Best Jobs to Get Free Sports Tickets

With the recent economic competitiveness sweeping the country, more-and-more employers are adding additional benefits and perks for their employees.  Both as a means to attract new, skilled labor and to increase overall retention, employers are beginning to provide perks and benefits to their employees that were once simply unheard of.

And one perk that many employers are beginning to provide to their employees are free sports tickets and tickets to sporting events.  And if this sounds like a perk you’d be interested in, then read further on the best jobs to get free sports tickets in.

Why do Some Employers Provide Free Sports Tickets?

In years past, employers would provide free sports tickets to their employees as an incentive to reward high-performers and individual employees who secured large contracts and negotiations.  These tickets were typically provided in conjunction with a raise, promotion, or one-time bonus payment.  And with the increasing cost of sporting tickets, the gesture was typically thoughtful and appreciated.

In addition, many employers offer free sporting tickets to their sales team.  This is typically done as a means to “wine and dine” new and existing clients and to either secure or continue their business.  Many salespeople would then use these free sporting tickets to invite their clients to a home game, oftentimes with the allure of courtside seats or suites.

And lastly, particularly in tech-heavy industries, sporting tickets are given to employees as an additional incentive of employment.  With many tech focused jobs already garnering high salaries, competing on perks and benefits are one way that employers can continue to attract the best and brightest individuals.

STEM Industries

Perhaps surprising to some, but many STEM, that is science, technology, engineering, and math, industries provide some of the best perks and benefits to their employees.  As stated above, these industries typically compete heavily on base salary and bonuses and providing additional perks and benefits to their employees is seen as one way to attract and retain talent and individuals.

Employers Who Sponsor and Advertise in the NBA

Although we’ve previously discussed the influx in ad spend and prominence in the NBA, these companies and employers typically secure season tickets for company use via their advertising efforts. 

Whether advertising on an individual court or arena or on a player’s jersey, these companies are usually offered free tickets by the individual NBA franchise team, which oftentimes are provided to the employees of the company.  If you are looking for a job which offers free sports tickets, then working for one of the major advertisers is a surefire way to get them.

Reporters

Although we often only hear from reporters during the post-game interview, these same reporters are often found in the stands during a game, taking detailed notes on the game, individual players, and team rankings and outlook.  And as these reporters are needed to attend the games live and in-person, they will be provided tickets to the game by their individual employer.

Whether the New York Times, ESPN, Bleacher Report, or even your local newspaper, reporters can be found at all major sporting events across the country and are typically provided tickets to the game at no cost to themselves.

Professional Sports Scouts

Similarly, another job which requires attendance at live sporting events, are professional sports scouts.  Professional sports scouts are experienced talent evaluators, typically travelling from city-to-city, watching individual athletes play and determining whether their talents fit with the needs of the organization.

To become a professional sports scout, you will first need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, sports science, business administration, marketing, or another similar and related field.  Once obtained, you can apply for training and certification with a scouting agency, who will be able to help you get your career started.

However, don’t expect to start at the big leagues from the get-go.  Typically, most new scouts will start their careers covering the high school sporting scene, moving onto the college game, before advancing to the professional leagues.

Sports Photographer and Videographer

Major league sports, from the NBA to the NFL to the MLB and NHL, are live events which attract tens of millions of fans daily.  However, not all fans are able to watch the event live and many rely on post-game highlights, photos, and stories to understand the outcome.

And while reporters do a great job at telling the story, news, and outcomes of the game, it is the photographers and videographers who capture those moments.  And as all major professional sporting leagues have broadcast deals and rights with the local and national media, photographers and videographers are often some of the most needed members of the media.

If you’re looking for a job that puts you in the middle of the action, and gives you those tickets for free, then consider a career in sports photography or videography.  A fun, exciting, and entertaining career and one that will have you on the sidelines of the games.

Arena Personnel

Let’s face it, running a multi-billion-dollar sports franchise is a lot of work.  And, as such, those teams, arenas, and franchises need many boots on the ground to help lay the foundation and ensure the work is completed before tip-off even begins.

From marketers and promoters, to seating personnel and janitorial staff, all members of the team and arena must work together to ensure the games go off without a hitch and are played successfully.  And while many of these personnel and staff may be stationed at different corners during the game, many times, sports leagues, and franchises will provide them free tickets to go to the games and to bring their families and friends along.