• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 6, 2025

The Ringer’s Julie Phayer on Life as a Social Media Professional

Julie Phayer - Social Media - Sports

Subscribe: iTunes | SoundCloud

Julie Phayer didn’t set out to work in social media. In fact, her degree from Chico State is in event management — a degree that, for the most part, is on the completely opposite spectrum from social media.

After taking a few classes and going through a volunteer project, Phayer decided to change her course. That change led her to a marketing minor and a role with the campus bookstore. After graduation, she was without a job for six months, a move that was intentional because she didn’t want just any job, she wanted to work in sports. By chance, a digital marketing assistant role at the Warriors came open and six years later, Phayer had three championship rings and a lifetime of memories.

Now at The Ringer, Phayer takes you through her career up until this point, the move from the Warriors to The Ringer, and the state of social media as we head into 2019.

Edited highlights appear below:

On Getting Her Start in Social Media (11:54)

“I always wanted to be an event planner, but I wanted to be in the sports world still. I pictured myself working March Madness and other big sports events. After doing a few event classes and all of the required volunteering, I realized that it wasn’t for me. At that point, I picked up a minor in marketing and worked at our campus bookstore doing digital marketing there. After graduation it took me six months to find a job, but I was so dead set on finding the job that I wanted doing digital and sports. An opening for a digital marketing assistant at the Warriors opened up and I guess I did pretty well because they made me an offer and I was there for six years.”

On Her Strategy at the Warriors (16:19)

“I was born in the East Bay, so I had been a Warriors fan my entire life. Being able to be the voice of the social and use that as a way to bring the fans closer to the team was my dream job at the time. It was also kind of the foundation for my strategy. The Warriors have always had a passionate fan base and knowing that I had the ability to make fans feel like they were seeing things that no one else was seeing was key. It was really about doing any little thing to make fans feel closer to the team that they’re already so passionate about.”

Social on the Sidelines is Presented to You By:

On Going from a Team to a Publisher (30:56)

“Going from a team to a publisher has been a very huge transition. It’s been one of the best challenges because the approach to everything is just so different. The amount of content being pushed out every day is such a high volume, but it’s also also high quality. The biggest challenge so far for me has been just seeing so many good pieces come out and wanting to give them the attention they deserve. It can be tough having so much good content to push out and finding the best ways to distribute everything in the most creative and engaging ways.”

Want more content like this? Subscribe to our daily newsletter!

On Breaking Through as an Employee (43:40)

“It’s all about creating your own opportunities. If you know exactly what you want to do and who you want to do for but they don’t have openings, just pitch yourself to them. What do you have to lose? If you don’t see the job you want, go out there and create it. You just have to know your value and know how to make others see it.”

Love what we are doing? Help us grow and get in front of more people by subscribing below and leaving a review! 

iTunes | SoundCloud

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ballers in Philadelphia
exclusive

Backer of SlamBall, Ballers Armed With $150M for New Fund

The fund will offer sports and entertainment companies deals that don’t involve equity.
Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.

Featured Today

Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Young of Team USA hits his tee shot on the third hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup Practice Round at Bethpage State Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 23, 2025

U.S. Ryder Cup Players Will Be Paid. Not Everyone Is Pleased

Americans are receiving a $200,000 stipend, and not everyone is pleased.
Cheryl Reeve
September 21, 2025

How Cheryl Reeve Turned the Lynx Into the WNBA Gold Standard

Reeve has Minnesota six wins away from an unprecedented fifth WNBA title.

Office Hours: Alex Magleby, co-founder and CEO of the New England Free..

Alex Magleby, the New England Free Jacks co-founder and CEO, is bullish on rugby’s future in the U.S. and Major League Rugby.
July 22, 2020

Office Hours: Devon Kennard, Real Estate Investor

Devon Kennard has found success on and off the field with a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio that includes 14 different properties.
August 13, 2020

Office Hours: Bart Conner, Owner of Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy and Former..

Bart Conner is the only American male gymnast to win a gold medal at every level of national and international competition.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
July 7, 2020

Office Hours: Isaac Rochell, Founder, Local Human

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Isaac Rochell, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end and founder of apparel company Local Human.
June 17, 2020

Office Hours: Brent Celek, Owner, Pando Mortgage

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Brent Celek, former NFL tight end turned real estate investor and Owner of Pando Mortgage.
May 27, 2020

Office Hours: Justin Forsett, CEO & Co-Founder, Hustle Clean

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Justin Forsett, former NFL running back turned CEO & Co-Founder of Hustle Clean.
March 18, 2020

Office Hours: Rich Antoniello, Founder and CEO, Complex Networks

Rich Antionello, founder and CEO of Complex, discusses sports, media and the life of an entrepreneur.