The Playbook for Turning Your Love for Sports into a Career

Hey there, sports enthusiasts! Whether you're a high school student with dreams of working in the sports industry, or a parent looking to support your child's passion, you've come to the right place. In this playbook, we’ll break down the game plan for turning a love for sports into a rewarding career. So, lace up your sneakers and let’s get started!

Major Decisions: Picking the Right College Major

First things first, let’s talk about college majors. If you’re keen on a career in sports, here are some majors you might want to consider:

• Sports Management: Perfect for those who want to be behind the scenes making the big decisions.

  • Academic Preparation: Take business-related courses in high school such as economics, management, and accounting.

  • Volunteer/Intern: Volunteer or intern at local sports organizations or events to gain experience in sports administration.

  • Networking: Attend sports conferences and events to build connections with professionals in sports management.

• Kinesiology or Exercise Science: Ideal for the science buffs interested in the human body and its movement.

  • Academic Preparation: Focus on science courses such as biology, chemistry, and physics in high school.

  • Get Certified: Consider obtaining a basic certification in First Aid or CPR.

  • Stay Active: Engage in physical activities and sports to develop an understanding of body movements.

  • Volunteer/Intern: Gain experience by volunteering or interning at fitness centers or rehabilitation clinics.

  • Research: Read books and articles on exercise science to build your knowledge.

• Sports Journalism or Communications: For the wordsmiths who want to write or talk about sports for a living.

  • Academic Preparation: Take courses in English, journalism, and communications.

  • Write and Publish: Start a sports blog or contribute to your school newspaper’s sports section.

  • Practice Communication: Develop your speaking skills by participating in debate clubs or hosting sports-related podcasts.

• Sports Marketing: For the creative minds who want to promote sports teams and events.

  • Academic Preparation: Take courses in marketing, business, and economics.

  • Get Creative: Develop creative skills by taking classes in graphic design or advertising.

  • Build a Portfolio: Create marketing campaigns for hypothetical sports events or teams as part of your portfolio.

• Physical Education: For those who want to inspire the next generation of athletes.

  • Academic Preparation: Take courses in health and physical education.

  • Get Certified: Obtain certifications in coaching or physical education.

  • Volunteer: Volunteer as a coach or assistant in local sports clubs or schools.

Scoring a Career: What Can You Do with Your Major?

Now that you’ve picked a major, let’s explore the careers you can pursue and the majors you’d need:

• Sports Agent (Sports Management): Negotiate contracts and endorsements for athletes. Average starting salary: $50,000.

  • As a sports agent, your days are fast-paced and exciting. You're the bridge between athletes and teams or sponsors. You negotiate contracts, secure endorsements, and manage public relations for your clients. Networking is crucial, and you often attend games, events, and meetings. The job can be high-pressure, especially during contract negotiations, but helping an athlete secure a great deal can be incredibly rewarding.

• Sports Therapist/Athletic Trainer (Kinesiology/Exercise Science): Work with athletes to prevent and treat injuries. Average starting salary: $47,000.

  • Working as an athletic trainer means being on the front lines of sports medicine. You’re often on the field or court, working directly with athletes to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries. Your days might include taping ankles, stretching players, and providing first aid. You also work closely with doctors and physical therapists. The job can be physically demanding, but knowing you’re helping athletes stay healthy and perform their best is gratifying.

• Sports Journalist (Sports Journalism/Communications): Write articles or create content about sports. Average starting salary: $40,000.

  • As a sports journalist, your life revolves around the latest happenings in the sports world. You might be writing articles, reporting live from games, or interviewing athletes. Deadlines are tight, and you often work irregular hours, including nights and weekends. The job requires excellent communication skills and a passion for sports. Seeing your byline or reporting live from a major sporting event can be a thrill.

• Sports Marketer (Sports Marketing): Develop campaigns to promote teams or brands in sports. Average starting salary: $45,000.

  • In sports marketing, creativity is key. You’re responsible for promoting teams, athletes, or sports-related products. This might involve creating advertising campaigns, managing social media accounts, or organizing events. The work environment is dynamic, and you often collaborate with a team. The satisfaction of seeing a campaign you worked on become successful is immense.

• Pro-Sports Coach (Sports Management, Kinesiology):

  • As a pro-sports coach, you're at the helm of a professional sports team. Your role involves training athletes, developing game plans and strategies, and making crucial decisions during games. You'll work closely with assistant coaches, trainers, and scouts to ensure your team is at its best. You'll also review game footage to analyze your team's performance and that of upcoming opponents. Communication and leadership skills are crucial in this role, as you'll need to motivate and guide your team through a grueling season. The average starting salary for a pro-sports coach can vary significantly based on the sport and the level of the team, but it's generally much higher than that of a collegiate coach, often starting at around $50,000 and going up into the millions for high-profile teams in major sports leagues.

• Collegiate Coach (Sports Management, Kinesiology, Physical Education):

  • As a collegiate coach, your main responsibility is to guide and develop student-athletes in your specific sport. This involves recruiting promising athletes, developing training programs, and coaching the team during practices and games. You'll also need to ensure your athletes maintain a certain academic standard to remain eligible to play. Additionally, you'll work with other coaching staff, develop game strategies, and often have duties related to the administration of your sports program. The average starting salary for a collegiate coach is around $39,000, but this can vary widely depending on the sport, the level of the program, and the institution.

• Physical Education Teacher (Physical Education): Teach students the fundamentals of sports and physical fitness. Average starting salary: $40,000.

  • As a physical education teacher, your days are spent teaching students the fundamentals of sports and physical fitness. You plan lessons, organize games, and sometimes teach health education. The job requires patience and excellent interpersonal skills. It can be challenging to motivate all students, especially those who are not naturally inclined towards physical activity. However, inspiring a love for fitness in young people is highly rewarding.

• Event Coordinator (Sports Management): Plan and coordinate sports events. Average starting salary: $40,000.

  • As an event coordinator, you’ll find yourself in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. A significant part of your job involves meticulous planning. This includes selecting venues, arranging transportation, coordinating schedules, and managing budgets. Attention to detail is crucial, as even a small oversight can have a big impact on an event.

• Strength and Conditioning Coach (Kinesiology/Exercise Science): Develop fitness programs for athletes. Average starting salary: $35,000.

  • Working as a strength and conditioning coach means helping athletes improve their fitness levels and performance. You design and implement training programs, monitor progress, and provide guidance on nutrition. The job can be physically demanding and requires a deep understanding of exercise science. Seeing an athlete you’ve trained excel in their sport is incredibly satisfying.

• Sports Psychologist (Sports Psychology, Psychology): Help athletes enhance their performance and well-being. Average starting salary: $75,000.

  • As a sports psychologist, your role is to understand the psychological components of sports performance and how they impact an athlete's mind. You work closely with athletes to help them overcome challenges, enhance their performance, and achieve their goals. This can involve teaching techniques for managing stress and anxiety, developing concentration skills, and building confidence.You might also work with athletes dealing with injuries, helping them cope with the stress and mental challenges that come with being sidelined. Additionally, you could work on team dynamics, helping to build cohesion and effective communication within sports teams.

Extra Points: Tips for Success

• Internships: Gain experience and make connections by interning with sports teams or organizations. Internships are invaluable for anyone looking to break into the sports industry. Here's why:

  • Practical Experience: Interning with sports teams or organizations allows you to gain hands-on experience. You’ll learn how the industry operates, from game-day preparations to contract negotiations.

  • Building a Resume: Having internships on your resume shows potential employers that you have practical experience and are serious about a career in sports.

  • Making Connections: During your internship, you’ll meet people who are already established in the industry. These connections can be crucial when you’re looking for a job later on.

  • Understanding Different Roles: By interning, you can explore different roles within the sports industry and find out which one suits you best.

• Networking: Build relationships with professionals in the industry. Attend sports conferences and events. Networking is about building and maintaining professional relationships. Here’s why it’s important:

  • Access to Opportunities: Sometimes, job openings in the sports industry aren’t advertised publicly. Through networking, you might learn about opportunities before they are widely known.

  • Professional Development: By talking to experienced professionals, you can gain insights that you won’t find in any book or classroom.

  • Building Your Reputation: Networking allows you to build your personal brand within the industry. Being known and respected can open doors.

• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest trends and news in the sports industry. Staying informed is crucial in a fast-paced industry like sports. Here’s why:

  • Knowledge is Power: Knowing the latest news and trends will make you more knowledgeable and, by extension, more valuable in the sports industry.

  • Being a Part of the Conversation: When you’re up to date on the latest news, you can contribute to conversations with colleagues and peers.

  • Anticipating Changes: The sports industry can change rapidly. By staying informed, you can anticipate changes and adapt accordingly.

• Be Versatile: Develop a diverse skill set. The sports industry is competitive, so the more you can do, the better. Versatility is a valuable trait in the sports industry. Here’s why:

  • Adaptability: In the sports industry, roles can change quickly. If you have a diverse skill set, you can adapt to different roles as needed.

  • Standing Out: When you can do more than one thing well, you stand out from the competition.

  • Problem Solving: A diverse skill set allows you to approach problems from different angles and find innovative solutions.

  • In conclusion, breaking into the sports industry requires a combination of experience, connections, knowledge, and versatility. By focusing on these areas, you can build a strong foundation for a successful career in sports.

The Final Whistle

Remember, pursuing a career in sports requires passion, dedication, and hard work. Whether you're on the field, in the newsroom, or behind the scenes, there's a place for you in the sports world. So, set your goals, train hard, and go for the win!

Parents, your support and encouragement can be a game-changer in your child’s career. Be their biggest fan!

Ready to kick off your career in sports? Share this playbook with your teammates (friends) and let’s get the ball rolling!

Disclaimer: Salaries are average estimates and can vary based on location, experience, and other factors.

Russell Morton

Physical Education Teacher, Coach, & ClarifyEd Contributor