Content/Teaching Outline

CONTENT/TEACHING OUTLINE

COMPENTENCY: 9.00 Explore career-sustaining opportunities in sports and entertainment marketing.

OBJECTIVE: 9.03 Explain ethical responsibility in the sports and entertainment industry.

A. Define ethics. 1. Ethics are the moral decisions of what is right or wrong. 2. Ethical behavior is knowing the difference between right and wrong and consciously choosing to do what is right. 3. Ethical conduct of an organization is determined by the actions, attitudes, or behavior of employees. 4. Ethics of companies, athletes, or entertainers has come under increased public scrutiny in recent years. 5. A code of ethics is a written statement of responsibility for proper actions, attitudes, or behaviors for employees.

B. Identify ethical responsibilities to customers. 1. Full disclosure. a. Customers must be informed of a product’s features, conditions, and price. b. Companies have a responsibility to inform consumers of negative results from the use of a product. 2. Truth in advertising. a. False advertising is unethical and illegal. b. “Bait and switch” practices lure customers with a low-price product, but the company has no intent to sell that product to the customer. The company then attempts to persuade the customer to purchase a higher priced product. 3. Price fixing is an illegal agreement between a manufacturer and a company to set prices for a product. 4. Unsafe products are manufactured with low-quality or potentially harmful materials that could present a hazard to the consumer. Unsafe products can result in lawsuits and a negative company or brand image. The Consumers Union is an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization that evaluates products for the benefit of consumers. 5. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces federal antitrust and consumer protection laws, such as advertised prices. 6. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent federal regulatory agency. The CPSC attempts to reduce the risk of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products by developing product standards, conducting research, and educating consumers about potential product hazards.

C. Identify ethical responsibility of employees. 1. Work habits a. Be on time for work.

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b. Work hard. c. Be truthful and honest. d. Be reliable and dependable. e. Use initiative. f. Give proper notice if leaving a job. 2. Loyalty a. Keep confidential information classified. b. Avoid gossip. c. Practice good work habits. 3. Business image a. Make a good first impression with customers. b. Ones conduct should reflects positively upon the business.

D. Discuss character traits. 1. Courage a. Having the determination to do the right thing even when others don’t. b. Having the strength to follow ones conscience rather than the crowd. c. Attempting difficult things that are worthwhile. 2. Good judgment a. Choosing worthy goals and setting proper priorities. b. Thinking through the consequences of ones actions. c. Basing decisions on practical wisdom and good sense. 3. Integrity a. Having the inner strength to be truthful, trustworthy, and honest in all things. b. Acting justly and honorably. 4. Kindness a. Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others. b. Showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity. c. Treating others as one would like to be treated. 5. Perseverance a. Being persistent in the pursuit of worthy objectives in spite of difficulty, opposition, or discouragement. b. Exhibiting patience and having the fortitude to try again when confronted with delays, mistakes, or failures. 6. Respect a. Showing high regard for authority, for other people, for self, for property, and for country. b. Understanding that all people have value as human beings. 7. Responsibility a. Being dependable in carrying out obligations and duties.

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b. Showing reliability and consistency in words and conduct. c. Being accountable for ones own actions. d. Being committed to active involvement in ones community. 8. Self-discipline a. Demonstrating hard work and commitment to purpose. b. Regulating oneself for improvement and restraining from inappropriate behaviors. c. Being in proper control of your words, actions, impulses, and desires. d. Doing ones best in all situations.

E. Explain importance of ethics. 1. Employees have a social responsibility to the companies for which they work. These responsibilities include being truthful, fair and honest in the production, management, or selling of a product. 2. Athletes and entertainers hire agents to represent them. Agents may also be accountants or attorneys. Responsibilities include negotiating personal service agreements, contracts, and endorsements. Agents are usually paid a percentage of the PSA, contract, or endorsement. 3. Handlers are individuals paid by athletes, entertainers, companies, or teams. Handlers are hired to assist with the public image of an athlete or entertainers by regulating their behavior. Companies, including teams, require employees, including athletes or entertainers, to act ethically. Athletes or entertainers who are incapable or reluctant to act ethically require handlers because of the opportunities to make money. Many times, the investment of hiring a handler is worth the cost.

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