5 Jobs for Sports Management Masters

1. Sports Financial Managers

A sports financial manager takes care of the finances of professional athletes and organizations. They are responsible for financial records, creating budgets, forecasting finances, and analyzing financial data. So, they must also be up to date on relevant laws, regulations, and contracts that govern the sports industry. Financial managers should be able to effectively communicate with other sports organization members such as the coaches, players, and agents.

Sports management degree programs require that students take several management courses. These classes prepare graduates with management skills for working as account managers. Graduates work for professional and amateur teams, sports complexes, college sports programs, and various other groups. They can even work for a recreational facility or a golf course. Account managers ensure that the business operates within its budget.

Sport Management Average Salary: $131,710 per year BLS

2. Sports Talent Agent

Many college students study sports management, hoping to work as a talent agent one day. Agents are the ones who manage the careers of professional athletes. They often work with high school and college players who dream of going pro and help them get offers from different teams.

Talent agents will also help their clients negotiate better contracts in the future. Agents also offer assistance when signing sponsorship deals and scheduling special events for their clients. They may also act as liaisons with a coach or athletic director.

Average Salary: $38,970 per year BLS

3. Professional Sports Player Scout

Those who truly love the game may find the idea of working as a scout more appealing. Both college teams and professional teams use scouts to find the best players in the world. Scouts will search the web, read newspapers and use other resources to identify the top players with the best physical performance.

They will then travel to watch those athletes play in real life and recommend which players sports teams should sign. Scouts can spend months on the road and away from home every year. They must know how to operate video cameras and have a friendly demeanor.

Median Salary: $38,970 per year BLS

4. Sporting Events Coordinator

Sports management majors with strong problem solving and organizational skills may succeed working as event coordinators. These professionals work for different types of athletic and recreational facilities. They are the ones who organize special events for the public, such as a charity drive that awards free tickets to games for those who donated canned goods.

They can also assist with the planning of private events like corporate parties. Coordinators handle both larger and smaller events. They can work full-time for facilities or freelance and come to those facilities as needed.

Sport Management Average Salary: $49,470 per year BLS

5. Sports Marketing Managers

A Sports Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for a sports organization. They are also responsible for creating and maintaining relationships with sponsors, media outlets, athletic directors, athletes, and other stakeholders.

Additionally, they must be knowledgeable about the latest trends and technologies in the sports industry and be an effective communicator. Sports marketing managers may also be involved in event planning, vendor contracts, product development, game day concessions, merchandise sales, promotions, and also ticket sales.

Average Sports Management Salary: $133,380 per year BLS

6. Sports Management College Professor

Working in higher education as a college professor is another option for students looking at launching a sports management career. College professors help students of all ages learn the skills they need to work in this field. Many have a doctoral degree, but colleges and universities will hire professors with just a Master’s in Sports Management.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for professors today is $79,640 a year. The amount they make depends on the number of classes they teach. Adjunct professors earn less but only teach a few classes and can maintain full-time jobs elsewhere.

Sport Management Average Salary: $79,640 per year BLS

7. Sports Lawyer

A sports lawyer is an attorney who specializes in the legal matters related to sports, such as contracts, labor law, intellectual property, antitrust, and other areas of law. Sports lawyers advise professional athletes, sports organizations, and sports teams on a wide variety of legal issues. Sports lawyers can also represent individuals injured while playing or participating in a sporting activity.

To become a sports lawyer, you must first earn an undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study, such as sports management, business, or law. After completing your undergraduate degree, you must attend an accredited law school and earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

Average Salary: $127,990 per year BLS

Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management

A Sports Management bachelor’s degree is a four-year undergraduate degree program. It gives students a comprehensive understanding of the business side of the sports industry. The program typically covers sports management courses in finance, sports marketing, law, facility and event management, and also media relations.

Students also take courses in psychology, sociology, and business administration to better understand the nature of the sports industry. Graduates of such programs are prepared for positions in professional and amateur sports teams and organizations, health clubs, recreation centers, and other sports-related businesses.

Similar undergraduate majors that can lead to a career in sports management include recreation, physical education, and also exercise science.

Master’s Degree in Sports Management

A Sports Management master’s degree is an advanced academic program focusing on the business and operational side of sports organizations, teams, and athletes. Most sports management schools are part of a college or university business school.

Students explore topics such as marketing, finance, legal issues or legal aspects, public relations, and the management of sports facilities, franchises, and events. The degree may also include sports psychology, social media, sports media, and sports statistics courses. Graduates of the program may work in positions such as sports agent, athletic director, or marketing director. Below are the three main types of Sports Management masters programs.

• Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Sports Management
• MS or Master of Science in Sports Management
• Masters of Science in Sports Medicine