Do you enjoy sports? Do you want a career in sports while enjoying the game with prime seats? If you answered yes, you should totally check out becoming a sports manager.
As a sports manager, you’ll be surrounded by incredible athletes who have dedicated their entire lives to sports. You’ll be working with a diverse group of people in an exciting environment. In addition, you can contribute to the growth and development of your favourite sport, making a career in sports management extremely rewarding.
Do you aspire to be a sports manager or just exploring the field? In either case, you’ve come to the right place! This blog discusses the skills required, colleges and courses, salary, and what else it takes to become an entrepreneur. Follow the step-by-step guide in the blog about how to become a sports manager.
Who is a sports manager?
The most important job of a sports manager is to support a sports organisation by ensuring that coaches and athletes have the resources they need to succeed. Other common duties for sports managers include:
- Holding the team and athletes accountable for following the rules and regulations
- Keeping track of team schedules
- Creating social media strategies to engage the fan base
- Creating opportunities for team sponsorship deals
Learn more: How to become an Operations Manager- Career guide
How to become a sports manager?
Step 1: Stream to select
To pursue a career in sports management, you can choose any stream; however, it is recommended that you choose the commerce stream because subjects like Business Studies will help you understand the business aspect of the job better.
Step 2: Certification courses and project courses
The certification courses listed below can help you become a sports manager.
- Sports Management: The Essentials Course
- Sports Leadership and management
- Sports Management: Strategy and Performance
- Essentials of the Professional Sports Business Management
- JGi Sports Management
- GW Business Sport Management
- Sports Management: Business Principles in Sport
Step 3: Educational qualifications
Because the competition for jobs in this field is so fierce, having a graduate degree in business administration or sports management will be a significant asset. Completing a Master’s degree in Sports Management at a well-known university or business school will make your resume stand out among the rest of the aspirants.
How to become a sports manager after 10th?
Students can learn how to use strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills after 10th, just like a pro sports manager. The Clever Harvey-JuniorMBA Entrepreneurship programme ensures that students develop these skills. Try it out for yourself!
How to become a sports manager after 12th?
To become a sports manager in India after 12th –
Students who have completed their 12th can enrol in the Bachelor of Sports Management programme (BSM). Some BSM offering colleges offer admission directly based on 12th results, while others may hold an entrance examination. In order to be admitted, candidates must perform well in the entrance examination. The admission committee of the college will make the final selection for admission to all colleges.
- UG courses to become a sports manager in India:
Course | Duration |
Bachelor of Sports Management programme (BSM) | 3 years |
- Top UG colleges to become a sports manager in India:
Name of Institution | Location |
George College | West Bengal |
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology | West Bengal |
Nagindas Khandwala College | Maharashtra |
National Academy of Sports Management – NASM | Maharashtra |
National Academy of Sports Management – NASM | Rajasthan |
National Academy of Sports Management – NASM | Gujarat |
National Academy of Sports Management – NASM | Uttar Pradesh |
St. Thomas College | Kerala |
Syamaprasad Institute of Technology and Management – SITM | West Bengal |
Also read: How to become an Event Manager
Become a Sports Manager abroad
- To be considered for admission to an international university, students must pass their 10+2 board exams with the required percentage.
- Students must take various English language tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE, in order to enrol in the BSM abroad programme.
- BSM admission abroad is accomplished through various entrance exams such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT.
- UG courses to become a sports manager abroad:
Course | Duration |
Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management | 4 years |
- Top UG colleges to become a sports manager abroad:
Name of Institution | Location |
University of Nicosia | Cyprus |
Southern New Hampshire University | United States |
EU Business School | Spain |
Richmond, the American International University in London | United Kingdom |
University of Applied Sciences Europe | Germany |
University of the West of Scotland | United Kingdom |
Teeside University | United Kingdom |
Step 4: How to prepare for the job?
- Get an internship: Internships are a great way to gain experience as a sports manager and learn about the various roles available in the sports industry. As a sports manager intern, your primary responsibility is to assist in the management of events, teams, finances, and a variety of other responsibilities.
- Gain relevant experience: There are numerous ways to gain experience in the sporting industry. Volunteering at a local sports club or joining a sports team can help you gain valuable experience. Charities frequently host large-scale sporting events, such as marathons, which can necessitate extensive planning.
- Build and use your network: Contacts are important in the sports industry because it can be competitive, but building a network as a young professional can take time and patience. Nonetheless, it is an important step in your career.
- Attending Sports Conferences: Sports conferences provide excellent opportunities to continue learning about sports management outside of the classroom. Attending these conferences and interacting with top sports executives allows you to meet sports business enthusiasts from across the country. These events are ideal for networking with industry influencers and learning about job openings and internships.
6 most important skills to become a sports manager
- People management
- Time management
- Communication skills
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
Read more: How to become a Celebrity Manager
How much does a Sports Manager earn?
Salary in India
The average annual salary for an entry-level sports manager (1-3 years of experience) is ₹6,23,362.
Salary abroad
Some entry-level sports manager salaries from around the world.
Country | Annual Salary |
United States | $60,876 |
United Kingdom | £30,802 |
Canada | $57,701 (CAD) |
Spain | 31,520€ |
Germany | 42,113€ |
Top 10 recruiters in India
- IMG-Reliance
- Sporty Solutionz
- Baseline Ventures
- Rhiti Sports
- Procam International
- JSW Sports
- Sportz Interactive
- GMR Sports Pvt Ltd
- DNA
- Mashal Sports
Top 10 recruiters abroad
- Viral Nation
- Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
- WME Agency
- Octagon
- Wasserman
- Newport Sports Management Inc.
- Prosport Management
- Independent Sports and Entertainment (ISE)
- Excel Sports Management
- Athletes First
More about Sports Managers
If you’ve arrived at this point in the blog, it can only mean one thing: you like Sports management and may one day become a sports manager yourself! As a bonus, a few inspiring movies/shows of sports managers are included here. Check them out and have fun exploring more!
- Jerry Maguire
- Money Ball
- Million Dollar Arm
- Gold
- Ballers
- The Last Dance
- Ford V Ferrari
- Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers
Know more: How to become a Footballer
It is critical to recognise that the sports industry has evolved and now requires a significant amount from suitably qualified individuals. Sports management in India is at the grassroots level, and the Indian sports industry requires talented professionals to lead it. Best wishes on your path to becoming a sports manager!
FAQs related to how to become a Sports Manager
What do you need to be a sports manager?
Ans: Because of the high level of competition for jobs in this field, having a graduate degree in business administration or sports management will be a significant asset. Completing a Master’s degree in Sports Management at a well-known university or business school will set your resume apart from the crowd.
How long does it take to be a sports manager?
Ans: A Bachelor’s degree would take 3 to 4 years to complete, while a Master’s degree would take 1-2 years.
Is sports management a good career?
Ans: Careers in Sports Management offer individuals real opportunities to make a difference in their community, work with high-profile athletes, and turn a passion into a lucrative career, which very few global industry sectors can offer to their workforce.
What is the work of sports manager?
Ans: A sports manager is essential in attracting support, supervising athlete activities, and making the money required to ensure a team’s long-term success. Managers are in charge of ensuring that athletes have the resources they need to train effectively.
How do I start a career in sports management?
Ans: Determine the career path you want to take, taking into account factors such as job availability, average salary, and work environment. Investigate the skills and background required to achieve your objectives. Consider how a specialised education could increase your earning potential and open doors to new opportunities. Investigate which organisations in your area provide internships. Create a professional network.