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From community sports marketing to sports merchandising, a
sports business degree can open up many opportunities within
this fast-paced industry. The field of sport management is
growing in diversity, especially with the influences of the
media, internet, and news industries. Professionals are needed
to develop promotions and sponsorship programs, serve as
facilities managers, and work with media relations; a sports
business degree offers students a chance the key skills needed
for a rewarding and lucrative career. Athletic business
management and sponsorship offers graduates of sports management
schools to apply key principles of marketing, economics, and
business management towards a particular organization. Students
interested in administration of sports organizations also have a
higher chance of success after completing a formal sports
management college degree program.
What is a Sports
Business Degree?
A sports business degree affords students the chance to learn within a
specialized business discipline, especially in the areas of sport marketing,
facilities management, and sport organization administration. While a standard
business management or business administration degree offers many benefits for a
career in management, a sports management degree offers a more specialized
curriculum and format. Graduates of sports management schools can apply
fundamental lessons learned in sports psychology, professional sales and
marketing, and even sport ethics in a variety of organizations.
What do Sports
Management Schools offer?
Attending a sports management business school prepares students within a
specialized business program and course of study, helping them work with mentors
and prospective employers during the process. Many sports management business
schools require students to complete an internship or other formal
apprenticeship program as part of their requirements; this helps them gain
hands-on experience in their chosen field, and can enhance both their
educational and professional resume.
Sports management schools also make it easier to network with other students and
professors in the industry. This can be beneficial both in the long- and
short-term, offering students a chance to study, collaborate, and learn from a
variety of different projects of relevance in the modern field. After completing
a standard sports management college degree program, students may also choose to
pursue a sports management master degree.
Classes and
Curriculum with a Sport Business Degree Program
A sports
management college degree program offers a diverse range of study with classes
designed for direct application in their field. Common courses available with a
sports management degree program include:
- Sport Law
- Psychology
of Sport
- Sport
Governance & Ethics
- Facilities
Management
- Sport
Marketing
- Philosophy
and Principles of Human Movement
-
Professional Sales and Marketing
- Field
experience in Sport Management
- Current
Issues in Sport
- Sport
History
Benefits of a
Sports Management College Degree
Job duties after graduating from sports management schools vary widely,
depending on the type of organization and focus of study. Students who have
completed a sports management college degree program may choose to work with
corporations in developing promotions, sponsorships, and other marketing
activities. They can focus on sports law and administration, entering the field
of sports and facilities management for an organization that hosts sports events
and conferences. They may also choose to working the sales and marketing
industry of sporting goods and products, working as sales representatives or
regional managers. Sports broadcasting and media relations are other growing
industries that require skilled professionals in a variety of positions.
Sport Business
Degree: Training and Qualifications
Sports business degree programs can be very competitive, and the industry itself
employs well-trained and highly skilled professionals who advance throughout
their careers. Sport business degree requirements include standard educational
requirements of any degree program, along with electives and sport-specific
management classes.
A typical sport business degree program is completed on a 4-year plan, and
advancing into a master's program offers another opportunity for students to
obtain sports management positions with ease. Students who are especially strong
in classes such as communications, business, consumer relations, and public
speaking have a strong chance of success in the industry.
Options and
Opportunities with a Sports Management Master Degree
A sports management master degree program offers students a chance to
concentrate on fields in administration, sports law, sport history research, or
coaching and teaching. Sports management master degree programs typically take
between 2-3 years to complete, and can be pursued after a standard sports
business degree program. Common roles and positions for graduates with a sports
management master degree program include:
-
Sports agent
-
Vice president or manager of a professional sports organization
-
Operations manager
-
TV rights professional
-
Merchandising or licensing executive
-
Marketing and events planner
Common courses of study in a sports management master degree program include:
-
Franchise and licensing agreements
-
Facility ownership
-
Labor, employment contracts, and human resources in sports business
-
Organizational behavior
-
Role of sports in society
Employment and
Career Prospects After Completing a Sports Business Degree
Employment of sports business professionals looks promising, especially with the
growth of the media, advertising, and public relations fields. Organizational
and facilities management is also growing in scope, and requires experienced
professionals to oversee and direct operations. Rewarding career opportunities
exist for those interested in sales, marketing, advertising, and sports
organization management; while most sporting goods jobs are paid on a base
salary plus commission basis, directors, managers, and other professional
positions offer lucrative salaries. Salaries vary widely depending on the
organization, professional experience, and level of expertise; for example, the
vice president of marketing of a major league organization may earn an average
of $115,000 per year, while an assistant general manager at a minor league can
earn approximately $60,000.
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