Remember Tom Cruise as the sports manager in the 90s movie Jerry Maguire. From then, till now with movies like Draft Day, Moneyball, Coach Carter and Two for the Money, there has been a distinct rise in the number of sports management movies. In the recent years, with the emergence of new leagues and series in the sports arena, sports management as a career has begun to receive limelight. If you are someone who watches sports for more than just entertainment and have strong allegiances for certain teams and sports, here is an excellent career option for you to consider!

Sports management is a work area that deals with the business of sports and recreation. To become a sports manager, one must acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills in finance, marketing management and laws pertaining to the sports industry. Courses in sports management are available at both the bachelors and masters level which prepare you for a career in amateur, college level and professional sports organizations. With new avenues opening up, jobs in this field are aplenty. 

Top Colleges

The best path to follow in order to become a sports manager is to first pursue a bachelor’s degree in sports management and then specialize through a master’s degree program or an MBA in areas such as athletic administration or international sports management. A bachelor’s degree in economics, marketing, business administration, health or accounting is also equally relevant although you will then definitely need either a Master of Science in Sports Management or a Master of Science in Sports Medicine or other similar courses to complement your education.

With sports organizations like the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc. the US is the most popular choice of destination for courses in sports management. The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee offers a 4 years BS in Athletic Training course. Western Michigan University (WMU) has 2 courses at the undergraduate level - B. S. Recreation: Recreation Management and B. S. Recreation: Sports Management. Florida Institute of Technology also has a 4 years B. S. Business Administration/ Sports Management course. Even the Oklahoma State University has a program in sports management.

In the UK, the University College Birmingham has a 3 years Sports Management BA (Hons) course. The Nottingham Trent University (NTU) offers 4 years B Sc. courses in Coaching and Sports Science, Equine Sports Science, Sport and Exercise Science, Sports Science and Management, and Sports Science and Mathematics.  The University of Central Lancashire offers 3 and 4 years BA and BSc. courses in Sports Studies and Sports Business Management. The University of Lincoln also has a 3 years BSc. Sports Development and Coaching (Hons.) course.

In India, Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala offer a 1-year full-time IOC Solidarity Course in Sports. The Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences (IGIPESS) - New Delhi offers a 3 years B. Sc. Physical Education & Health course. The Syamaprasad Institute of Technology and Management (SITM), Kolkata also offers a 3 years Bachelor of Sports Management (BSM) course.  George College, Kolkata has a 3 years Bachelor of Sports Management (B.S.M. Hons.) degree. MATS School of Physical Education-Raipur, HLM College-Meerut and Shri Shivaji College- Parbhani also offer bachelor’s degree courses in sports. 

Career Prospects

Jobs & Salary                                            

Once you have completed your academic education in this field, several job avenues will open up for you. The higher your level of education, the better will be your chances of making it to executive profiles. Some of the typical job roles for sports managers are:

The NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS are some of the top organizations that hire sports managers in the US. Some of the top companies which employ sports managers in India are:

The average salary for sports managers in the US range from around $2,600 per month to $7,600 per month. The highest salaries are made by the Athletic Director and the Director of Marketing. In India, the average salary sports managers make range from approximately Rs.33,500 to Rs.67,000 per month. Regional Managers, Engagement Managers, Program Managers and Sponsorship Managers make the highest salaries in this profile.  

The average salary for sports managers in the US range from around $2,600 per month to $7,600 per month. The highest salaries are made by the Athletic Director and the Director of Marketing. In India, the average salary sports managers make range from approximately Rs.33,500 to Rs.67,000 per month. Regional Managers, Engagement Managers, Program Managers and Sponsorship Managers make the highest salaries in this profile.

Pros & Cons

Besides the formal education in sports management, essential skills like people management, communication, quick decision-making, teamwork and organizational skills are necessary to succeed in this field. However, it is most important to have a passion for and comprehensive knowledge of sports. Following are some advantages of being a sports manager:

Famous Personalities

	Scott Boras One of the top sports managers in the world, Scott Boras is legendary for his capability of negotiating record-breaking contracts for his clients. In fact, his negotiating strategies have prompted certain rules to be changed in Major League Baseball. Some of his famous client players include Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Greg Maddux.
	Leigh Steinberg The inspiration for the movie - Jerry Maguire, Leigh Steinberg is a true legend in the field of sports management. He has worked with professional athletes in football, boxing, basketball and baseball, and played an important part in negotiating over $2 billion in contracts for his clients, including picking the eight top NFL draft positions. As famous as his clients, Steinberg has even a bestseller book to his credit.
	JB Bernstein Best-known for the success of his reality show ‘The Million Dollar Arm,’ JB Bernstein has had an impressive clientele including baseball’s Barry Bonds, and football players - Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders. Having begun his career as the brand manager in Proctor & Gamble, he now is the chief marketing officer of Seven Figures Management.

Timeline :

      1900 - First formal sport management courses are established.

      1920 and 1930 - Several higher education institutions start offering sports management /administration courses within physical education departments.

      1950 - Professional and amateur sports management expands to large metropolitan areas.

      1960 - The interest in sports management initiates graduate degree programs for the first time in the USA.

      1970 – Theoretical studies are included in sports courses reflecting the emphasis on advancing management science in sports management studies.

      1980 – A surge in the number of sports management programs across universities displays the rising interest in the career.

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