What Kinds of Careers Could You Have with a Sport Management Degree?

It takes more than a group of athletes to put on a sporting event. Just as a film crew works behind the scenes to make a movie, a group of sport management professionals comes together to coordinate a sporting event. If you are passionate about sports, why not work in the field you love? There are many career opportunities in areas you may—or may not have—considered.

Athletic Administrator or Director

The athletic administrator is like the coach of the coaches, and then some. Whether at the high school or collegiate level, athletic directors (AD) run the whole show. As an AD, you would oversee the hiring of coaches and staff, order new uniforms and equipment, secure venues for practices and games, and set schedules. You might also handle sponsorship deals and ensure that the team complies with rules and regulations.

Sports Marketer

When you work for a team or a school, you want people to come to your games and events. How do you make that happen? Marketing! As a sports marketer, you would generate buzz and cultivate your team’s fan base through advertising and marketing campaigns. You might manage the team’s social media accounts and website, write press releases, and create fliers or posters to publicize the team’s games. You’ll build a network of media contacts and sponsors who can assist with the marketing of your team.

Corporate Partnership or Sponsorship Manager

Professional and college sports rely heavily on income from sponsorships. As a sponsorship manager, you would seek out corporate partners such as clothing brands, food companies, financial institutions, or local businesses that could sponsor your team or its venue. Think of all those huge sports venues: The AT&T Center, Bank of America Stadium, MetLife Stadium, to name a few. Someone, at some time, had to negotiate the particulars of those sponsorship arrangements. You would also help manage the growth and strategies of building your team’s brand. You might develop offers on luxury suites in those stadiums, or work on bulk ticket purchases and corporate events in exchange for monetary donations or advertising opportunities. You might also broker deals with media outlets to grant them exclusive broadcasting rights or locker room interviews in exchange for publicity and advertisement.

Game Day Coordinator

As a game day coordinator, you serve as the event planner for your sports team. You’ll ensure the right elements are present for the game to go off without a hitch. You will make sure that food vendors are hired and set up before the game. You help hire the appropriate security and medical personnel to assist both the players and fans if necessary. You’ll make sure the media has a designated place to broadcast or report on the game. For away games, you’ll also make hotel reservations and hire drivers to bus teams and personnel to and from their destinations.

Financial Analyst

A sports team is a business. And like any business, it needs a professional to manage the finances. As a financial analyst, you would oversee the team’s budget and keep track of expenditures. You would find ways to maximize revenue and generate financial reports on a regular basis. You might also look over contracts or assist with the financial details of sponsorships and corporate deals.

Sports Agent

If you know how to strike a great deal but don’t want to crunch numbers all day, you might be suited for a career as a sports agent. In this position, you would represent players or coaches and help them negotiate the most advantageous contracts possible. That includes a good paycheck as well as promotional agreements, and publicity campaigns. You would also help them develop their public image and promte their philanthropic efforts.

Are you ready to get in the game? At Limestone University, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management that you can take on campus or online. You’ll study concepts of business management and leadership, as well as finances, marketing, and economics that will help you succeed in this growing industry. Request info to learn more now.