Jerry Gay, a successful, award winning sports photographer, traced his love of his profession to his youth. In junior high school, he dreamed of someday becoming a big football star, but his dentist advised him to avoid all contact with sports while he was wearing braces. So he became a photographer. He has said that becoming a successful photographer is like becoming a successful athlete in that it takes a lot of hard work and patience to make the major leagues-but when you get there, you've glad you paid your dues.
Some photographers work for specific magazines or newspapers. If these are general publications, the photography staff will cover subjects other than sports; while a few photographers may specialize in athletics, they well may be called upon to work on other assignments. Naturally, those employed by sports magazines or newspapers would work only in athletics.
A significant number of photographers in this field work as freelancers. This means they are self employed and contract to work for a number of publications. Some will receive specific assignments to cover particular events and will sell the shots they take. Others will work part time for a couple of newspapers, supplying them with several photographs a week. Still others may attend games and hope they will get some photos of a spectacular event to sell to a magazine or newspaper.
Mike Di Trolio of Havertown, Penn., used his experience as a videographer to produce sports related video tapes. He has produced football highlight films for Auburn, Maryland, and Rutgers university's as well as for professional teams such as the Philadelphia Flyers. He has also made recruiting videos for many college sports teams. Di Trolio said, "The nicest thing about shooting sporting events is that it's exciting! I want to be ready to capture the great play-the touchdown in the end zone.
"There exists a significant difference between running my own business and working for someone else" DiTrolio pointed out. He previously worked for TelRa, a video firm headquartered in Wayne, Penn. "My business and interpersonal skills, in addition to my videos, need to be excellent."
Few opportunities exist for sports photographers; however, a small group, do very well financially, combining excellent salaries with a glamorous life. You may wish to consider it simply an avocation (hobby) or an enjoyable second job. If you think you're interested, start now, and take a photography, film, or video course in an evening school.
Sports Cartoonists
He has captivated the sports fans of New York, who have avidly turned for years to the pages of the New York Daily News to follow his exploits. He is-sports cartoonist extraordinaire-Bill Gallo.
Bill Gallo captures in hand drawn art the activities of New York players, teams, coaches, and owners-to the delight of his followers. In addition, he often also deals with national issues. Although Gallo has entertained the greater New York area for decades few other papers or magazines have added a cartoonist's work to enrich the sports pages. Consequently few full time positions exist for this specialized craft. Evan Gallo writes on boxing as a columnist as part of his job at the News.
However, being a part time sports cartoonist can serve as a profitable and lucrative hobby, and some magazines and papers have moved in this direction. For example, Vic Harville has provided sketches for the Arkansas Democrat with his "Sport stuff cartoons and Stephen Melius have sketched "Draft Choices" for the Middle town Record in New York. A slow growth should occur in this career, with most sports cartoonists obtaining part time positions.
Sports Agents and Representatives
In this era of fantastic salaries for professional athletes, the agent has become a visible member of the sports scene. "Show me the money" has become a catchphrase related to this profession. Agents, sometimes called representatives, act as the player's intermediaries with the teams owner and general manager in order to secure the best financial and playing arrangement for the athlete. The use of agents occurs in several professions; for example, writers use literary agents, and people in show business use booking agents.
Agents are usually lawyers or accountants. They obtain their salary as a percentage of the income the client will receive from the team (or athletic event, as in boxing). Agents normally receive 3 to 15 percent for their negotiation of the contract. When you consider the salaries of individuals like Ken Griffey, Jr., Steve Young, Penny Hardaway, John Elway, and Michael Jordan, you realize that this sports career can provide excellent salaries.
Shelley Pennetather, former college All American and basketball star for the Nippon Express team in Japan, said a good agent is critical to a player's success. "My agent, Bruce Levy, was particularly helpful in my continuing basketball following college" stated Pennefather.
In addition to negotiating contracts, many representatives serve as financial agents for players, making suggestions for investments or product endorsements and handling income taxes. Some act as representatives for organizations, such as the football players' association, or for baseball's umpires. In doing so, they work to obtain better salaries; retirement benefits, and improved working conditions.
