More Information About Sports Management

What should I know when considering a degree in Sports Management ?

A sports management career requires an individual to have a love of both sports and business. The path to becoming a sports manager requires education and work related experience. A sports manager must have a good grasp on the politics of sports, scouting, marketing and regulations. He or she must also have administrative, management and people skills in order to manage the team and keep all members and coaches happy. A sports management career can encompass any details of a sporting event, including managing the marketing, scouting or organization of the team. A sports management degree student may need to choose what department he or she is interested in while earning the degree. The student may be required to take elective courses that cater to the type of sports managing that is desired as a career.

Required Education

Landing a career in sports management requires an education, knowledge of sports, connections with people in the sports managing industry and work experience in the field. An intern or entry level position may be hard for even a graduate to achieve because of the popularity and desire of the sports management field. Those who are interested in a career in sports management should attend sporting events and make contacts with the employees of local teams and sporting venues. An internship or volunteer position at a sporting venue may also be beneficial while earning a degree in sports management in order to get advice and connections with the local sports employees.

A bachelor's degree in sports management is offered at a number of universities. The degree requires many courses in accounting, public relations, marketing and administration so the basic business skills are taught to the student before the elective courses are taken. The student may have a choice of elective courses depending on what field of sports management he or she is interested in.

When choosing which university to attend for a bachelor's or master's in sports management, a student should consider what sports team he or she eventually wants to become involved with. Choosing a university that is in close proximity to this team may be beneficial because the student could make contacts when doing research, volunteering or interning for school projects. While a master's degree may not be required to move up to a sports management career, it will make it easier for a job seeker to find an entry level position. He or she may also find it easier to move up to a management position with a master's degree in sports management already achieved.

Sports Management Career Opportunities

A sports management career requires a lot of patience and time to devote to the work. Since there are few management jobs in the sports industry, it may take a substantial number of years working as an assistant or in a less desirable department of a sports management company or venue before an employee can move up to management. A sports manager is required to work many late hours, especially during the sports season. He or she may also be required to travel extensively with the team in order to take advantage of press and media opportunities.

Sports Management Career and Salary Outlook

The sports management field is not expected to be a growing field. Management positions with sports teams are hard to come by and those who start at entry level or intern positions may not move up to a management position for several years. A sports manager's salary depends on how involved he or she is with the team and whether it is a major or minor team. The salary also depends on how long he or she has been in the sports management field and what his or her actual job title is considered. Most sports management professionals can make between $35,000 to $75,000 a year, according to the Sports Management division of West Virginia University. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, if a sports manager is involved with an extremely well known team and has been managing for several years, he or she can earn well over $75,000 a year.

Article References

Sports Management Worldwide
http://www.sportsmanagementworldwide.com/revenue_faq.asp

Businessweek.com
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/aug2008/bs20080818_920919.htm

West Virginia University
http://www.wvu.edu/~physed/sportman.htm

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos251.htm

What are the leading schools offering programs in Sports Management ?

• Grand Canyon University Online Founded in 1949 as a private, non-denominational Christian university, Grand Canyon University emphasizes individual attention and staff support. Students learn professional essentials for success in Education careers—all with the convenience of flexible online classes. ( More Info )
• Saint Leo University Saint Leo University is one of the largest regionally accredited online university to offer associate, bachelor, and master programs in the U.S. Saint Leo University offers degree programs in the fields of Accounting, Business, Healthcare Management, Criminal Justice and Computer Information Systems. ( More Info )
• Full Sail University Founded in 1979, Full Sail University is located in Orlando, though many of its programs are also offered online. Full Sail offers a wide range of programs including Education Media Design & Technology, Entertainment Business and Graphic Design. All of its programs focus on music, film, video games, design, entertainment and animation. Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degrees are all offered. ( More Info )
• Northcentral University Northcentral University is an accredited online university that offers students graduate degrees in programs including business and technology management, education and psychology. ( More Info )
• California University of Pennsylvania Online California University of Pennsylvania Online provides career-oriented online training to those students interested in professional careers in education and legal studies. Bachelor and master degrees are available along with graduate certificates to help students start new careers without disrupting their busy schedules. ( More Info )
• Ashford University Founded in 1918, Ashford University specializes in Teacher Education and Organizational Leadership. Students choose from associate and bachelor degrees in business, psychology, criminal justice, and teaching. The accelerated classes will offer you a swift path to program completion. ( More Info )