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Today’s professional athletes are treated like rock stars and a lot of college students are eyeing Sports Management jobs with stars in their eyes. After all, the pro sports industry is expected to reach $73.5 billion before 2020. There is money to be made in sports management, sometimes good money, but the competition for jobs is fierce.
Sports Management is a Business Career.
The website Wiki How defines it as a profession “concerned with the business and commercial aspect of sports.” Your best bet, if you are thinking about a career in the industry, is to get a degree. You can major in almost any related business field, although there are specific programs in sports management. General business programs should include courses in customer service, sales and public relations. Education is important, but most teams are more interested in seeing what you can do; they want to see experience. They look for applicants who lettered in high school or college, because the dedication required to win a letter shows mental toughness.
How Do You Get that Experience?
Getting your dream job in sports management is a process that starts in school. Forbes Magazine suggests getting a job in sales, even if it is selling tee shirts at a department store. The Forbes article also says you might consider going to the Sports Information Department at your school and writing game reviews and other publicity for free. Internships are a must, too. If you’re serious about a sports management career, you probably should consider schools in cities that have major sports franchises. Not all internships are created equal, and working at a major franchise could put you in position to network.
What About Entry-Level Jobs?
The competition for these positions is fierce, so don’t expect to start “on top of the heap.” Sales is your best bet but, again, not all sales jobs will put you on the right path. Taking tickets at the box-office won’t move you along, but selling those tickets will. You might have to be content with $10 an hour and a commission, but the exposure and experience is a perk. Teams are concerned with putting people in stadium and arena seats. You can climb the ladder in sales, too; group and corporate sponsor sales positions could net you $100,000 a year. Entry -level jobs in public relations could put you in a great place to meet people who could help your career. Sports management jobs tend to go to people who are already in the organization. If you have writing talent and know sports, you could start out writing press releases. Pete Rozelle, the famous NFL commissioner, started out doing public relations. There are also entry-level jobs in customer service, helping plan pre game entertainment, corporate “tailgating” parties and other events.
People, especially Americans, are fascinated with sports. The Fantasy Sports industry is proof of this; money generated through these games has surpassed NASCAR in earnings. Even if you are not a pro athlete, you can find a lucrative career in the big business that is sports entertainment. Be prepared, though, to start out small and watch for chances to get promotions. Take opportunities to promote yourself by working harder, doing more than you have to and networking. Sports Management jobs, even low-level ones, can lead you to your dream career.
Additional Resource: What are Typical Jobs for Graduates of an MBA in Sports Management Program?
