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Sports Management Career OptionsLearn what your career options are with a sports management degree Sports Management Home | Resource Center Home | Find Sports Management Schools
Find Sports Management SchoolsSports is a $200 billion dollar a year industry, and the field of sports management offers many different types of career options for those with a sports management degree. Sports management professionals can be found in business or sports medicine, which usually falls under the aegis of the physical education or health sciences department, and while these two areas of specialty may overlap in some cases, their focuses are distinct. For example, a degree in sports management with an emphasis in marketing might find you assigned to a campaign to create a slogan for a team, such as the WNBA's Seattle Storm, whose 2008 season boasted the catchphrase, "New Season. New Energy. Bigger Game. The Perfect Storm." A degree in sports medicine might see you teaching college football players how to stay healthy and keep fit by eating the right kinds of foods, or helping a tennis player deal with the psychological ramifications of stress and competition that come with being a professional athlete. Where Can I Work with a Sports Management Degree?The career window for sports management is wide, and there are several institutions or settings where you can work. Students who have earned a degree in sports management may find themselves employed in one of the following environments:
Profiles of Sports Management CareersThe list of career options may be long, but competition for sports management jobs is tough. If you have your heart set on a career in sports management, be realistic, resourceful and prepared. Know what area of the field you wish to pursue and make sure you can capitalize on your special strengths and skills by focusing on a facet of the industry that will best fit your and talents and interest. The following are some of the most intriguing jobs in sports management: Sports Marketing SpecialistIn charge of coordinating activities at sporting events and charity events, sports marketing specialists help an organization increase ticket sales or raise awareness of a cause. They utilize marketing techniques such as group ticket sales or prize give-aways, often working with sponsors to promote their products at sporting events. Much of their time is spent planning these marketing tactics or organizing fundraisers. They tend to have demanding schedules, which often include working nights and weekends at events. Entry-level sports marketers start at $19,000 to $26,000 a year, but those with a bachelor's degree and some experience can earn between $38,000 and $78,000 annually. Sports Information DirectorA sports information director acts as a public relations liaison between athletic teams and the media. They create press releases and organize press conferences for the athletes and coaches, managing public relations for the team. They are also responsible for producing and updating the information listed on an organization's website or in their publications, working to ensure that the organization is portrayed in a positive light. According to the US Department of Labor, public relations specialists such as sports information directors can earn a salary of approximately $25,000 to $81,000 per year, with the median falling at $51,000. Sports AgentSports agents represent athletes, with their most valuable skills coming into play when helping their clients negotiate contracts or negotiate lucrative product endorsement deals. Successful sports agents are assertive and must be relentless, constantly networking to find work for their clients. Because their work is extremely competitive and requires managerial, financial and legal expertise, many agents obtain MBA degrees or graduate from law school. On top of a workweek that may include 14-hour days, they also work on weekends to network with sponsors at sporting events and recruit new clients. Commission-based incomes contribute to a wide variance in salaries among sports agents—entry-level agents can find initial work assisting senior agents, earning a median salary of $50,000 annually, but top agents will easily break six figures, according to Payscale.com. Sports Medicine ProfessionalSports medicine integrates the physical and psychological issues concerning sports and wellness. Those entering this relatively new field will study athletic performance, coaching, sports management business fundamentals and sports medicine. Sports medicine professionals may seem only marginally connected to the business of sports management, but these specialists can be viewed as the holistic members of the team. They apply their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, nutrition and kinesiology to sports and often interpret regulatory and legal issues that are associated with recreational and professional sports. In addition, they oversee the practices associated with the management and operations of sports and recreation facilities. Median salary for a sports medicine professional can range from $40,000 at entry level to $60,047 according to Payscale.com.    Ashford University Ashford University Online allows you to earn a respected degree without the traditional hassles. Build your class schedule around your busy life and earn your degree with Ashford's affordable, accelerated and convenient online programs.  Sports Management Home | Resource Center Home | Find Sports Management Schools |
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