Media Relations in Sports Business Flashcards

Comprehensive practice flashcards in question-and-answer format based on the Slippery Rock University media relations lecture packet.

What is a course packet and what advantages does it offer over a traditional textbook?

A course packet functions like a chapter in a textbook and offers advantages such as recent sports industry examples, direct practitioner links, SRU campus tool integration, study guides, cost-efficiency, and regular update flexibility.

What distinction does Slippery Rock University hold regarding COSMA accreditation?

Slippery Rock University is the first COSMA accredited program in the nation.

Which fall professional development sports management conferences in the region are listed in the course packet?

Robert Morris University Sport Management Career Summit, Carnegie Mellon Sport Analytics, Michigan Sports Business Conference, Penn: Wharton Sports Business Summit, and Columbia University Sports Management Conference.

Which spring professional development conferences are highlighted for sports management students?

SINC (Sports Industry Networking and Career Conference), SEME (Sports Events Marketing Experience), Ohio State Sport Analytics Conference, Penn State Sports Business Conference, and the Pennsylvania Sports Business Conference at IUP.

What recommended daily podcast allows students to hear sports business headlines from industry professionals?

The Sports Business Journal (SBJ) Morning Buzzcast.

What does the acronym T.E.A.M. stand for in professional development?

Together Everyone Accomplishes More.

What is the media relations term "clickbait"?

Websites and social media posts that use eye-catching or unique photos and content to compel viewers to click a link.

In sports media relations, what is meant by the term "nothingburger"?

Irrelevant media chatter or "white noise" that athletic administrators should ignore to stay focused on pressing priorities.

What is "source credibility" and why is it important for athletic administrators?

The reliability of a media source, which requires administrators to separate factual reporting from opinionated shouting or "hot takes."

What is the "inverted pyramid" writing style used in press releases?

A press release format where the most critical information is presented in the first few sentences so media members can quickly scan, air, or publish it.

What is the concept of "shelf life" in news coverage?

The idea that negative news stories have a limited lifespan because newer breaking news will eventually push bad news out of the headlines.

What does the acronym SID stand for in college athletics?

Sports Information Director.

What is "swing coverage" in sports media relations?

The practice of consistently assisting media members even when they are not covering your team, establishing professionalism so they swing coverage to your organization on slow media days.

How do FERPA and HIPAA protect student-athletes regarding media relations?

FERPA protects student-athletes' educational privacy rights (such as grades and academic issues), while HIPAA protects their private medical information.

What organization rebranded as College Sports Communicators in August 2022?

CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America).

What are stakeholders in sports management and who are key examples?

Individuals or groups holding an interest in the successful operation of sports organizations, including owners, staff, alumni, donors, sponsors, media, fans, and government officials.

What are the six key reasons PR communication is important in sports?

1) Inform or influence the public, 2) Change perceptions, 3) Get everyone communicating on the same page, 4) Advise on media handling, 5) Handle crises, and 6) Build reputation.

What is a media or communication policy?

A set of guiding principles and behaviors established to ensure consistent, fair, and ethical communication with all constituents.

What guidelines does a media policy outline for news outlets?

It identifies the official spokesperson, employee interview rules, coach and athlete availability, and parameters for cooling down periods.

What is a "cooling down period" following an athletic competition?

A policy restricting media access to coaches and athletes immediately after a game or practice, granting them time to gather their thoughts and emotions.

How do teleconferences and media days benefit sports organizations and reporters?

Teleconferences answer widespread inquiries efficiently without repeating answers, while media days provide press members centralized access to coaches and players in one location.

What days are considered "slow media days" and what timing is used to "bury" a negative story?

Tuesday and Wednesday are slow media days; releasing negative news on Friday afternoon buries it because reporters are focused on upcoming weekend events.

What are the three primary roles of sports media?

1) Inform, 2) Interpret, and 3) Entertain.

What inverse relationship has occurred as sports reporting shifted online?

Speed is up, and accuracy is down.

What four reasons make mass media vital to athletic administrators?

1) They hold Constitutional Protection, 2) They provide access to the general public, 3) They are corporate entities driven by shareholders and revenue, and 4) They construct public ideology.

What is issues management in media relations?

The process of prioritizing and proactively addressing public policy and reputation issues that can affect an organization's success.

What are the four steps of issues management?

1) Anticipate and analyze issues, 2) Develop positions, 3) Identify key publics, and 4) Identify desired behaviors of those publics.

What does each letter in the TIPCUP acronym represent for determining newsworthy stories?

Timely, Impactful, Prominent, Conflict, Unusual, and Proximity.

How can press conferences and MVP selections be utilized as revenue tools?

Press conference backdrops display sponsor logos during news broadcasts, and MVP announcements are sold as sponsored game features.

What is the difference between speculating and forecasting in sports media?

Speculating involves making guesses without evidence, whereas forecasting involves predicting outcomes using available evidence.

What media principle did NFL coach Andy Reid state regarding team communication?

"Focus your concentration and preparation for your job or the game by keeping the message with the media consistent."

What three core components define a public relations campaign?

1) Specific goals, 2) Focus on an issue, and 3) Short term duration.

In a PR campaign, what outcome is the most difficult to achieve compared to building general awareness?

Changing behavior and impacting attitudes is the most difficult outcome.

What does the term "impressions" mean in evaluating a media campaign?

The total number of people reached by the campaign.

Why is a glass fishbowl used as an analogy for high-profile coaches and athletes?

Because fans and media continually observe their actions both on the field and in their personal lives away from the venue.

What four objectives are addressed during media training for sports figures?

1) Identify high-demand interview subjects, 2) Identify anticipated questions, 3) Pinpoint key organizational messages, and 4) Anticipate errors and prepare real-time fixes.

What are the definitions of bridging, flagging, and hooking in media interviews?

Bridging: addressing a question then transitioning to your key message. Flagging: emphasizing main takeaways using specific word choice. Hooking: prompting the interviewer's next question through your response.

What sensitive topics should athletes and coaches generally steer clear of in interviews?

Politics, abortion, war, gun control, religion, and race relations.

What is reputation, and what six parts constitute the Reputation Quotient?

Reputation is the ability of an organization to meet public expectations and build strong stakeholder relationships. The Reputation Quotient consists of: 1) Emotional appeal, 2) Products and services, 3) Vision and leadership, 4) Workplace environment, 5) Social responsibility, and 6) Financial performance.

What career guidance does the "Rocking at The Rock" advice offer students regarding personal identity?

Do not restrict yourself to a single identity (such as identifying as an athlete first and student second); engage in off-field experiences to build a well-rounded reputation.

What are the three defining characteristics of a crisis?

1) Unexpected, 2) Disruptive, and 3) Does not always tell the entire story.

What events qualify as true organizational crises in sports management?

Death or fatalities, criminal activity or misconduct, significant customer relations issues, labor strikes or lockouts, lawsuits, legal liabilities, social protests, and terrorism.

What four key advantages does an official team website provide over external mass media?

1) Total control over content, 2) Ability to balance negative news with positive stories, 3) Opportunity to generate revenue, and 4) Direct fan and donor community building.

What are the definitions of hits, unique visitors, and stickiness in measuring website performance?

Hits: single browser-to-server requests to view a page. Unique visitors: total distinct individuals accessing the site measured via cookies. Stickiness: the length of time visitors stay on the website.

What essential skills are needed for success in sports media relations according to the Reality Check section?

Public speaking and writing skills, proficiency in recording and archiving statistics, social media and internet management, graphic design capabilities, and a calm demeanor.