If You Build It, They Will Come: Navigating Layoffs and Building a Lasting Brand in Sports Media

Getting laid off is never easy. It’s a profound moment of uncertainty and vulnerability, especially when you’ve poured your heart and soul into a job that focuses on something as special as high school sports. Working for a company centered around the stories, triumphs, and challenges of young athletes offers a unique sense of purpose. But when the business landscape shifts — as it often does in today’s fast-paced digital world — you’re left wondering what’s next.

For me, the experience of being laid off from a high school sports media company was a shock, but it also prompted reflection. The business is changing rapidly, and in the ever-evolving world of sports media, adaptation is not just a survival tactic; it’s a necessity. As media platforms evolve and audience consumption shifts, companies must constantly reassess their models and strategies to stay relevant.

It reminds me of a line from one of my favorite movies, Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” It’s a sentiment that’s not only timeless but also resonates deeply in the world of business and brand development. In the movie, Ray Kinsella builds a baseball field against all odds, trusting that it will attract something special. That same belief applies to the business world, especially in industries as passionate as sports.

More Than a Logo: Building a Lasting Brand

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The lesson from Field of Dreams is clear — building something special requires vision, persistence, and a deep understanding of what will resonate with your audience. In today’s sports industry, especially in media, building a brand goes far beyond creating a logo. It’s about building something recognizable, trustworthy, and impactful — a brand that athletes, fans, and stakeholders can believe in and rally behind.

A logo is merely a symbol; what it stands for is what makes the difference. Whether it’s high school sports or the professional arena, a brand needs to carry a narrative that resonates with its audience. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about telling a story, creating experiences, and making an impact. When a brand is built thoughtfully, with care for its audience and content, it attracts followers organically — just like Ray’s field.

The sports industry, in particular, thrives on emotion, loyalty, and community. Whether it’s fans cheering on their favorite team or young athletes dreaming of their futures, the experiences matter. To build something that sticks, the product must be as special as the experience it aims to reflect. For businesses in high school sports media or any part of the sports ecosystem, the focus should be on creating meaningful experiences — whether through stories, events, or interactive content.

Adapting to Change: Embracing the Unknown

Losing a job, especially one tied to a passion like sports, can feel like a curveball you didn’t see coming. But as the business world changes, so must we. It’s essential to embrace the idea of constant evolution. In sports, as in life, those who can pivot, adapt, and reimagine their path will find new opportunities.

In today’s media landscape, we have to think beyond traditional models. Digital platforms, social media, streaming, and interactive content have reshaped the way audiences consume sports. For high school sports media companies, that means creating content that goes beyond game recaps or scores; it’s about engaging stories, compelling visuals, and an emotional connection that extends beyond the field.

As I move forward from this chapter, the lesson is clear: If you build something special — if you craft a brand with vision and purpose — the right people will come. The path may not always be clear, but the opportunity to create something that resonates is always there, waiting for the right idea, the right product, and the right brand.

So, whether it’s sports media or any other industry, the key is to focus on what truly matters: the story, the audience, and the impact. If you build that with passion and purpose, success will follow.

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Final Thoughts

Being laid off has its own set of challenges, but it also opens up new doors for reflection and reinvention. The world of high school sports media is changing, but the principles of building something valuable and lasting remain the same. Just like in Field of Dreams, if you build something extraordinary, people will notice. It’s about creating a brand that resonates, evolves, and ultimately stands the test of time.

As I take the next steps, I remain committed to the belief that by building something meaningful, both in work and in life, the right people will come — and so will the opportunities.