latest news and information in sports, including football, on this blog.
9. Stet Sports Blog: Whether you’re a fan of MLB, the NBA the NFL or all three you’ll find news articles and sports commentary of interest on this blog.
10. Smarter Sports Blog:Smarter hosts a number of blogs and this sports-themed edition is full of news, clips and information that covers everything from boxing to baseball.
11. Shutdown Corner : This Yahoo! Sports blog written by Matthew Darnell is a great place to find sports commentary that’s sometimes serious sometimes all in fun.
12. The Scores Report: Check out this blog for information on sports for every season. It even contains a fantasy football podcast that can help you get the leg up on your fantasy team.
13. WizBang Sports: In search of the latest news in sports? Then bookmark this blog. It contains numerous news items on football, baseball, hockey, basketball and more.
14. Deadspin: This site is a sports lovers dream blog, with live blogging during games, sports news, and loads of humorous commentary.
15. Sports Blogs Nation: Sports Blogs Nation isn’t just one blog, but a collection of them that can make it easier to find great information to read about where you favorite team stands.

Football Specific

These blogs do away with all those other pesky sports and just focus on the one that matters–football.

1. Official NFL Blog: Get your news and information straight from the NFL itself in this blog.
2. Real Football 365: Check out this site for the latest sports headlines from teams all over the US and even some college football as well.
3. NFL Fanhouse: Hosted by AOL, this blog provides news, scores, schedules, rankings and more to help keep you informed.
4. NFL Gridiron Gab: Find out who’s injured, who’s training at the top of their game, who’s being traded and much more on this commentary blog.
5. The Fifth Down: This blog from the NY Times covers a wide range of NFL issues, from funny moments throughout the week to serious issues like race in America.
6. BlogIron: Pay this blog a visit for insightful commentary and views on the latest happenings in the NFL.
7. The Business of the NFL: This blog is put together by multiple contributors and provides football lovers with news, commentary and links.
8. NFL Nation: ESPN’s football blog NFL Nation features all kinds of goodies for football lovers, including clips, podcasts, commentary and stats.
9. NFL Blog.org: With a range of contributors, this blog is a great place to find news from a variety of viewpoints. Recent posts cover everything from the Super Bowl to drafting news.
10. NFL Nostradamus: This blogger doesn’t promise to always be right about predictions but provides some anyway.
11. The Huddle: Hosted by USA Today, this blog can be a good source of information on football from the latest news to rumors floating around.
12. Pro Football Weekly: This site is home to three different football blogs, Finding Paydirt, Around the NFL and Covering the Spread that are sure to meet all your football reading needs.
13. NFL Informer: While this blog mostly focuses on football related news and information, you’ll find the occasional post on beautiful women as well.
14. NFL Touchdown: Get some insightful analysis and commentary on the great sport of football from this comprehensive blog.
15. NFL Juice: Check out this blog for football news and commentary, funny clips, sexy ladies and much more.
16. Football Jabber: Whether you’re looking for insights on fantasy football, finding out who’s injured or just keeping up with the latest news you’ll find everything you need on this blog.
17. NFL Minute: Give this blog a read to keep up with the latest NFL news and find out some of the juiciest rumors floating around about drafts, players and teams.

Team Specific

Find information and support for your hometown team in these blogs.

1. Dallas Cowboys Blog: If the Cowboys are your favorite team, give this blog a read. You’ll find updates on the latest Cowboys news from this Dallas Morning News blog.
2. NE Patriots Draft: While the main focus of this blog is on the draft, you’ll get news year-round on everything related to the NE Patriots.
3. The Jets Blog: Love the Jets? Then you’ll love this blog dedicated to providing you with the latest news on the team and their standings.
4. Blogging the Boys: This Cowboys blog gives you news about all the games from this season, info about players and more.
5. Bleeding Green Nation: Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles will enjoy this blog, with podcasts, predictions, news and commentary.
6. Mile High Report: You can follow along with the triumphs and defeats of the Denver Broncos in this fan friendly blog.
7. Bucs Beat: Get to know the Buccaneers a little better through this news and views blog.
8. Giant Football Blog: With a Super Bowl win last year, this blogger is all about supporting the Giants this year and provides loads of commentary and news on the team.
9. Niners Nation: Written by avid 49ers fans, this blog provides readers with the news and information they need to follow their team faithfully.
10. New Orleans Saints Blog: A devastating hurricane hasn’t kept this team down, in fact they’ve accelerated through it. Read this blog to find out how the Saints are playing this year.
11. Da Bears Blog: If you call Chicago home or just love the Bears you’ll find tons of reading to keep you busy in this blog.
12. Rams Gab: St. Louis Rams fans will get their fill of information on the team through this informative blog.
13. Stampede Blue: Love the Colts and Peyton Manning? You’ll find the latest news on both on this fan-maintained site.
14. The Packer Backer Blog: Cheeseheads from all over the nation can unite in reading this Packers-focused blog.
15. Browns Gab: Whether you’re from Ohio or just love the team, this blog is a great destination for Cleveland Browns fans from all over.
16. Inside the Iggles: Get the latest news and stats on where the Eagles stand from this fan blog.
17. The Phinsider: The Miami Dolphins are the focus of this blog, providing news, information, stats and predictions.
18. Pride of Detroit: If you’re a dedicated Lions fan, give this blog a read to find out just what’s going on with the team.

Fantasy Football

Make your fantasy team live up to your dreams of complete domination with some helpful tips, hints and stats from these blogs.

1. Fantasy Football Blog: This blogger shares his experiences playing fantasy football. Readers can follow along with his team or get some advice on choosing their own players.
2. Fantasy Football Goat: Get some ideas on how to build a successful fantasy football team on this blog as well as some general NFL news.
3. The Fantasy Blogger: Share in your frustrations and joys about fantasy football with this blogger.
4. Dr. Stats Fantasy Football: Need some stats to inform your fantasy football decisions? This blogger can provide them as well as some helpful commentary.
5. The Fantasy Football Geek Blog: Have a burning question about fantasy football you want answered? These bloggers can help, with answers, news and information about creating a fantasy team.
6. Lionbacker Fantasy Football Blog: If you’re aiming to dominate your fantasy football league, this blog claims to be a big help. It is home to information, stats and commentary that can help you make the right decisions when it comes to drafting and starting players.
7. Fantasy Football Fools: This blogger shares his thoughts and musings on fantasy football in this blog.
8. Fantasy Football Librarian: Check out this site to find tons of helpful fantasy football information that just might help you do a little better in your picks.
9. FF Injuries: Whether you’re ruing your decision to draft Tom Brady or just want to know how long your players might be out of the game, check out this blog dedicated to providing news on injured players.
10. ESPN Fantasy Football Blog: ESPN isn’t just a great place to watch football, you can also get some pointers for your fantasy game from their blog.
11. Rotowire Fantasy Football: This fantasy sports site is also home to a blog that can provide you with some helpful information to boost your fantasy game.
12. The Fantasy Kickoff: Want rankings, suggestions and predictions? This blog has them all and aims to help you create a good fantasy team.
13. Da NFL Blog: If you’re in need of a little advice on your team, check out this blog. It’s home to advice and musings that can be a great help to fantasy footballers who are struggling.
14. Fantasy Football Bums: These two bloggers and self-professed fantasy football fanatics give their opinions on football, both real and just for fun.
15. The Hazean: Check out this blog for clips, tips and more that can inform your next fantasy picks.

Sports Commentary and News

Check out these sites for the latest news and views on football.

1. Squib Kick: This blogger provides his commentary on the latest news in pro football from injuries to controversies and everything in between.
2. Football News Blog: Don’t let the best news tidbits slip past your notice, add this blog to your RSS feed to stay up-to-date all the time.
3. NFL News: Check out this site for all kinds of news related to the NFL. You’ll get the traditional stories about team performance as well as articles on how players and giving back to the community.
4. Serious Sports News Network: If you’re serious about sports check out this news site. It’s full of the latest scores, news updates and more.
5. The Red Zone: This site is a great place to find news and commentary about both NFL and NCAA football. You’ll even find some helpful hints for picking a good fantasy team.
6. My Sports Rumors: Tune in to this blog to get the latest rumors on sports teams from baseball to hockey, like who’s getting drafted, being released or getting rearranged.
7. NFL News Blog: Get the latest updates on what’s going on in the NFL from this specialty news site.
8. Sporting News: This sports site is home to tons of news on sports teams of all types as well as online radio, fantasy picks and much more.
9. Football Guys: Read this blog to keep up with the opinions and views of these avid football fans.
10. Pro Football Talk: You can find all kinds of football stuff on this site, from news and information to rankings and predictions.
11. Pigskin Heaven: If you really love football then this site is for you. It’s home to interviews, commentary, news and a lot of other cool stuff.
12. First and Ten Inches: Pay this blog a visit to get commentary on the performance and potential of a variety of teams in the NFL.

Fan Sites

Share your love of the game with these football fans and bloggers on these sites.

1. ArmchairGM: Think you can do a better job managing a team than the real managers? This blog provides fans with a place to give their two-cents worth in football, baseball and more.
2. The Hater Nation: Check out this site for humorous commentary on the world of sports,especially football.
3. Dave’s Football Blog: The tag line of this blog is that “it’s always football season somewhere.” It covers news and information on all kinds of football– American football, soccer, rugby and more.
4. Mac’s Football Blog: Here you’ll find fan-supplied news on football from injuries to new signings.
5. The World According to MoonDog: This blog is home to commentary from a fan on all kinds of sports, including football, as well as other topics like attractive women, technology and more.
6. Fan-Sided Blogs: This site doesn’t just provide one blog, but multiple ones hat reflect a fan’s view of just about everything related to football, with a blog for every team in the NFL.
7. Football News from a Chick: While sports have traditionally been a man’s realm, more and more women are finding a love of football as well. This blog provides a female perspective on the game.
8. FanHouse: Follow your favorite teams with news, stats, predictions and even a little fantasy action on this blog.
9. Intentional Foul: While not specifically focused on football, this blog provides news and commentary from a fan’s perspective on all kinds of sports.
10. Simon On Sports: This usually blog is a great place to read about happenings in sports with a humorous twist.

Stats

Whether you want to see how your favorite team or players are doing this year or need a little info to build a fantasy team, these blogs are a great place to find all that stats you need.

1. Football Outsiders: This blog is a great place to find football statistics, analysis, ratings and more.
2. Pro Football Reference: With this site, you’ll find everything you need to track teams, players and coaches as well as commentary on these written in a way that anyone can understand.
3. Blog About Stats: The name says it all– this blog is dedicated to providing you with stats and information about those stats from football to politics.
4. Fantasy Football Calculator Blog: Take a look at this blog which approaches football from a purely statistical viewpoint, with posts on record-breaking players, what plays work and more.
5. Advanced NFL Stats: Play by the numbers with this blog, which provide numerous posts about rankings, probabilities and other stats.
6. Statistics Beats the NFL Point Spread: This blogger and statistician wants to find the deficiencies in the Vegas NFL point spreads. The blog contains weekly spread picks, analysis and forecasts for winners.
7. Football Commentary: This blog takes a model-based approach to football strategy. Recent posts include “A Model for Coaches Challenges” and “Analysis of the NCAA Overtime Format.”

Miscellaneous

These blogs meet a variety of your football-related needs.

1. Scout.com: For those who are already thinking about the future of football, this site is a great place to find helpful information, with news and stats on players that are up and coming.
2. NFL Fan Gear: You can’t really show up to a game without at least one item of clothing to support your team so give this site a read for the latest in NFL merchandise.
3. Sports Law Blog: Ever wondered how sports law works in regard to the legal issues you read about? This blog can answer your questions with regard to steroids trials, controversial announcers and more.
4. Sports Media Watch: Like most people, you get the bulk of your sports news through the media. This site provides commentary on that media to help you know what’s good and which reporters to watch.
5. NFL Draft Site: Want to keep track of who is being drafted or who has been drafted into the NFL? Then keep tabs on this highly informative blog.
6. Sports Bookie: If you want to turn your sports predictions into an official bet, this blog is the place to start. Check it out for news and information on where to go to place sports bets.