Ep. 15 Beyond The Game. Building A Career In Sports

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Zachary Hill sits down with Benjamin Goulding, Manager of Group Sales for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, to explore what a career in professional sports can look like when you’re working beyond the action on the ice. Benjamin takes listeners behind the scenes of the sports business world, sharing what goes into creating memorable experiences for schools, businesses, youth sports organizations, and other groups attending Firebirds games. From developing group ticket strategies to connecting with fans and coordinating special game-day experiences, his role offers a look at the business side of sports that many students may not realize exists. His path into the industry wasn’t built around one big break. Benjamin shares how studying sport management, working with his college athletic department, taking part-time game-day jobs, supporting major tennis tournaments, and completing an inside sales program all helped him gradually find where he fit. Those experiences eventually brought him to California and helped turn a lifelong interest in sports into a career in ticket sales and fan engagement. The conversation also explores what it actually takes to build a career in sports. Benjamin discusses the value of trying different roles, building relationships early, seeking mentorship, and being willing to take opportunities that may not perfectly match the career you originally imagined. He also reflects on connections he began making as early as high school and how some of those relationships have continued throughout his professional career. Working in sports also comes with realities fans may never see. Benjamin explains why flexibility is important during a busy season, how working behind the scenes changes the way you experience a game, and why succeeding in the industry means learning to separate being a fan from being a professional. At the same time, he shares what makes the work rewarding, including the teamwork and camaraderie that come from an entire organization working toward a common goal. The episode also looks at the changing workplace, including how AI is beginning to support sports sales teams with planning, organization, and strategy. For Benjamin, technology can make certain parts of the job easier, but it does not replace the human relationships at the center of sales and the fan experience. For students who dream about working in sports but aren’t sure where to begin, Benjamin’s message is simple: stay open-minded, take risks, explore different opportunities, and enjoy the process of figuring out where you belong. A career in sports may look very different from what you first imagined — and that can be part of what makes the journey worthwhile. About Benjamin Goulding: Benjamin Goulding is the Manager of Group Sales for the Coachella Valley Firebirds. After earning his degree in sport management from St. John’s University, Benjamin built experience across collegiate athletics, game-day operations, professional sporting events, and ticket sales. His career has given him experience on both the operational and fan-facing sides of the sports industry, ultimately leading him to his current role helping create memorable experiences for Firebirds fans and community groups. Connect Today! Tomorrow’s Talent: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomo... Coachella Valley Firebirds:https://cvfirebirds.com/ Benjamin Goulding:   / benjamin-goulding-a38937163   Zachary Hill:   / zachary-hill-0a5628219   Tomorrow’s Talent Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/