Key takeaways
- Sports tech startups blend sports, technology, and business, creating diverse career opportunities
- You don’t need to be an athlete—or a hardcore programmer—to work in sports tech
- Professional education, such as a college degree in sports management, helps launch your career in sports and related fields such as sportstech
- For a career in sports tech, you can get a college degree in fields like:
- Sports Management
- Computer Science / Software Engineering
- Data Science or Analytics
- Kinesiology / Exercise Science
- Business Analytics or Entrepreneurship
- Information Systems
- Some good colleges offering sports-related majors include:
- Atlantic International University
- Oakwood University
- Indiana University
- Texas A&M University
- University of Florida
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
- Arizona State University
- University of Maryland
- University of South Dakota
- Penn State
- Networking with the right people is more effective than mass job applications to land good jobs in the sports tech startup industry
- Companies like TMRW Sports and Genius Sports are two very popular examples of sports tech companies
The sports industry is no longer driven by athletic performance alone. Behind every game, tournament, and global sporting event, technology now plays a critical role in how sports are played, analyzed, managed, and experienced.
For students, recent graduates, and career changers who are passionate about sports but may not pursue a career as a professional athlete, sports tech startups open the door to exciting behind-the-scenes roles.
Let’s explore how you too can start your journey in this industry by landing a job in a sports tech startup company.
What are sports tech startups?
Technology is growing and changing every day. Every new day, there is a development in the world of technology, making our lives better and newer. From generative AI to machine learning, advanced technology is becoming part of our daily lives.
Moreover, technology has impacted our day-to-day lives, like ordering groceries online or having a voice assistant switch on the lights for us. Similarly, technology has proven to be revolutionary for the sports industry as well. With advancing technologies, how audiences view and experience sporting events has changed drastically.
Not only that, but behind the scenes have also changed — thanks to tech solutions like live statics and recorded events, and player tracking. So, due to this constant advancement and change, tech startups are now bound to become an integral part of the industry.
Tech startups are businesses and companies emerging with the sole purpose of applying advanced technology to solve sports-specific problems such as athletic performance and fan engagement. Today’s new sports tech startups are working tirelessly to bridge the gaps within the industry, optimizing sports operations and providing efficient tools and solutions.
There are several examples of impressive sports tech startups that are making a huge difference in the industry. For example, tools like PlayerData provide real-time monitored player statistics and metrics that help team managers and decision makers do their job better.
Top sports tech startups around the world
You must be very intrigued about the sports tech industry, eager to join a startup that can help you grow in your career. Before you look into the steps to entering this industry, here is a look at the top two sports tech startups that are making rounds around the globe for their smart solutions:
TMRW Sports
Firstly, there is TMRW Sports. It is a well-rounded technology-focused solutions provider that focuses on various kinds of media and entertainment — including sports. The idea behind this startup was people-focused and fan-friendly sports engagement. One of the many types of sports it covers, golf has to be the primary sporting event that it frequently partners with.
Moreover, it utilizes as well as provides some of the most advanced tech solutions, incorporating:
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Augmented reality
- Immersive streaming
However, keep in mind that TMRW Sports is not like a traditional sports management or solutions company. Instead, it offers unique services that are essentially much more hands-on with sporting events and organizations. In the recent past, it has managed to launch new leagues from scratch, announce new tournaments, formats, and much more.
Furthermore, it is a US-based company founded in 2022 by a sports executive, Mike McCarley, together with elite golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Its first major initiative was TGL, a tech-infused indoor golf league launched in partnership with the PGA Tour. Overall, it is a startup fixated on revamping the sports industry with its unique solutions to enhance sporting events.
Genius Sports
Genius Sports is one of the largest sports technology companies in the world, providing real-time data capture, analytics, AI platforms, broadcast enhancements, and integrity services across the sports ecosystem. Consider Genius Sports as the operating system or OS for the modern sports industry. It is a London-based startup and technology solutions provider, offering many unique and interesting products such as:
- In-venue data capture
- In-game betting
- Interactive betting
- Augmented sporting broadcasts
- Brand activations
- Live power performance insights
One of the biggest reasons for its popularity is that it is the official data and technology partner of huge and top-of-the-line leagues like the NFL. Moreover, its technologies are not limited to any one geographic region or area. In fact, it covers endless sporting events across 150 countries around the globe. Therefore, landing a job in this company would be game-changing for your career.
How to land a job in sports tech startups?
Sports and technology are converging faster than ever. From AI-driven performance analytics to fan engagement platforms and wearable devices, sports tech startups are reshaping how sports are played, managed, and consumed.
Many young sports enthusiasts want to join the sports industry. However, becoming a professional athlete is not a possibility for everyone. Therefore, some behind-the-scenes job roles are equally as important that you can explore. In this section, let’s explore how you too can join the technological revolution that is happening in the sports industry. Step into the world of sports tech startups, get hands-on with modern tech that has changed the sports landscape, and contribute towards further modernization.
Learn how to land meaningful and prestigious job roles in the sports tech startup industry!
Get a professional education
In the sports tech industry, knowledge, skills, and network are of great importance. Therefore, having a good balance of these is going to help you not only step into the industry but also survive in it in the long term. So, to achieve all of that and truly get ready for joining the tech startup industry, you should consider getting a professional degree.
Keep in mind that a formal degree in sports is not a compulsion. Most sports tech startup jobs do not necessarily require you to have a college degree. So, why is it important to have one?
A professional college degree prepares you for a serious and successful career ahead. Most college programs related to sports, such as a degree in sports management, will prepare you for everything you might see during your professional journey.
Moreover, the program coursework will teach you a lot in theory, but requirements like capstone projects and internships will ensure you learn everything in practical terms as well. Furthermore, college programs give you access to a professional network of like-minded people, alumni, experienced faculty members, and industry leaders. This allows you to discover job opportunities faster and also follow their footsteps.
However, many young people in the middle of their college planning get confused about which program to choose. Here is a list of some common college majors that are related to sports tech startups and business management:
- Sports Management
- Computer Science / Software Engineering
- Data Science or Analytics
- Kinesiology / Exercise Science
- Business Analytics or Entrepreneurship
- Information Systems
You can get relevant degrees from the following colleges:
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College |
Program |
Tuition cost |
| Atlantic International University | bachelor in sports marketing | $250.00 per credit |
| Oakwood University | Bachelor of Science in Sports Marketing | $11,472 per semester |
| Indiana University | Sport Marketing & Management | In-state: $12,142
Out-of-state: $42,702 Per academic year (source) |
| Texas A&M University | Sports management, B.S | In-state: $5,775.35
Out-of-state: $20,018.00 (source) |
| University of Florida | Online sports management bachelors | In-state: $129.18 per credit hour (source)
Out-of-state: $500 per credit hour (source) |
| University of Colorado, Colorado Springs | Sports management degree | In-state: $5,662.92
Out-of-state: $11,484.00 annually (source) |
| Arizona State University | Kinesiology, BS | In-state: $13,118
Out-of-state: $16,376 (source) |
| University of Maryland | BS, Kinesiology | In-state: $12,008
Out-of-state: $41,974 Per academic year (source) |
| University of South Dakota | Kinesiology and sport management major | In-state: $9,687
Out-of-state: $13,299 (source) |
| Penn State | Kinesiology, B.S. (Health and Human Development) | In-state: $20,878 per academic year
Out-of-state: $41,790 per academic year (source) |
Note: Data is as of April 2026.
Get sports industry knowledge
Many people think that startups, particularly in the tech segment, are all about developing software and IT solutions. In reality, that is not the case. Tech startups in the sports industry do more than just build software.
Instead, they bring great thinkers and problem solvers together to brainstorm and solve major sports-specific problems. Therefore, to break into this industry and become eligible for a job role in sports tech startups, you must first understand the industry. So, here are some crucial focal points that you need to learn and have knowledge of:
- How leagues, clubs, and federations operate
- Athlete development pathways
- Sports data metrics (player load, xG, biometric data)
- Fan engagement and media monetization
- Compliance, NIL rules, and athlete management systems
Furthermore, you should also focus a little on the business aspect of sports, particularly on areas such as:
- Revenue models (tickets, media rights, sponsorships)
- Cost structures (player salaries, operations, facilities)
- Data-driven decision-making
- Market expansion and fan monetization
- Startup funding and partnerships
In addition to this, understanding fan experience in sports is also very important. Insights by Deloitte also tell us that one of the biggest revenue-generating streams in sports is fan engagement and interaction. Therefore, keeping up with the industry trends, what is happening on sporting events, and how fan engagements are changing — all this can help keep you ahead of everything. This will help you brainstorm, generate ideas, and make a notable contribution to the sports tech startup industry.
Moreover, we strongly recommend doing the following to stay on top of industry trends:
- Follow professional leagues
- Keep a check on sports and business news channels
- Use professional boards like LinkedIn to check startup news
Build skills that are in demand
If you want to become immediately attractive and employable by sports tech startups, you really need to showcase a strong set of skills. This does not have to be extremely technical IT skills whatsoever. Instead, specific and specialized skills in your particular field is all you need.
With the right skills, a tech startup immediately knows that you can contribute to its growth and success. Therefore, you need to have core skills such as:
Technical skills
|
Business skills
|
Transferable skills
|
Industry-specific skills
|
Network with the right people
It’s a common misconception that networking with more people means better career opportunities and outlook. Instead, the reality is that you need to interact with the right people instead of more in number. In the tech startup world, you will find out that networking with the right people is more influential than sending out applications. Moreover, it is important to make meaningful relationships with relevant people rather than shooting in the dark.
Most importantly, in many early-stage or growing startups, most of the hirings happen through referrals and recommendations rather than formal hiring channels. Direct conversations with startup leaders and founders are typically how beginners get their first job in the industry. Therefore, you cannot miss out on the benefits of networking to land a job in the sports tech industry. Here is who you should be looking to connect with:
- Founders and co-founders of sports tech startups
- Product managers, data analysts, and engineers in sports tech companies
- Sports innovation leads at clubs, leagues, and federations
- Accelerator and incubator managers
- Sports analytics researchers and consultants
Additionally, the right platforms, channels, or sources to find the right people are:
- Sports tech webinars and virtual panels
- Startup demo days and pitch events
- Sports analytics conferences and meetups
- University innovation labs and alumni networks
- Online communities focused on sports
However, many beginners and newbies often find it difficult to pick up the right conversations. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Ask about challenges the company or team is facing
- Request insights on industry trends or tools
- Discuss a product feature or case study you found interesting
- Ask how their career path evolved
- If you are interacting with them through online channels, share any relevant articles, videos, blogs, or news
- Volunteer skills for short-term or pilot projects
Summary
In conclusion, you do need to put in some effort to get a job in a sports tech startup company. So, to break into the industry, you need to begin building the right combination of education, industry knowledge, practical skills, and meaningful professional relationships. Degrees in fields such as sports management, data science, business, or kinesiology can provide a strong foundation, paired with hands-on experience and knowledge.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the sports tech industry?
According to the Fortune Business Insights, the sports tech industry was valued at USD 32.47 billion in 2025. Additionally, reports suggest that it can grow by well over 21% from 2026 to 2034. This shows a significant existing market size of the sports tech industry, with a bright and promising future ahead. Many different types of technologies are part of the broader sports tech world, but the most common types that have remained relevant are wearable gadgets, streaming platforms, GPS, ML, AI, and virtual reality.
What jobs can I find in sports tech startups?
Sports tech startups offer a wide range of roles beyond athletics, including:
- Sports analyst
- Product manager
- Event and brand activation manger
- Brand manager
- League representative
- Maintenance technician
- product engineer
- UI/UX researcher
- Partnerships manager
- Performance analyst
- Product developer
- Sports manager
Explore more sports tech jobs on ZipRecruiter.
Is TMRW Sports a real company?
Yes, absolutely. TMRW Sports is a renowned and registered company that was first founded in 2022 by a sports executive and his business partners. It focuses on creating new sports leagues and fan-first experiences, particularly in golf and emerging sports formats.
Is coding required for sports tech jobs?
Not always. While coding is useful for technical roles, many sports tech jobs focus on:
- Product management
- Marketing and fan engagement
- Business operations
- Sales and partnerships
- Sports data interpretation (not development)
Overall, startups across different industries value and prefer skills and performance. As a result, they are able to adjust and accommodate valuable talent in the company.
What companies are leading the sports tech industry?
According to the Sports Business Journal, there are many leading and successful sports tech companies, with many more new ones emerging. The report suggests the leading companies are:
- Bolt6
- Mashgin
- OneCourt
- Orreco
- Owl AI
- Recentive Analytics
- SailGP
- Sportable
- TMRW Sports
- WolfCycle