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 Alumni:
Joanna Comfort,
Communications Assistant,
National Football League Players Association
 1. What attracted you to a job with the NFL Players Association?
Obviously I was intrigued by the idea of working with the NFL, but also my experience working in sports, combined with my educational background in public relations, was a great fit for this position. As a native Washingtonian, I was also excited about working close to home since the NFLPA is based out of Washington, D.C.
2. When did you know you wanted to work in sports media?
Sophomore year at Penn State, when I took Steve Manuel’s intro to PR class. It was only then that I realized there were positions available (besides sports writing) that combined my interest in sports and communications.
3. What are the functions of the NFL Players Association?
The NFL Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. The organization represents all NFL players in matters concerning wages, hours and working conditions, and protects their rights as professional football players. The NFLPA also assures that the terms of the collective bargaining agreement are met, negotiates and monitors retirement and insurance benefits, and enhances the image of players and their profession on and off the field.
4. How does working for the NFL differ from working for other sports?
It’s tough to point to one thing in particular because I’ve had such a variety of responsibilities in past jobs and internships. Most of my previous experience in sports involved working at the college or professional team level and my work was geared more toward the fans, to get them interested in attending games and events. At the NFLPA, however, I’m focused on the players and I work to make sure they receive fair and accurate coverage in the media, and help try to enhance their positive image.
5. What are your duties as a communications assistant?
I am primarily involved in coordinating media relations for both the NFLPA and NFL PLAYERS, its marketing and licensing subsidiary. This involves:
-- serving as the first point of contact for media calls and requests and distributing NFLPA press-related materials to sports writers across the country;
-- assisting in writing and editing all press-related materials, which includes press releases/media alerts, corporate information and biographies for NFL players taking part in NFL PLAYERS events;
-- assisting with the development and distribution of the Audible and NFL PLAYERS newsletters (I help write and edit articles, compile photos, and coordinate mailings to our membership);
-- coordinating media interviews with NFL players in an effort to promote NFL PLAYERS as well as company events;
-- pitching NFL PLAYERS events to local and national media and compiling media summaries for each event;
-- managing all logistics for the annual NFLPA Super Bowl press conference.
6. Do you travel at all as a communications assistant?
Yes, I travel to numerous events for both the NFLPA and NFL PLAYERS. There are occasions when I travel to NFL-sponsored events as well, including the Super Bowl, the NFL Combine and the NFL Draft.
7. What has been the most rewarding part of your job?
I love the opportunity to meet and interact with executives from all over the sports industry. Also, I’ve enjoyed witnessing first-hand all the work and preparation that goes into each major event, from the NFL Combine and Draft during the offseason to Kickoff and ultimately, the Super Bowl.
8. What has been the most challenging part of your job?
Because I work for two companies (the NFLPA is a non-profit and NFL PLAYERS is its for-profit marketing arm), it was a bit challenging at first to figure out the best way to balance my responsibilities for the NFLPA with my duties for NFL PLAYERS. I’m in a unique situation where I get to practice reactive public relations for the NFLPA (i.e., handling all media inquiries), then turn around and concentrate on proactive PR for NFL PLAYERS (i.e., pitching events to the media). I’ve since learned to manage my time wisely and juggle my different roles, but it did take some time.
9. What is one misconception that people have about your job at the NFL Players Association?
Lots of people don’t really know the difference between the NFL league office and the NFL Players Association. They think they’re one and the same, and I have to explain that’s not the case, that we’re two separate organizations that happen to work together. Besides that, people often assume I have easy access to game tickets, which is not the case.
10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I would love to work in media relations for the U.S. Olympic Committee or one of the national governing bodies like USA Basketball. For me, the Olympic Games is the most meaningful event in sports because it’s a celebration of all sports and it brings together thousands of the finest athletes in the world.
11. Do you have any advice for students who want to enter sports media?
Networking is key. Besides meeting people through internships in sports, be sure to join networking groups that focus on the specific field you would eventually like to work in. I’m also a big fan of volunteering to work at sporting events. I’ve met some great contacts working at the AT&T National golf tournament and the Legg Mason Classic tennis tournament in D.C.
12. When did you know you wanted to attend Penn State?
When I visited State College on a cold, rainy day as a senior in high school. Despite the terrible weather, I loved everything about the campus, particularly the college town vibe. I knew I wanted to go to a big school with plenty of degrees and programs to explore since I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with my life. I was also interested in a school with a great athletic tradition, so Penn State really fit all the criteria I was looking for.
13. Did you have a mentor at Penn State?
I worked with some great people in the athletic department, but my favorite professor was Elizabeth Hanley in the kinesiology department. She’s retired now, but her class on the history of the modern Olympic Games was always my favorite. I enjoyed it so much that I volunteered to be her teacher’s assistant and sat in on the entire class a second time. We still keep in touch today.
14. Did you have any sports-related internships in college?
I was a student assistant for the Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics Sports Marketing department and I wrote feature articles on Penn State athletes for the sports information department. I took part in the Manchester Program and had the opportunity to intern with the Manchester City Blues soccer team (English Premiere League) while studying abroad in England. I also interned for the Washington Freedom (WUSA) and DC United (MLS) teams during the summers.
15. What do you miss most about college?
Besides not having to deal with real world responsibilities and living the carefree lifestyle, I would say my Penn State friends. We’ve ended up all over the East Coast, which makes it really hard to see each other and keep in touch.
16. Have you visited University Park since graduating?
I try to make it up to Happy Valley at least twice a year.
17. Do you meet other Penn State alums through your work?
Yes, the extensive network of alumni is one of the best things about graduating from Penn State. I actually work with two former Penn Staters (Andre Collins and Tom DePaso, both former PSU/NFL football players) and used to work with Doug Allen before he moved to L.A. to become the executive director of the Screen Actors Guild. I also enjoy meeting former Penn Staters who now play in the NFL. For instance, I took a sports information class my senior year and worked on a project with Michael Robinson. It was great seeing him again at one of our company events and re-introducing myself.
18. Where are you originally from?
I was born in D.C. then moved out to Rockville, Md., as a kid.
19. What are your hobbies?
I enjoy playing basketball whenever I get a chance, and watching good movies. I also love to travel and explore new places. I used to do a lot of drawing and painting, but really haven’t had time for it since college.
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