Sports Management: Career Options and Considerations

The sports industry is a global, multimillion-dollar enterprise with countless career opportunities. If you have a passion for sport and want to turn this passion into a professional career, then sports management might just be your calling.

Sports management encompasses a range of skills that can be used to pursue a career as a team manager, a sports agent or recruiter, and any number of specialised jobs within the sporting field.

In this article, find out how to develop the skills required to become a sports manager and why sports management is a worthy career choice.

What is sports management?

Sports management is the business of sport. With a focus on economics, accounting, finance and law, those who are employed in sports management can oversee the cultural and performance structures of a professional sports team, athlete or franchise.

Upon completion of a sports management course, graduates can choose to work within various sport-related trades where they can apply their knowledge of both business and sport.

Sports management is a viable career choice that gives graduates a great opportunity to have a very profitable and rewarding career.

What are the career options?

There are many job opportunities for graduates with sports management degrees. While there are some obvious choices, such as a sports team manager, there are also other fantastic jobs you can pursue with a sports management degree. Here are some of the best jobs in sports management that can turn into long-term careers:

1. Sports Statistician

A sports statistician gathers stats and information on sporting events and performances. They analyze trends and look for the best outcomes for athletes and teams. Some roles of a sports statistician may include preparing stats for a financial report, entering data into a computer while observing a game in real-time, and using their analytical strength to determine which team strategies, plays and methods will help give a team or athlete an upper hand against their opponents. A statistician can also write about their findings on Blogs, in magazines, or newspapers and be able to present their findings in an easy-to-read format – utilising their excellent computer programming and graphic design skills.

2. Public Relations

Public relations managers handle the public image of their clients. In the sports industry, this means being able to advise, guide and represent an athlete in public matters. PR managers also coordinate public relations events and fundraisers, help to develop a client’s online presence, and create strategies to handle bad press or any unwanted publicity.

3. Sports Psychologist

If you have an interest in both sports and psychology, a career as a sports psychologist is the perfect fit. A sports psychologist explores the link between psychological and physiological factors affecting performance on the sporting field as well as helping athletes to maintain their mental health off the sporting field. Sports psychologists are employed by most professional sporting teams and are a valuable asset since they can both counsel and rehabilitate athletes after injury or extended breaks to ensure their optimal performance on the field.

4. Sports Marketing Manager

A sports marketing manager oversees the marketing plans of a sporting team, franchise, or foundation. With skills in advertising and campaign creation, sports marketing managers are responsible for developing press to engage fans and attract business sponsors or investors. Sports marketing managers can be employed in university sporting teams, professional leagues or franchises, sports-related organisations, and advertising agencies. General duties include creating television advertisements, stadium billboards, and website and social media campaigns.

5. Sports Agent

A sports agent negotiates contracts for athletes. They are the legal representative for sports figures such as athletes and coaches. They also handle anything that represents the best interests of an athlete, including sponsorships, public relations, and financial planning. A sports agent will help an athlete navigate legal processes and try to secure the best endorsements and financial opportunities for them. In many ways, a sports agent is also a salesman. They have to market their client’s worth to potential teams and sponsors which means they are also having to travel regularly to sporting events, PR events, and other meetings.

What course do you need?

In order to pursue a career in sports management, you must hold a degree or diploma in Sports Management.

The ICI Sports Management Diploma is a sports management program designed to equip you with the skills needed to succeed in sports management quickly.

Created in conjunction with professional industry leaders within the sports sector, our Sports Management Course will cover everything from:

  • The history and economics of sport
  • Sports development
  • Sports leadership
  • People management
  • Business management
  • Financial planning
  • Marketing

This course is designed to fast-track your career in sports management, with the average course duration being just 24 weeks. After which, you’ll be accredited and approved to work in a number of sports professions and industries.

The future of sports management

The sports and recreation industry in Australia is forecasted to climb over the next few years. Projections predict a rise in employment levels to 133,900 by 2024. Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials make up 16% of the Sport and Recreation Activities industry workforce today, with employment levels projected to increase by 16% and 13% respectively. The top occupations currently in demand in Australia include Fitness Instructors, Sports Coaches, Information Officers, and Marketing Managers.

Start your career in Sports Management today

To start your journey toward a career in Sports Management, our ICI professionals can help you learn the skills and topics you’ll need to succeed.

Online, career focused education that suits your lifestyle.

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Gladys Mae

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Gladys Mae serves as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute. Gladys holds a degree in Mass Communication - Broadcast Media from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She joined ICI in 2010 and has over the past 12 years been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to staff and students alike. Prior to joining ICI Gladys led a multifaceted career with key roles in the banking and business process outsourcing industries.