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If you enjoy playing or coaching recreational sports, you may be considering a career in sports management. After all, the field is diverse and can be highly profitable. But what is sports management, exactly? Read on to learn more about this multidisciplinary business field.
What Is Sport Management?
Sport management refers to the management of various business functions in sports and recreational organizations. See the article : Food trucks struggle with higher fuel costs. Depending on their specific role, sports management professionals may plan, direct, organize or budget within a sports-related organization.
Getting a job in sports management doesn’t necessarily mean signing up to a professional athletics league. Various sports and recreational organizations employ people with sports management skills – from college teams to stadiums, sports media companies to the Paralympic Games.
Sports management professionals tend to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Leadership positions in sports and recreation generally require at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Sport Management Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
An undergraduate degree in sports management prepares students for entry-level positions in the industry. Some start with a four-year degree program at a college or university. Others begin by completing a two-year associate’s degree at a community college before transferring to a four-year university.
Expect to cover a variety of topics related to business management in undergraduate sports management courses. You can study brand management, event planning, facilities management and legal aspects of sports and athletics. To see also : How to start a business: Do these 5 things first. A bachelor’s degree in sports management prepares students to work in facilities management or sporting goods sales. These entry-level positions often serve as a stepping stone to more advanced careers.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Management
If you are interested in sports leadership roles, consider pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). This degree involves an intensive business curriculum with courses in management, finance, accounting and marketing. On the same subject : Fireworks show business upturns despite higher costs.
BBA programs usually take three to four years to complete. Potential careers for BBA graduates include Sports Manager, Athletic Director, General Manager, Sports Advertising Sales Manager, and Director of Parks and Recreation.
MBA in Sport Management
MBA in Sports Management programs enhances your business management skills through the lens of the sports and recreation industry. These degrees typically take two years to complete. The core course includes business-centric topics such as finance, marketing, accounting, statistics, and operations.
MBA programs in sports management offer a variety of industry-specific electives. These may include classes such as coaching, sports media, sport psychology and international sports relations. Many programs also include internship opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with athletic organizations.
Earning an MBA can open the door to higher-paying jobs at major sports organizations. MBA graduates in sports management often find jobs in professional athletic leagues or sports marketing companies.
Ph.D. in Sport Management
If you’re interested in academia, consider doing a Ph.D. in sports management. People with a doctorate in sport management often start careers as teachers, researchers, urban developers and economists in the context of sport and recreation.
As a Ph.D in sports management. candidate, you will develop an original doctoral thesis. Throughout the program, you will generate research ideas, conduct relevant research, and take supplemental courses. Most Ph.D. candidates also serve as research assistants to graduate students, providing faculty with grading and instructional support.
During a PhD program, your research might examine the intersection of sports and gender, for example. Other possible areas of research include sports and their social or economic impact on the sports industry. Students are encouraged and expected to generate their own research ideas for the development of original theses.
Sport Management Concentrations
As sport management is a multidisciplinary field, many students seek concentrations to deepen their knowledge in a specific sub-theme. If you’re leaning towards a certain aspect of the industry, consider finding a program that offers a concentration in that specific field. Below are some examples of popular sports management concentrations.
Sports Law
Several laws impact the world of professional, amateur and recreational sports. Sports attorneys help athletes, coaches, managers and organizations navigate these laws and, where possible, avoid costly litigation.
Some of the more common areas of sports law include:
Sports Media
Sports media refers to the broadcasting and reporting of sports events, teams and sports news. Jobs in the field of sports media include print journalism, photography, broadcast reporting (TV and radio), sports information analysis and program production. Major employers in the sports media arena include the MLB Network, ESPN and NBC Sports Regional Networks.
Event Management
Sporting event management involves planning, coordinating, organizing and leading events for sport organizations. Running sporting events – from marathons to minor league baseball games – requires relentless attention to detail and quick decision-making skills. Among other important responsibilities, event managers must manage budgets, negotiate with vendors and coordinate the day’s logistics.
Careers in Sport Management
Athletic Director
Average Annual Salary: About $61,000 Job Description: Athletic directors liaise between athletes, coaches, and academic departments in schools. These professionals oversee the goals, budget and operations of the schools’ athletic departments. They also help hire technical staff, maintain facilities and promote sports programs.
Facilities Director
Average Annual Salary: $97,930 Projected Job Growth (2020-2030): +9% Job Description: Facility Directors are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of sports facilities. They ensure the safety of everyone playing on the field, court or other playing surface. Facility directors must hold a college degree in sports management and be trained in CPR and first aid.
Marketing Consultant
Average Annual Salary: $133,380 Projected Job Growth (2020-2030): 10% Job Description: Sports marketing consultants employ sales and marketing tactics to promote sports teams and their related organizations. They can also promote high-level individual athletes. Marketing consultants may also work on a contract basis to provide valuable information to clients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sport Management
Is sport management in demand?
Considering that 74% of Americans consider themselves sports fans, the sports industry is enjoying a positive growth outlook. As a result, growth rates for jobs including coaches, scouts, agents and business managers are increasing.
What does a person with a sport management degree do?
Holders of sports management degrees typically have multiple career options. Some may work directly with athletes as coaches, athletic directors, or facility directors. Others follow the corporate path and become marketers, lawyers, data analysts or sports reporters.
What jobs are the highest paid in sport management?
Sports marketing consultants have one of the highest paying positions in the sports management industry. Marketing consultants earn an average annual salary of $133,380, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Is it hard to get a job in sport management?
Yes, especially for those who don’t have the proper education or industry connections. Having a degree in sports management gives you a better chance to stand out against the competition and create a lucrative career in the industry.
