In today’s world of sports business, it can be tough to find success in a field that is extremely competitive, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for people like Travis Apple, author of the new book “Hustle your way to success in sports sales,” there are ways to thrive in the business.

Apple is currently the Chief revenue officer of Event Dynamic, an artificial intelligence technology that specializes in increasing revenue and maximizing attendance. Before his time with Event Dynamic, Apple has had over a decade of experience in the sports business field, starting with the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Thrashers sales team. Apple has since had stops with the Pittsburg Pirates, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Miami Marlins and even the NBA league office.

“I’ve always had a passion for sports, so throughout college I was doing several internships and I wanted to do something in sports, I kind of fell in love with sales and I’ve always been competitive so I felt like that was a great opportunity to control my own destiny,” Apple said.

The years of experience Apple has had in the field compelled him to create the book, which he says is one of the ways he wants to give back to the industry that has given him so much.

“I’ve always enjoyed being in leadership and training and developing and really giving back. You know I feel like I’ve worked around a lot of really good people, I have a lot of great contacts, I’ve learned a ton and I’ve always wanted to be that person as well, that mentor, it’s something I’ve always kind of put on my bucket list to do.”

For Apple, giving back has become something he has felt called to do since he first started in the business. His longtime co-worker, friend, and author of the book’s forward, Chris Zaber, would agree.

“Cultivating, developing, growth, and talent is something that he definitely has a passion for and (he) takes that responsibility seriously while also having a good time and enjoying what he does, but he also has a long history of helping and developing,” Zaber said.

“When he told me he was writing a book I was saying ‘well why would you want to give away all your secrets?’ Then it dawned on me that he’s been doing that all day every day for years, just the way he’s gone about helping and developing people.”

Apple’s history of wanting to share his success and advice with others doesn’t just come from his book. Apple also hosts a podcast, “52 weeks of hustle,” where he talks to other people in the industry and what’s made them successful as well.

“(I said) you know I’ve always thought about a podcast and right around when the pandemic started I was looking at ways to give back and provide content to provide to people in the sports sales business, I’ve always told people you’ve got to continue to find ways to invest in yourself and do the little things to get better and I felt like this was a great opportunity in utilizing my network,” Apple said.

While Apple has shared so much with the industry already, the idea of writing another book and continuing to do so is something that he has a desire for.

“It was always a bucket list to get the first book out the door, but I’ve started putting pen to paper on potential future opportunities as well. This certainly isn’t going to be my first and last book.”

Apple’s new book is available now, and his podcast, “52 weeks of hustle,” can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

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