“I was told over and over again that I would never be successful, that I was not going to be competitive and the technique was simply not going to work. All I could do was shrug and say “We’ll just have to see.”
-Dick Fosbury (Olympic Gold Medalist and inventor of the current high jump technique)
If you are still in two minds about deciding your career, then this article is for you.
If you want to make a lot of money but don’t want to do the same old UPSC, Medical and Engineering, then this article is for you…
If you are interested in sports, are passionate about sports, or want to make a career but think you will need more time to play in the Champions League, then this article is for you.
Today, this blog discusses why we can consider a niche field of study like sports management where earning opportunities are high.
Why study Sports management?
The sports industry is booming, with ample opportunities for passionate people. In India, audiences are not only aware of cricket but also other sports like Kabadi, football, hockey, tennis, Formula 1, and many more.
So, to manage different leagues played throughout the year around the world, more efficient people are required. Thus, the scope for different working positions opens up.
Career Opportunities
There are two main segments when it comes to job positions in sports.
Technical Position
A coach is a professional who trains athletes to improve their skills and performance. They use techniques to motivate and inspire their athletes while monitoring progress and making adjustments.
A Nutritionist – who keeps track of a healthy diet to make sure an athlete reaches their maximum productivity level.
A Psychologist – who constantly works on one’s mental health as an athlete can go through a lot of constant pressure of performance.
Managerial Positions:
There are many other scope of work opportunities behind managing these massive events, so if someone is looking to make a career in sports but does not participate directly in playing, they can take a degree in these fields and pursue their career.
Sports Marketing and Advertising or Brand Strategist – anyone interested in management and passionate about sports can have a great combination of both. As the sports industry grows, many sponsors are also involved. Setting a proper campaign and making an advertising strategy and brand promotion brings the money flow from here.
Sports Agents – do the branding and strategy for individual sportspeople and deal with the contracts and legal matters.
Sports manager or event planner – looks after the event management, like booking the hotels to conduct a ceremony ideally and managing tickets and prices.
Sports Media Manager – Profiles related to media management include social media manager, media analyst or broadcasting manager, blogger and vlogger, video editor, and many more.
Sales equipment manager/executives- sales executives can make a career by specializing here. There is a high demand for sports equipment sold by multinational companies worldwide.
In terms of pay scale, according to glassdoor.com, the average income with a master’s degree in sports management in mid-level employment can be from 42k to 113k US Dollars. You can earn varied pay based on your skills and network, with countless opportunities to discover.
Now, if you know what job position one can land, the next question that arises is the road map to reach these opportunities for managerial positions.
Of Course, Step one: you have a bachelor of administration or sports degree and then a master’s in sports management.
International exposure and degree will have a significant weightage in your resume!!! Countries to study abroad for good exposure and practical experience. The first three choices would be Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US.
Top 5 International Universities(According to QS world ranking 2024) for Master in Sports Management.
The University of Queensland (UQ),
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Brisbane, Australia – the University of Queensland is well known for its well-designed courses from industry experts and networking workshops organized for the students annually. Moreover, being a UQ student, you can enjoy supportive employability service and great campus vibes in its multicultural environment.
If you want to develop a career in sports coaching and leadership skills, this course (ranked 2 in the QS world and 1 in Australia) would be appropriate. Expert coaches design the Program to develop unique and innovative experiences in learning and sports coaching. It’s a 2-year program, depending on previous education and experience.
Entry requirements
English requirements
IELTS requirement – 6.5
PTE – Requirement 64
Education qualification: Graduate degree in physical sciences or coaching or work experience related to coaching.
What will you study?
This course will focus more on coaching and training development.
- Recovery and Nutrition for Elite Athletes
- Developing the Elite Athlete
- High-Performance Program Management for Coaches
- Performance Psychology for Coaches
Coaching Director
Head Coach
Coach Educator
Assistant coach
Sports Development Manager
Performance director
Fees – 41120 Australian dollars
Intake Feb, July
University of Birkbeck, London – Msc in Sports Management
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University of Birkbeck, London – MSc in Sports Management
This course is designed for students pursuing sports and media management careers. It teaches principles of general management, strategy making, policy development, and research related to sports.
Duration: 1 year.
IELTS requirement – 6.5
Intake – Oct 2024
Fees – 23,220 pounds
About the campus – Birkbeck has been part of London University since 1823. “It is located in London and is also home to the campuses of many other renowned universities.” Being a vibrant city, London allows international students to network and experience related industries for studying and research. The campus location also facilitates public transport to and fro from the institution.
MSc. Sports Policy, management,and international development at University of Edinburgh –
This master’s degree course includes lectures, seminars, case studies and industry visits. The course will teach about the role of sports policies, management and mass media involvement and gain skills to improve these by critically understanding.
Duration: 1 year
IELTS Requirement – 7 bands with at least 6 in each and a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Work Experience internship in the relevant sports administration field can be an added advantage for application but is optional.
Intake Oct 2024
Fees – 28,800 pounds
Career opportunities include:
- Sports marketing.
- Development of international management in sports.
- Sports event organization.
- Dealing with facility management.
Moreover, the path to a Ph.D. is open after completing a Master’s degree.
Master of Business – Sports leadership and Management – AUT, NZ-
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New Zealand, as a country, values sports and entertainment. This course allows international students to learn from experts on leadership, governance, law, policy, and economics related to sports, marketing, and event management.
In this course, students can also research a topic and write a thesis.
AUT is one of the best universities in New Zealand, ranking 41st in Times Education and having a 5-star rating by QS Rating. It is one of the largest growing universities in terms of course availability, research, employability and international facilities. The university focuses more on rapid industry changes and making its courses available based on new technology and advancement. Employers worldwide will accept AUT students for their innovative approach and well-balanced theory and practical learning.
Duration – 1 year
IELTS requirement- 6.5 and Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Intake Feb, July.
Campus – Auckland
Fee – 53,100 New Zealand Dollar
Master of professional studies in sports management – St John’s University, New York, USA
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The Program’s mission is to develop students with global leadership skills in the field of sports through theoretical as well as practical knowledge. St John’s University was one of the first institutions in the United States to establish a major as a subject in 1976. The course intends to develop students with a good education, ethics, and high competitiveness in the global sports market.
The Queen Campus, located in New York City, occupies 100 acres of land and provides a conventional campus environment for students. The campus features lush green lawns, modern tech Labs and classrooms, extensive collections of books in libraries, different activities for sports, clubs and dining facilities are also available within the campus.
Course Duration – 2 years.
IELTS requirement – 6.5
For admission to the undergraduate Program, please apply through the official website provided above.
Step 2: Finding an internship in a relevant field you want to experience and network with people is equally essential to completing the course. This will help students to find employment opportunities within the sports industry.
All these institutions have relevant career counseling departments that assist students with making CVs and applying for jobs.
“Don’t tell me how rocky the sea is, just bring the ship in.”
– Lou Holtz (College Football Hall of Famer)
“God gets you to the plate, but once you’re there you’re on your own.”
– Ted Williams (Baseball Great)
To conclude, sports management is a booming sector worldwide, so when students come up with a degree and a relevant industry that is not traditional yet demanding in youth, there is a high chance of getting a job abroad and in your home country.
Watching successful athletes can inspire me to pursue a career in sports management, an exciting and specialized industry.
Another plus point to add here is that not only do men get chances in this industry today, but women, too, have many behind-the-scenes opportunities.
On that note, consider choosing sports management as your higher studies and make your dream career off the field.
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