What are the Different Types of Careers in the Sports Industry?

The varied types of careers within the sports industry open the door for anyone with an interest in sports to get involved. The most obvious career in the industry is that of an athlete, though a very small percentage of people will actually get to become a professional athlete. Other careers in the sports industry include athletic trainers, coaches, sports announcers, writers, broadcasters, equipment managers, marketing and advertising positions, facility management, and so on. So many other industries are intertwined with sports that even food vendors can be included as part of the sports industry.

People directly involved with the day-to-day functioning of professional or amateur sports teams include coaches, managers, owners, athletic trainers, equipment managers, and more. Since so many teams need facilities specifically designed for their sports, facilities management careers are available as well. Groundskeepers may work at a baseball stadium maintaining the grass and dirt, fixing the dugouts, repairing scoreboards, making sure the facilities meet fire code regulations, and so on. Part time positions are likely to be available in this broad category of the sports industry, and managers in facilities management can make careers out of the job.

Athletic trainers will work directly with players to help athletes recover from injuries, prepare for athletic activities, and help with the overall health of the team. Trainers often need a certain level of education and experience to gain this career in the sports industry, and many trainers will have some sort of medical background, however basic it might be. Equipment managers are responsible for managing all team equipment, including uniforms and equipment specific to a sport such as balls or pucks, baseball bats, hockey sticks, and so on. The equipment manager will inventory all equipment, note its condition, replace it if necessary, and make sure the athletes have all necessary supplies to participate in the sport. The manager may also be responsible for repairing equipment and maintaining certain pieces, such as hockey skates that need sharpening.

Marketing and advertising have become essential positions within the sports industry. Marketers and advertisers will develop advertising campaigns for sports teams and facilities, logos, promotions, and other methods of spreading the word about a sports team or entity. Marketers and advertisers treat sports as a business and work toward increasing the business's bottom line by producing television and radio spots, advertisements, t-shirts and other promotional materials, and so on. Sports teams may hire marketers and advertisers for in-house work, or they may hire an outside company to suit their needs.