In the modern-day, there has been an uptick in sporting tournaments around the globe. While International sporting events have been a staple for many years now, the rise of multiple domestic tournaments has taken the Sporting business to a whole different level.
With this rise in Sporting tournaments around the world, there has been a multiplicity of jobs that opened up in various sectors. One of the most sought-after and lucrative jobs among them is Sports Management.
Sports Management is a dynamic and multifaceted field that encompasses the strategic planning, organization, and administration of various aspects within the world of sports. One doesn’t have to be a skilled athlete or an integral part of the industry to pursue a career in Sports Management. It could be a deep passion for management, marketing, or anything else in this field that could propel someone to become successful in managing the sports operation.
Innumerable job opportunities open up for a Sports Management candidate. Most of them are lucrative and high-paying jobs.
Why Pursue a Career in Sports Management?
With the countless sports leagues springing up around the world, there will be an ever-increasing demand to fill the various positions regarding managing those events. Multiple teams will require multiple managing positions; even individual players might opt for personal managers given the improved finances in these tournaments.
Analysts play a big part in sports tournaments nowadays. Although a Sports Manager is different from an Analyst, it can also be pursued after completing a MBA degree in Sports Management. It is without a doubt one of the most lucrative management courses to pursue, given the global nature of some of these leagues – IPL, EPL, PKL, ISL, NBA, etc.
Sports Management is also a course that will be closest to most people’s passion. While they may not have been able to continue being an athlete themselves, being a Sports Manager and traveling with the team will give them enormous satisfaction and joy of being close to a Sports match. It is the stuff of dreams for many.
Traveling and passion aside, pursuing Sports Management will also equip an individual with deep knowledge and insights about the sports they are most passionate about. Currently, the Indian Sports industry is projected to reach over $100 billion by 2027. Newer fields in sports like esports are also generating tremendous job opportunities. In 2023 alone, the esports industry created over 1 lakh jobs.
Factors That Influence Salaries in Sports Management
The salary of a Sports Manager, including various departments, can range from INR 3-5 LPA for an entry-level job to INR 10-25 LPA depending upon someone’s experience. Experience and exposure is exactly what influences the salaries in Sports Management.
A student who completed his/her graduation in Sports Management might get hired for somewhere around INR 3.5 LPA on average while a post graduate (MBA) can get INR 6 LPA as starting package. As you gain experience, the salary increases and can go upto INR 15-20 lakhs for a 5-year experience.
Besides the level of experience and reputation of colleges, the location of the job and the designation of the post also impact the salaries. Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, and Bangalore, will pay more since the cost of living is a bit high there. Moreover, if someone joins a senior management position like a Sports Director or General Manager, then also the pay scale will be much higher.
Lastly, any additional skills and specialized degrees will also help one candidate crack a better, bigger job in the Sports world. That will also drastically change one’s salary structure.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Sports Management Jobs
A student with a Sports Management degree can opt to choose from a wide range of jobs. From a manager to an agent to an events organizer to media managers and consultants, there is no lack of jobs in this field of work. Almost all of them are lucrative and with a bright future and growth.
But here are the Top 10 Highest-Paying Sports Management Jobs that an individual can apply for:
1. Sports Marketing Managers
A Sports Marketing Manager will be responsible for driving the revenue and ensuring the growth of the sport. They will do it via product sales, ticket sales, and sponsorships among other things. They can earn up to INR 20-35 LPA
2. Sports General Managers
A Sports General Manager will act as a team executive whose job will be to develop the personnel in a sports team. Acquiring players, negotiating contracts, reassigning or dismissing, hiring and firing, etc., will fall under his/her responsibilities. They can earn up to INR 30-40 LPA.
3. Sports Public Relations
These professionals practice promotions of sports teams and their players through various media channels, and social media outlets, working with influencers, fans, and stakeholders. They can earn up to INR 20-30 LPA.
4. Computer Systems Analysts
A Computer Systems Analyst designs, analyzes, and implements information for organizations. A Sports Management post-graduate who opts to do this job will be doing the same for their respective team i.e. the organization. This will help them track their players’ performances better and know their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. They can earn up to INR 15-20 LPA
5. Facilities Managers
They are responsible for the strategic planning and management of a building or facility. In the sporting context, a Facilities Manager will ensure the health, safety, maintenance, hygiene, and the overall standards of the living space of a team. Be it the stadium the locker rooms or their hotel stays during a tour, a facilities manager will ensure their top-class ambiance. They can earn up to INR 15-20 LPA
6. Sports Financial Analysts
They analyze the financial data to help sports organizations, teams, and athletes make the correct decisions. They can earn up to INR 10-15 LPA
7. Athletic Directors
An Athletic Director manages the workload of coaches, staff members, and others who are involved in the athletic programs. For sports teams, they also keep track of the workload of professional athletes. They can earn up to INR 15-20 LPA
8. Agents and Business Managers of Athletes
They are the ones who represent athletes and promote them to a new team or organization to hire. They find prospective employers who are suitable to the athletes’ needs by handling contract negotiations. They can earn up to INR 30-35 LPA.
9. Athletic Trainers
They are licensed healthcare professionals who are responsible for diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries and other medical conditions in athletes. They can earn up to INR 10-15 LPA
10. Coaches and Scouts
Coaches are responsible for coaching a team i.e. training, motivating, advising, etc. Scouts work towards finding new, raw talent from around the nation to add to their team. They can earn up to INR 10-15 LPA.
How To Get a Job in The Sports Management Field?
The journey to becoming a Sports Management professional starts with pursuing a course in this field. An MBA in Sports Management becomes a must-do for an individual to crack a good job in the field. While many colleges offer this course, MBA ESG stands out from the rest in this regard due to several reasons.
MBA ESG offers a carefully designed course syllabus that is completely geared towards industry needs. It helps an individual easily jump from their curriculum to the corporate world, without being burdened or overwhelmed by the demands of the industry. The faculty member group here is also comprised of industry experts.
Moreover, MBA ESG provides a healthy starting package of somewhere around INR 7 -10 LPA in Sports Management. Companies like Grand Thornton, Teach nook, GOSPORT’S, LACOSTE, SPORTS4ALL, WELLS FARGO, MPL, Double Pass, Blue Sky Analytics, etc. visit the campus to hire students.
It also provides up to 100% scholarships for bright, young minds in their respective fields, under the iLEAD Scholarship scheme. It also provides a dual credential program and French pedagogy as part of its MBA course. Students also get to do a summer internship of 4-8 weeks and a winter internship of 2-4 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an MBA in Sports Management?
MBA in Sports Management is a 2-year specialized program that focuses on developing business skills tailored to the sports industry. Whether it’s coordinating a major sporting event, negotiating player contracts, or developing marketing strategies to engage fans, sports management professionals are integral to the success and growth of the sports industry at all levels.
2. What is the highest-paid job in Sports Management?
The highest-paid jobs in Sports Management are Sports Marketing Managers and General Managers. They can earn anywhere between INR 25-40LPA
3. Is Sports Management a high-paying job?
Yes. With high demand and lesser availability of professionals, Sports Industry has a high-paying job with most, if not all. Experience and exposure and further improve your earning potential
4. What is the work of Sports Management?
The work of a Sports Management official varies according to the designations they end up with. For example, a Marketing Manager will drive revenue via ticket sales. Whereas, a General Manager will act as a team executive. Similarly, different designations have different roles.
5. What is the best job for sports management?
A Sports Marketing Manager, a General Manager, or a Sports Public Relations Expert are normally considered the most sought-after jobs in this field.