About the Author: Sandra Evans owns the website Sports Management Degrees.
In her leisure time, she enjoys playing tennis and writing.
Most people only think of general managers when they think
of sports management, but there are many other sectors in the business of
sports. As you can see from the recent lockouts, professional sports are really
all about one thing; making money. There are many ways to increase the flow of
money to a sports franchise, and sports management involves maximizing all
those ways.
Without fans in the seats, players can’t be paid, and the
franchise will go bankrupt. There are three main ways to keep fans in the
seats; sale tickets, give good customer service and entertainment and win
games. General managers work to win games, sales managers work to
sale tickets and event managers work to provide fans with a great experience
that will keep them coming back to watch live games.
When you first start out in a career in sports management,
you will more than likely work on the sales and event side of the business in
an entry-level position. These positions are not glamorous, and they don’t pay
well. But, hey, you have to start somewhere.
When it comes to “starting” your career in sports
management, you should actually begin this process while still in school by finding
an internship or volunteer opportunity. This can be with your college’s
athletic department or with a nearby professional sports team. When it’s time
to get your first job, employers will always hire the recent grad with previous
experience over the recent grad with no internship or volunteer experience.
So, what kind of entry-level positions can you expect to
work in?
Sales positions are all about getting people to buy tickets.
You will make cold calls to sale tickets to previous season ticket holders and
others who have purchased tickets in the past. You will also participate in
other sales and marketing events that are designed to help boost ticket sales
for the team. An entry-level position in sports sales and marketing can lead to
a higher position in corporate sales, sales data analysis, business development
or Director of Sales.
In event management, you will likely start out helping those
who organize pre-game and halftime activities. More than likely, you will be
need to be present at every home game to participate in these activities
(handing out poster, t-shirts, managing halftime games, etc). Higher positions
in event management include event manager and Director of Event Management.
Customer service (which is part of events) is another great
area to start out in sports management. As a customer service representative,
you will be responsible for making sure that all customers with reserved box
seats or VIP lounges are satisfied. Entry-level positions usually involve
working with the customer pre-game to organize the set-up of their reserved
area and event. You will also be the customer’s point of contact to make any
changes or to resolve any conflicts during or after the event.
You should expect to work in an entry-level position for
some time before moving up to the next step on the ladder. As with all
employment opportunities, hard work and dedication always leads to bigger and
better job titles. Once you have gained a good deal of experience in your
entry-level position, keep a look out for better opportunities with your
current employer or with another sports team. Sports management is a tricky
field. It may not seem fair, but many teams look to hire previous athletes as
general managers and staff. This is not a rule, however. As long as you stay
active in your current job and network with those on the higher-level, nothing
can stop you from reaching your dream.
If there is a
particular sports management position you are interested in pursuing, then do
the necessary homework to make it happen. Call a general manager or staff
member and ask if you can speak to them about the job. Ask them how they found
their way to the position and what skills they think you should have to succeed
in the job. Make your career goals known to your manager and director. Lastly,
show your loyalty to the business. Volunteer to help at home games after work,
and go the extra mile by initiating projects and suggesting ways to do your job
better.
For more information on finding the right Sports Management
Degree program for you, visit www.SportsManagementDegrees.net.
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