BREAKING INTO THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS

The Sport Management degree is an academic programme that prepares you for careers in the sport industry. It combines business, marketing, and management principles with a focus on sport. The curriculum typically covers topics such as sports marketing, sports law, sports finance, event management, sports facilities management, innovation in sport, as well as management and leadership skills. Our graduates from the Sport Management programmes are currently working in a wide variety of positions within the sport industry, such as sport marketing and sponsorship, sport event planning and management, sport facility management, player and athlete management, as well as sport management in general.

What types of degrees in Sports Management exist? 

There are different types of qualifications in Sport Management at different levels of
education. These are some of the most common:

1. Bachelor of Science in Sport Management: This is a three to four year degree, where the student can learn from the fundamentals of business management to pure specialisation in the sports industry. An excellent choice if you want to work and pursue a career in the sports industry. At ESBS by AMOS, we are one of the first business schools in Europe to offer this type of specialised degree in sport management.
2. Master in Sport Management: This is a postgraduate degree that provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in sport management. It can be one or two years and include internships and case studies. A Master in Sport Management is often required for access to senior management positions. We have two postgraduate master’s degree options in sport management, where our students can specialise and enhance their knowledge and experience to gain access to senior management positions in the sport industry.
3. Doctorate in Sport Management: a terminal degree and usually lasts between three and five years. It is designed for students who wish to do research or teach at university level.
4. Certificate programmes: These are short programmes that provide students with specific skills and knowledge in a particular area of sport management, such as event management, sport marketing or sport law. They can be completed within a few months to a year and can be offered online or face-to-face. In general, there are different degree options for students interested in pursuing a career in sport management and working in the sport industry, in our experience, it is important to research and consider the different programmes to find the one that best suits your career goals and aspirations.

What are the benefits of Sport Management degrees?

A degree in Sport Management has several advantages, among them:

1. Career opportunities: A degree in Sport Management can open up a wide range of career opportunities in the sports industry.
2. Graduates can work in areas such as such as sport marketing, sponsorship, eSports, sport event management, sport facility management, athlete management, as well as sport administration, among others.
3. Specific knowledge of the sport sector: If you want to work in the sport industry, if sport is your passion, Sport Management degrees will provide you with specific knowledge of the sport industry, essential to succeed in it.
4. Practical experience: Sport Management programmes can offer students the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships and and case studies. For example, in our programmes, students are required to complete an internship module to put into practice the knowledge acquired during their degree. This experience can be very valuable when applying for jobs in the sports industry.
5. Networking opportunities: It depends on the Sport Management programmes, but in our case, we always try to offer our students the opportunity to network with industry professionals, which can lead to employment and career advancement opportunities.
6. Transferable skills: A degree in Sport Management can also provide you with valuable transferable skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork and problem solving. These skills can be applied to a wide range of careers outside the sports industry.
   

How can students explore internships & job opportunities? 

Lecturers and careers advisors: Lecturers and careers advisors on Sport Management programmes often have contacts in the sport industry and can provide guidance on internship and employment opportunities. Companies and organisations: You can research companies and organisations in the sport industry that match your interests and career goals. You can search for job offers and internships on their websites or on job search platforms such as Indeed or LinkedIn. Career fairs and networking events: It is very important to attend trade fairs and networking events specific to the sports industry. These events offer the opportunity to meet professionals in the sector and find out about internship and job opportunities. Use university resources: At ESBS by AMOS, for example, we have personal career tutorials that offer resources such as CV writing, interview preparation and job search strategies. You can use these resources to prepare for internships and different job opportunities in the industry.

What types of Sports Management careers are there?

There are many career opportunities in Sport Management, and the specific opportunities may vary depending on an individual’s background, skills and interests. In general, these are some of the most common career opportunities in Sport Management:

1. Sports marketing and sponsorship: This career involves promoting sporting events, athletes and teams through advertising, sponsorship and other marketing strategies. Sports marketing professionals may work for sports teams, agencies or media companies.
2. Sports administration: This profession involves the management of sports programmes at the level of an educational institution or at the level of a sports club academy. Sports administrators may be responsible for overseeing budgets, coordinating and planning sports fixtures, recruiting coaches and staff specific to a sports academy.
3. Event management: This professional career consists of planning and organising sporting events, such as tournaments, championships, among others. They may work for sports clubs, event management companies or non-profit organisations.
4. Sports communication management: This profession consists of managing communication, information, news, events and sports trends for various media, such as newspapers, magazines, on social media, they can work media company, for a sports club or also for athletes specifically.
5. Athlete Scouting: This profession consists of evaluating and recruiting athletes for sports teams. Athlete scouts may work for sports teams or scouting agencies.
6. Facility management: This profession involves the management of sports facilities, such as stadiums, halls and training centres. Facility managers may be responsible for the maintenance, scheduling and supervision of events.
7. Sports law: This profession consists of providing legal advice and representation to athletes, teams and sports organisations. Sports lawyers may work for law firms, sports teams or sports agencies.

What common challenges may Sports Business graduates face in their careers, and how can they best overcome them?

The sport industry is very competitive as such, there may be a limited number of employment opportunities in certain areas. We always advise graduates to be flexible and willing to relocate to find employment opportunities. Although, as in most industries, when starting out in the sport sector, salaries in entry-level positions in the sport industry can be low, therefore, experience is necessary to start moving up the career ladder and earning a higher salary. High pressure: many careers in the sports industry are under a high level of pressure, especially during peak seasons or major events. Working when others are having fun: Many careers in the sport sector require long and irregular working hours, such as working weekends or evenings. We always advise graduates to be flexible and adapt to changing schedules.

1. When it comes to overcoming these challenges, we at ESBS by AMOS always recommend our sports business graduates:
2. Gain experience: you can gain experience through internships, volunteering or freelance work. This can help you develop your skills and build a portfolio of work that sets you apart from other candidates.
3. Networking: Building a strong professional network can help you learn about job opportunities and gain information about the sector.
4. We advise you to attend industry events, join professional organisations and connect with alumni or industry professionals.
5. Further education: As a graduate, you can specialise and pursue further studies, such as a Master’s degree, to acquire specialised knowledge and skills that will make you more competitive in the labour market.
6. Find mentors: Seek mentors among experienced professionals in the sector. A mentor can guide, support and advise you on your career path.
7. Develop transferable skills: It is important that you continue to work on your management skills, such as communication, leadership and teamwork, which can be applied to a wide range of careers within the sports industry.

---