Reggie Austin

THE SHOT

While I understand the point being made, I don’t love the holier-than-thou attitude toward people’s financial situations in sports. I spent years grinding after college (and still am) working for free, working for pennies, and doing whatever it took to stay in the profession. If we’re being honest, one of the main reasons I made it through was the financial support available during COVID. Without it, I would’ve been in a MUCH tougher spot. I’m still dealing with the financial consequences of chasing this career path. Was it worth it? Yes. Was it enjoyable? Not exactly. Most people who get into sports understand they probably won’t be making six figures right away. But acknowledging that reality doesn’t mean people shouldn’t be fairly compensated for the work they do. When you’re consistently putting in long days/weeks/months, it’s reasonable to believe your time and effort have value. There are a lot of talented people in this profession navigating financial challenges without much support. We can recognize the sacrifices required to work in sports while also recognizing that better compensation is a fair conversation to have. I think this is a fine line we walk and that we should be mindful of commenting on someone else’s financial reality and honestly, this is going to be even more of a conversation moving forward as things such as groceries, gas, and rent continue to climb.

College athletics departments right now

Since I have helped set the smsports community ablaze tonight I will add this. To the department heads who are dealing with exec staffs and ADs who are going to look at Chat 2.0 and start asking questions like how quickly can we downsize, it is your job to advocate for your departments and educate the powers at be on what this actually is, powerful tools that if used properly can help your departments become more efficient. It is also your job to remind them that AI can’t go sit on a baseline or sideline and capture content or mic up a player. It can’t go to an OV and make a connection with a family or athlete, and cant cover an event. It also can’t understand what a coach means when they say something like “just add that thing you did four graphics ago that I told you I liked.” And I’d love to see how it interprets “it just doesn’t pop enough for me.” The fact is creatives are just as important to their athletic departments today as they were yesterday and if you oversee a department, like I do, it is your responsibility to everyone who reports to you to make sure that message is heard and understood.

LEBRON JAMES REVERSE DUNK AT AGE 41 OMFGGG 😭🔥🔥🔥 THIS IS YEAR 23!!!!!!!!

🗣️INVEST IN CREATIVE

Clemson's creative HQ has photo and video studios, a podcast studio, and rows of editing bays that make it look more like a Hollywood studio than a college campus. That's the point. @EllynBriggs on how athletic departments are becoming full-blown media companies ⬇️

The smart athletic departments & teams are investing big here (leadership, staff, resources/equipment, studios, access)… ROI will be there

DUBS IN THE CHAT

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Approaching 21 exported videos since .. November 1

creativity dies when you're constantly in execution mode

All good things come to an end , for the greater to begin .

I know a lot of focus is on the athletes, coaches and ADs...but boy oh boy the rest of the college sports industry doesn't seem to be in a good place right now. I also hear stuff like this ALL THE TIME from my sources. athleticdirectoru.com/articles/d1-ad…

Life lately.

Shaq's message to the Cavs GM: "What the f*** are you doing? Why is Emoni Bates in the f**** G-League? What the f*** is going on? This MF can play. The last game you put him in, he had 7 3PTS. Don't you think you need that for a championship?"

Maybe Your Path Is Harder Because Your Calling Is Higher. 🦅💎

This is one of the most special boxes I have received because it comes from one of my favorite all time players... MAXX CROSBY! The @EMUFB Eagles were kind enough to send me a package and there's something in here that blew me away! Thank you Coach Creighton and Maxx!!

Gentle reminder. Working in sports is not your identity. At the end of the day, you're a human being. Be passionate about your hobbies, friends, loved ones, and family. That should never change 💯

They’re going to make a Movie about this … This was Tyler Shough at the NFL Combine who just got picked before Shedeur Sanders 👀

Let’s Normalize Supporting Eachother First Instead Of Judging. Let’s Formulate Our Own Opinions About Others Instead Of Going Off Of Passed Down Judgements. Put On For The Ones That Hold It Down For You. Keep Your Circle Small. You’re Not For Everybody & Everybody’s Not For You But Lead With Love Instead Of Hate & Watch How Much Better Your Life Will Be. Energy Is Contagious & What You Give Off Is What You Will Receive. If You Know Who You Are & What You’re About, No Negativity & BS Will Distract You As Long As You Don’t Feed Into It. Less Talking + More Action = Greater Results. 🦅💎