From tennis to football, sports are part of an enormous industry with millions of dedicated fans. If you have an athletic background or interests, then pursuing sports management as a career may be a good option. It is a growing field with many potential job opportunities.
More Career Opportunities in Sports
If you examine recent job advertisements in sports, you will see a variety of opportunities, which indicate a growing industry. From a sports manager at the National Aquatic facility for Wales to a general manager at the Leicester City Council’s Sports Services, there are many positions open.
Many organisations are looking for people with sports management skills to take charge of teams, leisure facilities and other places. Considering the growing focus on health and fitness, it is easy to understand why there is an interest in hiring more sports managers.
According to Maryville University, a sports manager can find work in places such as schools, sporting event organisations, sports marketing, facilities, research, sports associations and teams. Sports are a large part of the global economy, so these positions are not going away.
Sports Management Skills
Companies and organisations are looking for people with versatile skills, and sports managers are often the most qualified to help them. For instance, a recent job ad for a sports manager at a leisure brand listed more than a dozen different requirements. They included the need to review participation, work with other staff, develop programs, attend meetings, nurture relationships and many other tasks.
As a sports manager, you may have to negotiate contracts for athletes and clubs. You will have to monitor team finances, hire employees, create marketing plans and increase ticket sales. In some ways, a sports manager has to fill multiple roles at the same time.
A sports manager is in the unique position to help athletes, fans and employees. They can serve as the bridge that helps communication flow among different groups. They are also instrumental in developing relationships with other businesses on both a local and national level.
The Business of Sports
A report from Deloitte on football showed that the top 20 football clubs had a revenue of 8.3 billion Euros. Real Madrid generated the most revenue with 750 million Euros. If you take football clubs as an example, it is easy to see why sports managers are in high demand. Sports are a huge source of revenue for owners, clubs, athletes and cities.
Sports managers understand the commercial aspects of the business and are able to grow clubs or other organisations the right way. Factors like obtaining and maintaining sponsorships with brands are crucial for sports teams. Other important areas include broadcasting relationships, merchandise and ticket sales.
The need to run sports clubs and organisations from a business perspective has increased the demand for sports managers. Owners know that they cannot manage everything on their own, so they are looking for experienced people who can help.
Finding Work
Although the growth of the sports industry has increased the number of job opportunities, there is still an enormous amount of competition to find work. One way that job candidates can stand out is to pursue internships early in their education. By connecting to a club, organisation or other group early on, they increase their chances of securing a job later.
Another important part of the process is networking consistently. Whether you are still in school or already looking for your first job, you have to network with other sports managers and potential employers. Consider joining local clubs and business organisations to network more often.
Alternative Career Options
When most people think of sports management, they visualise working for clubs like football or tennis. However, you want to keep your options open and consider alternative career routes. In addition to working for a club or facility, you can find work as a sports event coordinator or organiser. Another option is to become the athletic director for a university or school.
Sports marketing is also a growing field that many sports managers excel in frequently. You would have to help create press around a team, club, brand or athlete. Finding sponsorships is a big part of these jobs. As a sports marketer, you would promote things and interact with the media.
Guest relations management is another popular role for sports managers. You would have to spend time with fans and listen to their ideas. Customer service is a huge part of this role, so you will also have to deal with how other employees treat fans. Communication is crucial as you handle different aspects of the job and talk to many people.
When you consider a career in sports management, you will see a variety of opportunities open up. From clubs to facilities, many groups are looking for talented managers who can help them grow.