Sports are hands down one of the universal themes on the planet. From country-stopping super bowls to spirited local tribal-esque dancing, this primal human activity attracts the most enthusiastic and energetic amongst us.
However, directly participating in sports is not the only way to join this world community, as people support teams, entertain rivalries, and tune in to sporting events from everywhere with a religious fervor.
Sure, being a fan is fine, but the most passionate fans find ways to increase their participation in the game they love. One of the best ways to achieve is voting with your effort and seeking employment in the industry.
One of the many channels to get started in this field is with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in sports management.
What is a Master’s Degree in Sports Management
In 2018, the total market capitalization of American sports was at a value of around $71 billion. The fact that experts expect this figure to rise to at least $83 billion by 2023 tell you one truth: sports is big business, and it’s about to get a lot bigger.
The fact that sports are such a significant generator of revenues necessitates the services of many management professionals, including managers and executives, for teams and associations, facility personnel, and sports agents.
Many of these positions require some formal education, and some even demand advanced degrees like a Master’s Degree in Sports Management.
A Master’s Degree in Sports Management prepares graduate sport professionals for career advancement and better positions in the sports business. In a master’s program for sports management, students partake in courses that provide a well-rounded knowledge of the sporting world, including sports analytics, sports ethics and law, intercollegiate athletics, digital sports media, and event management.
With a master’s degree in sports management, you can event several aspects of the sporting business, including management, public relations, and marketing.
Structure of a Master’s Degree in Sports Management
The goal of a master’s degree in sports management is to acquaint you with all the latest issues and practices of the sporting world while providing you with all the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills you need to navigate the sports sphere.
Hence, throughout this Master’s program, graduates get instruction on topics like:
- facility management
- event management
- Leadership
- Sports ethics
- Sports law and regulations
- sports marketing
- marketing management
- Industry finance
- Sponsorships
- Negotiation and deals
- Global sports
a master’s degree in sports management is favorite amongst graduates from entertainment-related fields like sports science, leisure, and tourism, who want to bolster their chances and improve their flexibility in the sports industry.
However, for many schools, having an extremely related undergraduate degree is not a firm requirement. Nevertheless, some experience in the sports world, while not often an essential requirement, is usually a give plus to your chance of acceptance into a program.
The typically Master’s degree program in sports management takes around 1-2 years to complete, and students often take it online or part-time to increase flexibility further.
What Can I Do with a Master’s Degree in Sports Management?
Bagging a Master’s Degree in Sports Management can be one of the best things you can do as an aspiring sports business professional, as the certificates open a lot of doors to you for advancing your career in the field.
With a Master’s Degree in Sports Management, some of the jobs available to you include:
- Facilities manager
- Athletic director
- Athletic coach
- Sports agent
- Sports event planner
- Sports marketing director
- Contract negotiation manager
- Fitness manager
- Financial and Contract Analyst
- Guest Relations Manager
- Corporate Partnerships Manager
Since this Master’s degree takes you on a tour around the mechanics of the sports industry, it equips you with the knowledge you need to start in most positions in the field, providing one of the best platforms to launch your career.
Furthermore, as a graduate student in a master’s program for sports management, you will receive often get to take part in resume writing workshops, job-placement assistance programs, mock interviews, and professional networking events. Some master’s programs even include some form of practicum and internship as part of the curriculum.
Salaries for holders of Master’s Degrees in Sports Management
Since sports management covers a wide range of available jobs in the sports world, the salary for a sports management professional with a master’s degree can vary widely depending on the employer, job title, location, and your work experience.
However, on average, the options available to these sport managers provide decent remuneration, as PayScale estimates that the average salary across the different Master’s degrees in sports management is between $51,000 and $59,000.
Job Outlook for holders of Master’s Degrees in Sports Management
With the sports industry on a steady rise year on year, the field of sports management has a very positive outlook for the near future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an average growth rate of 4%-11% across different job types in the sports industry, which is on par and higher than the national average, offering very positive prospects for aspiring sports management professionals.
Should you Get a Master’s Degree in Sports Management?
A Master’s Degree in Sports Management offers one of the best ways to kickstart your career and is an excellent option for anyone looking to get into the sports industry. Furthermore, even already established professionals can benefit from this certification as it adds some weight to your profile and increases your job flexibility in the industry.