Are you fond of sports? Almost every person has a favorite sport. Some people rejoice the March madness, cheering up for the best basketball team, while others enjoy cricket fever all year round. All passionate sports fans are eager to become a part of this industry, but everyone is not an athlete. Instead of letting your love for sports fade away, explore the diversity of this industry. Surprisingly enough, you can incorporate your compassion for sports by pursuing it as a career.
With aging baby boomers and a fast-paced digital world, people crave instant information in the sports world. As a result, it offers more venues for employment than writers and commentators. You can work as a statistician, analyst, or therapist, as the demand is very high for all these roles in the sports management sector. If you are skeptical about it, let us help you make the right choice. Here are five emerging technical career paths in sports for non-athletes.
1. SPORTS ANALYST
Whether it is tennis, football, cricket, basketball, or hockey – every team needs a sports analyst. These experts are responsible for working with data and statistics. They understand the large volume of sports information and think quickly across a wide range of topics. You would have to watch games repeatedly to mark down every pass, fumble, interception, and penalty. Similarly, prepare yourself for statistical modeling to assess the performance of the team.
Are you good with data and numbers? If yes, consider becoming a sports data analyst and use them to monitor team data. All this data plays a crucial role in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of rival teams. Moreover, these individuals also need strong problem-solving and communication skills to discuss their findings with the coach.
Salary & Prospects: A sports data analyst earns $92,000 annually, and demand for this profession is likely to grow by 30% in the coming ten years.
2. PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
People rush to the therapist whenever dealing with pain and mobility issues. Unfortunately, such problems are common for athletes. Many players face sprains, muscle pulls, strains, and other athletic injuries during the match. Therefore, all sports organizations need physical therapists on board with the team.
They specialize in treating sports-related injuries, providing immediate cure to patients. If you plan to work as a physical therapist, brace yourself for high-pressure situations. Alongside developing injury prevention plans, you might have to treat players on the field. Likewise, therapists should have the resourcefulness to customize individual therapy plans and align them with every player’s needs.
Salary & Prospects: On average, you can earn $89,000 annually and enjoy 22% job growth over the years.
3. SPORTS AGENTS
Are you an effective communicator? Sports agents are responsible for managing the client’s business and legal affairs. They represent the teams in business deals while negotiating on the player’s behalf. You have to read and explain contracts to the clients, resolve public relations issues, and assess new talent. Simultaneously, you have to sign the top athletes in the team without overspending. If you wish to become a sports agent, demonstrate robust sports knowledge and brush up your negotiation skills.
Salary & Prospects: The lucrative field offers $73,000 annually with job growth of 11% in the coming ten years.
4. MARKETING MANAGER
If you like organizing promotional campaigns with a creative buzz, becoming a sports marketing manager can be a dynamic career choice. You would hold the bag for increasing brand loyalty and sales while promoting the players. Similarly, you would work to strengthen the team’s image and reputation and manage all advertisement campaigns. These managers also have to secure sponsors for sports teams and events.
Moreover, you have to ensure the printing of sponsor logos on kits, banners, and posters during the event. If an athlete is working as a brand ambassador, you have to manage their schedules too. Lastly, research marketing trends and remember, you have to manage both – traditional and digital media.
Salary & Prospects: You can earn $65,000 on average, and these numbers are likely to go up with experience.
5. PUBLIC RELATIONS KeSPECIALISTS
In this digital world, there is an ever-growing interest in athlete’s lives. As a result, sports industries are looking for public relations specialists who can work in an athlete’s best interests. You will have to develop campaigns that build leverage on player’s images, enhancing their credibility. PR specialists have to coordinate the seamless flow of information from the sports team to the press. Alongside feeding people with sports data, they play a crucial role in promoting the team’s profitability. After all, fans will only buy tickets and fill stadium seats if you maintain healthy relations with them.
Salary & Prospects: You can earn $64,050 annually, equivalent to a $30.79 hourly wage rate.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Passion for sports is not enough to break into the billion-dollar sports industry. It requires knowledge, education, skills, experience, and expertise, as there are multiple aspects. Familiarize yourself with sales, marketing, sponsorship, branding, and economics before kickstarting your career in this field. With some effort and hard work, you can enjoy a bright future in this overgrowing sports industry.
