Sports Career Spotlight | Robert Tuchman

Posted on WorkInSports.com: 7/7/2009
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What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Leaving Lehman Brothers (not too risky now!) without a job in hand and determining no matter what I wanted was to work in sports. I was miserable in my day to day not doing what I really loved and that is when I decided to leave and to look full time in sports. I finally found a job working for a small sports promotion company out of my house. It was a commission only position but I was finally in sports doing what I loved.

What is your biggest professional accomplishment?
Starting my own business TSE Sports & Entertainment in 1997 and selling it in 2006 to a private equity firm which owns Premiere Global Sports.

What is your biggest professional disappointment?
It was Super Bowl 2001 in Tampa Bay (Giants vs Ravens) and I found out two days before the event that my ticket supplier had balked on the two hundred and fifty Super Bowl tickets he was supposed to deliver. It was a crushing moment to hear this news on Friday at 1pm before the game on Sunday. We were able to get the funds to Tampa and find the sources needed to secure all the tickets. In the end all of our clients were happy and we kept them all for many years. We lost a lot of money on the event but my reputation was intact. What was my biggest personal disappointment at the time turned into one of my defining moments with my company.

What career advice do you have for people wanting into this industry?
Do whatever you can to get in the door. Even if it means a low paying job or no paying internship. Prove your worth and desire by doing everything necessary to make a good impression once in the door. Opportunities will open up for you. We have hired many interns over the years.

What is one story you are continuing to watch in the sports world today?
So much of sports is being driven by corporations who have been affected by the Economic downturn. It is going to be very interesting to see how these companies get back into the game. Soon enough I think we will be back on the up tick and companies will be more involved in our industry than ever before. These companies are the back bone of the sports industry.