Key takeaways
- A sports management degree focuses on the business and operational side of sports, not athletic performance or coaching.
- You can get a sports management degree at three different levels, including:
- Associate degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- Masters degree
- A sports management professional can work in job roles such as:
- Facilities manager
- Sports marketing manager
- Sports event manager
- Sports administration
- sponsorship manager
- Sports analyst
- Sports agent
- Sports facilities manager
- Sports lawyer
- Contract analyst
- Athletic trainer
- Coach in educational institutes
- Top-paying roles for sports management professionals are sports lawyers, facilities managers, and senior sports executives.
- The global sports industry is growing, increasing demand for skilled sports management professionals.
Behind every successful sports team, league, or major sporting event is a group of professionals handling the planning, operations, marketing, finances, and logistics that make it all possible. These behind-the-scenes roles are led by sports management professionals, who ensure that sports function smoothly as a business and an entertainment industry.
Let’s take a deep look at who sports management professionals are, what it is that they do, and whether it’s a career path you can enjoy.
What is a sports management degree?
There are many college programs offered at different levels, like bachelor’s or master’s, that students can choose based on their career goals. A sports management degree is yet another college program that is typically offered at bachelors or master’s level. The three most common types of sports management programs are:
- Associate degree – Entry-level foundation for support roles
- Bachelor’s degree – The most common option for professional careers
- Master’s degree – Advanced leadership, administration, or executive roles
The academic program is focused on the business and social aspects of sports. The name might mislead some people into thinking that it prepares you for a career as a professional athlete. However, this particular degree prepares you for a career in sports behind the scenes. So, the degree teaches how sports function as an industry.
Students learn how teams, leagues, events, facilities, and sports-related businesses are planned, funded, promoted, and governed. The curriculum blends business fundamentals with sports-specific knowledge, making it a popular choice for students who love sports but want a career beyond playing or coaching. This means that sports enthusiasts and hobbyists do not have limited options or choices, nor do they have to play any particular sports in literal terms.
Instead, they can prepare for managerial and leadership roles that contribute to the smooth functionality of sports and sporting events. In addition to this, the coursework in sports management programs varies by college. Most sports management degrees cover topics such as:
- Sports marketing and sponsorship
- Sports finance and economics
- Event and facility management
- Sports law and ethics
- Management and leadership in sports organizations
- Sports media, communication, and public relations
- Data and analytics in sports
Many programs also include internships or practicum experiences, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with sports teams, athletic departments, or event organizations. We strongly recommend you to choose a sports management degree or college program if you:
- Are passionate about sports but don’t want to be athletes or coaches
- Enjoy business, marketing, or leadership roles
- Like working in fast-paced, event-driven environments
- Want careers connected to sports, fitness, or entertainment industries
Explore more: Sports Management vs. Kinesiology: Which College Degree Should You Choose?
What does a sports management professional do?
A lot of planning, organizing, managing, and coordinating goes on behind the scenes in any sports organization, such as a league or a tournament. Therefore, lots of professionals and trained individuals are needed to pursue different types of job roles that work in cohesion to achieve a common goal.
So, a sports management professional works behind the scenes to plan, organize, promote, and manage sports organizations and events. Their role focuses on the business, operations, and administrative side of sports rather than athletic performance.
Some of the key tasks and responsibilities of sports management professionals include:
- Oversee daily operations, including staffing, scheduling, venue bookings, and budgeting
- Create and manage marketing campaigns
- Take initiatives to grow fan engagement
- Create strategies to increase revenue growth and expand revenue streams
- Plan and manage sports events, tournaments, and games
- Ensure sports venues are prepared, safe, and compliant with sports laws and ethics
- Financial support and services such as contract analysis and financial forecasting
- Ensure organizations follow league rules, labor laws, safety regulations, and ethical standards
- Coordinate with media, manage public relations, handle press releases, and support brand reputation for teams
Furthermore, the above-mentioned tasks and responsibilities are not for one person. Instead, there are different job roles with designated responsibilities. Following is a list of some common job roles taken by sports management professionals:
Job role |
Average annual pay |
| Facilities manager | $111,110 per year |
| Sports marketing manager | $83,488.00 per year |
| Sports event manager | $62,734 per year |
| Sports administration | $44,338 per year |
| sponsorship manager | $78,591 per year |
| Sports analyst | $73,261 per year |
| Sports Agent | $49,833 a year |
| Sports Facilities Manager | $68,936 a year |
| Sports Lawyer | $100,626 a year |
| Contract Analyst | $75,883 a year |
| Athletic Trainer | $54,463 per year |
| Coaching at School or College | $40,970 per year |
Note: Data is as of April 2026.
Where do sports management professionals work?
According to Statista, the sports market value globally is expected to grow by US$87.11bn in 2026, with an annual revenue growth rate of over 3.35%, causing an increase in overall market volume by 2030. Moreover, insights by Deloitte also tell us that new technologies and sports companies like startups and ecommerce models are constantly emerging. As a result, new jobs and a market for unique skills is projected to keep growing.
So, it is easy to say that finding a variety of employers and different businesses or organizations where one could work is not going to be a huge challenge. In fact, there are many interesting options for sports management professionals to find a good place or work setting to work in. Let’s have a look at where do sports management professionals work.
Sports teams and leagues
Many sports management graduates aim to work with professional leagues and teams, such as football clubs, basketball franchises, baseball leagues, or international sports organizations. They can work in roles such as ticketing manager, sales manager, sponsorship manager, and front office manager.
Colleges and schools athletics departments
Many sports management professionals work in college and school-level sports departments. These jobs can be very rewarding and have consistent demand for trained professionals. Common job roles often include sports scout, athlete manager, program manager, fundraising or business development specialist, and facility manager.
Facility and event management organizations
Sports events—from local tournaments to major international games—require teams of planners and managers to handle logistics, safety, sponsorships, and execution. So, sports management professionals may get employed by:
- National and regional event companies
- Convention halls and stadiums
- Sports tourism boards
- Olympic and international sporting federations
Marketing and PR firms
Sports is a form of media entertainment and involves everything any other brand or business organization may involve — such as branding collateral and marketing team. Therefore, may sports management professionals specialize in marketing and get relevant jobs in marketing firms, PR agencies, and creative firms. Data shows these sectors together employ hundreds of thousands of professionals in sports-related communication and broadcasting roles.
Read more: Who are sports broadcasters, and how to become one?
Sponsorship agencies
Sports organizations are constantly looking for and managing sponsorships and corporate partnerships. Major brands invest billions in sports sponsorships, sponsoring teams, athletes, and events. Sports management professionals often work on the business side of this ecosystem, getting employed by corporate brands, brand management agencies, and so on.
Sports agencies
Agents and athlete managers negotiate contracts, endorsement deals, image rights, and career development for athletes. So, their overall role plays a crucial part in their career growth and development. For this purpose, many sports agencies are hired by athletes to take care of this aspect. Sports management professionals are well-versed in these matters and therefore, are hired by such agencies.
Sports tech startups
As the sports industry evolves, sports technology (sports tech) startups have become a major employer of sports management professionals. These startups are at the intersection of technology, data, fan experience, and athletic performance, creating new career pathways beyond traditional team and league roles. So, many young startup companies are becoming emerging employers of sports management professionals.
Explore more: Finding a job in sports tech startups — Career guide for beginners
How to get a degree in sports management?
Getting a degree in sports management involves a clear academic path combined with hands-on experience in the sports industry. Below is a step-by-step guide that can help you plan your college journey and get a degree in sports management:
Complete your high school education or equivalent
If not already, then you must complete your high school education and get a diploma. If you are an international student or have taken an alternative path, such as religious studies, then any equivalent to a high school diploma will also suffice. Moreover, at this stage, you should focus on studying subjects like English, math, computer science, communication, and business.
Choose the right college major
There is more than just one college major option. A straightforward college degree in sports management may be the ideal pathway, but you can also explore other degrees such as sports marketing, public relations, journalism, and others. Get expert college recommendations and advice to get started!
Also read: What degree do you need to become a sports scout?
Select an accredited university
There are tons of options. But you don’t have to get overwhelmed. Find below the complete list of top-ranking schools and colleges offering a degree in sports management and related fields:
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College |
Program name |
Tuition cost |
| Indiana University | Sport Marketing & Management |
Per academic year (source) |
| Holy Family University | Sport Marketing-Management, B.A. |
|
| University of Michigan | Sports management, BA |
Per academic year (Source) |
| University of Texas at Austin | Sports management major |
Per academic year (Source) |
| Texas A&M University | Sports management, B.S |
|
| Syracuse University | Sports management, B.S | $66,580 per academic year |
| University of Florida | Online sports management bachelors | |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Online sports management bachelors | |
| University of Colorado, Colorado Springs | Sports management degree |
|
| The University of Alabama | Kinesiology, BS |
Per academic year (source) |
| Arizona State University | Kinesiology, BS |
|
| University of Texas at Austin | Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health |
Per academic year (Source) |
| University of Nebraska, Omaha | Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology |
(source) |
| University of Maryland | BS, Kinesiology |
Per academic year (source) |
| University of South Dakota | Kinesiology and sport management major |
(source) |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | B.S. in Kinesiology |
Per academic year (source) |
| Penn State | Kinesiology, B.S. (Health and Human Development) |
(source) |
Note: Data is as of April 2026.
Bottom line
In conclusion, a sports management professional is eligible for a diverse variety of career paths that can be truly enjoyable and rewarding. With degree options available at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels, students can tailor their education to their career goals while gaining practical experience through internships and real-world training.
Moreover, as the global sports industry continues to grow, the demand for skillful and talented sports management professionals is expected to grow. So, you too can step into this career with the right college planning and guidance.
Get expert degree advice to launch your career on the right note!
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest-paying job in sports management?
Sports lawyers, facilities managers, and senior management roles tend to be among the highest-paying careers in sports management. For example, sports lawyers can earn around $100,000+ per year, while experienced facilities managers and contract analysts can also reach six-figure salaries depending on experience, employer, and location.
Are sports managers in demand?
Yes, sports management professionals are in demand, and demand is expected to grow. The global sports market is expanding, with projected revenue growth and increasing market value. Moreover, new employers are emerging, especially in the sports tech industry, with new startups developing every day. Therefore, as the sports industry can be digitalized and modernized, it also gets more complex. As a result, the demand for experienced, trained, and skilled sports managers will continue to grow.
Does sports management require math?
Yes, basic math skills are required in a sports management career. However, advanced mathematics may not be mandatory. Sports management professionals commonly use math for:
- Budgeting and financial planning
- Revenue forecasting
- Contract analysis
- Ticket sales and pricing strategies
- Performance and fan analytics
Is sports management a business major?
Yes, sports management is essentially a specialized business major. Typically, it is also offered as a concentration track within a business administration college degree. This is because sports management focuses on the business aspect of sports, such as marketing, finance, management, and law. Moreover, it prepares students for managerial and leadership roles.
Can you work in the NFL with a sports management degree?
Yes, a sports management degree can help you work in the NFL, but typically in non-athletic roles. Therefore, if you are looking to build a sports career in a non-athletic area, then a sports management degree will take you places. While the NFL is highly competitive, sports management degrees are well-suited for front-office and business-side positions, especially when combined with internships and industry experience.