Sports Management

Sports have always been an important source of recreation. Think about the days of World Cup football when people around the country would spend hours in front of the TV cheering for their national team. But have you ever wondered what goes behind the scenes of a sports match? Who are the people working tirelessly behind a sports match to make it a successful event? Sports Management is a sub-field of business that deals with recreational events and their effective execution. A degree in Sports Management equips students with the knowledge of tackling the managerial needs and requirements of any sports event. If you are planning to pursue this emerging field, here is a comprehensive blog detailing the immense scope of a career in Sports Management as well as the courses you can choose from and the job opportunities you can avail yourself of.

What is Sports Management?

In India, most people are aware of the sports sector, but fewer are aware of the course meant to teach professionals in the field. Sports management courses are still a relatively new notion for many people, and there are only a few colleges that provide them. Students who take sports management classes learn about the commercial dynamics and applications of the sports sector. Every year, the need for qualified experts for diverse occupations grows in tandem with the industry’s turnover. As one climbs the corporate ladder, a slew of specialists, including sports administrators, facilities managers, information gurus, and sports economists, work behind the scenes. Students who complete the sports management course will be prepared to work with organizations ranging from college to professional sports.

Why a Career in Sports Management?

While aspiring for a career in Sports Management, the first thing you should know is how to leverage your sports talent for a successful business career. Along with this, you ought to be proficient in planning sports campaigns, events and tournaments as well as managing people and/or different teams. Further, you must be aware of the different aspects of sports events from handling the teams to tackling the execution of telecasts. 

Pursuing a degree in this field, you will get to learn about different operational aspects of how a sports event is carried out. Below we have mentioned the key features of a course in Sports Management:

• Students are familiarised with the concepts of advertising and marketing concepts used in the world of sports. From managing online campaigns to ensuring a positive image of a sports team, you will get to know about the ins and outs of sports marketing.
• A positive market image would have a significant impact on the sales of tickets for an event. These sales would, in turn, lead to a higher revenue generation which is also seen as one of the criteria to determine the success of an event. 
• Broadcasting is a crucial element of any live sports event. While studying sports management, students are provided with the know-how about how a live event is broadcasted and how the camera team works around the arena capturing the audience as well as the players.
• You will also get to learn about how medical emergencies are handled during a sports event.
• The management of the sports team, their training, and accommodations is also ensured by sports managers and a course in this field will acquaint you with how effectively you can take care of your team along with sorting out their match schedules and training sessions.

Top Courses Offered in Sports Management

Below we have listed the wide range of degree and certificate programs offered in Sports Management.

Academic Qualification	Courses
Undergraduate	Bachelor of Science in Sports Management Bachelor of Science in Business Management (Sports Management) Ontario College Diploma in Strength and Sports Conditioning Bachelor of Sports Coaching & Development  Bachelor of Management in Sports Management- Sports Law
Postgraduate	Master of Business- Sports Leadership & Management  Master of Sports Management (Research) Master of Professional Studies in Sports Management Master of Science in Sports Administration  MSc in Sports Policy, Management & International Development
Doctorate	Doctor of Philosophy in Recreation, Sports, and Tourism  Doctor of Philosophy in Sports & Exercise Science- Biomechanics
Certificates	Certificate in Sports and Human Performance New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventurous Education

Online Sports Management Degrees

Online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sports management are often more expensive than traditional on-campus programs. Nonetheless, you’ll save the money you’d spend on travel, lodging, and living in a foreign nation. People who have other responsibilities, such as full-time work or a family, will benefit from online learning programs. You’ll study at your speed, and there should be no issues as long as you maintain the essential discipline to fulfill deadlines and finish your tasks. Don’t worry if you don’t comprehend a class the first time. You are free to view it as many times as you want. If it doesn’t work, you may always turn to your peers or your lecturer for assistance. Some online programs also provide career counseling and assistance to help you obtain a job in the sports sector after completion. Check your course description to see whether the institution offers a mentorship program like this. Check to see if the online course is accredited while you’re at it. Many financial assistance programs are only accessible for authorized programs, and having an unaccredited degree will make it harder to convince future employers.

Sports Management Courses: Eligibility Criteria

The major eligibility criteria, per undergraduate and postgraduate course, is mentioned below.  

Undergraduate Courses 

• 10+2 mark sheet from any recognized board to demonstrate completion of the class.
• In the 10+2 class, the university or college requires a minimum percentage.
• Universities also accept students who apply for these programs through national-level exams.
• Students planning to study abroad should have to prove their English language proficiency through tests such as IELTS and TOEFL.

Postgraduate Courses

• Students should have a TOEFL or IELTS score of 60-80. (6.5).
• A UG degree from a recognized institution with the university’s minimum GPA.
• A bachelor’s degree in sports, business, or other relevant fields is required.

Top Entrance Exams

The top entrance examinations to prepare for to get enrolled into a sports management course are mentioned below.

• Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
• Common Admission Test (CAT)
• Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

Sports Management: Global Universities

Listed below are some of the top Sports Management Universities abroad that students may wish to apply for.

Name of University	QS World University Ranking 2023
University of Massachusetts, Amherst	253
University of Florida	188
EU Business School	–
University of Liverpool	190
Deakin University	266
AISTS (International Academy of Sports Science and Technology)	–
Loughborough University	256
Coventry University	651-700
Sheffield Business School – The University Of Sheffield	96
De Montfort University	801-1000

Sports Management: Top Indian Universities

Listed below are some of the top sports management degrees Universities in India that students may wish to apply for – 

• National Academy of Sports , Maharashtra
• Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, West Bengal
• International Institute of Sports Management, Maharashtra
• IIM, Rohtak
• KJ Somaiya Institute of Management
• Symbiosis Institute of Sports Management
• University of Technology and Management, Meghalaya
• Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu
• Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Science, New Delhi

Sports Management: Course Fees

The table below illustrates the fee range of sports management courses.

Courses	Minimum Fees	Maximum Fees
UG	54.38 K	7.04 Lakhs
PG	20.00 K	17.95 Lakhs
DOCTORAL	—	—
DIPLOMA	1.00 K	33.00 K

Sports Management: Subjects Covered

A course in sports management includes certain subjects. While the specific list of subjects may vary from university to university, the generic subject list remains the same. Given below are the general subject covered under this course –

• Sports marketing
• Sports management policy
• Sponsorship, marketing, and merchandise of sports
• Sports finance & business
• Sports law 
• Sports ethics
• Sports organization
• Sports event staging
• Sports media communication
• Sports broadcasting

Skills Required

Mentioned below is the required skill set for pursuing a career in sports management –

1. Physical Fitness
2. Enthusiasm
3. Perseverance
4. Communication skills
5. Time management skills
6. Observation skills
7. Collaborative Aptitude

Career Scope & Salary Prospects  

Adding the managerial aspects of the field of business into the world of sports, the career domain of Sports Management is filled with an immense number of job opportunities. It has exciting avenues that you explore from the varied areas of Marketing to Medical fields like Nutrition and Physiotherapy, all of which are associated with the vast discipline of Sports Management. Here is a list of major job profiles that you can discover in this field:

• Sports Instructor
• Sports Nutritionist 
• Marketing Manager 
• Athletics Director
• PR Professionals 
• Athletics Administrator 

Further, check out the table below to get to know about the various job profiles that you can get the opportunity to land after completing sports management courses and choosing it as a career.

Job Profile	Average Salary
Franchise Operators	Rs. 7-8 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)
Sports Instructor	Rs. 4-5 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)
Management Trainee	Rs. 4-5 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)
Sports Department Manager	Rs. 4-6 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)
Sports Nutritionist	Rs. 2-4 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)
Athletic Director	Rs. 3-6 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)
Sports Marketing Managers	Rs. 7-9 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)
Sports Agent	Rs. 8-9 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)
Event Coordinator	Rs. 4-6 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)
Sports Consultants	Rs. 8-9 lakhs p.a. (Approx.)

FAQs

If you feel intrigued by the exciting prospects offered by the field of Sports Management, you can get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu and we will help you find the right match in terms of a course and university that can equip you with studying abroad and the right knowledge and exposure into this field.