If you’re passionate about sports management but unsure about career opportunities, you’re in luck! A sports management degree equips students with diverse industry skills—such as business, entertainment, marketing and leadership—preparing them for a range of roles in the sports and entertainment industries.
The global sports market is projected to reach
623.6 billion by 2027, and opportunities are growing rapidly for individuals with skills to manage teams, events and brands.
Jobs You Can Get With a Sports Management Degree
Let’s explore some of the most common careers and job opportunities for students with a sports management degree.
1. Sports Marketing Manager
Sports marketing managers play a pivotal role in building and maintaining the brand for a team. This goes beyond designing logos; sports marketing managers have to create engaging campaigns for fans and attract sponsorships beneficial for the team’s brand. They use both traditional and digital marketing strategies to create content for loyal fans.
Sports marketers may also oversee social media platforms to promote events, games and other ways for fans to meet or see their favorite teams.
A sports marketing manager’s
average salary in the United States is $83,488.
2. Athletic Director
An athletic director, or an AD, serves as the head of the athletic department for universities, school districts and community centers. Athletic directors are responsible for most of the daily operations within the athletic departments, such as:
- Creating and supporting budgets
- Hiring coaches and faculty
- Arranging travel for teams
- Tracking equipment inventory
The demand for athletic directors’ job outlook is projected to increase
by seven percent by 2034, with a median salary of $71,311.
3. Sports Event Planner
If you’ve ever been to a sporting event and had a great time, thank the sports event planner! A sports event planner oversees every detail that goes into a sporting event, game, tailgate and more.
This job requires amazing project management skills and attention to prepare teams and facilities for game day. Sports event planners also coordinate with various teams of all sizes to accommodate lodging, ensure security for teams and fans, build emergency contingency plans, media coverage, select concession items, the list goes on!
According to
ZipRecruiter, the median salary for sports event planners is $63,335 or about $30.45 hourly.
4. Sports Agent
Sports agents represent athletes and help negotiate contracts with potential sponsors and teams. They work to promote their athletes to teams and brands and work as the middleman when it comes to legal and financial matters. Sports agents also work hard to recruit new athletes and talent. The better a sports agent’s clientele is, the more likely agencies and companies will want to work with them.
Agents and representatives for athletes and entertainers earn on
average $132,810 annually.
5. Sports Data Analyst
Sports analysts support teams and coaches on performance with data analytics. These analytics are used to better teams’ and athletes’ performance in practice to deliver better results in the season. Sports data analysts use data tools and create models or graphs to present to coaches and players during practices and games. Nowadays, sports data is also used to recruit potential players, assess injuries and help with marketing efforts.
The
average annual salary for a sports data analyst is $90,109 a year, with the highest recorded salary well over $100,000.
6. Public Relations Manager
Public relations managers and specialists are vital in the high-stakes world of sports, as they shape the way teams, athletes, and organizations are viewed by fans and the media. They craft press releases, manage interviews and oversee social media strategies to build public trust. Public relations managers also help deliver news for a player’s injury, retirement, trades and any other situations that may impact the team and brand.
On average, a public relations manager for a sports team or athletic institution makes
$83,626 yearly, or about $40 an hour.
7. Sports Promotions Manager
Promotion managers develop and implement campaigns that drive fan engagement, ticket sales and brand awareness for sports organizations. Collaborating with marketing and event teams, they ensure that each promotion aligns with the team’s financial and community objectives. This role suits creative professionals who thrive on blending marketing strategy with content creation.
The reported
median salary for sports promotion managers is around $90,000.
8. Sports Compliance Officer
Sports compliance officers, also known as athletic compliance officers, enforce league, NCAA and state regulations to protect institutions from penalties and ensure fair play. They help shape collegiate athletics by upholding integrity and maintaining eligibility standards. These officers also thoroughly document compliance to ensure all athletes can participate in games and matches.
In the United States, a sports compliance officer
salary median is $98, 949 a year.
9. Facilities Manager
Facilities managers oversee the daily operations of sports complexes, arenas and fitness centers, ensuring events run smoothly and safely. They handle budgets, maintenance, scheduling and staff management for high-traffic venues. In sports-heavy states like Texas and Florida, opportunities are expanding with the construction of new athletic facilities.
The
median salary for a sports facility manager is $68, 936 with top earners making about $106,000 a year.
10. Corporate Partnerships Manager
Corporate partnerships managers build strategic sponsorship relationships between sports teams and brands, driving both revenue and visibility. They negotiate contracts, create activation plans and ensure mutual value for both parties. Corporate partnerships managers continually oversee relationships made with sponsorships for athletes and organizations.
Another key component of their role is to perform ROI (return of investment) analysis to monitor collaborations and their impact.
The
average salary for a corporate partnerships manager is approximately $145,000.
11. Contract Analyst
Contract analysts in the sports industry review, draft, and manage agreements between teams, athletes, and sponsors to ensure compliance and fairness. They work closely with legal and financial departments to protect their organization’s interests. Contract analysts will often work alongside sports agents to offer their expertise in law and finances for players and organizations.
A contract analyst’s
median salary is $75,883 annually, but may vary depending on who they work for.
12. Fitness Manager
Fitness managers oversee operations in athletic clubs, training facilities or collegiate recreation centers. They manage personal trainers, design wellness programs and ensure health and safety standards are met. It’s the fitness manager’s job to find and purchase equipment that will benefit their facility and the people who will be using it.
In some cases, a fitness manager can wear multiple hats, such as human resource manager, sales representative, data analyst and customer service representative to ensure that their entire facility is satisfactory for customers.
Fitness managers make a median salary of
$56,029 a year.
Earn Your Sports Management Degree With ACU Online
Consider earning your sports management degree to acquire the skills needed to jumpstart your career in sports and entertainment. A sports management degree opens doors to diverse and high-demand careers for athletes, sports teams and brands, facilities and more.
At Abilene Christian University, our online sports leadership and management program blends business insight with hands-on learning to prepare you for leadership in this dynamic field. Explore how you can start your journey and make an impact in the world of sports with
ACU Online. For more information about our sports leadership and management program,
visit our website!
