Meet the Breakthroughs: Rising Voices in the Sports Industry

The sports world isn’t just about what happens on the field. These are the people redefining what it means to work in sports, who are carving out their own path. Every spotlight shares a different story, and maybe, the next one could be yours, or MINE!

Chris Bausano

Director of Strategic Accounts at Cincinnati Reds:

  • Manage and grow relationships with high-value corporate partners and premium clients to drive revenue and long-term retention
  • Develop strategic account plans for top-tier clients, focusing on customized experiences, ROI, and activation strategy
  • Lead negotiations and renewals for major sponsorships, suites, and premium seating contracts

Lauren Guidotti

Senior Manager, Communications at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR

  • Oversee all media center operations including venue enhancements (in collaboration with the facilities team), production and execution of press conferences and major corporate announcements, and managing all media center staff
    • Lead event execution of celebrations around our marquee events like the 100 Day Out Celebration, Indy 500 ticket and Borg Warner Trophy unveils
    • Develop media stunts and events involving drivers, local athletes, and celebrities, highlighting the excitement around the Indy 500 and Brickyard.

Personally going through an interview for IndyCar communications with Lauren this year, she was happy to see my enthusiasm for this industry and reached out with a personal offer to come to shadow her daily job. I learned so much from this experience, (as seen above), and am so grateful for sports professionals who are willing to open the doors for newer professionals in the field, like me! I always encourage you to reach out to sports professionals to network and ask to shadow them in the office to see what you may like about their job!

“Do everything you can now”- Lauren Guidotti

Breaking into the sports industry isn’t about luck, it’s about being intentional, staying informed, and constantly leveling up your skills. This video captures so much of what this site is about: finding your entry point, understanding the business, and building real relationships. Whether you’re just getting started or already making moves, keep exploring, keep connecting, and don’t be afraid to take the first step. There’s room for you in this industry, you just have to work for it!