It wouldn't be wrong to say that a majority of the world's population are sports fans. Almost everyone loves one sport or the other; whether it's cricket in India, football in UK or rugby in New Zealand, there are legions of fans for almost every athletic activity in existence.
But not everyone is athletically blessed to play on the field. There are scores of people for whom watching sports from afar is the closest thing they can get to experiencing the athlete's adrenaline rush.
But all hope is not lost for these devoted sports fans. Here's a look at 5 careers that can be pursued in the sports world without stepping on the field of play:
1. Sports Business Manager:
Playing one of the most integral roles in the functioning of a sports team, the business manager has to handle the team's finances behind the scene. S/he is responsible for monitoring the funds available to the team, its revenue, its endorsements, its contracts and more.
In addition, a manager also plays a key role in the business operations and organizational structure. They must ensure that the players' finances and funds are handled quickly so that the athletes can concentrate on their game without having to worry about any off-field problems.
A career as a sports business manager is both exciting and lucrative, and can give you influence over the team’s status and functioning.
2. Strategist
The team strategist must analyze the raw data and clusters of subtle information as s/he observes the team's performances. And it isn't just the team's own strengths and weaknesses that need attention; those of their rivals need to be thoroughly examined as well.
In addition, a strategist must also look into venues, weather and other factors that could have a significant effect on how their team will perform on a given day. Several sports, such as Formula One, for example, have data that is sent to a team's crew behind the scenes, and a strategist or team of strategists will then interpret that data to understand what its ramifications are for a team or player.
A strategist's role is vital in ensuring that a team has its best possible chance at winning.
3. Sports Agent
An agent handles the day-to-day interactions of a specific player. Responsible not only for the athlete's career development, the agent also handles endorsement deals and rights, and manages his or her dates and appointments.
In addition to being in charge of all promotional activities, an agent forms the eyes and ears of a player. Handling all the monetary aspects of their individual careers, a good agent enables athletes to concentrate on playing the sport and making the most out of their talent.
4. Sports Development Manager
Sports development managers have a significant role in contributing to a sport. They aim to provide youngsters more, and better, opportunities to be able to achieve their goals.
People involved in sports development also get to interact with sports bodies, organisations and charities who are working towards the common cause of promoting sport.
A sports development manager will also, in the course of his or her career, interact regularly with sports personalities, both past and present. In addition to making a change to the world of sports and sportspersons, the role also brings excitement, travel and new opportunities to those who choose to pursue the field.
5. Sports Marketing
A humungous number of people watch sports on a daily basis. With new media taking over the airwaves and traditional media taking a backseat to internet streaming, and more people with access to internet and television than ever, this is a burgeoning field.
It is the marketer’s job to be able to pinpoint audiences for a sport and its products, and to be able to target those products to the consumers.
Sports’ marketing isn’t just restricted to a single product; a sports marketing manager could also analyse how to sell advertising space and airtime. A marketing manager can also potentially handle celebrities’ marketing campaigns and manage their endorsements.
With newer platforms to watch and follow sports, it goes without saying that this is a very lucrative field.
How do you start?
Now here is the good news, the advent of the IPL, Hockey India League, Pro Kabbadi and other leagues have created enormous opportunity in the field of sports management. Educational institutions like Pearl Academy have identified the gap and will start offering courses in Sports Management, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, from next year. So in case Sports is what you love now is the time to strike the iron.
