Lisa D. Johnson

Communications Manager – Oklahoma City Comets (Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers)

“Thank you, Lisa Johnson, Communications Manager for the Oklahoma City Dodgers (Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers), for sharing your story! Lisa manages communications, PR, media relations, press box operations, and community relations—working across all 150 games in the baseball season.

With a background in journalism and mass communication, plus a master’s in sport management, Lisa combined her love of writing and sports into a career that started in sports reporting before transitioning into team communications.

She emphasizes the importance of confidence, mentorship, and building connections, while also finding ways to protect her personal time during a busy season. Lisa’s favorite part of her role? No two days are ever the same, and every game brings something new to witness and celebrate.“

– Zara

Please describe your role & responsibilities at that position?

Working in sports communications encompasses a wide variety of duties and responsibilities, and for me, includes baseball information, public relations, media relations, press box management and community relations. I work and attend all 75 of our home games each year and have assignments for all 150 of our games throughout a baseball season.

What did you study in college and how did your educational background shape your career in the sports industry?

I studied journalism and mass communication as an undergrad and worked as a student sports reporter at my university’s newspaper. I later went back to school and received a master’s degree in sport management. I had the opportunity to work as a graduate assistant in athletics media relations while pursuing my master’s degree.

Can you share the key milestones in your career that led you to your current position in the sports industry?

I always loved watching sports and writing, so knew I wanted to combine those passions into a career. I was very fortunate to begin my professional career with my dream job as a sports reporter for my hometown newspaper following my graduation from college. After working there several years and following a move to another state, I decided to go back to school to learn about transferring my journalism skills to the team side of the sports industry. I worked in athletics media relations as a graduate assistant while pursuing my master’s degree, and following graduation, started working in communications in Triple-A baseball where I am privileged to still be working today.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in the sports business, & how have you overcome them?

I have been very fortunate throughout my career to have felt accepted, trusted, empowered and put in positions to succeed. I am beyond grateful for all of the support I have received from my colleagues and know not every woman working in the sports business has been so lucky. One challenge I have faced throughout my career is often finding myself as the lone woman in the room — whether that be the conference room, the press box, media room or locker room. When I was first starting out in my career, there was definitely an adjustment period involved to gain the confidence I needed to become comfortable speaking up for myself and offering my perspective.

​Balancing a career is demanding. How do you manage a work-life balance? What strategies have worked well for you?

I currently have a defined busy season and offseason, which has helped create more balance between my work and personal life throughout the year. Yes, my workdays are long and free time is rare or non-existent during baseball season, but I am thankful to love what I do for a living, so I enjoy coming to the ballpark every day for work. Once the baseball season ends, I am fortunate to work a mostly “normal” 9-to-5 schedule with weekends free, allowing me to recharge and focus on things I might have had to put on the back burner for awhile.

Although I am pretty much on call whenever needed during baseball season, I try to create small blocks of time where I can focus on “my” things. A simple strategy I utilize is to not have work email notifications active on my phone. I need to actually go into my email app to check for new messages when I am outside of the office. This helps provide little mental breaks and affords me some control over when I am available outside of the office.

How important is mentorship for women in the sports industry? Have you had mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career and can give some details?

I think mentorship is extremely important. Although women have always been in the minority wherever I have worked, I have been fortunate to work alongside many amazing women at each step of my career, learning their approaches to certain situations, collaborating to navigate challenges and growing together as our careers progressed. I always appreciated their mentorship and friendship and now try to be a resource for my younger colleagues, offering advice, perspective or answering questions. I have also had the opportunity to officially serve as a mentor in my current role thanks to a Minor League Baseball program. For young professionals who might not have yet found a mentor, there are many great books written by female trailblazers in the sports industry that can help provide perspective, outline potential challenges and celebrate the progress we have made.

In a male-dominated industry, do you feel women are given equal opportunities? What steps do you think can be taken to promote gender equality in the sports industry?

I have been very fortunate throughout my career to feel like I have been awarded equal opportunities and I believe opportunities for women working in sports continue to grow. However, I also know that what I have experienced has not been the case for all women. I think it’s important to focus your energy on what you can control — your commitment, your attitude and the quality of work you produce. I believe being successful in those areas will help create opportunity in your career. However, if a current role isn’t serving you or leading to your goals, don’t be afraid to leave and blaze a new path.

What aspects of your work in the sports industry do you enjoy the most? What parts do you find the most challenging ?

I love that I see or learn something new every single day during baseball season. No two days are alike. There always seems to be an amazing play to witness or a new feat accomplished on the field that rewrites the record books before our eyes. I also love that as part of my job I have the opportunity to meet people from around the world and all walks of life by simply showing up to the ballpark each day. I enjoy learning their stories and what led to our paths crossing that day.

The part of my work I find most challenging is prioritizing myself and taking the time to do what I enjoy most both inside and outside of the office during the busiest times of the year. I often put my work and daily obligations first, which can leave little time or energy for myself. As I have grown and become more experienced in my career, I have improved in this area, but there is still more to be done.

What advice do you have for young women aspiring to build a successful career in the sports industry?

The sports industry is extremely competitive and seems to constantly be becoming more so. I would advise young professionals to gain experience however and wherever you can. Teams and athletic departments are always in need of additional help, so find a way to assist on a game day or on a part-time basis to start. Reach out to job shadow someone in the field you are interested in pursuing, take an additional course to learn a new skill, attend a conference to network or reach out to someone in your ideal role to make a professional connection. The path to your ultimate goal may be winding, or might even change along the way, but that journey can often be just as rewarding as reaching the final step.

What is your long-term personal goal that you still want to achieve both business wise and personal?

My main long-term goal that applies to both my work life and my personal life is to simply always be learning. I don’t want to become stagnant. I always want to be evolving and trying new things in order to pick up fresh skills and adapt to the ever-changing world around us.

Any fun facts or interesting things you’d like the world to learn about you? Favorite food, hobbies, pet peeves, etc.?

When I have free time outside of work, I often still find myself watching sports on TV or attending a sporting event in person! Sports are so entertaining and are the best reality show around!