There are many different jobs you can get with a sports management degree. They come in all shapes and sizes. They can be anything from PE teachers to sports agents. But the job you get depends on your education and training. This article includes information on what sport management degree jobs are out there. It also covers how the right major can help you find work in the sports world.
Read on to find out what job can you get with a sports management degree.
Why Should You Pursue a Sports Management Career?
Before you decide to major in sports management, it’s a good idea to understand the career and sports industry. The field is broad. It attracts professionals with varied backgrounds. But sports management professionals all have one thing in common. You guessed it – they love sports.
But beyond the love and admiration of the game, sports management professionals have a strong work ethic and dedication to teamwork. Whether you’re an athletic director for a university or on sports marketing staff for a professional team, you work hard. The sports industry attracts enthusiastic people who want to win.
If you think of yourself as loyal, passionate, and hard-working, a sports management career could be a good fit. But to get a job, you need a degree.
What Sports Management Degree Programs Are There?
If you want a successful career in the sports industry, you’ll need a college degree. The most common sports management degrees include the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.
Bachelor’s Degree
You can earn a bachelor’s in sports management or a bachelor’s in business administration (BBA) with a sports management concentration. Both degrees can help you qualify for jobs in the sports world.
In sports management bachelor’s degree programs, you study topics related to the industry. Your bachelor’s degree courses include:
- Business administration
- Sporting event planning and management
- Sport business and sports marketing
- Sport finance and economics
- Sport programming
Master’s Degree
An advanced degree, such as a master’s in sports management, can lead to higher earnings and leadership roles. Graduate degree programs build on the bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree can help you develop strong communication skills and deepen your knowledge of the industry. You can earn a master’s in sports management, or get an MBA with a concentration in the subject. Advanced sports management degrees can help you land jobs as:
- Athletic directors
- Facilities managers
- Game day coordinator
- Professional sports leagues directors
- Public relations directors
- Sporting event managers
- Sports agents
- Sports managers
- Sports marketing managers
Sports Management Careers
What jobs can a sports management degree get you? There are many different career paths. Some jobs require a general degree and background in business. Others want candidates with a specialized sports management degree. Here are some of the most popular careers you’ll find in the field.
Event Management Coordinator
As an event coordinator, your work is behind the scenes. You’re not visible on game day. But your work can make or break a sports organization.
Game day event coordinators secure venues and create schedules. They manage budgets and cut costs where needed. An event coordinator assists other sports administration personnel with crowd management and security. In this role, you might even coordinate transportation for professional athletes and their families.
Facilities Manager
A popular career in sports management is the role of a facilities manager. These specialized managers oversee the professional sports landscape. They prepare sports arenas for events and games. Facilities management includes:
- Arenas
- Event venues
- Stadiums
Promotions Manager
To work in sports promotions, you should have experience in marketing and public relations. A bachelor’s degree can help you get your foot in the door, but you also need to showcase your experience. Marketing or promotions internships can help. You can find internships with sporting events or sports teams. An internship can help you learn what this career in sports management entails.
Promotions managers help athletes and sports professionals build branded public images. They also champion initiatives that strengthen the communities in which they work. Some promotions managers work with the athletic director of a college to build community support for a particular sport. They also work alongside a marketing manager in the sports world.
Sports Agent
A sports agent recruits talent for athletic directors and sports management programs. They also recruit for professional teams. They negotiate contracts and help manage an athlete’s image and brand. The reputation of a sports agent hinges on the success of their athlete roster.
Since competition is fierce for this career, most sports agents have an advanced degree in sports management. Many have an MBA or law degree. They study sports law in college and pass the Bar exam. Don’t plan on becoming the next Rich Paul (sports agent) unless you have excellent connections in the industry and are a sports lawyer.
Sports Business Statistician
Statistical tracking and data analysis has become part of sports. From sports marketing to tallying athlete statistics, the sports management industry needs statisticians. If you enjoy working with numbers and want a sports management career that uses math, you’ll need a degree to get your foot in the door. Most sports statisticians have both math and sports management credentials.
Sports Manager
Sports managers oversee athletic programs, facilities, and teams. They can work for high schools, colleges, and community outreach programs. Some evaluate talent and negotiate contracts. Others work alongside an athletic director managing sports programs.
To work as a sports manager in the sports world, you need a degree in sports management. But with experience and training, you can enjoy a fulfilling career in the sports industry.
Other jobs with sports management degree requirements include:
- Marketing manager
- Professional sports team social media manager
- Sports labor statistics analysts
- Sports lawyer
- Sports management field operators
Sports Management Industries
Sports management professionals work in many different industries in the sports world. You find them in business and marketing and in communications and education. Below are some of the top industries that offer sports management major jobs.
Communications and Media
There are many sports careers in the communications and media industry. Employers look for candidates with a sports management degree.
If you have ever wanted to become a sports broadcaster or sports writer, getting a sports management degree can help you land one of these jobs. You can work in broadcasting or journalism. You can also find work in professional writing. Sports-related websites and news agencies have many sports management careers.
But you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree and good communication abilities. You should develop these skills in college through presentations and projects. Experience in other areas can also help. These include:
- Business administration (sports business)
- Knowledge of sports leagues
- Public relations
- Sports law
Facilities & Events
Did you know sports business professionals work in stadiums and arenas? These massive structures need facility management on game day. Workers maintain the facility. They oversee vendors and coordinate events. They also handle budget and finance matters.
But what job can you get with sports management degree in facilities like these? There are many different jobs. You can work as an arena manager or as a marketing manager for an event venue. But to qualify for these sport management major jobs, you need a degree.
You also need to take classes that cover business principles and management topics. Subjects that will help prepare you for a sports management career include:
- Accounting
- Business administration
- Finance
- Leadership and management
- Sports administration
- Sports law
Marketing, Advertising, Sales, and Public Relations
Marketing and advertising also includes public relations and sales. This is a broad industry that hires students with a sports management degree. Depending on your goals, your sports management career can include:
- Creating a sellable image for sports teams
- Developing product promotions
- Organizing public relations campaigns and events
These sports management jobs need you to have experience in marketing and sales. You take business administration and marketing courses in college that prepare you for work in this industry. You should have a degree in sports management if you want to work in marketing, advertising, or PR. Sports organizations look for candidates with training and a degree in sports management. This can include degrees from both undergraduate and graduate school.
Ways to Advance Your Sports Management Career
Want to improve your average salary or advance in your career? There are steps you can take to move up in the industry. Here are two ways to help you advance your career.
Certifications
Now that you know more about the jobs you can get with a sports management degree, how do you advance? One way is to earn a certification. Some sports organizations demand professional certifications and licenses. Credentials vary by sports programs, but can include challenging qualification and testing standards.
Some organizations and jurisdictions demand a sports manager to have certain certifications. Others, such as a sports agent, must also have certain credentials. A sports agent’s salary can depend on their certifications.
Continuing Education
You can continue your education to help supplement your sports management degree. But what is continuing education? It comes in the form of:
- College classes
- Formal education programs
- Open source courses
- Seminars
- Workshops
Sports professionals, such as athletic directors or major league baseball managers, receive training as part of their continuing education. Formal programs can lead to certificates or degrees. They can help advance your career in the sports industry.
FAQ Sport Management Degree Jobs
A list of frequently asked questions on the jobs you can get with sports management degree.
What can I do with a doctorate in sports management?
Is a doctorate in sports management worth the time and money? If you plan to move into an executive role or teach at a college or university, it is. But if you’re not planning to move into academia, remember there are many jobs you can get with a degree in sports management that don’t demand eight years of schooling.
What classes will I take in a sports management program?
Most sports management programs offer a set of core classes. Once you complete the core courses, you move onto your major. Core courses can include business management, communications, marketing, and statistics. Advanced courses can include event planning and organizational management. You also study coaching and sports analytics. Some programs offer public relations and business administration classes to the sports management major.
What job can I get with a sports management degree?
One of the most common questions students interested in this field ask is: what jobs can I get with sports management degree? It depends on what level of sports management degree you get. A bachelor’s degree can open up doors to many different jobs in the sports industry. This can be anything from sports marketing to other sports management professional careers. But graduate school can help you advance in your career.
How much money does an athletic director make?
Now that you know what jobs can you get with a sports management degree, it’s important to consider how much money you can make. Do you want to be an athletic director? The average salary for athletic directors is about $62,000/year.
The average salary for an athletic director ranges from $40,000/year (lowest 10%) to about $140,000/year (highest 10%). We took these amounts from the most recent data published by PayScale.com.
How much money does a marketing manager make?
Advertising and marketing managers earn strong wages, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Sports marketing managers earn an average salary of $127,150/year. The sports industry is one of the highest paid industries for sports marketing agents and managers.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, earning a concentration in sports management can help leverage your education. The result? Higher wages and a good job outlook.
What is the job outlook for sports management careers?
The BLS reports a 13% job growth for sports management occupations through 2031. This includes:
- Athletic directors
- Facilities managers
- Sporting events professionals
- Sports agents
- Other career in sports management professionals
The job growth will result in about 95,500 new jobs each year in the sports industry. But to qualify for the best job prospects in sports management, you need a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Are all sports management degree programs accredited?
No. Not all sports management degree programs are reputable. You should verify accreditation when looking for a sports management degree. The Commission on Sports Management Accreditation (COSMA) is an accrediting body that specializes in upholding the standards of sports management education. It is a good place to start when researching a program or school.
Do sports management degree programs offer financial aid?
Sports management degree programs are no different than other programs when it comes to qualifying for financial aid. If you qualify, you can get help with tuition, room and board, and other fees. Financial aid comes in the form of:
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Student loans
- Work-study
You’ve learned what jobs can you get with a sport management degree, but how will you pay for your degree? Financial aid can help.
What are the top industries for sports management college graduates?
A good job outlook and strong wages draw college graduates to the sports industry. But within this industry are specialized niches. These include:
- Athletic director jobs
- Sports management
- Sports marketing
Work in these areas can include job titles like athletic directors, sports managers, and other sports professionals. Most of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree or graduate school.
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