If you love sports, you might find a sports management career to be highly rewarding. By earning a sports management degree, you might decide to pursue a career as a sports agent, athletic director, sports event coordinator, sports marketing manager or other related field.
Thanks to the evolution of online degree programs, you can earn a sports management degree entirely online. According to the Harvard Business Review, the traditional higher education business model already faced challenges pre-pandemic, with online learning emerging as a popular option. By 2020, online learning became the default, and many institutions embraced online degree programs.
The rise of these online programs means that new digital learning standards and infrastructure are evolving, but online learning is here to stay. If you hope to have a management career in sports, then an online sports management degree might be ideal.
Online sports management degrees consist of several course types, including courses focused on core curriculum subjects, like math and English, while others are focused on specialized sports topics.
What you'll study
Courses may have different structures. Some courses may be self-paced and might consist of pre-recorded lectures. Others might have a live component, requiring students to log in at scheduled times for discussions with instructors and their peers. Courses may also use a variety of mediums, including video, reading assignments, lectures and more.
Business management in sports courses covers key business principles such as business planning, advertising, business structures and customer service.
Financial management in sports courses cover topics including budgeting, financial risk management and the preparation of financial reports.
Sports marketing and promotions focuses on marketing strategies, including market research, how to identify appropriate target markets and how to establish sponsorship and corporate partnerships.
Sports law and ethics courses introduce students to the legal issues within the sports industry, including legal issues as they apply to administration, faculty managers, sponsors and spectators.
Sports event management focuses on key topics like sports planning and organizing, leadership and safety.
How long does it take to earn a sports management degree online?
The duration of a degree program depends on the type of program that you choose. A bachelor's degree in sports management takes about four years to complete on a full-time basis, and most programs require you to complete 120 credits of coursework. To pursue a master's degree program in sports management, you will need to have completed your bachelor's degree. Most master's programs require 30 to 60 credits and take about two years to complete when studying full-time.
Benefits of pursuing a sports management degree online
There are many benefits of choosing a sports management degree online as compared to a traditional degree program:
Flexibility and convenience:
Many online degree programs give you the ability to study where and when you want. This type of convenience is ideal if you have a family, a job or other obligations that you need to balance with your education.
Access to global expertise:
Location isn't a limitation when you pursue an online degree. Online degree programs may give you the chance to learn from teachers all over the globe, so you can benefit from their wide range of expertise.
Cost-effectiveness:
When you pursue an online degree program, you don't have to pay for expenses like housing or meal plans. This can amount to significant savings and can make your education more affordable.
Opportunities for digital networking:
Online degree programs also offer valuable opportunities for digital networking. You can start to build your professional network by engaging with your peers, instructors, guest speakers and other advisors.
Self-paced learning:
Many online programs give you the chance to complete the program at your own pace, with some limitations. These self-paced arrangements can create less pressure than traditional classroom environments, giving you the time you need to focus on and truly absorb the material that you're learning.
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Challenges of learning sports management online
Online learning in sports management has several benefits, but there are some distinct challenges that come with online learning, too:
The need for self-discipline:
When you're pursuing a program that is self-paced, you'll need to be motivated and have the self-discipline to complete the coursework independently. Creating a schedule or finding a friend or family member to check in with you about your progress may help.
Limited face-to-face interaction:
Some online degree programs may have limited face-to-face interaction, which can feel somewhat isolating and might make learning difficult for some students. If you learn best when you can engage with a teacher and other students, carefully research how the online program will be delivered to make sure that it's right for you.
Technology requirements:
Every online program will have its own specific technology requirements, but generally speaking, you will need a relatively new computer or other device and reliable access to high-speed internet. You may also need specific technology or accessories, like a webcam. While you'll have access to the school's IT department, be prepared to potentially do some technology troubleshooting if you run into any issues.
Ensuring hands-on experience:
Make sure that your online degree program has some sort of internship component, or another way to gain hands-on experience. Since you aren't attending school in-person, you will usually be responsible for identifying and securing an internship placement locally.
What can you do with an online sports management degree?
An online sports management degree can prepare you for many potential career paths. Your online degree level and time in the field may impact your job title and salary as you progress in your chosen area of sports management:
Sports agent
If you choose to become a sports agent, you will work with professional athletes, helping to oversee and manage their careers. You may be responsible for negotiating salaries and bonuses, establishing endorsements, managing public relations and more.
Athletic director
As an athletic director, you would oversee a scholastic athletic department, such as in a high school or college. You might be responsible for performing the program's budgeting, arranging travel arrangements and supervising other staff.
Sports event coordinator
Should you become a sports event coordinator, you will be responsible for overseeing the components that contribute to a successful sporting event. You might perform promotion, manage an event's broadcasting, coordinate with the venue to plan the event and be present to address any issues on the day of the event.
Sports marketing manager
In a career as a sports marketing manager, you will be responsible for marketing a sports franchise, organization or brand. You may use digital and traditional media to connect with the appropriate target audience.
Corporate partnerships manager
As a corporate partnerships manager, you will oversee, establish and supervise the corporate sponsorships that a sports organization enters into. You might work to build relationships with potential sponsors and will be responsible for evaluating and creating the details of each partnership.
Tips for success in online sports management programs
Completing an online sports management degree can be a great first step in helping you to build your career. These tips can help you to successfully complete your sports management program.
Focus on time management
Effective time management is important in ensuring that you made progress on your coursework. You may need to build a strict schedule that includes time for your coursework, and you will also need to manage your other priorities effectively, too.
Procrastination can negatively impact your time management and your progress on your coursework. James Clear, an expert on habits and decision-making and the author of Atomic Habits, suggests that you structure your future actions to avoid procrastination. "One of the favorite tools psychologists use to overcome procrastination is called a 'commitment device,'" writes Clear. "Commitment devices can help you stop procrastinating by designing your future actions ahead of time."
One example of a commitment device would be deleting social media apps from your phone to remove the temptation to waste time. You could apply this to your schooling by closing out all other browsers while you're doing coursework, and potentially by using a social media blocker like BlockSite or StayFocusd to help you keep on track.
Use online resources effectively
The online resources provided with your degree program can be key to your success. Most degree programs include resources like access to online tutoring services and college writing centers. You should have access to the university's online library resources, and may also have access to other resources, like the career center. Each of these resources offers excellent value, so be sure that you use them while you have that access.
Build a digital network
Start building your digital network while you're in school. Your peers and teachers are valuable network connections. You may also grow your network by completing internships or shadowing sports management professionals.
Seek internships and real-world experience
Internships give you valuable real-world experience, helping you to begin putting the skills that you're learning to use. It's important to seek out internship opportunities, and ideally you will have multiple internships before you complete your degree program. You may need to be proactive in finding local placements, but your teachers may also have resources and connections that can help you to secure internships.
Engage in relevant online forums and communities
Online forums for sports professionals can help you to explore potential career options and connect with those who are active in the industry. There are also plenty of other resources and communities, including the North American Society for Sport Management, which can help you to network with and learn from sports professionals.
Build your resume
As you complete your coursework, look for opportunities that will give you valuable experience and that you can include on your resume. Take advantage of internship and placement opportunities, which provide real-world experience and networking opportunities. If your program requires you to complete a major project or capstone, choose a subject that relates to the type of job you ultimately hope to have.
Sean Cary, Senior Director of Professional Tennis Strategy, Officiating and Pro Circuit at the United States Tennis Association, explains that having a resume that relates to the specific role you apply for can make you a more competitive candidate. "At some point in the interview there will be a time when the interviewer reflects on your resume and will talk about some of the experiences you have obtained," he tells The Clubhouse. "This is usually to work out how relevant your experience is to the role you applied for." Cary encourages candidates to always refer back to an experience, project, or success story when answering such questions to demonstrate their relevant experience.
How to choose the right online sports management program
Consider these factors when choosing the online sports management program that's best for you:
Accreditation and reputation:
An accredited program is proven to offer a quality education, and many employers will want to see that you've earned a degree from an accredited program. Consider the institution's reputation, too, since earning a degree program from a well-respected institution can make your resume stand out to employers.
Course content and faculty expertise:
Review the course curriculum and consider the topics that you will be studying. Are important elements missing, or will those topics leave you well-prepared for your career? It's also important to consider the expertise of the faculty. Look for faculty who have plenty of experience in the sports management field, which will be valuable to your education.
Student reviews and testimonials:
Read student reviews and testimonials to get a sense of their experience with the degree program. A negative review here and there isn't necessarily cause for concern, but multiple negative reviews discussing the same issues may signify a potential problem.
Opportunities for internships and placements:
Since internships and placements are so valuable in preparing you for your career, look for a program that offers these opportunities.
Tuition fees and financial aid:
Finally, consider the cost of the program, including its tuition fees. Research whether the school offers any financial aid opportunities that may help to keep costs down.
Get started
The sports industry continues to grow rapidly in the United States. According to Statista, the sports market should reach $1.55 in revenue by 2027, and earning an online sports management degree can prepare you for many potential careers in the sports industry. From acting as an athlete agent to managing corporate sports partnerships, the industry is rich with sports management opportunities.
Online degrees are increasingly popular and they're helping to shape the education industry. Whether you're unable to relocate for school or are balancing your education with a full-time job, an online sports management program may be an ideal first step toward your career in sports.
Helpful resources
Use these professional resources to network, find job openings and enroll in continuing education in sports management:
Sport Marketing Association—a leading association for sport marketers that is dedicated to developing mutually beneficial relationships between academia and industry.
