Use Your Head for the Game: Behind-the-Scenes Sports Careers
Would you like to work in a sports career? The odds of becoming a
professional athlete are pretty slim. But if you love sports, there are still
plenty of career possibilities in the sports world, even if you aren't on
the all-star team. Sports fans can find a wide range of jobs working behind
the scenes of the sports arena.
Sports are fun, but professional sports are also a business. And somebody
has to keep that business running. That means lots of opportunities for people
who can combine an interest in sports with other -- less physical -- skills.
Making the news
Jason Kay oversees sports reporters as editor of The Hockey News in Toronto.
Sports reporters interview athletes, coaches and others involved in the sports
world.
Kay says that his job offers writers and editors some perks: "I do get
to attend any game I want to attend, sitting in the press box," he says.
But he adds that his job isn't just watching hockey. One of his least-favorite
tasks is watching The Hockey News' budget to make sure it stays balanced.
His writers don't have to track the budget, but they do need to know how
to write. Kay says he looks for a background in journalism, although it's
not necessarily a requirement.
A knowledge of the game is a definite requirement, however. Writers need
to know the fundamentals of hockey as well the inner workings of the NHL.
There are reporters who specialize in other sports, too, from archery to
wrestling. Some are able to write about a range of different sports. Sometimes,
they are responsible for taking their own photographs, too.
There are also journalists who tell stories primarily through photographs.
In sports, these photojournalists are known for their ability to capture the
action at a game in striking images. While most pay hundreds of dollars for
their own equipment, it's worth it when they see their pictures in the pages
of Sports Illustrated.
Other communications professionals in sports are media relations and communications
officers. Working for an athlete or team, they write press releases, are interviewed
by news sources, and write content for their client's website. They may also
arrange press conferences and organize meetings.
If you have a way with words, any of these careers could be your ticket
to a career in sports.
The numbers game
Who said math and sports weren't related? Sports teams need people to
work with their financial statements -- after all, there is a lot of money
involved in professional sports!
Michael Aronesty is a senior audit manager for Deloitte and Touche. He
works with the NFL and audits their financial statements. For him, working
on teams and meeting young people are the best parts of his job.
Auditors are certified public accountants who check financial statements
created by a company's management. These statements must be examined by an
auditor to ensure they are accurate.
Aronesty says his job can demand a lot of hours (about 60 hours a week
on average), but it gives him some freedom as well: "I manage [an accounting]
team of five to 20 people," he says, adding the only person he must report
to is a partner at the firm.
His advice for up-and-coming number crunchers: "Just be professional and
prepare yourself to give it 100 percent."
"Show me the money"
Anyone who saw the movie Jerry Maguire has an idea of what it's like being
a sports agent trying to survive with just one client. While it isn't realistic
for an agent to make a living with one client, having only a select number
of clients does make for better relationships.
"Sports agents are not only into negotiations ... they're also mentors
for the client," says Lynn Lashbrook. He is president and founder of Sports
Management Worldwide (SMWW), a sports management company that also offers
sports job training programs.
Lashbrook started SMWW in hopes of giving everyone a chance to be educated
in their dream job. He still works as a sports agent, but his primary goals
are educating and training future sports executives.
Agents give advice to athletes, help them find sponsorship, and look for
off-season career opportunities and financial investments for their clients.
And you don't have to be Tom Cruise to get the job.
"We're giving all types of people the opportunity to get into sports,"
said Lashbrook. "I believe deep down in my soul that sports should be a contribution
to society, not a reflection of society."
With schools like SMWW, students have a chance to study for a short time
to see if there's enough action for them in the career.
Other options
If none of the above appeal to you, don't worry: there are plenty of
other jobs in the professional sports industry. Think of any big business
-- a sports team needs many of the same professionals.
Other behind-the-scenes careers in sports include: event coordinators,
ticket operations managers, scouts, athletic trainers, sports announcers,
equipment managers, directors of player operations, facility managers, equipment
managers and statisticians.
Links
North American Society for Sport Management
Program and career information for students
ESPN Online
Find out what's happening in the world of sports
Women Sports Careers
Job boards, networking and tips for women
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