Sports Management
Sports management encompasses all of the business operations behind running a professional sports franchise such as a football team. Your sports management career could include marketing, management or finance responsibilities. Read on to determine if a career in sports management is right for you.
<h2 id="section---IsSportsManagementForMe">Is Sports Management for Me?</h2>
<h3 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h3>
<p>If you're an avid sports fan with a head for business, then you might want to consider a career in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Sports_Management_Majors_Your_Salary_and_Career_Questions_Answered.html">sports management</a>, which deals with the administration and marketing sides of the sports industry.
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<p>Many sports management professionals apply business techniques and strategies to the operation of sports franchises, such as football, baseball and basketball teams. In this position, you analyze the issues affecting the profitability and revenue of a franchise in the multimillion-dollar professional sports industry, looking for ways to improve them.
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<h3 id="section---Specializations">Specializations</h3>
<p>Other careers in sports management might include overseeing the operations of a sports facility or arena or working as a sports agent. You could also specialize in areas such as marketing, merchandising, administration and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Can_I_Do_with_a_Bachelors_Degree_in_Finance.html">finance</a>, just like in any other business.
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<h3 id="section---EmploymentInformation">Employment Information</h3>
<p>While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't publish information pertaining specifically to sports managers, it does have data for managers of entertainers and athletes. The BLS notes that the average salary among these professionals as of 2013 was $96,410. Sports management, however, is a very competitive field due to the limited number of sports franchises available, despite the multimillion-dollar worth of the sports industry.
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<h2 id="section---HowCanIWorkInSportsManagement"> How Can I Work in Sports Management?</h2>
<h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3>
<p>Some degree programs, such as an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Sports_Management_Associates_Degree_Programs.html">associate's in sports management</a>, and a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Sports_Management_Masters_Degree_Online_and_Campus-Based_Program_FAQs.html">master's in sports management</a>, are devoted to providing you with the knowledge and skills required by the sports industry. They often allow you to gain hands-on experience by facilitating internships with sports franchises and related organizations in order to jumpstart your <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_Some_Sports_Management_Careers.html">career in sports management</a>.
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<p>Alternatively, you could study a degree program according to your specific area of interest. For instance, a degree program in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Bachelor_of_Business_Administration_Your_Salary_and_Career_Questions_Answered.html">business administration</a> could prepare you for a managerial position within a sports franchise, while earning a degree in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Business_Marketing_Degree_Program_FAQs.html">marketing</a> may prepare you to join the merchandising task force of a sports team.</p>