A Sports Management degree is the educational and practical fusion of business leadership skills and passionate knowledge of the sports world. Even if that sounds like the winning combination to you, you probably have a lot of questions about what exactly you can do with a Sports Management degree and why it could be worth it to study.
To help out, we’re going over a few FAQs about the degree and what benefits graduates can look forward to:
What is Sports Management?
Sports Management is a business-oriented degree focused on how to properly lead an organization in the sports industry. Many of the fields students study in this program are similar to other business management degrees, including Finance, Marketing, PR, Leadership Skills, Communication, and more.
However, students in Sports Management will specifically learn how these fields apply to the sports world. They will also study laws and ethics specifically related to the sports industry and skills that are particularly important—like negotiating a sponsorship contract for an athlete or managing a sports facility. The program typically lasts 4 years, as with other bachelor degrees. Students may also be able to make progress on a journey toward a master’s degree with a specialty in various aspects of Sports Management.
Why Study Sports Management?
Students interested in both business and sports can find their ideal program with Sports Management. This degree can open up many different job opportunities within the sports industry. It can position students to become agents, team marketing directors, athletic department supervisors, coaches, fitness center supervisors, team managers and more.
Students can also work at different levels, from local sports and minor leagues to regional and national sport associations, providing plenty of growth opportunities for those interested. A Sports Management degree can also help graduates find positions at recreation centers, public parks, and other related organizations.
Key Benefits of Sports Management Degrees
It’s also common for students to be interested in the pros and cons of Sports Management once they have graduated and are looking for a fulfilling career. Here are the top advantages to this degree.
Strong Industry Growth
The sports industry continues to grow in many different directions as sports evolve to find new market niches. The latest PwC figures predict that the sports market in North America will grow at a compound annual rate of 3.2%, rising from $71.1 billion in 2018 to 83.1 billion in 2023.
Media contracts in particular are in a strong position right now, but sponsorship revenues are also predicted to do very well. This is a good sign for future job availability and potential opportunities within the industry.
Opportunity to Follow Your Passion
If you like sports, you probably really like sports. There are rarely any in-between feelings. A Sports Management degree allows you to follow your passion for the sports world while also making a living in it. If that’s your ideal career path, then no other degree will prepare you in quite the same way to make your dreams a reality. The right degree program will also help you get involved in the sports industry ASAP through informative classes and exercises, so you aren’t spending time on business management classes that aren’t nearly as interesting to you.
Job Flexibility
As we referenced above, there are a lot of different job options for Sports Management. If you are interested in community leadership and public recreation management for local parks, Sports Management can help you. If you want to work as an agent for players or a PR manager for a team or sport in crisis, this degree is excellent preparation. If you have your eyes set on becoming a team exec or manager, a Sports Management degree is a key step in getting there.
The program supports so many different career paths that it’s a good fit for all kinds of interests.
Travel and Experience
Sports Management can be fun. If you like travel, scouting out new locations, and visiting new cities, then a Sports Management career could be a great choice for you. Many careers in the sports industry involve traveling around the world for various events and job responsibilities. It could be a dream come true for students who want an active lifestyle that rewards their wanderlust. Oh, and if you aren’t really the traveling sort, there are still plenty of opportunities for managing sports venues and other positions that involve significantly less travel.
You Can Give Back to Your Community
Giving back to your community is easy with a Sports Management degree. This program provides the skills you need for all kinds of volunteer activities or nonprofit enterprises to encourage physical fitness, create amateur teams, and much more.
There are a few things, however, you should keep in mind when pursuing this type of degree. First, unlike some industries, it can take significant effort to reach middle- and higher-level management positions. Students should not expect to get a management position in the sports industry right after graduation (even those with MBAs). Second, pay can vary greatly for Sports Management jobs depending on the position, so it can be difficult to count on a particular salary. Some jobs may have irregular hours or are seasonal based upon the type of sport. It isn’t for everyone, but it could be just what you’re looking for.
If you are interested in learning more, take a look at Post’s Sport Management program. Let us help you get a handle on what the curriculum is like and if this degree is the best fit for your career goals. We’re here to help.