PLANO, Texas (November 18, 2024) – Learfield, the media and technology company powering college athletics, proudly announces it has been named a top three medal winner of Sports Business Journal’s (SBJ) Best Places to Work in Sports for 2024. This esteemed honor reinforces Learfield’s people-first approach to its business and its commitment to promoting a positive and inclusive work environment where employees thrive through exceptional opportunities for its team members.
SBJ’s Best Places to Work in Sports list includes honorees representing a diverse array of organizations across nine industry segments ranging from major league teams to behind-the-scenes professional services providers. The survey, administered by SBJ’s partner, Quantum Workplace, explored critical aspects of organizational culture, including compensation, benefits, confidence in co-workers, and trust in senior leadership.
“One of Learfield’s standout qualities is the genuine care it provides for the incredible people we have as part of our organization,” said Dayali Carpenter, Senior Manager of NIL Business Development “What truly inspires me is how this care translates into how we approach our work and a shared commitment to deliver exceptional results because we know we’re supported every step of the way.”
At the heart of Learfield’s success is its dedication to fostering employee development and inclusivity. The company’s seven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a pivotal role in enhancing support, career development, and personal growth within the organization. Learfield’s ERGs, such as ADAPT, the Black Culture Collective, Bridge Asia, Early Career Connectors, Learfield OUTreach, Wellness ERG, and Women@Learfield, provide employees with various platforms for open dialogue, relationship building, and problem-solving.
“Learfield is an exceptional place to work because it’s a company that genuinely values innovation, community, and personal growth. I feel empowered every day to contribute not just to our clients’ successes, but also to internal initiatives like the Black Culture Collective, which allow us to build a more inclusive and supportive environment,” said Jessica Haley, Marketing Automation Strategist for Paciolan, Learfield’s ticketing solutions business.
Learfield team members are often provided opportunities to be at the epicenter of innovation, providing industry-leading solutions to clients and brands through the company’s commitment to elevating the fan experience and propelling growth within the sports industry. With this forward-thinking approach, Learfield excels at initiatives such as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) strategies, brand building, original content and digital platforms to enhance engagement, create new revenue generation and promote brands. Additionally, Learfield leverages the largest, most comprehensive college fan data in the industry, compiled from many of its owned sources, including users of SIDEARM Sports’ digital media platforms and ticket buyers through its Paciolan ticketing platforms, to anticipate trends, optimize operations, and deliver customized strategies that leverage fan passion, setting a new standard for excellence in college sports.
“Learfield is an incredible place to work because it fosters an inclusive and collaborative culture where everyone’s contributions are valued, and diverse perspectives drive innovation,” added Harrison Polk, Partner Success Manager for SIDEARM Sports, Learfield’s sports website and digital solutions business. “With its reach across multiple business lines, Learfield unites teams to deliver outstanding, tailored solutions that truly meet and exceed client needs.”
The executive leaders at Learfield are dedicated to cultivating a culture of excellence and inclusion, where every employee has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the company’s success. Through mentorship, collaboration, and a shared mission, Learfield team members are empowered to reach their full potential and make a meaningful impact in the sports landscape.
“The best part about working at Learfield is that from the top down, I believe everyone wants you to be successful and grow as a person and professional, not just your supervisor,” said Lindsey Laurent, Senior Manager of Partnerships, CLC, Learfield’s licensing division. “The company provides leadership trainings, mentoring, and opportunities to get to know fellow employees across the enterprise, and that’s not something I’ve experienced in any other place I’ve worked.”
As a premier media and technology company in sports and entertainment, Learfield’s mission is to facilitate the connection between fans and the brands and experiences they love. Guided by the core values of building trust, fostering camaraderie, driving innovation for the future, creating and uniting communities, and ensuring a fun-filled journey along the way, Learfield is committed to upholding these principles in every aspect of its day-to-day operations, while delivering enhanced opportunities for its partner institutions, brands, and fans.
“You work in sports because you’re passionate about it, and Learfield’s culture supports that passion by focusing on building strong partnerships and fostering growth and innovation,” said Terri Kelly, Director of Operations for Learfield’s Texas-based Longhorn Sports Marketing.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.