Provider of online registration services for participatory sports and recreational activities.
www.active.com
The Athletes' Network site is the premiere athlete data network, facilitating a worldwide exchange of standardized test results, between athletes and amateur, Olympic, and professional sports organizations.
www.athletesnetwork.com
Provider of news, information on accessories, parts and racing for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
www.atvworld.com
Official site of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee
www.beijing-olympic.org.cn
Class Act Sports provides free fantasy sports leagues and news.
www.classactsports.com
Provider of web site development and maintenance for college sports. A member of the US Internet Industry Association.
www.collegesports-online.com
Site connects players, coaches, families and fans to local sports organizations and teams.
www.eteamz.com
Site contains information for all types of racing. Including motocross, supercross, ATV's, mountain biking, go karting and powerboat racing. are just a few!
www.ezracer.com
College sports news center. Complete NCAA athletics coverage of football, basketball, baseball, hockey and more.
www.fansonly.com
Online source for information and articles about independent sports leagues.
www.federalleague.com
Online resource directory of sports leagues in your local cities.
www.findasportsleaguenow.com
Site covers categories ranging from news to buying equipment to fantasy sports.
www.geosport.com
Site allows searches for state and local associations, referee magazines and various camps.
www.gmcgriff.com
Provides news, features, schedules, and much more. Espn is a division of the Walt Disney Company and is located in Bristol, Connecticut.
espn.go.com
Online source of high quality plans for building wooden sea kayaks, information about sea kayaking trips, pictures and other links.
www.guillemot-kayaks.com
Community environment that encourages the exchange of knowledge.
www.iis-sports.com
Online source for up-to-date information on officiating in all major, amateur and professional sports.
www.referee.com
Offers directories, magazines, news and ticket information.
directory.searchwho.com
Breaking news from around the world, updated thoughout the day.
www.sportbusiness.com
Offers market research and financial news on all sports.
www.sportinggoodsresearch.com
Sports business News looks at economic issues related to sports.
www.sportsbusinessnews.com
SportsInk provides up to the minute coverage of high school sports in Summit and Medina Counties, Ohio.
www.sportsink.com
News on baseball, basketball motorcycles, football and hockey.
www.sportsresourcezone.net
Daily updates and information on the business of sports.
www.sportsvueinc.com
Publishes news and research for the sports marketing industry. Based in Chicago, Illinois.
www.teammarketing.com
Premiere internet portal site dedicated to news and information on the sport of Billiards.
www.thebilliardchannel.com
Allows user to find opponents or games in cities across the country.
www.worldladders.com
If you want to run a successful sports business, then you need sports information resources to help you plan. Whether you are managing a team or working on a sports marketing plan, the right sports research could make or break your business.
All businesses need a hefty supply of marketing research, no matter what the industry. This is especially important in the sports industry, where sports marketing information can vary from city to city.
Sports market research can help you:
1. Understand market trends. With sports market statistics, you can learn what consumers are spending their money on. This will help you to decide what direction to take your business.
2. Succeed in a competitive marketplace. There are many different types of businesses in the sports industry. Sports information and research help you to stand out.
3. Expand into a new area. If you are already successful in one city, you may want to open similar businesses throughout the country. By looking at sports marketing information from that area, you can determine if your business is viable.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Hire a sports market firm to for research and a sports market report
Compiling and interpreting the data about how consumers participate in and watch sports can be difficult. Fortunately, there are market research companies that specialize in gathering sports data and creating easy to understand reports to help you expand your business.
I recommend: The Leisure Trends Group has been research consumer interest in the sports industry for over 20 years. Whether your specialty is football or snowboarding, they can create retail reports just for you. Turnkey Sports & Entertainment provides similar services, including the ability to track and report on fan awareness and loyalty.
Subscribe to sports magazines for the latest sports information
Magazines make excellent sports information resources because they provide current information and discuss the trends that are happening today.
I recommend: Subscribe to Sports Business International for sports market research and articles about the business end of sports management. It is also a good idea to subscribe to a popular consumer sports magazine, such as Sports Illustrated. This gives you more consumer-focused insight.
Frequent sports related forums to do your sports marketing research
The best way to succeed in business is to find out what customers want and to give it to them. In online forums, customers frequently chat about things they'd like to be able to see or buy. This is a goldmine for business owners that want to provide more value to their customers.
I recommend: Check out the Postgame Pub or Sports Convo. Both web forums have different sections for various sports.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Sports fans tend to be loyal consumers, so make sure you study your sports market research well before you release any products.


