Job Insights: Becoming a Basketball GM

Basketball is one of America’s favorite sports. Legends such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Lebron James, and more have attracted thousands of fans to the game and left them fantasizing about the possibility of becoming a basketball icon. However, it’s not in the cards for most. While basketball players gain most of the notoriety in the game, there are many lucrative jobs in basketball that can bring their own fame and fortune, such as that of a Basketball GM. If you’re interested in becoming a basketball GM, there are steps you can follow to carve out a path to career success.

How to Become a Basketball GM?

When deciding to become a general manager in basketball, you should follow a specific career path. It’s a competitive field that requires a proper educational background, a set of skills, and experience. 

If you look at the resumes of some of the top general managers, they have diverse skills that help them to stand out from the rest. While education and experience are necessary, having other skills is imperative to become a basketball GM. 

What Does an NBA Basketball GM Do?

Basketball managers in professional basketball are responsible for overseeing the financial and business operations of the organization, including day-to-day operations and player transactions, such as acquisitions and contracts. Public relations is also an important function. They often serve as the spokesperson for the team and are responsible for relaying the proper communication related to the team and players.

How Much Does A Basketball General Manager Make?

Sport general managers can make quite a decent salary above the national average. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for managers was $99,000 in 2016. The average annual salary is definitely above the six-figure by now. 

However, the salary reflected above relates to all sports general managers. Since managing an NBA team requires much more dedication and hard work, basketball managers can make anywhere between $1 million to $3 million. The overall opportunities can grow by 9% through 2026. Even the lowest 25% in the sports general manager field can make $42,500 in a year.

Skills

Being a basketball general manager requires you to have a specific skill set to help you excel in your job. As a manager, you must have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the game, and you must be familiar with the rules and regulations of the game. 

The general manager also needs to be flexible and adaptable to players’ behavior. Different players have different temperaments, and therefore the manager needs to have the skills to deal with them in a manner that is not disrespectful yet assertive.

Moreover, the manager needs to have excellent negotiation and communication skills. Since much of your time will be taken up dealing with companies and players, these skills are necessary for a basketball manager.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of a basketball GM revolve around handling and dealing with the players, managing the team image, and making deals with other brands. In a nutshell, they are handling multiple aspects of the business.

One of the most crucial roles of the GM job is to handle the team’s finances and look after the day-to-day operations. It is a significant part of their responsibilities, including dealing with the public and media. 

Additionally, general managers also have to deal with and negotiate with the sponsors and other partners of the team. They are responsible for closing and promoting any business deal or venture related to the team. 

As a result, they might have to attend public events and spend most of their time in meetings dealing with other partners. GMs also handle and deal with the players’ contracts and salary and financial issues between the team and players. 

Education and Experience

To become a basketball general manager, the first thing that you need to do is get an education in the relevant field. Many institutions offer bachelor’s programs in sports management and marketing. In addition, you can also pursue a master’s or a Ph.D. in human performance to increase your chances of becoming a general manager. 

You can also pursue a degree in law as it can give you the negotiation and dealing skills needed to make big deals for the team. Nevertheless, you must get proper guidance before choosing a degree. 

Apart from education, networking and making connections with industry professionals can help you climb up the ladder. Also, if you have a sports background, you will likely be given preference over other candidates. Usually, basketball managers are former players and head coaches who know the nitty-gritty of the game.

Getting Your Foot in the Door

Becoming a basketball manager is a step-by-step process that begins by getting your foot in the door. Once you complete your education, it is vital to find relevant opportunities to help you progress in your career. 

You can look for internships or entry-level jobs where you can get a chance to work with a professional basketball manager. Besides that, here are some tips to help you become a general manager: 

• Have comprehensive learning about the game 
• Get exceptional results in your academic qualifications to become a top pick for the teams
• Become a player in the NBA to know the ins and outs of the game 
• Use your negotiation skills to get the best deals for your team.

Start Connecting 

If you’re interested in becoming a basketball GM, be sure to gain the education and experience needed for the job and start making connections in the industry earlier. Look for opportunities to gain real-world experiences, such as internships, to accommodate both goals. Meeting the right people in the industry while also understanding basketball’s inner workings enhances your opportunities to land the job you want. 

Why not get started today? Sign up for the JobsInSports.com Network for free today to start connecting with professionals in the basketball community and start looking for available internships that fit your path.