Sports Management Degree Program Guide

The sports industry is growing quickly, with an annual growth rate of 9%. Additionally, the global sports market is expected to be worth over $680 billion by 2028.

A sports management bachelor’s degree can prepare you for several job opportunities in the sports industry. So, if you want to break into the field, read on to learn more about sports management programs and the careers opportunities and salaries they offer.

A sports management degree can equip you with the skills needed to manage and promote athletes, sports teams, and events.

During your studies, you’ll learn foundational knowledge in areas such as public relations law, entrepreneurship, media, analytics, and more to prepare you for a variety of roles in the sports industry. Popular careers paths in sports management include sports athletic director, sports agent, and contract administrator.

These programs usually take four years to complete, though some schools offer accelerated programs that allow students to earn their degrees in three years or less.

With a sports management bachelor’s degree, you could work as a sports marketing manager or sports event coordinator.

Other sport management careers include sports data analysts, who use data to help teams improve performance, and sports agents, who represent athletes in contract negotiations.

Additionally, you could become an athletic director, overseeing athletic programs in academic institutions.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), sports management careers are growing steadily. Sports agent employment is projected to grow 7% and marketing managers by 8%, which is higher than then average 4% for other occupations.

You can earn between $50,000 to $100,000 with a sports management degree, depending on the career path you choose.

For instance, sport agents or athletic directors can earn around $70,000. On the other hand, even coordinators earn closer to $48,000.

Take a look at the table below for more details on much you can earn with a sports management degree.

The average cost of tuition and fees for an online business bachelor’s degree (which includes sports management programs) is around $41,892 over four years, without financial aid. With financial aid, the cost drops to about $23,600, according to 2019-2020 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

To give you some real-world tuition rates, Franklin University’s bachelor’s in sport management program costs $398 per credit for a total of 120 credit hours, or nearly $48,000 per academic year.

Ashland University charges $960 per credit or $31,210 per year for their bachelor’s programs.

Keep reading to learn how long these programs take to complete and how to apply.

Sports management bachelor’s degrees usually take four years and 120 credits to complete. Accelerated programs can shorten this time frame through summer courses and condensed coursework. These may take three years or less to complete.

To apply for a sports management degree program, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED, and you’ll need to meet your desired program’s minimum GPA requirements, typically between 2.5 to 3.0. Students are also required to complete a certain number of general education credits, which may include coursework in social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, as well as the humanities and fine arts.

Common application materials you may need to submit include:

After you earn a bachelor’s in sports management, you can pursue an advanced degree such as a master’s degree in sports management or the master’s in business administration with a sports management focus. Related degrees include sports journalism and media, sports medicine, sports marketing and promotions, health and nutrition, kinesthesis, and psychophysiology.

Once you’ve gained work experience, either through an internship or entry-level job, you can enhance your credentials with professional certifications such as the Certified Sports Events Executive (CSEE). You could also join professional organizations like the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).