How to Prepare for a Sports Job in 2025

Getting a job in sports is challenging due to high competition for positions and internships. The sports industry offers a wide range of opportunities beyond athletics, including roles in management, marketing, media, writing, and more. Examples include marketing managers, statisticians, public relations specialists, event planners, agents, and journalists. 

This guide explores strategies for building sports careers in 2025, offering advice from professionals and tips for successful interviews and internships.

How To Score Sports Media & Sports Management Jobs In 2021

Securing sports media and sports management jobs in 2025 begins with laying a strong foundation through education and hands-on experience. 

A sports management degree is a valuable asset, equipping you with the skills needed to manage sports teams, organizations, and sporting events. Many college students across the United States find success by participating in a summer internship program or enrolling in an internship program offered within the industry, following the advice of power players.

To maximize your chances for career success, consider these strategies:

• Practicing patience: Understand that building a career in sports takes time and consistent effort.
• Gathering information: Research trends in sports media, event management, and other relevant areas to stay informed.
• Considering connections: Networking with professionals in the industry can open doors to new opportunities.
• Readying yourself to accept risk: Embrace challenges and be prepared to take calculated chances for growth.
• Avoiding overthought: Stay proactive and focused without second-guessing your decisions too much.

Internships are a cornerstone for developing the practical skills and connections needed to excel. Whether through a summer internship program or year-round opportunities, such experiences allow you to gain insight into managing sporting events and executing critical tasks in event management.

By following these steps, you can position yourself to secure competitive roles in sports media and sports management, ensuring a successful start to your 2025 career.

Be patient.

Sports reporter Michael Smith recommends focusing on long-term goals in an athletic program or related career. Embrace the day-to-day process, trust the journey, and avoid stress over rapid progress. Whether in sports law or other job opportunities, consistency is key.

Be informed and inquisitive.

MLB.com’s VP Cory Schwartz advises standing out in interviews by exciting the recruiter and showcasing professional uniqueness. Impress athletic directors or a sports agent by researching their organization, preparing thoughtful questions, and demonstrating your knowledge about the duration of the program or role you’re pursuing.

Be outgoing.

AT&T SportsNet Southwest anchor Julia Morales emphasizes the importance of networking for careers like sports marketing. Attend social events and connect with star players, on-air talent, and executives who can open doors. 

In 2025, use online platforms and social media to find networking opportunities and build relationships.

Be daring.

College Football Playoff COO Michael Kelly advises embracing risk in sports careers. Temporary jobs, pay cuts, or relocating can be worthwhile if the potential value and experience outweigh the challenges.

Be instinctive.

Similarly, it is easy to overthink sports careers, according to NFL reporter Jim Trotter. It is better to just be yourself and trust your gut.

How To Nail Interviews For Sports Jobs

Interview preparation is mandatory for those who want to succeed in sports careers. Three critical steps in this preparation are the following:

1. Familiarize yourself with a team’s history, key players, achievements, recent news, and current standing. Study the local market and gain insight into the league to build a comprehensive understanding of the organization.
2. Run with the numbers. Math is integral to sports. Win-loss percentage, goal differential, and pass completion percentage are other examples that are highly relevant to sports careers.
3. Demonstrating knowledge of a team’s history and statistics is important, but standing out requires a broader understanding of the sports industry. Familiarity with sports beyond the major leagues, like golf, soccer, tennis, and the Olympics, will open more opportunities.

Sports Management Internships: Spring 2025 Gameplan

FFor those interested in sports internships, spring 2025 is a challenging time. However, you can get started now by obtaining sports internships: 2025 is about online presence. Again, given the pandemic, the following tactics are particularly important when preparing for internships:

• Build a web portfolio.
• Generally, improve your social media.
• Clean up and add keywords to your LinkedIn profile. Actively use your account.
• Meet people through Eventbrite and Meetup gatherings.

Beyond that 2025 emphasis on your Internet presence, standard sports internship preparation recommendations hold true:

Get connected.

Networking, whether in-person or virtual, can make the difference in securing a job. Conferences are key for connecting—collect contact information and follow up with a call or email to schedule a brief conversation.

Find and apply for internships.

Networking is not the only way to find an internship, though. You can also search for internships. Research the position or area of sports if you are unfamiliar with either. Carefully craft your application to address specific responsibilities and tasks.

Follow an existing playbook.

What can other people’s stories tell you about how to develop your own? Look at the biographies of people who are successful in the part of the sports industry that most interests you. Consider how to advance your career in a similar way.

Be an early bird.

Internships often last for one season of the year. It is wise to apply well in advance. For sports media and sports management internships, summer 2025 efforts are already underway.

Meeting The Right People

Whether you are interested in sports jobs or sports internships, 2025 could be your year. It is all about getting in front of people, though, so you can demonstrate your knowledge and passion. At JobsInSports.com, we offer those connections through our network of top sports industry professionals. Join our network today to discover – and land – your dream sports job!