Where's the Money? 5 High-Earning Sports Career Skills

The sports industry is a high-demand field that utilizes diverse skill sets, but the earning potential varies greatly depending on which area you pursue. Kyle in Texas wants to know how to make money in sports and is seeking sports career advice from the WorkInSports Podcast:

"Hey Brian, I'm a sophomore in college, and I just declared as a sports management major! I am so incredibly excited, but my parents are not. They are convinced I won't be able to make any money in sports, and they want me to be a lawyer – bleck.

"So I ask you...how can I make money in the sports industry? If you make this an episode, I promise I'll make my parents listen."

What Sports Jobs Make the Most Money?

With the popularity and visibility of spectator sports, there is no shortage of aspiring professionals who want to break into the industry. That demand tends to drive down compensation. When VP of Content and Engaged Learning Brian Clapp began his sports career as a video editor at CNN/Sports Illustrated, his starting salary was $21,000. Management would ward off compensation concerns because they could easily replace anyone due to the number of applications they had for any open position.

To effectively negotiate your salary, you need leverage. To gain leverage, you need to become irreplaceable by building skills that few (if any) people can replicate. That involves building skills that the average applicant doesn't have. These five skills are the ticket to improving your salary in the sports industry:

1. Business Intelligence: Knowledge of analytics software, statistical analysis, revenue optimization, etc.
2. Fundraising: Convincing people to invest in your team or product
3. Social Media Analytics: Understanding what organic content resonates with fans to further brand presence
4. Sales: Being able to sell products effectively
5. Athlete Marketing: Creating audiences and building connections between athletes and fans

Find a High-Earning Sports Career Path!

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Listen to the full episode of the WorkInSports Podcast to learn how to build these valuable skills and improve your earning potential. Also, subscribe for more sports career advice. Check out our YouTube Channel for additional content.