Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a marketing director for the National Hockey League? How about working in ticket sales for NASCAR? Or even managing a minor-league baseball team? All these jobs and more can be yours with a degree in sport management!
The Financial Reward: Average Salaries in Sport Management
Here’s a heads-up on some of the careers you can get into with this degree and what they pay on average:
- Athlete development specialist: Consider helping athletes maximize their talents. You could earn around $55,347 a year for this role.
- Athletic director: This role involves administration, overseeing all sports programs at a school or college. The average salary is approximately $64,387 a year.
- Contract negotiation manager: If you’re interested in the business side of sport, negotiating contracts could be for you. The average annual income for this role is about $89,482.
- Facilities manager: This role involves taking care of sports venues like stadiums or sports complexes. You could earn around $111,392 a year.
- Operations manager: If you like managing logistics, this role might be a good fit. The average salary for ensuring everything runs smoothly is about $112,690 a year.
- Public relations/marketing manager: If promoting and dealing with the media interests you, this role could be a good fit. As a PR or marketing manager, you could earn around $118,490 a year.
- Sports agent: If you’re interested in representing athletes, this could be your calling. The average salary for a sports agent is around $59,828 a year.
Diverse Career Opportunities with a Sport Management Degree
Whether you’re intrigued by sports marketing, event planning, facility management, or data analytics, there’s a niche for you in the dynamic realm of sports.
What are our alumni doing?
- Group ticketing sales, Frederick Keys, Class A Minor League affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.
- Operations Manager at Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, PGA Tour Event, Las Vegas, Nev.
- Corporate Sales Manager, Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR, Richmond, Virginia.
- Athletic Ticket Sales, University of Maryland, Baltimore/D.C. area.
- Director of Wisconsin True Lacrosse, Hartland, Wis.
- Operations Director, Virginia Amateur Sports, Subway Commonwealth Games, Roanoke, VA.
- Assistant Director of Athletics for Marketing and Promotions, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
- Public Relations Associate, Buffalo Communications, Ashburn, Va.
- Assistant Director of Recreation & Wellness – Intramural & Club Sports, Morrow, Ga.
- Academic Advisor, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Via.
- Co-Coach/Trainer at Iron Tribe Fitness, Chattanooga, Tenn.
- Assistant General Manager, Prince William Golf Course, Manassas, Va.
The Growing Field of Sport Management: A Look at the Future
The field of sport management appears to be expanding. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts about 160,600 new jobs in the sports and entertainment fields between 2020 and 2030. That indicates a 22% growth rate, driven by an increasing interest in sports. Looks like the prospects are promising for professionals in sports management!
The bottom line: A degree in sport management can unlock many opportunities. You could also think about getting another professional degree, like an MBA in sport management, to improve your job chances even more. Your potential in this field is limitless.
Salary and job projections come from national averages in the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources, including Glassdoor, Indeed, and industry-specific posts and publications. The data is meant to provide you with an idea of career options and salary ranges, not as a guarantee of obtaining these positions after graduation. These represent national averages and may vary by source and time frame collected. Actual salaries vary by region. Some jobs may require additional training or graduate education.