Los Angeles Sparks Internship: Opportunities and Requirements
The Los Angeles Sparks, a prominent team in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), offer various internship programs designed to provide aspiring professionals with practical experience and insight into the world of sports. These internships cover diverse areas, from events and entertainment to basketball operations and film. This article delves into the requirements, responsibilities, and benefits of Los Angeles Sparks internships, highlighting the opportunities available to students seeking to launch their careers in the sports industry.
Spark into S.T.E.M. Society
Spark into S.T.E.M. Society was launched by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2017. This initiative addresses the risk of overlooking talented inner-city youth, particularly girls, who possess a natural aptitude and curiosity for S.T.E.M. fields. Socio-economic constructs and educational gaps often hinder these individuals. The Sparks aim to combat these challenges by nurturing their budding interest in S.T.E.M., especially as Los Angeles emerges as a hub for tech companies and startups.
Initiatives and Activities
The Sparks engage in various activities to promote S.T.E.M. education among young girls:
- Afternoon Workshops: The girls attend workshops hosted by the Sparks in collaboration with engineers and architects from Raytheon and N.O.M.A, along with beauty sponsors NCLA, Chayil Maison, and Top Knot.
- Golden State Warriors Game: In partnership with the Verizon Foundation, the group attended their first Golden State Warriors game, experiencing the technology behind the fan and player experience at Oracle Arena.
- Immersive Visits to Startups: The group paid an immersive visit to the Brandless startup, a health food and home product pop-up experience on Melrose.
Goals and Objectives
- Encouraging S.T.E.M. Engagement: To encourage strong S.T.E.M. engagement, students learn best when they feel connected to lessons through active participation.
- Empowering Youth: To empower the youth Los Angeles youth to develop these skills and set their goals high.
- Highlighting Local Opportunities: To ensure that native Los Angeleno girls understand the amazing professional opportunities that exist in their own backyard.
Events & Entertainment Internship
The Events & Entertainment Internship with the LA Sparks provides a hands-on experience for students interested in the behind-the-scenes operations of a WNBA team. This seasonal internship, running from April to December, offers college credit as compensation and reports to the Sr. Director of Events & Entertainment.
Job Description
The internship program focuses on building skills and providing exposure to various departments within a professional sports team. The Events & Entertainment Intern plays a crucial role in driving brand awareness for the LA Sparks.
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Key Program Benefits
- Work Experience: Practical knowledge and training on game presentation/events from planning to execution.
- Resume Building: Real work experience to add to your resume as well as your coursework.
- Networking: Chance to explore different avenues of the sports industry through access to various departments.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Game Day Planning: Learn how to plan and implement for game days, including coordinating, scripting, and booking.
- Game Day Set-Up: Understand game-day set-up, such as tents, tables, signs/banners, etc.
- Talent Collaboration: Collaborate with in-house and booked talent, such as DJs, Hosts, Dance Crews, artists, etc.
- Social Media Support: Assist with social media content and implementation for Entertainment Instagram.
- Virtual Event Support: Support virtual events via Zoom, StreamYard, and other platforms.
- Content Research: Aid in researching content.
- Meetings and Rehearsals: Attend rehearsals and meetings as requested.
- Other Duties: Other duties as may be assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Vaccination: Must be fully vaccinated and boosted.
- Digital Literacy: Strong digital literacy (social media is a plus).
- Multitasking: Ability to multitask, prioritize and lead.
- Social Skills: Excellent social skills, written and verbal.
- Demeanor: Friendly, positive demeanor.
- Adaptability: Quick learner who is able to adapt and excel in various environments.
- Personal Attributes: Goal-directed, positive, reliable and high-energy.
- Work Ethic: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and are detailed oriented.
- Transportation: Reliable transportation; use of personal vehicle.
- Availability: Attend all LA Sparks home games and events. Job includes night & weekend hours.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Los Angeles Sparks are an equal opportunity employer and provide consideration for this internship without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodations are provided for individuals with disabilities to participate in the intern process, perform significant job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges as required.
Film Operations Internship
The Los Angeles Sparks seek a Film Operations Intern to assist the Scouting Analyst & Video Coordinator and coaching staff with basketball film and video operations needs. This six-month seasonal internship, from April through October, focuses on practice and game preparation through detailed video breakdowns, live coding, and film distribution.
Goal
The goal is to provide aspiring professionals with the tools they need to launch their career in basketball operations through hands-on experience, game day responsibilities, and mentorship opportunities.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Live Coding: Live code all Sparks practices and games using Hudl SportsCode, including remote live coding of road games from Los Angeles.
- Film Management: Assure accurate recording, logging, and editing of practice and game film to support individual player and team analysis.
- Film Distribution: Assist in preparation and distribution of post-practice and post-game film to coaches and players.
- Film Preparation: Work closely and collaborate daily with the Video Coordinator on film preparation, breakdowns, and analysis.
- Scouting Support: Assist the Video Coordinator with creation, completion, and presentation of scouting film projects.
- Technical Liaison: Serve as a liaison and translator for video and scouting software and hardware as needed.
- Game Preparation: Aid in game preparation and day-to-day basketball operations tasks as directed by the Video Coordinator or coaching staff.
Qualifications & Preferred Experience
- Enrollment: Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university.
- Academic Standing: Must be a rising sophomore, junior or senior pursuing a bachelor's degree or are currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution.
- College Credit: Must be eligible to receive college credit for this internship and provide proof of enrollment and college credit eligibility.
- Interest: Strong interest in basketball operations, video analysis, and coaching support.
- Software Familiarity: Familiarity with or willingness to learn Hudl SportsCode.
- Basketball Experience: Women's basketball experience preferred, knowledge and familiarity with the WNBA more broadly is a plus.
- Availability: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays (as dictated by the WNBA calendar) required.
Application Questions
Applicants are required to answer the following questions:
- Do you acknowledge and understand this is an unpaid, college credit Internship?
- Are you a rising sophomore, junior or senior pursuing a bachelor's degree or currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution? (Please specify)
- Are you able to provide proof of enrollment and college credit?
- When are you available to start?
Basketball Operations Internship
The Los Angeles Sparks offer Basketball Operations internships, providing a hands-on opportunity for students to learn the behind-the-scenes aspects of a WNBA team. Interns participate in day-to-day activities, assisting in practice set-up, equipment management, administrative tasks, game night duties, and team attendant responsibilities.
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Reporting Structure
This intern position reports to the Director of Team Operations.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Practice Set-Up: Set-up for daily practices, working side by side with the equipment manager.
- Staff and Player Assistance: Assist with staff and player needs.
- Guest Assistance: Assist with guests attending practices.
- Practice Support: Work clock and help on court during practices.
- Team Attendant Training: Participating in Team Attendant training.
- Game Night Support: Work game nights in a Team Attendant Capacity.
- Special Projects: Assist with special projects as assigned.
- Meetings: Attend Basketball Ops department meetings as requested.
- Other Duties: Other duties may be assigned.
Qualifications & Preferred Experience
- Enrollment: Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university.
- Academic Standing: Must be a rising sophomore, junior or senior pursuing a bachelor's degree or are currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution.
- College Credit: Must provide proof that you are eligible to receive college credit.
- Professionalism: Must present themselves in a professional manner both in-person and through written communication with Basketball Ops department, Sparks staff and players.
- Software Knowledge: Knowledge of Microsoft 365 programs.
- Skills: Ability to multitask, prioritize, lead and be detailed.
- Interpersonal Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal.
- Demeanor: Friendly, positive demeanor.
- Adaptability: Ability to take direction and feedback; quick learner who can adapt and excel in various environments.
- Personal Attributes: Results-oriented, positive, reliable and high-energy.
Special Requirements
- Transportation: Reliable transportation; Some use of personal vehicle or alternative source of transportation.
- Availability: Ability to work weekends, nights and holidays is a priority.
- Game Attendance: Must be available for all Los Angeles Sparks home games (includes pre-season game).
Expected Availability
- Game Days: Up to 7 hours.
- Practices: Up to 12 hours per week.
Application Questions
Applicants are required to answer the following questions:
- Do you acknowledge and understand this is an unpaid, college credit Internship?
- Are you a rising sophomore, junior or senior pursuing a bachelor's degree or are currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution?
- When are you available to start?
- Are you available for the duration of this internship, between April - October? If not, when do you finish the Spring Term and start the Fall Term?
- Are you available to work all Sparks home games and some office hours as needed?
The application period for the Basketball Operations internship program is open until February 15, 2026.
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