A Must-Read Guide to Careers in Sports Management

Not everyone is suited to become a professional athlete in the NBA, WNBA, or NFL. There are other opportunities to build exciting careers in sports. In fact, behind every franchise and sporting event, there is an entire team of experts working to support the athletes who compete. That’s where sports management comes in.

Sports management focuses on the business side of things, putting sports into action at all levels. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in sports and entertainment is expected to see high growth from 2023 to 2033, with about 108,900 openings projected each year.

Whether you hope to work in your local community or join the big leagues, now is a great time to discover the different types of jobs in sports management and the career paths you can pursue with a sports management degree.

10 Career Opportunities in Sports Management

Here are some of the most popular sports management careers:

1. Sports Agent

Sports agents act as representatives of athletes’ careers. They help their clients negotiate contracts for their team, sponsorships, and business partnerships and also intervene in moments of public relations conflicts. Typically, sports agents are paid on commission, meaning much of your sports management career salary in this role depends on your client’s success.

As a sports agent, you can seek to represent multiple athletes in the U.S. or internationally. This means you may spend much of your time traveling to see your clients, as well as team and league representatives.

2. Event Coordinator

These professionals plan events that take place in sporting facilities, such as basketball arenas and football fields. Think of the Super Bowl, for example, and the work that goes into planning it. That’s thanks to the event coordinators.

Event coordinators handle planning, promotion, and execution, creating lively and energetic environments for the best experience.

3. Sports Marketing Specialist

Sports marketing and sponsorship specialists design and plan sports-related marketing campaigns. They promote events, create partnerships, and manage brand strategy for athletes, teams, leagues, or organizations. Common responsibilities of sports marketing specialists include:

• Performing data analysis to identify sporting trends
• Creating strategic and targeted advertisements for clients
• Securing endorsements
• Evaluating the performance of marketing campaigns

Sports marketing specialists promote the team, its players, or any other relevant stories to create buzz and draw interest, which increases sales.

4. Facilities Operations Manager

If you are fascinated by the operational side of a sports management career, facilities management may suit you. This role involves overseeing the day-to-day operations at an athletic venue and may include responsibilities such as:

• Supervising facility staff
• Coordinating events
• Organizing and monitoring ticket sales
• Directing emergency response plans
• Maintaining regulatory compliance
• Supervising construction and repairs

5. Athletic Director

Another rewarding career is being an athletic director, managing sports programs and departments in a high school or university. Everything from hiring and evaluating coaches, budgeting for the season, ordering sports gear, and fundraising for sports programs falls within their purview.

High school athletic directors may not need a sports management degree. However, most university-level directors carry master’s degrees since the role is administrative. Furthermore, the median sports management career salary for athletic directors nationwide is $103,460.

6. Team Manager or General Manager

Team managers and general managers oversee the operations of a sports team. Their responsibilities include hiring and evaluating coaches, negotiating player contracts, and managing team budgets. General managers play an important role in shaping a team’s roster and overall strategy.

7. Sports Publicist

These professionals are responsible for team branding and athlete media relations. Sports publicists or PR specialists aim to generate positive press coverage for their clients, creating a brand identity that generates sponsorship opportunities. Common responsibilities include:

• Managing press releases and media coverage
• Organizing interviews and press conferences
• Handling crisis communications and reputation management
• Building relationships with journalists and media outlets
   

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8. Sports Data Analyst

Sports data analysts use statistical methods and technology to evaluate player performance, team strategies, and game outcomes. Their insights help coaches, managers, and recruiters make data-driven decisions. With the growth of analytics in sports over the years, this role has become important across many leagues.

9. Sports Law Consultant

Legal professionals specializing in sports law handle contract negotiations, intellectual property rights, and dispute resolution within the sports industry. They may work for teams, leagues, or individual athletes with matters like NIL, maintaining regulatory compliance and safeguarding their clients’ interests.

10. Sports Scout

Sports scouts are responsible for identifying and evaluating athletics talent at various levels, from high school prospects to professional athletes. They work for teams, colleges, or independent scouting organizations, traveling extensively to watch games, assess player skills, and analyze performance metrics. Their keen eye for potential helps teams and organizations make strategic recruitment decisions.

Scouts need a deep understanding of the sport, strong analytical skills, and the ability to build relationships with coaches, players, and agents. With an increasing reliance on data analytics, modern sports scouts integrate technology and performance statistics into their assessments to identify top talent more effectively.

Paving Your Path in Sports Management

A sports management degree opens the door to many career opportunities, from working directly with athletes to handling the operational and promotional aspects of the industry. With the sports industry’s continuous growth, pursuing a career in sports management can turn out to be financially rewarding.

Beyond the financial prospects, a career in sports management offers the chance to work in an exciting environment surrounded by passionate fans who share a love for sports. Whether you aspire to negotiate multimillion-dollar contracts, coordinate world-class events such as the Olympics or World Cup, or shape the future of a sports organization, there is a path for you in sports management.

If you are ready to take the next step, start exploring curated job opportunities in sports management today to find the perfect role for you. You can also visit our Resource Center for valuable advice about sports management careers and sports management career salaries.