You’re a huge sports fan, but you’re just not an athlete. You’ve always wanted to work for one of your favorite teams — if only you had the sports skills to compete in any of the available positions.
If that sounds like you, then good news! There’s a whole arena of sports jobs to pursue that don’t require any athletic experience. Sports management jobs are rich with possibilities.
As anyone who works in the sports management field can tell you, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes for sporting events than what plays out on the field or court. If you have a passion for the game combined with knowledge and training in one of many areas of skill, you’ll likely find that opportunities abound. It’s always better to work in an industry that you feel passionate about.
There are a number of entry-level jobs in sports management, as well as jobs for those who have been in the job force for years — even for non-athletes! Here are some of the best opportunities to consider:
Best Sports Management Jobs for Non-Athletes
1. Sales
Sales jobs are a necessary part of any minor league or professional sports organization. These roles can be great entry-level opportunities for outgoing people who enjoy talking to customers. Sales representatives are tasked with selling individual and group tickets to scheduled sporting events and are typically paid a commission on each sale.
Related Jobs
- TV Sales Planner
Sales - Northeast Region
2. Event Coordinator
If you are detail-oriented and pride yourself on your organizational skills, consider a job as a sports event coordinator. The logistics of sporting events, including organizing group and individual travel arrangements for out-of-town events, can be challenging and rewarding. It’s critical for events to go off without a hitch.
3. Marketing
The business of sports is just that: a business. Like any kind of company, sports teams and venues need to attract people. Having talented sports marketing personnel on staff is important for teams to stay competitive.
Roles may include marketing managers, associates, or coordinators. Regardless of what level a marketing professional holds, having a passion for the sport can help, but it’s your business acumen that will really help you shine.
Related Jobs
- Community Marketing Manager
Administration/Management - West Region
4. Public Relations
The public relations function in sports organizations is closely related to marketing. However, PR generally focuses more on the team’s image (or an individual athlete’s image) rather than trying to attract visitors to sporting events. PR staff is responsible for damage control as needed and for writing and distributing announcements and press releases.
5. Sports Agent
Professional athletes depend on their sports agents to help them when it comes to reviewing and negotiating contracts and deals, helping them get the most favorable terms and protecting the athlete’s best interests. The most successful sports agents have a good head for business details and negotiations and use their interpersonal skills to advocate for their clients.
Start Searching for the Best Sports Management Jobs Today
The job categories here are just a sampling of the possibilities. Other opportunities for non-athletes can include account managers, fitness directors, and even teachers and professors. Even if you’ve never played a sport yourself, you can still enjoy a successful career in sports management.
Jobs In Sports has been helping people like you across the U.S. find the sports job of their dreams for more than 16 years. To start exploring the possibilities on America’s premier sports job board, sign up today.
