NFL Agency Internship - Football/Marketing/Client Relations/Legal/Graphic Design/Coaching/Media/Salary Cap & Contracts
Athletes First is a full-service sports agency with their HQ located in Laguna Hills, CA. They represent around 400 clients including NFL players, NFL and NCAA coaches, personnel and broadcasters.
Athletes First is seeking interns to assist our agency during Spring 2023 (early January through mid-May). Interns must be hardworking and detail-oriented.
Interns will be focused on a specific department. Within your application, you will be asked to rank the department areas that most interest you. You are welcome to elaborate on why you ranked as you did in your cover letter (but it is not necessary). Candidates who are hired will ultimately be placed based on a combination of their preference and their existing relevant experience.
The areas are as follows:
•Football (LAGUNA HILLS, CA OR LOS ANGELES, CA) - There are three (3) positions that will be offered, all three would have mandatory in-person requirements. One would be based in Sherman Oaks working specifically for one of our player/coaching agents and his operational needs. This would be 20-35 hours per week and would be ideal for a student that needs an internship for credit while completing other coursework. The second is our more traditional position out of our HQ office in Laguna Hills, CA. You may assist any of our certified agents in various ways including providing information on a recruit, checking/comparing stats for existing clients, etc. This position will also help with the training process for some of our rookies training out of our Orange County location. The third position would specifically help with our rookie training program in Westlake Village, CA (too far away to work out of our HQ office). This would include helping with any and all logistics, airport runs, coordinating rental cars, prepping events, etc. This position would only run from the beginning of the year (as early in 2022 as possible) through mid-March once training is over.
•Graphic Design (LAGUNA HILLS, CA OR REMOTE) – You will assist in creating compelling artwork and graphic designs to support the creative department. This will include designing material for social media, branding materials, logos, design campaigns and personalized recruiting materials. Significant design experience is required for full consideration. Experience within sports and/or with video and motion graphics preferred.
•GOAT Farm Media (LA AREA AND/OR REMOTE) - GOAT Farm is our in-house video production company that makes content for our clients. Ideal candidates have experience managing and growing social media accounts (IG, TikTok & YouTube). Experience shooting and editing video content is valued but not mandated. This position would split time working remotely with some potential (not mandatory) in-person production assistance in Southern California as needed.
•A1 Coaches (GAINESVILLE, FL - Mandatory) - The A1 Coaches Department works on behalf of some of the most recognizable football coaches, executives, and personalities. Interns will be entrusted with a variety of tasks, including but not limited to legal and market research, contract analysis, event planning, and other client-focused projects. Having a legal background is valued but not mandated
•Salary Cap and Contracts (ATLANTA, GA AND/OR REMOTE) - You may assist our Salary Cap and Contracts department on long-term analytical studies related to player contracts, the NFL CBA, and the NFL Salary Cap as well as assist in preparation for contract negotiations. You will gain an understanding of market factors and CBA regulations and how they affect contract negotiations
•Marketing (LAGUNA HILLS, CA - extremely strong preference to in-person, possibility of work from NYC office) - You will help with research of marketing and endorsement opportunities for clients, reach out to companies on behalf of clients, and generally support the marketing staff in securing deals. You will have the opportunity to assist with and sit in on negotiations for multiple marketing/endorsement agreements.
•Client Relations (LAGUNA HILLS, CA - extremely strong preference to in-person) – You will support our Client Relations staff that assists clients with any concierge needs they have off of the field. This includes helping with travel, finding and securing housing, public relations, assisting with their charities, post-career matters and more. Involvement with this department will serve as a well-rounded way to gain experience on the added value that we offer to our clients.
•Client Relations (ATLANTA, GA OR REMOTE - no strong preference) - This intern will support the client relations staff that specifically works in Atlanta, GA with any and all NFL client requests including but not limited to assistance with travel, reservations, day to day support and client events. This person would be expected to be available “after hours” as our clients make requests even after the business day and on weekend and must be organized, detailed oriented, resourceful and a strong multi-tasker
•Legal (LAGUNA HILLS, CA OR REMOTE) – You will assist our General Counsel, who is also a coaching agent, in the review and creation of representation, employment and marketing contracts for clients as well as assist with any other potential legal needs for clients or the company as a whole. It is a great opportunity to apply your legal experience in a sports setting.
We may entertain remote positions other than what is noted above, but intend and STRONGLY prefer to offer in-person opportunities where specified, as our offices are fully open. This means that if our two top candidates are equally matched and one can be in person and the other can not, we will likely choose the in-person candidate. If you are the clear top candidate and you cannot work in-person, we will consider a remote position, but note that in-person interns will get a better experience. Unless otherwise stated, interns typically work full-time working hours (9am to 6pm) Monday through Friday, though we can have flexibility to work around school schedules, if applicable, and this may depend on department needs. Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Internships are offered either for credit or hourly pay.
Spring 2023 applications are due no later than November 1, 2022. If you have any questions, please email athletesfirstinterns@gmail.com. Addressing your cover letter to "Hiring Manager" is just fine.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Athletes First has recently committed to promoting diversity on its staff at all levels, including the internship program. Every effort will be made to ensure that opportunity is especially considered for those who are historically underrepresented in the sports business industry by:
• Particularly considering the underprivileged/underrepresented
• Ensuring that all hires have the proper support on all levels
• Giving hires an adequate opportunity to contribute and grow at Athletes First
• Setting up hires and former interns for both short-term and long-term successes
*Applicants who fit an identity that is underrepresented in the sports business industry and/or have not been afforded adequate opportunity are encouraged to elaborate in their cover letter.
For a general FAQ on our internship program, please view here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19b3V0Os2Ws90s4EQb5pnD2cI1B7nAnDK/view?usp=sharing