What Can You Do with a Sports Management Degree?

The sports industry is booming, encompassing everything from professional leagues to recreational sports programs. With the global sports market expected to reach over $600 billion in value by 2025, it’s no wonder more and more students are turning to sports management degrees to break into this dynamic field. Concordia University Chicago (CUC) offers a robust sports management bachelor’s program designed to prepare graduates for a wide range of career opportunities within this growing industry.

If you’re passionate about sports and business, a sports management degree might be the ideal path for you. It provides the knowledge, skills and connections needed to excel in various roles in the sports world. But what exactly can you do with a sports management degree? Let’s dive into the different career opportunities available to sports management graduates and explore the value of this degree.

The Value of a Sports Management Degree

A sports management degree combines business acumen with a deep understanding of the sports world. The curriculum often includes courses on sports law, marketing, finance, event management and organizational behavior, giving students a well-rounded foundation to tackle the many challenges in sports. Graduates leave with a diverse skill set, including leadership, communication and strategic thinking—traits highly sought after by employers in the sports industry.

One of the main advantages of a sports management degree is its versatility. Graduates can pursue careers in professional sports, college athletics, recreational programs, fitness clubs and even related industries like media and entertainment. The degree also provides opportunities for specialization, whether it’s focusing on sports marketing, facility management or athlete representation.

What Can You Do with a Sports Management Degree?

Here are some key career paths you can explore with a sports management degree.

1. Sports Marketing and Public Relations

Marketing is essential to every sports organization, from major league teams to local sports clubs. A sports management degree equips you with the skills to create marketing campaigns, engage fans, and promote teams, events and athletes. As a sports marketing specialist, you could work in brand management, digital marketing or social media coordination for sports organizations or brands associated with sports.

Public relations is another critical aspect of sports marketing. Sports PR professionals manage the public image of teams, athletes and organizations. They work on press releases, handle media inquiries and plan promotional events to ensure positive coverage. Whether you’re coordinating player interviews or managing crisis communications for professional sports teams, a background in sports management can be key to success in this field.

2. Event and Facility Management

Behind every successful sporting event, there is a team of professionals managing logistics, scheduling, operations and business administration tasks. Event managers oversee all aspects of sports events, from small community leagues to large-scale international tournaments. They handle everything from securing venues to coordinating vendors, marketing the event and ensuring a seamless experience for participants and attendees.

Facility management is a related field, focusing on the day-to-day operations of sports venues such as arenas, stadiums and recreational centers. Facility managers are responsible for the upkeep and safety of these spaces, as well as managing bookings and scheduling events. A sports management degree provides the organizational and leadership skills necessary for success in these roles.

3. Athlete Management and Representation

For those with a passion for working directly with athletes, athlete management and representation is an exciting career path in the sports management field. Sports agents and managers negotiate contracts, secure endorsements and handle the business side of an athlete’s career. This field requires excellent communication and negotiation skills, as well as a deep understanding of sports law, finance and marketing—areas typically covered in a sports management degree.

Working as an athlete manager or agent often involves close, personal relationships with clients, making trust and ethical considerations essential. Agents act as a liaison between athletes and teams, sponsors and the media. It’s a high-pressure but rewarding field for those passionate about athlete advocacy.

4. Sports Analytics and Data Management

In today’s sports world, data is king. Sports analytics has become a crucial part of decision-making for teams, coaches and athletes. Analysts use data to track player performance, assess game strategies and even predict the outcomes of games. With the increasing use of technology in sports, from wearable devices to advanced statistical tools, the demand for sports analysts is on the rise.

A sports management degree with a focus on analytics can lead to careers in data management, performance analysis and sports science. You’ll learn how to gather, interpret and apply data to improve player performance and team success. Analytical roles exist at all levels of sports, from professional teams to fitness clubs and research organizations.

5. Recreational Sports Management

Not all sports management careers are tied to professional leagues or large-scale events. Recreational sports management focuses on organizing and managing sports activities at the community or regional level. This could involve running youth leagues, managing city parks and recreation departments or overseeing sports camps and fitness centers.

In this role, you’ll work closely with local communities to promote active, healthy lifestyles. You’ll be responsible for creating programs that meet the needs of different age groups and skill levels, managing budgets and recruiting volunteers or staff. For those passionate about making a difference through sports, recreational management offers a rewarding career path.

6. Sports Broadcasting and Media

Sports media plays a significant role in how fans experience the games they love. With a sports management degree, you could work in various aspects of the spectator sports industry, from broadcasting and reporting to producing and editing. Sports broadcasters work for television networks, radio stations and online platforms, providing play-by-play commentary, analysis and behind-the-scenes coverage of sports professionals and athletic events.

Media roles extend beyond broadcasting, as many sports organizations employ digital content creators to engage fans on social media, produce highlight reels and manage online platforms. With the rise of esports and digital streaming, there are even more opportunities in this space, making sports management graduates valuable assets in the evolving media landscape.

7. Sports Medicine and Wellness

Although more specialized roles in sports medicine require further education in fields like physical therapy or athletic training, a sports management degree can be a stepping stone to careers focused on athlete health and wellness. This could include roles in fitness clubs, wellness coaching or rehabilitation centers.

Many sports management programs offer courses in sports science as well as anatomy and physiology, preparing graduates to work alongside health professionals to develop fitness plans, oversee training programs or manage wellness initiatives. For those interested in the intersection of sports and health, this is a meaningful career path with plenty of growth potential.

8. Collegiate Athletic Administration

Collegiate sports are a massive industry, especially in the U.S., where programs generate millions in revenue and attract top athletes. A sports management degree opens doors to various administrative roles within college athletic departments, including compliance officers, athletic directors and operations managers.

Athletic administrators are responsible for ensuring that college sports programs comply with regulations, managing budgets, overseeing facilities and supporting student-athletes in both academic and athletic pursuits. It’s a fast-paced environment, with plenty of opportunities to advance in leadership roles as you gain experience.

9. Sports Entrepreneurship

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, a sports management degree can provide the business skills you need to start your own venture. Whether you dream of launching a sports-related app, managing a sports camp or creating a fitness brand, the sports industry offers plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs. With the rise of online platforms and direct-to-consumer models, sports startups are thriving.

Many sports management programs, including CUC’s, offer courses in business development, finance and marketing, giving you the foundation to start and grow your own company. Entrepreneurship in the sports industry allows you to combine your passion for sports with innovative ideas that serve athletes and fans alike.

10. Esports Management

Esports is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the sports industry, offering a new frontier for sports management graduates. Esports management involves organizing, promoting and managing professional gaming events and teams. Roles include event coordination, sponsorship management and team operations.

With esports tournaments drawing millions of viewers and substantial prize pools, the demand for skilled professionals to manage teams and events is skyrocketing. A sports management degree provides the business and organizational knowledge necessary to succeed in this high-stakes environment.

The Future of Sports Management Careers

As the sports industry continues to grow and evolve, so do the career opportunities for sports management graduates. Emerging fields such as esports, sports tech and digital media are expanding the horizons for graduates, while traditional roles in marketing, management,and analytics remain in high demand. The diverse nature of the industry ensures that there is something for everyone, whether you prefer working behind the scenes or in front of a crowd.

Why Choose Concordia University Chicago for Sports Management?

At Concordia University Chicago, our Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management program prepares students for a wide range of exciting career opportunities. Our curriculum is designed to give you a competitive edge in this fast-paced industry, combining foundational business knowledge with specialized sports courses. With strong industry connections, experienced faculty and internship opportunities, CUC’s sports management program is the perfect launchpad for your career in sports.

If you’re ready to turn your passion for sports into a rewarding career, consider enrolling in Concordia University Chicago’s BA in Sports Management today. Whether you want to work with professional athletes, manage major sporting events or dive into the world of sports analytics, the opportunities are endless with this degree. Apply online!