Tony Wyille Brings Words of Wisdom to BSU Students

Former NFL Executive Says Follow Your Dreams

 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – Tony Wyille, an African American trailblazer in sport management having served as regional president and managing director for Special Olympics North America, and senior vice president of communications for the Washington  Redskins and other National Football League (NFL) teams, recently gave advice and tips to a group of BSU sport management, business and education majors about the variety of positions available in the sports industry.

“There are many different jobs available for students to pursue in sport management,” said Wyille. “But how do you become a professional in the business? Ranging from your state of mind, appearance, how you communicate and your reliability are all critical. A person has to also think about the kind of challenges the job presents.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that approximately 107,000 openings in sport management will become available each year now through 2032. Overall, employment in sport management occupations is predicted to grow faster than the average for all occupations in the same time period.

Sports analytics, sales and marketing, media and communications, technical nutrition, trainer, physiotherapist, operations, logistics and public relations are only a handful of the positions available in sport management.

“There are also positions for social media specialists, videographers, multimedia content developers and more,” said Wyille. “But you have to determine what you want from the employer in terms of management. Other factors that must be considered before accepting a job is the size of the company and the growth potential that will be available for you,” he said.

Wyille said he had a three-hour call when he was an undergraduate student with Bob Watson, the general manager of the Houston Astros. Watson was the first African American to become general manager of a U.S. professional sports team. Wyille said the call changed his life.

“I feel obligated to give back,” said Wyille. “Watson did not have to take my call. He did it for me and now I have to do the same for these students. I tell them all to follow their dreams, that everything is possible and to never take no for an answer.”

Wyllie is founder and CEO of The Collective Engine –a marketing firm that secures Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals for athletes. He is also in his first year as a Bowie State University adjunct professor in sport management.

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