Professionals of sports management or sports administration are fast becoming the most sought-after commodity in the global industry. With the advent of eSports, live streaming, virtual reality technology, and artificial intelligence, the sports industry keeps growing. Thus, more experts are needed to guide and nurture the sector.
Students who want to combine their passion for sports with business skills consider sports administration or sports management careers. But understanding how exactly the two are different from one another can be a little challenging.
If you’ve already researched graduate programs in the sports business, you’re probably aware of the various terms used to describe existing degrees in the field. Most of these degrees are similar and focus mainly on the same principles. However, few elements exist that differentiate Sports Administration from Sports Management.
To help you choose the right program, we’ve outlined some of the ways the two differ and what careers you can pursue with each degree.
What is Sports Administration?
All individuals responsible for an athlete’s performance fall under this category. These may be coaches, trainers, agents, or managers who optimize the talent and technique of players and help them hone their skills. They’re also responsible for signing new athletes onto a team or representing them during contract discussions.
With millions of people wanting to join the sports industry each year, you must stand out among the competition. If you’re a working professional looking to advance your career, enrolling in an online Master’s in Sports Administration degree can significantly improve your chances. Whether it’s working for a college sports department or a qualified team, the knowledge and skills gained from this program can provide you with numerous opportunities. Better experience, professional education, interpersonal connections can all provide you an edge and help you advance faster than your peers.
Graduating with a degree in sports management opens up various job positions, of which these are the most popular ones:
1. Athletic Director
There are several duties required of an athletic director. They’re responsible for hiring coaching staff, organizing and promoting matches, ordering appropriate equipment, and planning meetings. They even handle the finances by ensuring proper allocation of budgets to the correct departments. Athletic directors must constantly communicate with the coaching staff to schedule matches and practice sessions throughout the sports season. Additionally, they also ensure athletes receive sufficient publicity and promotions to generate revenue for the team.
2. General Manager
General managers have a direct working relationship with the athletes. They supervise the day-to-day operations in ensuring everything goes off without a hitch. General managers are also required to negotiate and sign contracts with vendors who provide the equipment and gear needed by the athletes. They’re also actively involved with team coaches in recruiting new players and dismissing ones who underperform.
As the team’s spokesperson, general managers often find themselves in the spotlight to elaborate on specific decisions made by an athlete or the team in general. The general manager also handles most legal issues.
3. Assistant Director of Marketing
As one of the most important professions in the sports industry, an assistant director of marketing is responsible for dealing with a team’s promotional and publicity activities. They provide ideas and strategies to increase ticket revenue and attendance at sporting events to improve profits. From coordinating activities for the fans to endorsing corporate sales, they help keep the team and individual athlete’s popularity secure.
What is Sports Management?
This sector of the sports industry is more concerned with the business aspect. Therefore, individuals who wish to utilize their skills in helping an organization lead ahead should pursue a career in sports management. In addition, several fields within this discipline are business-oriented, such as finance, leadership, PR, marketing, and communication. Having knowledge of these subjects can be applied to the sports world to enhance a team’s progress or growth.
Sports management covers a diverse range of job opportunities, and with a rapidly progressing industry, new professions are emerging each day. Some of the most promising careers are:
1. Sports Marketer
The primary responsibility of a sports marketer is to promote specific athletic brands, whether it’s a professional team or a league. Planning marketing campaigns helps achieve revenue goals set by one particular brand. Sports marketers also conduct marketing research that helps identify the target audience. They then offer relevant advertisements and merchandise that significantly improve profits. Development and distribution of all print media like posters, billboards, or digital ads, also comes under the job description of a sports marketer.
2. Athletics Administrator
An athletics administrator is a professional-level position and one of the highest paying jobs in sports management. They’re often required to make essential decisions for sports organizations that impact teams and individual athletes. They closely monitor particulars regarding sporting franchises to ensure they comply with all the necessary regulations. Additionally, they also keep an eye on the team’s performance and how the public responds to each sporting event so that the organization can remain in a leading position.
3. Facility Operations Manager
These professionals coordinate sporting events in stadiums, arenas, or other sports facilities. They buy or lease a facility and are also involved in its designing and construction to ensure it meets all the requirements specified by an organization. A facility operations manager is responsible for hiring the relevant staff and assigning them duties based on their experience and knowledge. They ensure the chosen facility is suitable for seating the specified number of spectators and generates the required ticket revenue to upsurge profits.
Choosing the Right Program
For every individual, the right program may differ. Therefore, when making your decision, we recommend that you first consider the following factors:
• Curriculum
Does your chosen program offer the relevant skills needed to further your career? Will you gain valuable knowledge? How long will it take to complete your degree?
If the answers to all these questions meet your expectations, you can move on to the next aspect.
• Scheduling Flexibility
While furthering your education is essential in moving up the career ladder, it shouldn’t cost you your job experience. Enrolling in online programs can provide you the flexibility to juggle
both work and classes simultaneously.
• Personal Interest
This one’s a no-brainer! Make sure you identify your interests before opting for a career path so that work seems less like a “job” you’re doing out of obligation.
Conclusion
The world of sports is advancing exponentially. The two major sectors – sports administration and sports management provide a spectrum of opportunities for individuals who pursue advanced education. Equipped with relevant knowledge and a suitable skill set, you can easily outshine other candidates applying for the job of your dreams.
