NFL's Wintergrass shares insight, experience
Rob Morgan
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Sports
In the days leading up to the draft, Wintergrass and his crew transform Radio City from a music hall into a television set which audiences see on ESPN and the NFL Network.
"There's a good four months of work that goes into it and a real concentrated effort the week before to build up the facility, credential the media, set up the television networks, and then it will unfold on Saturday," he said.
Wintergrass was also heavily involved in the NFL's decision to expand internationally by playing the first regular season games overseas in London's Wembley Stadium. He also said that there have been internal discussions about playing more games overseas. It has been reported that NFL executives are having discussions about playing the Super Bowl in London.
"It's been tremendous for our sport," said Wintergrass. "The folks in the UK have welcomed us with open arms. Wembley Stadium seats approximately 80,000 and we sell it out basically right when we put it on sale."
Although the Pro Bowl, which has been held in Hawaii for the past 30 years, will be held in South Florida this season, Wintergrass had nothing but good things to say about Hawaii as the game's host state and said that the Pro Bowl will return to Honolulu in the next year or two.
"Hawaii has been tremendous," he said. "It's been our home away from home. The players enjoy going there and it's been a great host for the game."
In addition to discussing his responsibilities and all that goes into marketing the NFL brand, Wintergrass also offered some valuable pieces of advice for those students interested in pursuing a similar career.
"Make sure it's something you really want to do and make sure you know what goes on behind the scenes," he said. "While you're in school, do other things that are related to the field to make yourself stand out on a resume."
"I got into this business because I answered three rejection letters for internships out of literally hundreds. I started to talk to the people and got offered internships at all three of those places. I wound up picking the Patriots and 30 seasons later, I'm still here."
"There's a good four months of work that goes into it and a real concentrated effort the week before to build up the facility, credential the media, set up the television networks, and then it will unfold on Saturday," he said.
Wintergrass was also heavily involved in the NFL's decision to expand internationally by playing the first regular season games overseas in London's Wembley Stadium. He also said that there have been internal discussions about playing more games overseas. It has been reported that NFL executives are having discussions about playing the Super Bowl in London.
"It's been tremendous for our sport," said Wintergrass. "The folks in the UK have welcomed us with open arms. Wembley Stadium seats approximately 80,000 and we sell it out basically right when we put it on sale."
Although the Pro Bowl, which has been held in Hawaii for the past 30 years, will be held in South Florida this season, Wintergrass had nothing but good things to say about Hawaii as the game's host state and said that the Pro Bowl will return to Honolulu in the next year or two.
"Hawaii has been tremendous," he said. "It's been our home away from home. The players enjoy going there and it's been a great host for the game."
In addition to discussing his responsibilities and all that goes into marketing the NFL brand, Wintergrass also offered some valuable pieces of advice for those students interested in pursuing a similar career.
"Make sure it's something you really want to do and make sure you know what goes on behind the scenes," he said. "While you're in school, do other things that are related to the field to make yourself stand out on a resume."
"I got into this business because I answered three rejection letters for internships out of literally hundreds. I started to talk to the people and got offered internships at all three of those places. I wound up picking the Patriots and 30 seasons later, I'm still here."
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