Everyone tells you to network. Nobody tells you what that actually means in sports — or why most people are doing it wrong.
You're collecting contacts, not building relationships
Sending 50 LinkedIn connection requests is not networking. It's noise. In sports, most roles never get posted — they move through trusted contacts who recommend specific people they know and believe in. If you're a name in someone's inbox they barely remember, you're not in that conversation.
Target 10 people, not 1,000
Pick a specific function — operations, analytics, marketing, partnerships — then identify 8 to 10 people currently working in that space who are one to two levels above where you want to start. These are the people whose recommendation will open doors. Research them specifically. Engage with their work. Reach out with something relevant, not a generic "I'd love to connect."
Become someone worth vouching for
A contact who vouches for you is putting their credibility on the line. That only happens when they've seen something from you — a project, a piece of work, a conversation that signaled you're serious. Before you reach out expecting a referral, ask yourself: what have you given this person reason to believe about you? That answer shapes every interaction you have.
One strong voucher beats 500 connections
A single person who trusts you enough to put your name forward to a hiring manager is worth more than an entire feed of superficial connections. Set a measurable goal: build three to five genuine relationships with people in your target function over the next six months. Consistency and specificity will always beat volume.
Networking without a goal is just socializing. The clearer you are on where you're going, the more intentional your outreach becomes — and the more the right people take you seriously. That's what goal setting in this context actually means: not a vision board, but a precise target that makes every conversation purposeful.
If you want to map out your network strategy and build a plan around your specific target role, book a free kickoff call and we'll get specific.