Sports management may sound like an overly-specialized field, leaving most Asian students and parents wondering what career opportunities it offers. But in the United States, it's a major brimming with financial potential and high job satisfaction, making it a top choice for many students. In recent decades, the sports industry has been flourishing internationally, offering bright prospects for sports-obsessed international students.
So, in today's article, I'd like to introduce you to an overlooked and underestimated "hidden gem" of a major for sports enthusiasts - Sports Management.
We will tackle the following questions:
What is sports management?
What do you study as a sports management major?
What can you do with a degree in sports management?
What is Sports Management?
Sports management focuses on the operations and management of the sports industry, including investment analysis, event organization, and marketing communication. Typically offered by business schools at American universities, it applies various business skills to different aspects of sports development.
To truly grasp the nature of this major, we need to understand American sports culture, which goes beyond the enjoyment of rooting for your favorite team to win the championships. In the US, sports hold immense significance, serving as a cornerstone of personal and community identity, and even patriotism. Some American parents hope their children will attend specific universities out of loyalty to their sports teams, and not due to their academic strength. This may seem unusual to Asian parents, but it's quite common in the US.
Additionally, compared to Asian countries, sports in the US are more grassroots-oriented. Take China as an example: its approach leans towards professionalization from an early age, with the government identifying elite athletes for intensive training as children. Meanwhile, the US emphasizes community participation in sports. Students join local clubs in elementary school, gradually advancing through competitions and joining higher-level clubs or school teams. This community-based approach creates opportunities for management and operational roles within sports organizations throughout society. After high school, top student athletes can be recruited directly to university sports teams, receiving athletic scholarships.
So, in the eyes of some American parents, the transformation from an ordinary high school student to a sponsored star college athlete is a source of great pride, and so securing a spot on a top university team may be seen as more prestigious than attending Harvard. Making this leap further increases an athlete’s earning potential, showcasing the financial allure of sports management.
Consequently, the sports industry in the US has developed into a vast and intricate system, which requires a myriad of professionals to manage and operate every facet of the industry. Due to this, many universities began to establish sports management majors in the 1980s, many of which have grown in prestige and employability.
What do you study as a Sports Management major?
Let's examine the undergraduate curricula of this program at two highly ranked American universities:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The curriculum is roughly divided into two parts. The first focuses on the foundations of business studies, and students take courses in economics, algebra, and statistics.
The second part hones in on specialist courses in sports management, such as: Introduction to Sports and Entertainment Management, Sports Sales and Revenue Generation, Emergency Care for Sports Injuries, Introduction to Sports Marketing, Sports Facility and Event Management, Sports Finance and Economics, and Sports Law.
After completing these courses, the program then arranges internships for students, allowing them to gain work experience in clubs, team operation teams, or sports brand companies.
University of Florida
Students undergo general education and business courses in their freshman year, such as Algebra, Psychology,
Biology, or Physics; the second semester includes basic business courses such as Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Statistics.
In sophomore year, students progress to more advanced business courses while also taking basic courses focussing on sports management, such as Introduction to Management, Public Speaking, Financial Accounting, Principles of Marketing, and Introduction to Sports Management.
After reaching their junior year, students take specialized courses, such as Design and Management of Sports Facilities, Research Methods in Sports and Entertainment Management, Sports Activity Management, and Sports Marketing.
Finally, in their senior year, internships are the main focus, and the school also provides resources for students. In addition, students also take courses related to sports finance and sports law to round out the curriculum.
These practical curricula and internship opportunities greatly enhance students' employability.
It is also worth mentioning that almost all outstanding university sports teams in the United States come from large, public universities, which generally have solid sports management programs for undergraduates.
What Can You Do With A Degree In Sports Management?
Outside working for sports teams, what opportunities exist for international students pursuing this path after returning to Asia? There are various career paths available, including:
a) Sports event organizing: Assisting in organizing major sporting events
b) Media brokerage: Connecting sports teams and athletes with advertisers
c) Sports broadcasting: Working for media platforms broadcasting live events
d) Sports equipment companies: Handling equipment sales to sports teams
e) Sports law: Sorting out the legal side of sports contracts, but you need a law degree too
While you might be concerned that the field is too niche, never underestimate the career potential of a sports management degree! As soon as you enter the workplace, your specialization will always be demand. With rising public awareness of the importance of sports and fitness globally, you’ll never be out of a job, be it in the West or worldwide.
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