Sports Managers

While coaches take care of what happens on the field during the game, a sports manager is responsible for what occurs off the field. He or she is accountable for the business side of sports for their client, including contracts and promotions. Sports managers also act as their client’s spokesperson.

Job Responsibilities

A sports manager must have excellent networking skills, as well as relevant experience and education in order to succeed in the position. They may work for a team, individual athlete or organization, making sure that the client can focus on training and competition rather than contracts, promotions or other activities. A sports manager organizes and schedules a client’s commitments and ensures that all of the client’s needs are met. Sometimes, he or she might promote a client through the media and attempt to gain endorsements and business deals.

There are other responsibilities on a sports manager’s plate, too. Usually, they’ll serve as spokesperson for their client. They might have to oversee their client’s finances. Occasionally, they may have to resolve conflicts between individual athletes, the team or departments. A sports manager might travel with the team to events; however, a lot of the time they remain at the team’s home office. During the season, work may be required seven days a week.

Sports Manager Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not specifically address sports managers, but instead groups them into a category with agents and managers for artists, athletes, entertainers and other public figures. The median annual salary as of 2022 for this group was $82,530. Those in the spectator sports industry earned an average of $110,850 per year.

Education Requirements

Those considering a career as a sports manager should have a background in sport management, and courses in leadership, finance and law may also be beneficial. Education requirements vary depending on the level of the team or organization. For high school or amateur level teams, a bachelor’s degree is probably sufficient. However, for those wanting to work at the collegiate or professional level, a master’s degree will most likely be required. Typically, sports managers should have at least five years of experience in addition to their master’s degree.

Campbellsville University’s online master’s in sport management provides students insight into the sports industry’s business side. The courses taught include administration, finance, ethics and legal issues. Students will learn the skills sport management professionals use on a daily business from faculty members who have sport management and business experience. The program is fully online and allows students to study wherever and whenever they wish.