actemplatestg, Author at Online Master of Science in Sport Management

What Can You Do With a Sports Management Degree?

March 19, 2025 8:32 AM Comments Off

Woman in a suit on a phone discussing a sports management career “The world is changing a lot,” says University of Florida Athletic Director Emeritus Jeremy Foley. “Not everyone wants to attend [sporting events] in-person. There’s an entire culture around watching them on TV. People need to be aware of those shifts and how to be successful as the habits of fans change.”

One way to stay both up-to-date and competitive in the field is with a master’s degree in sport management.

Additional education in sport management can strengthen not only your career, but the careers of the athletes and teams you work with. The field is multi-faceted and may involve coordinating events, coaching, working in finance, or working in marketing, to name a few. Everything from major league franchises to club teams require personnel capable of fulfilling a wide variety of functions.

In addition to gaining industry experience, acquiring an advanced degree in sport management from a program with specialized paths such as athlete development and high performance coaching, could help you achieve your desired career goals.

What Careers Are Available With a Sport Management Degree?

Careers in Sport Management infographic, updated in August 2024

Individual salaries may vary by factors like industry, years of experience, and geographic location.

Jobs With A Sport Management Degree

Here’s a breakdown of promising sport management jobs and crucial challenges that you can find in the sport industry, along with average salary information compiled from Lightcast.

Game Day or Event Coordinator

$56,909

These organized, dynamic professionals oversee all the essential elements that go into effectively promoting, executing, and broadcasting a sporting event. Often acting as liaisons between fans, the venue, and management, game day coordinators help to create a lively, energetic environment and ensure that the event is a pleasant experience for all attendees.

Athletics Director

$103,460

Athletic directors are often the central decision makers in sports organizations, responsible for supervising nearly every facet of a franchise, team, or club. Anything from ordering equipment to hiring and firing staff can fall within their purview. Their job can also involve ensuring compliance with changing legal regulations, particularly in the collegiate setting.

Sports Marketing Specialist

$74,672

Sport marketing professionals focus on both creating buzz surrounding the franchise or organization they serve and managing sponsorships that may affect the team’s brand. Overall, their mission is to promote the team, its players, and whatever other stories or assets draw public interest, increasing sales and strengthening the voice of the organization. Organizations of all kinds rely on experts who communicate powerfully through both digital and traditional media. Those who are interested in a sport marketer position could benefit from getting a certificate that focuses on social media in sport management.

Facility Operations Manager

$102,366

Leaders in this field effectively apply the available resources to maintain and improve an athletic venue. They may be responsible for managing construction contractors, hiring custodial employees, organizing ticket sales and entry, and coordinating emergency response plans. One way to develop this diverse set of management skills is with a certificate that focuses on sport event management.

Contract Analyst

$71,947

As with any business, sports teams and franchises aim to be profitable and fiscally responsible. Considering that much of the company’s capital may involve athlete salaries and vendor agreements, these professionals may be called upon to examine the terms of a pending contract and ensure it reflects the organization’s best interests. One way to gain more insight into the laws that govern the sports industry is with a sport management graduate degree with a Sport Law specialization.

Guest Relations Manager

$63,440

The guest relations manager ensures that fans have a positive experience with every member of a venue’s customer service staff. They coordinate with employees to check that everyone adheres to organizational policies. When any disputes or difficult situations arise, the manager takes the lead in finding a resolution.

Corporate Partnerships Manager

$157,622

Sport organizations frequently work with corporate partners to promote a product or service in exchange for initial or ongoing fees. The corporate partnership manager oversees these relationships, discovering new opportunities, developing agreements, and supervising their execution. Other types of partnerships in sport may include details with media outlets, such as exclusivity agreements for broadcasting rights.

To learn more about jobs in sport management, download our free sport management career guide. You’ll discover some of the most rewarding opportunities in the field and find out how you can build the skills you need to excel in these roles.

More Careers with a Sports Management Degree

Sport Management Career	Salary
Athletic Coach	$50,100
Business Development Coordinator	$57,500
Youth Sports Coach	$43,600
Contract Administrator	$83,200
Director of Operations	$117,600
Fitness Manager	$62,600
Marketing Consultant	$80,300
Marketing Coordinator	$53,400
Operations Manager	$70,000
Public Relations Manager	$106,800
Sales Coordinator	$47,700
Sports Agent	$57,200

Careers with a sport management degree attract professionals from a variety of disciplines who are enthusiastic about working in professional, collegiate, or recreational athletics. Professional sport organizations require employees with many of the same financial, operational, and marketing skills as any other business. An aspiring sport manager, however, should also have a thorough understanding of issues that are unique to the industry. Furthermore, a sport manager with a specific focus within the field acquired through a sport management degree may be a more competitive position in the job market.

Financial professionals in sport, for example, must draw on their understanding of concepts like athletic valuation in order to negotiate player and vendor contracts. Similarly, marketers in this industry must think beyond traditional sales strategy in order to not just sell a product but also bring in attendees. For this reason, marketing professionals are often responsible for coordinating a franchise’s external communications, using social media and other resources to strengthen the bond between local fans and their home team. These challenges demand a specialized skill set that extends well beyond typical corporate expertise.

Specializations

One way to gain these skills is to seek out an advanced degree that allows you to specialize, like the University of Florida’s Master of Science in Sport Management program. Below are the areas that you can specialize in within the program:

Athlete Development is an emerging area of expertise with tremendous potential to benefit both athletes and those who want to assist them.
High Performance Coaching has a focus on enhancing athletic performance by improving understanding and application of cutting-edge science.
Sport Law is for those who want to learn more about the laws that govern numerous aspects of the sport industry.
Director of Racquet Sports is perfect for tennis professionals who want to transition into leadership positions.

You can also choose from two certificates:

Sport Event Management gives you the tools you need to plan and coordinate sport events, from local events to global competitions.
Social Media gives working sport management professionals the opportunity to gain an introduction to various social media platforms and new areas of mass communication technologies.

Start Changing the Game With UF's Online M.S. in Sport Management

The online Master of Science in Sport Management from University of Florida equips students to take on complex financial and administrative challenges in the world of sport. The comprehensive sport management curriculum can help you develop your skills as a multi-talented professional who is ready to break into this field.

UF is a sports powerhouse whose top-tier faculty have firsthand insight into every facet of the industry. UF’s large alumni population and student support services also offer highly valuable networking and professional development opportunities. With options like the Gator-to-Gator alumni social network and specialized career coaching with internationally recognized industry professionals, a UF graduate will start their sport career on the right foot.

Through core courses that include Sport Marketing and Management and Leadership in Sport and electives such as Sport Sponsorship and Athlete Development, you will gain in-depth knowledge of the business of sport. You will also have the opportunity to pursue a graduate certificate in Sport Event Management or in a specialization in the area of Athlete Development, High Performance Coaching, Sport Law, or Director of Racquet Sports.

Learn more by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.

How to Get Into the Sports Industry

March 10, 2025 4:35 PM Comments Off

There is an incomparable excitement to watching your favorite sports team win a high-stakes game. It’s natural to want to help make these moments possible — and you don’t need to be a professional athlete to do so. With hard work, dedication, and passion, anyone can pursue a career in sport management.

Building a career in this growing field has the potential to be lucrative, exciting, and fulfilling. The global sports market had an estimated total value of more than $450 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a rate of about 6% through 2030. The broader entertainment and sports industry workforce continues to grow as well: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects above average job growth through 2032.

The sports world offers a wealth of roles that cater to diverse interests, so be sure to explore all aspects of this industry before choosing your path. Depending on your background and career goals, a wide variety of opportunities may be available to you. Many people imagine being an athletic director or sport agent, but have you thought about becoming a game day coordinator, sport event manager, athlete development specialist, or contract analyst?

As you plan for the future, it’s also important to understand how to break into the field. In this article, we will discuss how to kick off your career and also highlight a few sub-areas of sport management for you to consider.

Key Steps To Entering the Sport Industry

The one thing that sports professionals have in common is a love of the game. This enthusiasm is essential for advancing in a field that thrives on networking. Whether you work behind the scenes in operations or serve as the public face of an organization, speaking the language of sports will help you connect with colleagues, clients, and peers across the industry.

With a passion for athletics, you’ve already laid the foundation for success. You should now develop a strategy to maximize your career prospects.

Expand Your Network

Despite its exponential growth, the sports industry remains a tight-knit community. Networking is vital, providing both professional support and access to new opportunities.

Strong relationships can be key to securing the best job offers. In this field, hiring managers often place high value on the opinions of their personal network, making it essential to find mentors who can guide your career path and recommend you for jobs. Cultivating these relationships early on will yield benefits throughout your career.

“Network with people already in the industry to ask lots of questions to ensure you find the right role for you. The industry is growing and changing, and there are countless open positions. It’s necessary to find the right type of business and environment that compliments your interests and skill sets — not just the first open job.”

— Kim Bastable (M.S., USPTA, PTR), Director of Racquet Sports Specialization & Instructor

To help build industry connections, consider attending a conference. For instance, the National Sports Forum is attended by executives from nearly every league, team, and facility each year, making it an invaluable opportunity to network with professionals across the industry. These events can also familiarize you with different organizations, help you identify roles that align with your skills, and give you insight into how careers typically progress.

You should also network across your peer group and even with the people in your local recreational organizations. Remember: a network isn’t just who you know but also the people they know. For example, someone who works for a minor league baseball organization likely has contacts with numerous other athletic groups and facilities in town, and their boss may have connections all the way up to the major leagues.

Gain Real-World Experience in the Industry

To break into the sports industry, real-world experience is invaluable. Internships, entry-level work, and junior positions are crucial for anyone looking to get a foothold in the industry and build their professional network. These roles provide essential insight into how the industry currently functions and what it takes for an organization to succeed.

Those entering the field without much experience should aim to secure an internship or other entry-level position. These initial opportunities will help you learn about the day-to-day operations of a team, make an impression, and determine which facet of sport management aligns with your interests. If it’s challenging to find a relevant position, don’t dismiss volunteer roles or jobs in areas like ticket sales. These positions still offer valuable opportunities to network and gain insight into how the sports world operates.

If you already have industry experience or are transitioning from another career, aim for a junior-level position in an area that serves your long-term goals. From there, focus on gaining relevant skills, building your network, and making moves that will help you get where you want to be in five years. Consult with peers and mentors to get a sense of how careers tend to progress in your organization — or with other employers — and check in with yourself often to ensure you’re making moves that will help get you where you want to be in five years.

Build Specialized Knowledge

No matter what career you pursue, working in sports requires a wealth of specialized knowledge, and it’s important to get up to speed. If you lack a formal grounding in sport management, make it a priority to enroll in an introductory class, webinar, or similar opportunity. Reading a recent edition of a textbook such as Contemporary Sport Management is another way to master basic principles.

On top of the fundamentals, you must also continuously expand and update your understanding of this ever-changing field. For instance, aspiring professionals should track industry news and emerging trends through outlets like Sports Business Journal and Forbes SportsMoney. Following sport management professionals on LinkedIn and similar platforms can also help you stay informed.

If you’re already well-versed in the field, consider enhancing your prospects by specializing in a niche like sport event management, athlete development, high performance coaching, sport analytics, or sport law. Once you’ve identified a specialty that interests you, determine what skills, courses, or certifications are needed to pursue a career in this area.

For those ready to build advanced knowledge, a master’s in sport management might be a good fit. With an M.S. in Sport Management, you’ll gain administrative proficiency, leadership ability, and specialized skills that can benefit a wide variety of sport organizations around the globe. A degree with a focus on the sports industry provides you with the real-world knowledge to enter a diverse range of sport management careers.

Subfields of Sport Management: What To Know

Not sure what area of sport management you want to dive into? Check out our career guide for an overview of different sport management jobs that you can pursue.

Athlete Development

Professionals in athlete development help players balance the physical stresses of their sport with leading a productive life off the field. Early in a player’s career, these specialists focus on nurturing the physical skills, professionalism, and practical knowledge that elite athletes need to thrive. In later career stages, they may help players navigate professional transitions and life changes.

Nationwide, athlete development specialists earn a median salary of over $81,000. To succeed in this role — or in related positions such as director of player engagement, director of student-athlete development, and athletic director — you must possess a deep understanding of athletes’ physical and psychological needs. You will also need strong skills in leadership, communication, and media and financial literacy.

To enhance your marketability and ensure you have sufficient expertise, consider getting certified in athlete development. Some graduate programs are specifically designed to meet certification requirements for the Professional Association of Athlete Development Specialists (PAADS).

“To teach, coaches need to be certified professionals. The main thing is to get educated about coaching. It’s vastly different to play a sport and coach a sport, so those wanting to coach must learn how to develop, motivate and educate players.”

— Kim Bastable (M.S., USPTA, PTR), Director of Racquet Sports Specialization & Instructor

Sport Event Management

The field of sport event management is dynamic and multifaceted. Sport event managers and event coordinators act as liaisons between a variety of stakeholders — including teams, facility management staff, and fans — to ensure that everything goes as planned. Their responsibilities may include defining schedules and timelines, providing hospitality to clients, recruiting volunteers, identifying venue options, managing parking, and more.

According to Payscale, these coordinators earn an average salary of more than $49,000. Notably, sport event management offers a lot of upward mobility: individuals who manage top-tier professional championships often start by coordinating local recreational events. In addition to climbing the ladder organically, you can also start a career in sport event management through continuing education. For example, you may consider a certificate program in sport event management. A certificate or course series in these areas can teach you valuable skills and help you stand out to employers.

Sport Marketing

As a sport marketer, your job is to build buzz and manage sponsorships so that a team can reach new audiences and increase ticket sales. To accomplish this goal, sport marketing specialists craft powerful branding messages across both digital and traditional media platforms, earning an average salary of $63,000.

A portfolio of successful work is the top selling point in this field, so consider enrolling in a graduate degree program that offers a certificate in social media. A credential like this can give you hands-on experience in developing, managing, and assessing creative content across major social media platforms.

Athlete Representation

For professional athletes, few career relationships are as important as the one they share with their sports agent. From contract negotiation to mentoring clients through major decisions, an effective sports agent can have an immeasurable impact on an athlete’s career.

This career path requires a great deal of familiarity with contract law and the nuances of its application in the sports environment, so you might want to pursue a legal education with a focus on sport law or a master’s in sport management with a specialization in sport law. After you complete your graduate degree, you’ll be prepared to pursue the necessary certifications and training needed to be a practicing sports agent.

With sports agents earning an average salary of $98,010, investing in your education can pay dividends for your financial future.

Advance Your Career in Sport Management

Sport management offers opportunities in countless aspects of the industry, including facility management, media and communications, college athletic administration, sales, marketing, and even data analytics.

As you plan for a career in this dynamic field, here’s a summary of our top tips:

Cultivate Passion: Your love for sports is your foundation. Use it to connect with colleagues and clients across the industry.
Expand Your Network: Attend conferences, seek out mentors, and engage with peers to build the relationships that will connect you to opportunities.
Gain Real-World Experience: Dive into hands-on work to gain the practical insights you’ll need to excel in the sports industry.
Build Specialized Knowledge: Continuously update your knowledge of industry trends and consider deepening expertise in a niche area.

Finally, as you work toward your dream job, set clear long-term goals. Where do you want to be in six months? What about next year, or three years down the line? Assess your progress on a regular basis and course-correct if necessary. Committing to a game plan will help you stay on track in this fast-paced field.

A career in the sports industry offers many rewards, from high compensation to the satisfaction of contributing to game day excitement. As the global sports market expands and opportunities grow, this is an ideal time to enter the field. With a well-defined career plan and strong work ethic, you’ll be poised to find your niche in sport management.

Start Changing the Game With UF’s Online M.S. in Sport Management

Learn more by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.

What Does a Sports Marketer Do? 4 Skills You’ll Need

January 8, 2025 8:12 AM Comments Off

Sports teams and franchises operate in a very similar way to major corporations. They employ financial experts and operational leaders to help keep the organization running as efficiently and effectively as possible, for example. They also, as any company might, prioritize outreach to consumers, and aim to ensure that public associations with the team’s “brand” are altogether positive.
Male sports marketer in suit
Sports organizations are, first and foremost, businesses. To pay players, maintain facilities, and put on a thrilling show during each and every game, franchises depend on the steady income of ticket sales and sponsorships. This means promotion through diverse media channels and a focus on engaging communities to drive their attachment to the team.

This is the challenge of the sports marketer: to promote a team’s brand and image across a number of different mediums and drive consistently high attendance numbers. This can involve anything from ad placements to fostering an active social media presence, just as product promotion might for another business.

The difference is that sports marketers are selling an experience, and the chance for consumers to see their favorite athletes and teams play – but a franchise has to earn their spot as a favorite team, first. This isn’t solely a matter of athletic superiority (though it certainly can help). There are teams that have seen success in building their brand after years of poor performance, creating a massive national audience by putting the team’s identity front-and-center. Sometimes, they even work directly with coaches and emerging personalities to develop a distinct style and voice.

The challenge of promoting a sports event, to say nothing of driving ticket sales for an entire season, definitely requires a refined understanding of media, communications, and the audience involved. But the challenge is an exciting one, which makes sports marketing a highly desirable career path to many.

Given all the factors that make the field a distinct, specialized form of consumer outreach, what are some of the essential skills needed to pursue careers in sport marketing?

Top 4 Sports Marketing Skills

Task Management

Sports marketers are routinely responsible for a wide array of different things, as promotional efforts for sports events tend to range a great deal in form and scope.

Ad copy coordination and media buying
Media creation
Meeting with merchandising teams
Developing budgets
Drawing up a social media calendar
Planning events and initiatives
Offering creative assistance in writing a press release

This means organization is of the utmost importance, especially as things can change incredibly fast in the field. As those with careers in sport marketing act as representatives of their franchise or organization, each task has to be done effectively and carefully, necessitating focus on each individual challenge at hand.

Big Picture Thinking

The field demands a constant focus on the business side of sport, and the fulfillment of an organization’s fundamental goals. A professional sports team might make money through sponsorships and ticket sales, but a club team or youth sports organization might have an entirely different model, and might prioritize awareness and public outreach over sales. With each action sports marketers take, they have to be considerate of their objectives and what they’re trying to accomplish. The ability to think this way can be a major professional asset.

Initiative and Leadership Ability

Lauren Hindman, Director of Marketing for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League, said in an interview that – even for entry-level candidates – she’s looking specifically for signs that individuals can, “take leadership of a project or take charge of a situation if the need arises.” Problem-solving skills, she says, are an especially valuable skill to have, as sport can be incredibly fast-paced. On game night, something can go suddenly wrong without warning that demands a deft, careful response from a member of the digital marketing team. Being able to step up, step in, and present a solution can mean the difference between an event that ends well and one that ends with fans leaving unsatisfied.

Writing Skills

Learning to write and communicate effectively is useful in so many dimensions of sport marketing campaigns. Almost every one of the tasks listed above requires some kind of writing, which makes it fundamental to the challenge of helping to create and spread an organization’s voice. And there’s more to it than just the creative component. Directions to an event have to be specific and clear, along with any other necessary logistical communications between attendees and an organization. Effective internal communications are critical, too, as any good leader in sports marketing needs the ability to establish expectations and clearly set out a workable plan.

Start Changing the Game With UF’s Online M.S. in Sport Management

Learn more by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.

Youth Sports Coaching Strategies: Encouraging Effort, Growth, and Confidence in Players

December 12, 2024 11:27 AM Comments Off

Youth sports coach talking with team of young baseball players

Any coaching position comes with a great deal of responsibility, but coaching young athletes requires exceptional care and discernment. As mentors and role models, coaches in schools and youth programs play a major role developing their teams’ athletic skills, in addition to fostering their personal growth. Inspiring and empowering athletes to reach their full potential on and off the field requires a combination of technical skills in sport management and an understanding of organizational dynamics, leadership abilities, communication, and more.

There are many practical strategies that coaches can adopt to lead effectively and support the development of both athletic talent and life skills. By implementing these tactics, coaches can support better athletic performance and help players enhance interpersonal skills they’ll use on and off the field.

Inspire a Shared Team Vision

Whether success looks like winning a state championship or simply making sure everyone tries their best, a clear and compelling goal helps clarify a roadmap to success. If your vision for your team also relates to core values like teamwork, character, or accomplishment, you’ll help athletes understand why the vision matters beyond just achieving goals. Coaches can also talk to players individually about their goals, strengths, and best opportunities for personal contribution.

Rituals and visual cues such as signs, chants, and posters can reinforce this vision, uniting and inspiring the team. At UF football games, fans and players alike sing Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” at the end of the third quarter to get the Gators excited, inspired, and ready to win.

Teach Skills On the Field and Off

Encouraging players to regularly reflect on their performance helps them cultivate self-awareness and a mindset of continual learning and self-improvement. At UF, the course Athlete Centered Coaching and Leadership teaches coaches (and sport professionals of all kinds) how to emphasize personal development alongside athletic performance. Students also create a personal coaching plan that outlines their values and goals as a coach.

By blending technical training with values-based coaching, coaches can teach sport-specific abilities and life skills simultaneously. Coaches can employ a variety of strategies to foster competency in areas like:

Communication
Creativity
Critical thinking
Decision-making
Sportsmanship
Teamwork

In addition to these skills, three of the most important things that coaches can teach athletes are leadership, resiliency, and conflict management.

Foster Leadership

Learning leadership skills in sports helps athletes improve their performance in games and prepares them to take on responsibilities later in life. Giving athletes opportunities to lead during practice, such as a rotating team captain role or putting players in charge of warmups and drills, encourages them to take initiative and hold each other accountable. On game day, allowing athletes to make tactical decisions helps them develop problem-solving skills under pressure. Coaches can also provide feedback on areas where athletes show strong leadership and publicly recognize their efforts with team awards or praise.

Young athletes look to their coaches as role models, so it’s imperative to always demonstrate — not just talk about — positive, effective, and responsible leadership. Athletes will pay more attention to what coaches do than what they say, so showing empathy, demonstrating a strong work ethic, and acting with integrity is essential.

Beyond sports, getting involved in activities like community service or mentorship programs can help athletes hone their leadership skills and build empathy. Giving back to others shows the importance of action accountability beyond sports. Community engagement also teaches players how to interact appropriately and respectfully with people of different ages and from different backgrounds or circumstances.

Build Resiliency

Teaching players how to handle the inevitable setbacks they will face is crucial in sports and beyond, especially for young athletes who may not have experienced failure yet. Learning from mistakes and overcoming challenges can not only improve athletic performance, but also support overall well-being.

Teaching tactics for emotional regulation can help athletes deal with high-stress games and tough losses. Breathing exercises, mindfulness strategies, and positive self-talk can help athletes manage their feelings and stay focused.

Ultimately, coaches can show athletes that failure can be a valuable teacher, and that it is often a necessary stop on the road to success. Coaches can teach their teams how to handle obstacles with grace and find creative solutions or tactics to overcome hurdles.

Manage Conflict

Conflict is part of life, and teaching young athletes how to tackle it early on can make a huge impact in sports and in life. Knowing how to manage challenging situations and interpersonal dynamics helps foster both team loyalty and healthy competition.

Coaches should encourage players to clearly communicate their concerns and problems before they lead to tension or fights. Cultivating psychological safety when it comes to open communication prevents conflicts from escalating. Key to communication is active listening, which coaches can guide players through when conflict inevitably arises. Providing players with these skills will help them listen to different perspectives and develop empathy.

Above all, coaches should implement a code of conduct that holds players accountable to high behavioral standards. There should be clear repercussions for fights, name-calling, harassment, and other unacceptable behavior.

Coaching Young Athletes for Success Beyond the Game

When coaching young athletes, the cliche “winning isn’t everything” becomes a guiding principle. Coaches that focus on winning at all costs are doing young players a disservice by teaching them that their value is tied directly to winning, which just is not the case. Coaches that emphasize leadership, continuous learning and improvement, teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution support not just team success, but their players’ happiness and fulfillment.

One way to learn effective coaching strategies is by earning a master’s degree in sport management, such as the online program offered by the University of Florida. With relevant specializations in High Performance Coaching and Athlete Development, UF offers coaches the skills they need to mold their athletes into performance powerhouses and team players.

Want to dive into a sports career but not sure what role you want to play? Check out these resources to learn about the types of careers available in the sport industry:

Article: Careers With a Sport Management Degree

Article: Job Titles with a Master’s Degree in Sport Management

Resource: Sport Management Career Guide

Start Changing the Game With UF's Online M.S. in Sport Management

Learn more by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.

What is a Sport Event Manager?

November 19, 2024 11:04 AM Comments Off

The athletes who compete on the field or in the court may get the glory, but they don’t reach the heights of acclaim alone. Massive sport events grip the attention of international audiences thanks to the efforts of many professionals working behind the scenes, including athlete coaches, legal experts, and marketers. Some of the most crucial responsibilities in today’s sport organizations belong to the sports event manager, who plans the complex operations that make exciting competitions possible.
Large sporting event at a stadium coordinated by a sport event manager
Event managers provide amazing experiences for athletes and fans by bringing together the necessary employees, equipment, and facilities. This role offers many chances to resolve intriguing challenges while making an invaluable contribution to the world of sports. If you’re interested in applying operational expertise to help teams, venues, and communities, a career in sport event management could be the right path for you.

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What Does a Sport Event Manager Do?

Sport event managers deal with a plethora of issues related to planning, organizing, leading and delivering sport events. Their areas of responsibility can be very broad or very specific depending on factors like the size of the sport event.

Sport event management professionals plan competitions that are both spectacular and safe for everyone participating or spectating. Managers are essential to today’s mega-events, which involve big-budget production, massive audiences, global broadcasting, and enormous local impact. However, professional guidance can be a worthwhile investment for smaller-scale competitions as well. A local 5k race is very different from a world-class marathon, but it still takes careful planning and specialized resources to ensure operations go off without a hitch.

There are a wide range of managerial challenges that can affect the success of a sport event, and each comes with its own demands. The sport event manager may have responsibilities that cross every facet of putting on a great show, ranging from managing relationships with sport national governing bodies to deliver on their expectations to collaborating with PR professionals or ensuring that amenities like WiFi are ready for an influx of excited sport fans. Some other common tasks for professionals in this field include:

Bidding for sport events
Working with key sport event stakeholders to define project timelines
Providing hospitality to sponsors and other “clients” of the sport event
Communicating with broadcasters and members of the press
Recruiting and managing volunteers
Identifying an appropriate venue and collaborating with staff on preparations
Arranging for lodging and transportation to the event location for participants
Implementing security measures for athletes and spectators
Making parking available for attendees
Coordinating with leaders in the local community
Negotiating agreements with vendors and sponsors
Determining how to respond to inclement weather or emergencies

University of Florida students in the online M.S. in Sport Management program have the option of earning a focused certificate in sport event management, which is designed to help graduates build a broad foundation of skills that includes community and relationship building as specialized knowledge in managing mega-events.

Related Content: How to Get into Sport Management

Sports Event Coordinator vs. Manager

Is a sports event manager different from a sports event coordinator?

The positions of event manager and event coordinator are two distinct but closely related roles. A manager is tasked with big picture considerations like designing a schedule, securing a venue, and meeting community needs. A coordinator’s work focuses on a narrower set of issues like supervising logistics and conducting vendor relationships. All these aspects might be handled by a single manager for a smaller event or delegated to multiple coordinators under a manager’s supervision for a larger undertaking.

How Do You Become a Sports Event Manager?

Event planning and coordination can be a rewarding role for professionals who want to pursue a sport management career. Specialists in the field may find jobs working for organizing committees, national governing bodies, and sport commissions. They can prepare for these positions by learning about key concepts like the functional planning areas that go into mega-events and the bidding process undertaken by communities seeking to host a competition.

Sports event management education requirements commonly include a bachelor’s degree, which may be in a relevant area such as marketing, communications, business administration, or public relations. However, specialized graduate education can offer deeper insights into the nuances of sport events and prepare students to accomplish their long-term objectives. A practicum or internship in the field may also prove an advantage, offering both hands-on experience and networking opportunities.

What Skills Make a Sport Event Manager Stand Out?

The professionals who excel and advance in sports event planning and management possess a thorough knowledge of what makes a successful event and the skills to solve problems as they arise. They account for broader issues, like the influence of governing bodies, as well as local concerns. These experts apply their sophisticated understanding of sport management and leadership principles to develop effective strategies for engaging fans and gaining stronger ticket sales.

Some of the skills and traits that count in sport event management include:

Adaptability: Event management leaders proactively adapt their tactics to a variety of situations. They must be aware of the dangers that can arise when working with large crowds, taking the appropriate steps to minimize risk and comply with state and federal regulations. Planners can also have a hand in minimizing the effects on the environment by establishing sustainable practices for using resources and disposing of waste.
Communication: Managers must be able to express clearly organized ideas and disciplined directions to a wide range of stakeholders. Keeping athletes, coaches, support staff, sponsors, vendors, and members of the media all on the same page over the course of a long planning process can be challenging. Top planners and coordinators tailor their language to suit their audiences in both written and verbal communication.
Professional Networking: Planners should understand the importance of forming connections within the community hosting an event. Sports can be vital to the economic well-being and public image of a city or town, attracting visitors, investments from sponsors, and media coverage. Managers make their events more successful and build potentially valuable relationships by working closely with local businesses and leaders to make a difference in a region.

Sport event managers balance the needs of sport governing bodies, athletes, attendees, and communities to create unforgettable experiences. For professionals who are thoughtful strategists, persuasive communicators, and passionate about the thrill of competition, this career path could be an ideal way to get involved in sport management.

Start Changing the Game With UF's Online M.S. in Sport Management

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Sport Management vs. Sports Administration – Choosing a Master’s Program

July 24, 2024 12:05 PM Comments Off

Person in suit deciding between a Sport Administration or Sports Management program
If you’ve done some research into master’s degrees in sports business, you’ve likely noticed that there are several different terms used to describe academic programs in the field. There are master’s programs in sport management, master’s in sports administration, even MBA programs with a concentration in sports and athletics. This can make it challenging to choose the correct credential for you at-a-glance.

Thankfully, each of these terms refers to largely the same practice – learning to oversee the elements of sport that are essential to maintaining a strong athletic organization. Everything from facilities management to brand marketing to financial analysis can fall under the purview of sport management, just as it can be considered sports administration, or sport business.

What is Sports Management?
What is Sports Administration?
Curriculum Differences
Format and Schedule
Cost
Job Opportunities

What is Sports Management?

As mentioned above, the terms “sports management” and “sports administration” typically refer to the same profession and are often used interchangeably. That said, the confusion regarding how these terms are used is easy to understand. The term “management” might bring to mind the more business-oriented careers in sports. Responsibilities may include:

Marketing for athletic organizations
Boosting ticket sales
Seeking sponsors
Developing business relationships with local communities
Facilities management
Public relations
Accounting
Financial management
Human resources

Sports teams and franchises are, first and foremost, businesses. They have a product to sell, revenue streams to maintain, and budgets to balance. That means that standard corporate skill-sets, when enhanced by specialized knowledge in the sport business, are all essential to their organization’s success. These critical roles put crowds in seats and keep income flowing into the team, which makes it possible for the organization to enhance one of its most important assets: the talent.

What is Sports Administration?

The other side of the profession, the one focused on the management and development of athletes, is what many people might (at first) associate with “sports administration”. Team managers, coaches, sports agents, and trainers would fall on this side of the spectrum, working directly with talent to optimize their performance. Depending on the role, this may include:

Managing rosters
Signing new talent
Honing skills
Representing athletes in contract discussions
Helping them develop personally and professionally

The important thing to note is that both of these facets of sport management/administration work closely together to create an experience that connects with fans. When these two sets of functions work together, a team can truly perform at its best–both on the field and in the books.

While these terms all refer to (fundamentally) the same skill-set, each master’s program is unique, and should be evaluated accordingly. When choosing your graduate program in sport management, it’s important to focus less on the title of the degree, but more on its individual offerings and how they apply to your desired career. In this regard, there are a few simple criteria to keep in mind, factors that can help make your choice of program a much simpler one.

Curriculum Differences

One of the most immediate ways to determine whether or not a program is right for you comes from an examination of the available coursework.

Will the curriculum’s core requirements help you build on what you already know and set the foundation for growth?
Do the courses reflect skills you’d like to develop?
Are there a number of electives available to make the program more flexible?
Is an internship or workplace practicum requirement part of the program?

These are all important things to note, as they can help you select a program that sets you on the path towards your specific goals.

Format and Schedule

Before you apply for a program, learn as much as you can about how the courses will be structured and when you’ll need to be in class. The program should work within your schedule, allowing you to appropriately balance schoolwork with personal and professional responsibilities. For some students, making it to campus at certain times of day might be difficult, or take valuable time from their personal life.

The traditional, on-campus experience isn’t the only way to access excellent academic programs. If you’re a working professional with a busy schedule, it’s definitely worth considering a course of study offered in an online format. Not only will this broaden your selection, allowing you to interact with institutions and faculty members around the country, but you’ll be able to complete the program on your own schedule and without commuting to campus. This can make for a stronger, more flexible learning experience that meshes with your life.

Cost

When evaluating the cost of a master’s of sport management program, whether online or not, it might be tempting to go for the most affordable option. In some cases, this may be the best choice. However, if you have the means or can procure funding, examine what each program offers in exchange for their tuition. Aiming for the smallest tuition rate may save money, but the program itself will likely not benefit from expert faculty or a comprehensive learning experience.

Job Opportunities

Making new connections is a significant element of graduate education, with many opportunities available to connect to both fellow students and faculty. To further these opportunities, look for programs with faculty members that may become an interesting connection to the industry.

While identifying a structure and curriculum that encourages interaction between students is important, finding a program with ties to a strong athletic program can foster new possibilities, as well. Learning from faculty who’ve contributed to the creation of a national brand can be an excellent advantage on resumes, not to mention that it can pave the way for networking within the program itself.

Gain 4 key insights into high performance coaching.

Start Changing the Game With UF’s Online M.S. in Sport Management

Learn more by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.

How to Become a Sports Agent

August 23, 2023 8:00 AM Comments Off

Sports agents are more than negotiators: they are mentors, advocates, and strategists who play a crucial role in the success of an athlete’s career. They must be able to navigate the complex maze of sport rules and regulations while also being capable of finding innovative solutions to fulfill clients’ needs. Sports agents are confident communicators who, once they gain the trust of their clients’ inner circle and the support of external associates, ensure successful careers for athletes of all levels.

Sports agents shaking hands to celebrate a deal

This is a challenging career that is incredibly rewarding for those who are passionate about sports and helping athletes succeed. The agents who truly thrive in this field have a finely tuned ability to understand their clients’ goals and the strategies to make those aspirations a reality.

What Does a Sports Agent Do?

Behind every lucrative contract or headline-making deal is difficult behind-the-scenes work — but it’s work that agents thrive on.

“I think the most exciting part about being an agent is that there is never an 8-5 job in this business,” Agent Adie von Gontard told Forbes in a recent interview. “Your job is always working to be innovative.”

Sports agents need to be able to take on a multitude of roles to bring in new clients and serve existing ones. Let’s look at a few of those key responsibilities.

Contracts

Negotiating contracts is a key responsibility of a sports agent — and the core source of an agent’s income — so it makes sense that contract negotiations get the most attention. An agent not only advocates for the best possible terms for their clients, including salary and benefits, but also helps their clients understand the terms, conditions, and stipulations that they are agreeing to follow.

Besides the main player contract, agents need to be able to navigate other agreements, such as endorsement deals and media contracts for appearances and interviews, as well as performance bonus clauses and personal conduct agreements.

Financial Representation

Once an agent has successfully negotiated a contract and secured a salary for their client, their focus shifts to managing this new income. Agents may advise the athletes directly or coordinate with financial advisors to be sure that their clients are making the right moves with their money.

This includes short-term investments as well as long-term growth plans. Keep in mind: while high-profile salaries make headlines, the majority of athletes earn comparatively modest pay. When you consider the relatively short lifespan of an athletic career, it becomes clear that agents may need to be ready to talk retirement planning with young athletes.

Legal Representation

There’s a reason that sport law is a core course in sport management programs: agents and anyone handling athletes must have a strong understanding of the legal structures, statutes, cases, and standards that govern contract negotiations, restrictions on the use of a player’s likeness, whether injured athletes are eligible for worker’s compensation, and more. If a client does encounter legal issues, the role of the agent morphs into that of an advocate as they assist their client in securing legal counsel.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Sponsorship spending in sports has reached billions of dollars globally. An agent’s networking and marketing skills can help their client tap into this revenue source, and their negotiation skills can ensure their client is getting the best deal possible. Agents can also help vet possible partners in order to make sure the sponsorship partner is in line with both their client’s personal brand and their personal beliefs.

Marketing

How do you get those endorsement deals to come your client’s way? You need to cultivate demand and interest — that’s where marketing comes in. While a sports marketer may promote an entire team or league, a sports agent shines that spotlight on a single athlete. An agent’s responsibility is to build their client’s unique brand, identify strategic opportunities, and leverage their networking skills to set-up beneficial partnerships.

Social media plays a huge role in marketing athletes, and an agent can help their clients ensure that they have a strong online presence that is consistent across multiple platforms. They can also keep an eye on their client’s posts, making sure that they are following the standards and agreements set by their contracts and league(s).

Media and Public Relations

Dealing with the media is a common duty for sports agents. These interactions can be positive brand-boosting appearances, or not-so-positive, like when the need arises to handle damage control. For example, an agent might get the opportunity to arrange a high-profile interview or secure a spot at a well-known charity event. Unfortunately, they might also find themselves orchestrating a strategic response to a public relations situation, which might involve bringing in an outside crisis management or PR team.

Scouting

While scouting is traditionally associated with team recruiters and coaches, you, as a sports agent, should also keep an eye out for emerging talent. Spotting potential early on could give you a headstart on successful athlete-agent partnerships down the line.

Name, Image, Likeness

Agents have long been responsible for navigating sponsorships for pro athletes, but now the landscape has expanded to include collegiate athletes. In just a few short years, a billion-dollar market has emerged for name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, where the most notable student-athletes can bring in half-a-million dollars per social post.

Agents who work with college athletes must be ready to guide new players through the gauntlet of endorsement and sponsorship opportunities — all while operating within rules that change from state to state.

Support and Well-Being

As you can see, the relationship between an agent and an athlete goes far beyond simple contract negotiations and brand endorsements. It is a partnership based on trust, understanding, and genuine care for the athlete’s wellbeing in all aspects of life.

Sometimes the most important service that an agent provides is being available. Whether it’s offering advice, providing emotional support after a tough game, or simply lending an ear, an agent’s role extends into being a reliable confidante and ally for their clients.

Nicole Lynn, who negotiated the highest-paying NFL contract of all time, told the Sports Agent Blog that having a true passion for helping players was one of the top three most important skills an agent must have. Similarly, Agent Matthew Leist told the blog that “the best agents and agencies are the people who stick by their client every step of the way, no matter what.”

Average Sports Agent Salary — What to Expect

Being a sports agent can be highly lucrative, but the field is also highly competitive. The average annual sports agent salary nationwide is around $79,400, according to the labor database Lightcast (a figure that also includes those who manage artists and performers as well).

Most agents work on commission, however, so numbers can really vary based on the success of their clients. For example, the Houston Chronicle estimates that an MLB agent could earn anywhere from $16,000 to $4 million annually.

Aspiring sports agents must understand that it is not enough to break into the field — you must be ready to put in the work to nurture relationships, build a strong network, and stay ahead of industry trends and opportunities to remain successful in this fiercely competitive arena.

BECOMING A SPORTS AGENT: SIX IMPORTANT STEPS

Let’s address this up front: there is no single, predetermined route to becoming a sports agent. The dynamic and evolving nature of the profession means that some agents will succeed via different pathways. However, there are some common stages that aspiring agents typically move through.

Get a degree: Graduate programs in sport management can help aspiring agents secure internships and make new connections. They can also connect grad students with a school’s athletic organization, where students can see the inner workings of the end-to-end collegiate sports environment. If they choose a school that’s well-known for their athletics, aspiring agents can learn from the athletic programs’ successes: they can observe how they manage their programs, recruit and develop athletes, interact with the media, and more.
Keep in mind that if you want to get certified by a particular players union, many require a master’s degree if you don’t already have several years of relevant experience. For example, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) requires either an undergraduate AND postgraduate degree (master’s OR law) from an accredited college/university or at least seven years of negotiating experience.
Gain experience: Before you can become an agent, you’ll need to gain experience in the sports industry in general and in the area you want to specialize in. Even if you’ve spent time playing the sport, you need to understand intricate business and legal aspects. Plus, you’ll add new connections to your network, which is crucial for success in this industry.
While you’re in school, take every advantage to complete internships, job shadow, or attend industry events or conferences. Some programs will even give course credit for internships and other career-building activities.
Get certified: In some cases, you’ll need to become certified to represent players in contract negotiations. These certifications are usually provided by the players’ unions of each professional sports league. For example, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) are a few examples of unions that provide certification. These usually involve an application process, a background check, an exam, and sometimes a face-to-face interview.
Choose agency or independent: You’ll need to decide whether you want to join an established sports agency or embark on an independent path. An agency can provide access to an established network and support from other in-house agents. Going solo offers greater autonomy, allowing you to shape your career and client roster more directly. Consider your personal strengths, career goals, and tolerance for risk when making this decision.
Build your roster: Once you’re certified, the next step is to acquire clients. As you can imagine, this is the most challenging part of becoming a sports agent. You have to convince athletes to trust you with their careers. In order to establish that trust, you must have a clear plan for their development and show that you have the connections, skills, and confidence to help them succeed.
Keep networking: In a competitive landscape, every connection counts. Agents must be able to maintain strong relationships with team executives, sponsors, and other agents. They should also extend their network into related industries, which can include the media, PR agencies, legal professionals, the health and wellness industry, and nonprofit or philanthropic organizations.

Your network should extend beyond the most obvious and high-ranking contacts to include people in less visible roles — they often have unique insights and information that can be valuable. If you have a reputation as someone who treats everyone with respect, you can open doors and create more opportunities.

Bonus step — keep learning: The sports industry is constantly evolving. As an agent, you must continue learning and stay up-to-date with industry developments. This could involve attending sports law seminars, participating in workshops, or even just keeping up with industry news. It can also involve taking sport management courses to fill in knowledge gaps and ensure you stay up with the ever-changing demands of the industry.

Take every opportunity to maintain an edge. Just as an athlete crosstrains to maximize their abilities, aspiring and established agents who equip themselves with a diverse skill set and experiences gain a competitive advantage.

How to Find Out More About Sports Agents and Sport Management

This article is just a starting point in getting to know a complicated, exciting industry; it’s impossible to cover everything you need right here. For those who would truly like to learn the business of managing athletes, the University of Florida offers an online Master of Science in Sport Management that gives aspiring leaders a comprehensive understanding of the business of sport so that they can pursue certification as a sports agent upon graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a sports agent in Florida?

To become a sports agent in Florida, we recommend that you follow these steps:

Get a degree: Graduate programs in sport management can help aspiring agents secure internships and find opportunities to make new connections. While a master’s alone won’t allow you to secure a sports agent job, a graduate education prepares you to pursue sports agent certification in your organization of choice.
Gain experience: To become a sports agent, you’ll need to gain experience in the sports industry in general and in the area you want to specialize in.
Get licensed: You must complete and submit an application for licensure to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and pay a fee ($630 for new applicants, $505 for reinstatements) to get your license in state. Details and instructions on where to mail your application are included in the application.

What skills do sports agents need?

Sports agents are more than just contract negotiators and business experts. They are also tasked with being an athlete’s mentor, advocate, and strategist. Therefore, not only must they understand the intricate maze of sport rules and regulations, but they need to be effective communicators who can gain the trust and support of their client, their client’s inner circle, and external associates.

The best agents are those an athlete can come to not only when it is time for a new contract, but also when they need a calming and reassuring presence after a tough loss.

What kind of education do sports agents need?

While there are no standard education requirements for becoming a sports agent, many agencies expect sports agents to have at least an undergraduate degree in sports management or a related field. Some pro leagues require agents to have a master’s-level degree to become certified.

The advantages of a sports degree like a graduate program in sport management is that it gives aspiring agents an in-depth education in the business of sports and can also help them secure internships and find opportunities to make new connections. A more comprehensive sport management curriculum also develops leadership abilities while building specific knowledge of areas such as sports marketing and sport law. The degree helps set you up for success as you move on to pursue certification, which is offered by the players’ unions of your desired professional sports league.

What other careers are available with a sports management degree?

A sports management degree allows people enthusiastic about the chance to work with professional, collegiate, or recreational athletics to pursue careers in a variety of disciplines.

These include:

Athletic Coach
Athlete Development Specialist
Athletic Director
Business Development Coordinator
Contract Administrator
Contract Analyst
Corporate Partnerships Manager
Director of Operations

To learn more about the careers a sports management degree can provide you, read our article on “Careers With a Sport Management Degree.”

Start Changing the Game With UF's Online M.S. in Sport Management

Learn more by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.

Please note that, in order to become an agent, graduates of UF’s M.S. in Sport Management will need to obtain certification.

What Makes a Great Athlete? 4 Insights for High Performance Coaching

March 17, 2023 3:00 PM Comments Off

A high performance coach encouraging an athlete While the conventional wisdom may say that someone is a born athlete, a close look at coaches’ role in their players’ development reveals that athletes are also made. High performance coaching is a method for developing players’ emotional wellness alongside their physical prowess. Whether teaching a complex football pattern or mentoring interpersonal skills like empathy, trustworthiness and dedication, effective coaches invest themselves in their players, and in return, the players give their best to the team.

The result of these relationships is players who are often better-adjusted to daily life and driven toward success. It’s difficult to say for sure whether strong coaching bonds make someone excel at sports, but one study of Canadian Olympic athletes concluded (based on self-reports) that the “top two contributors to medal winning or personal best performances were the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and the athlete’s self-awareness.” This speaks to a need for qualified coaches with a combination of real-world experience and research-supported strategy for seeing their players succeed.

The need for high school, college and professional coaches means you can specialize in the level that aligns best with your interests. If you’re a mid-career coach considering further education to advance in your field, a degree from a cutting edge, evidence-driven master’s program can set you apart from other job candidates. Graduates of the University of Florida’s MS in Sport Management pursue rewarding roles helping athletes in all areas of their lives.

Four Insights for High Performance Coaching

If you’re considering an advanced degree in a sports-related discipline, University of Florida’s specialization in High Performance Coaching as part of the online Master of Science in Sport Management can qualify you for a frontline role in athletes’ development. Understanding what goes into high-performance coaching can help you make a well-informed decision about continuing education. Here are some insights into four fundamental ways that winning coaches help their players:

Emotional intelligence “contributes to the arsenal of leadership qualities necessary for a coach to produce consistent high-performance in self and others.”
— Jonathan Chan and Clifford Mallett, sport science researchers

1. Develop a Sophisticated Understanding of Human Behavior

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to identify one’s own feelings and desires and empathize with others’ experiences. Sport science researchers Jonathan Chan and Clifford Mallett posit that EI “contributes to the arsenal of leadership qualities necessary for a coach to produce consistent high-performance in self and others.”
The University of Florida’s M.S. in Sport Management with a specialization in High Performance Coaching prepares coaches to develop their players’ skills using the DISC model, which includes dominance, influence, steadiness, conscientiousness.

Dominance refers to how individuals contend with problems (i.e., facing them directly or indirectly, using certain skills, etc.) Coaches can instill dominance by encouraging players to be curious about the world and analytical about the problems they face in it, whether that’s at a track meet or in daily traffic.
Influence is a measure of someone’s level of introversion versus extroversion, meaning it gauges whether people draw influence from being around others or from being alone. High-influence people may appear more outgoing and sociable. However, introverts also thrive on connections, they just need to recharge by being alone.
Steadiness is the pace at which someone completes a task or progresses toward a goal. This trait is crucial for learning athletes because it teaches them to take losses in stride and continue making measurable progress toward predefined goals.
Conscientiousness gauges the extent to which someone prefers rules and structure. Players low in conscientiousness, for example, may need more one-on-one attention from their coach to keep focused.

The DISC model rates individuals on a scale and categorizes the scores as high or low. This means someone who, for example, is high in dominance, will likely be more assertive about what they want and take greater risks in pursuit of their goals. High performance coaches help their players identify important traits like these and apply them in their lives.

2. Encourage Athletes to Exhibit Good Behavior

Frequent controversies over athletes’ off-the-field actions show how important it is for coaches to reinforce positive behavior, such as being humble, respecting others and contributing to the greater good. All of these traits constitute good character, which is an essential quality for successful athletes, according to respondents in a 2019 survey of college coaches. Self-awareness helps athletes understand what drives them and make consistent progress toward the goals they hold important.

Self-awareness starts with knowing what you do best and where you can improve. Awareness can progress to understanding what resources you need to excel at your goals, how you can respond to setbacks and what effect your improvement efforts have on yourself and others. Developing this awareness allows athletes to nurture teamwork through mutual respect and weather losses without feeling emotionally defeated.

Coaches foster this ability in their players by having a strong foundation for it in their own lives. Earning an advanced degree in sport management from UF helps aspiring coaches develop interpersonal awareness through a blend of hands-on experience and in-depth research. Graduates go on to an array of careers providing critical guidance and support for athletes at all stages of development.

3. Establish an Environment Conducive to High Achievement

Besides devising the lessons and understanding the best methods for learning, high performance coaches also have to set the stage for their athletes. Creating a productive learning environment includes tangible measures like providing the right equipment, plus making sure players feel supported, get the rest and nutrition they need, and so on.

A well-structured learning environment lets coaches set standards and expectations, then observe how effective their lessons are. In a July 2022 article, Paul Larkin et al. state that maintaining a solid learning environment means “knowing your athletes’ capabilities and their needs and deciding what to prioritize in the upcoming practice session.” High performance coaches understand the need to apply this concept beyond practice sessions; they maintain the right conditions for learning in their personal interactions, at public events and any other scenario where they’re modeling behavior for their players.

4. Teach Athletes to Motivate and Push Themselves

For times when their coach is not nearby blowing a whistle and providing instruction, athletes need to be able to think on their feet and make positive decisions.

There will inevitably be times when players are on their own and must apply their coach’s lessons without their direct involvement. High performance coaches do their best to equip their players with technical know-how while also fostering their self-sufficiency to encourage positive decisions in any circumstance.

Intrinsic motivation, or the self-guided drive to succeed, is a critical trait for high performance coaches to instill in their players. For times when their coach is not nearby blowing a whistle and providing instruction, athletes need to be able to think on their feet and make positive decisions. Psychologists Stefano Di Domenico and Richard Ryan note the positive connection of intrinsic motivation to flow, or “experiential states of total absorption, optimal challenge, and non-self-conscious enjoyment of an activity.” Since flow also correlates to improved performance, the implications for intrinsic motivation is clear—it helps players win.

These are just a few of the tactics high-performance coaches focus on for shaping champions. The principals that tie them all together, such as commitment, integrity, and perseverance, plus expert knowledge of the game, are some of the qualities coaches learn about and master in an M.S. in Sport Management with a specialization in High Performance Coaching.

Start Changing the Game With UF's Online M.S. in Sport Management

Learn more by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.

MBA vs MS in Sports Management

June 28, 2021 10:08 AM Comments Off

What’s the Difference between an MBA and an MS in Sport Management?

A career in sport management is a great choice for anyone who is passionate about athletics, both on the field and on the sidelines. If your goal is to succeed in the sport management industry, you may be wondering about the difference between an MBA, possibly with a specialization in sport management, and a master’s in sport management. Below are a few differences you can consider as you apply to the best program for you.

MBA vs MS in Sport Management: Core Curriculum

An MBA with a specialization in Sport Management will teach the general knowledge you need to understand the processes and operations behind running any business or being a manager in a large corporation. In most cases, the core will include subjects related to overarching business disciplines like finance, marketing, accounting, statistics, operations, and human resources.

An MS in Sport Management takes a multidisciplinary approach, teaching you to examine the sports industry from a variety of particular operational and business perspectives. Core courses usually cover some of the same key foundational knowledge in finance, marketing, management, and legal concepts as an MBA. However, instead of being general, a master’s degree in sport management examines these topics through the lens of a sports administrator or executive. An MS in Sport Management can also cover behavioral topics that impact athletics, including sociology and human performance.

MBA vs MS in Sport Management: Specialization

Typically, if you are interested in sports and you’re enrolled in an MBA program, the specialization courses are where you can be sure to learn content related to the industry. An MBA specialization in sport management usually involves 3-5 courses that apply the general business information learned in the core to sport issues. There may also be electives offered in specific sport industry topics like law, coaching, and marketing.

Many sport management master’s degrees, offer concentrations or specializations — all designed to help you tailor your degree even further around your particular field of interest in the industry. MS in Sport Management programs also usually offer elective courses specific to sports and athletic issues. These could be in sport ethics, international sport management, coaching, sport mass media, sport psychology, and more.

MBA vs MS in Sport Management: Network

A general MBA will pull in professionals from a variety of backgrounds. While the faculty teaching courses in sport management may have experience, those leading all other coursework likely will not. Your network will primarily consist of individuals who are interested in a variety of industries.

In a sport management program, your fellow students across all courses will share in your passion and faculty will have sport business and administration experience. This can help exponentially increase networking possibilities in the industry post-graduation when compared to a general MBA.

MBA vs MS in Sport Management: Practical

Depending on the school’s curriculum, an MBA degree may offer an internship at a business, but there is no guarantee that it will be sports-centric.

A master’s in Sport Management typically offers an internship/practicum component in a sports-related organization for students looking to build their experience in the field and meet like-minded people with a passion for sports.

Based on the experience of our own UF faculty, in general enrolling in an MS in Sport Management is recommended if you have little to no experience in the sport industry and are looking to break in to the field, develop a tailored body of knowledge, and build your contact list.

Careers with a Sports MBA vs. MS in Sport Management

Careers in sport management are competitive, but don’t let that stop you from pursuing your goal. You can distinguish yourself as a job applicant by applying for an MS in Sport Management. Although the world of business and sports intersect, there are several careers that you can obtain with a master’s in sport management that would be less feasible with only an MBA and no job-related experience.

For example: marketing. As a sports marketer, it can be most beneficial to have in-depth knowledge relevant to the sports industry in order to promote your client. In a master’s program, you may study how various institutions’ (NFL, NBA, NCAA, etc.) strategies change year-to-year, delving deeper into the analytics and branding behind the scenes using the specific metrics and terminology of the industry.

Because ticket sales are an important component of any career in sports, it is important to learn the fundamentals of finance and marketing while also honing your relationship management strategies. If you are unsure of whether an MBA or an MS in Sport Management is right for you, consider your future goals. According to the BLS, the mean annual wage for a sport agent in 2014 projected to be $98,750, while a career in sales could earn approximately $61,960 per year. With such high competition in the industry, an MS in Sport Management could likely set you apart from other applicants who may be MBA candidates without experience and give you the tools you need to thrive in the fast-paced world of sports business.

Start Changing the Game With UF’s Online M.S. in Sport Management

Learn more by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.

What Does a High Performance Coach Do?

June 21, 2021 6:34 PM Comments Off

what does a high performance coach do
Michael Jordan didn’t initially make it onto his high school varsity basketball team. Tom Brady wasn’t a first round draft pick out of college (in fact, he was the 199th pick). In addition to a high level of talent and dedication, these sports mega stars attribute much of their success to excellent athletic coaching.

High performance coaches are, after all, commodities in their own right. Olympic coach Glen Mills has been hailed as “the man behind Usain Bolt’s record shattering career.” As stated in an article from The Telegraph, Mills strived to develop an innate understanding of things like agility, coordination, anatomy, and talent identification.

Successful high performance coaching is about more than just balancing the win-loss record—it’s about the holistic development of your players.

Former U.S. Olympic and NCAA swimming coach James “Doc” Counsilman noted the importance of implementing a positive, athlete-centered coaching style, which included helping his athletes set realistic goals and build confidence.

High performance sports coaching can be a literal game changer for the athletes that are being trained. We highlight why as we go more in-depth about the high performance coaching profession below.

What Do High Performance Coaches Do?

High performance coaches can be distinguished from regular coaches by their approach to training. These coaches use an integrated approach that includes a combination of physical, mental, and psychological training. The conception is that these coaches only work with elite athletes, but that isn’t the case. High performance coaches work with different levels of athletes, helping them play at their best, both individually and (when applicable) with a team. Effective coaches also work with athletes to develop a series of short-term goals—for example, shaving time off a run or swim.

High performance coaches combine physiology, kinesiology, and psychology in their training and often serve as role models, mentors, teachers and community leaders. They also work with a team of specialists that include physiotherapists and nutritionists. In addition, high performance coaches make sure their athletes have access to the best resources and equipment available.

Coaches have a diverse list of responsibilities when it comes to taking care of their athletes, including communication, injury prevention, risk management, goal setting, athlete development and nutrition.

How to Become a High Performance Coach

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, sports scouts and coaches usually need a bachelor’s degree, as well as extensive knowledge of the particular sport they are coaching. This knowledge can be gained through experience and programs specifically targeted for coaching high performance athletes, like University of Florida’s online master’s in sport management with a specialization in High Performance Coaching. One thing to look for in a high performance coaching program is a well-rounded curriculum. UF’s program includes the following coursework:

Nutrition
Energy Systems
Physical Training
Athlete Fitness
Athlete Health and Safety
Psychology and Mental Skills
Athlete Maturation

In addition to it being a sought after career choice, the need for athletic coaches is growing. The BLS reports that coach and scout careers are projected to grow much faster than the average between 2018 and 2028. The median salary is $38,640.

Traits of an Effective Coach

Each coach brings their own unique set of qualities to the table. That said, there are certain traits that many of these coaches have in common. According to the International Olympic Committee, these are the some of the traits of a great coach:

Leads by example
Knows the athlete well, and respects and values the relationship
Has a good understanding of the sport
Is a profound thinker and visionary
Educates others and shares knowledge
Effectively communicates and teaches
Demonstrates good listening skills
Energizes and motivates athletes and other coaching staff
Has strong character, discipline and integrity
Displays passion for the sport

Where Do High Performance Coaches Work?

High performance coaches might have several different titles, including head coach, associate head coach, sports administrator, and strength and conditioning coordinator. They often work in high schools, colleges, professional sports, competitions and travel teams.

Though these coaches may not officially use the high performance coach moniker, anyone who trains their athletes using an integrated approach falls into the category. These individuals work in an array of environments, from high school sports teams to one-on-one with elite athletes.

Credentials That Can Be Earned to Further a High Performance Coaching Career

Coaches who are interested in managerial or more specialized positions can benefit from additional training in the field. Master’s degrees in sport management or high performance coaching are an excellent way to increase your knowledge and stay competitive. An advanced degree gives you access to the most recent trends and research in the industry, and improves your communication and leadership skills.

Start Changing the Game With UF's Online M.S. in Sport Management

Learn more by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.

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