Pros
I'd suggest this job first and foremost to younger prospective applicants. The flexibility of schedule withing this company is second to none. They literally will bend over backwards to give you the hours you desire regardless of obligations that take priority over your job. This aspect of the company is also often what has helped retain veteran staff. The discount has remained the same throughout my years at Sports Basement. 40% off is a generous perk even though you are not buying cutting edge product. It's great that the company has maintained its 'Out of the Basement' program over the years. Although I do not typically attend these outdoor excursions, I hear wonderful stories of people experiencing outdoor activities for the first time and the relationships they build with their fellow coworkers. It's definitely something to be proud of considering the financial hardships the company has experienced in the past few years. Kudos. I've worked for the company for the majority of my stay in the Bay Area, and I've built many valuable friendships in my time here. Many of them have moved on to greener pastures but some are still with the company as well. Apply here if working with quality people is necessary for you.
Cons
A time existed when I honestly could not wait to get to Sports Basement everyday. I literally considered myself a 'cheerleader' of the company, as I participated in many marketing events and constantly raved about the company to friends, family and those thinking about getting a job with the company. The culture within the store was so rich, the staff morale was at a level I had only experienced with groups of friends or at sporting events in my collegiate years. Fast forward to the present, and I often do not recognize the same store and many of the same faces that I have worked in all these years. I remember a CEO and management team that would honestly be interested in introducing themselves and actually considered what you had to say about your job and how they could improve (although back then there wasn't much room for improvement, everyone was doing so well, mangement and staff alike). Currently, I avoid having constructive conversations with management and above because anything constructive I have to say is construed as negative and reason to believe I do not want to be a part of the company. Truth is, I'd take a pay cut to see Sports Basement in the light I once saw it, I'd go as far as saying it felt like the retail equivalent of what I envision working at Yahoo or a tech-giant would feel like. I've been working for the company around 5 years now, and I've earned a total wage increase of $2.50. I am the first to realize that this is retail, not Google. Many of us hold 2nd and 3rd jobs to sustain the cost of living in San Francisco. Lastly, this is not the store for those looking for career. Because management and corporate is mostly comprised of those who have been with the company and worked hard to earn their positions, many will be mainstays in the company so there is little to no room for growth into a management position. This could change but it is the currently state at the company.
