The Sports Industry around the world follows some very predictable and very common policies, patterns and practices.

If you spend a moment or two thinking about these policies, patterns and practices, you’ll be able to understand why sporting organizations, sports clubs and sports leaders do what they do they way that they do it.

Trickle Down Sport – The Sports Industry Top Down

Trickle Down Sport doesn’t really work. The most common way sports function around the world is through the mechanism of “Trickle Down”.

What’s Trickle Down Sport?

A National sporting organization comes up with an idea for a new program.

They bring their stakeholders together and tell them all about the new program.

The stakeholders go back to their state or region or district and share what they learnt about the new national program – and the people in the state, region or district then share their knowledge of the new national program with clubs, athletes, coaches, officials and families.

The Trickle Down Sport system doesn’t work – never has.

At every stage of the Trickle Down process, people with different political motives, resources, motivation and understanding can – and will – change the messaging to fit their own perspectives and agendas.

Walking in Shoes of the Other Person

Another common issue in sport is the inability for people to “walk” in the shoes of others.

For example, if you’re in a national sporting organization – chances are you:

1. Believe the International Federation doesn’t understand the unique needs of your nation and;
2. The States, Regions etc – your regional stakeholders – don’t “get” the broader, national perspectives and are only capable of acting in their own interest.

This inability to effectively understand others working at different “levels” in the same sport is a significant impediment to progress.

The Sports Industry is Largely Based on Copying What Others Are Already Doing.

Innovation and creativity are very rare in sport. For the most part it’s based on copying what other nations, other coaches, other sports are already doing.

Hint – Doing a GOOGLE search – is not innovative or creative! All you’re doing is looking for information about things that other people are already doing.

It’s All About Power and Money – All Sports Are Political

If you want to know what’s really happening in your sport ask yourself these three questions:

1. Who stands to make money from this?
2. Who stands to get or maintain power from this?
3. Who stands to both make money and get / maintain power from this?

Sport – like every other industry and institution on planet earth is built on the foundations of money and power – i.e. getting it and keeping it!

The Consensus Myth – You Can’t Even Get Your Best Friend to Agree on Pizza Toppings!

Sporting organizations will often talk about consensus, e.g. “We aiming to get everyone on the same page. We striving to get consensus on this decision”.

Consensus is a myth! As real as dragons and great tasting, satisfying no alcohol beer!

Sit on the couch with your family on Saturday night and see if you can get everyone who lives in your house to come to consensus on which Netflix show to watch! Or invite some friends over for Pizza and see if you can get 100% consensus on pizza toppings.

Consensus is a myth.

Summary:

No matter what role your play in the Sports Industry, it is important to understand how it works – and how it doesn’t work.

It is essential that regardless of where you “fit” in the sports industry – that you decide what it is you want and need from the experience of sport and make it “fit” you!

Wayne Goldsmith