SPORTS MANAGEMENT
When we envision a career in sports, our minds only mostly go to being a player in the sport itself, an umpire/ referee, a coach or a commentator. But did you know there are avenues for working in sports that are not directly related with the activities of the sport in itself?
Sports Management: Sports management is the field that manages the business and administrative managers of sports- including managing day to day affairs of sports teams, clubs, athletes, venues and events. Every sport that we watch today requires a keen attention to detail in order to carry out the event perfectly and also to manage the revenues efficiently. Fans root for their teams to win everytime, but aspects like reaching the fan base, getting fans to show up to cheer the team, ensuring smooth functioning of a sport event and supporting athletes on D-day is equally vital: and these are some of the functions carried out by sports managers. So this work and skill set is required at any level or area where sports is played: from regional tournaments to international ones.
A student studying sports management will learn about the management, finance, marketing and laws related to the sports industry in general or any one sport in particular. It enables students to develop the most important skill sets required in the industry, including but not limited to: critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and attention to details. These are the skills that will help you either handle the PR for your sports team, negotiate a sponsorship contract for a player or team or decide which marketing avenues to pursue. Besides these, sports managers also need to be as hardworking and competitive, and function as well in a team as the players they represent. So in turn, pursuing a sports management career presents to people an opportunity to be involved in the sport they are most passionate about without requiring one to be an athlete in the sport.
What are some of the roles in a sports management career?
1. Sports Marketing and Sponsorship Manager : They are in charge of marketing the team’s sports events, leagues, tournaments etc. to potential sponsors and get sponsorships.
2. Sports Event Manager : A sports event manager develops, oversees and coordinates sporting events to promote brands, teams or team members.
3. Sports Analyst: Sports teams and clubs use sports analysts to evaluate the performance of specific players, teams, clubs, rival teams, etc. to assist coaches and support personnel in enhancing sports performance. To analyse different aspects of a match, sporting performances of teams, clubs, individual athletes etc., various print and audiovisual media (TV channels) as well as internet media hire sports analysts.
4. Sports Communication Manager: Sports teams, individual athletes and especially sports celebrities have media and communication needs that must be handled by a sports communication / advertising manager.
5. Sports Consultant: Sports consultants are specialists who work with professional athletes, sports groups and teams. They provide consulting services that range from helping teams and team members establish and get endorsement agreements and contracts to helping corporations sponsor significant sporting events.
6. Sports Operations Manager: Sports league, competition and tournament operations are planned and carried out by sports Operations Managers.
7. Sports Equipment Manager: Sports equipment managers oversee the upkeep, ordering and stocking of sports gear, clothing and other items that players need.
8. Sports Agent: Sports agents represent athletes to clubs and teams. On behalf of them, sports agents negotiate the contracts with the clubs or teams. They oversee all the athletes' business and financial affairs. They represent the athletes before other groups like advertisers who want the athletes to promote their goods etc.
What are some of the degrees you can pursue to get into this career in India?
1. Advanced Diploma: You can get an Advanced Diploma in Cricket Management, Football Management or generally in sports management.
2. Certificate in sports management
3. Executive Diploma in sports management
4. PG Diploma in Sports Management
5. MBA in Sports Management
6. MS in Sports Analytics and Management
