Long gone are the days when sports were viewed only as an extracurricular activity. In the current world, sports have grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. Not only do sports include talented athletes, but they also involve business executives, entertainment experts, venues, and all-important fans.
Earning your degree in Sports Management from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, is your first step to a fulfilling career. However, many of our students come to us with questions like “What is sports management?” and “What kind of career can I have with a sports management degree?”. Learn more about this exciting area of study available from St. Thomas University.
Sports Management Overview
While many students still may not know all that a sports management degree involves, it has been around for decades. In fact, St. Thomas University was the first college to start a sports administration program in 1973. We have over 1500 alumni in this field who have gone on to work with a wide range of sports teams, including the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Raptors, and New York Giants.
A degree in sports management mixes business, liberal arts, and sports administration. The multi-faceted aspects of this degree help create an exciting career opportunity that involves multiple parts of the sports industry.
Sports Management Courses
Students who choose to study sports management should be strong in multiple areas of study. Our graduates learn aspects of marketing, psychology, economics, communications, accounting, and law. Learning what is sports management helps when running a successful business in sports and entertainment. A love for sports is also a plus that will help take your career to the next level.
Sports Management Coursework
As a pioneer in the sports management industry, St. Thomas University offers multiple degrees to further your career. However, most students start with our Bachelor of Arts in Sports Administration degree.
- General Education Requirements (42 credits)
- Students take a mixture of natural science, mathematics, social science, physical science, and history with recommended courses from the sports administration program.
- Program Requirements (30 credits)
- The program requirements include an introduction to a wide range of classes involving accounting, marketing, branding, and macroeconomics. These classes are designed to help introduce students to the foundations of sports management.
- Major Requirements (24 credits)
- A sports management internship is the major part of this degree to help students understand the daily ins and outs of a career in the industry. Students also choose other classes that interest them during this portion of the program.
- General Electives (19-36 credits)
- It is essential that students tailor their degree to what interests them. The portion of the program involving general electives helps students take classes that will give them career options and opportunities after graduation.
Other Sports Management Degrees
St. Thomas University also offers the following degree programs.
- Bachelor of Arts in Sports Administration
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Administration
- Master of Science in Sports Administration
- Available both in-person and online
- Master of Business Administration in Sports Administration
- Available both in-person and online
- Master of Business Administration in Sports Tourism
- JD/MS in Sports Administration and JD/MB in Sports Administration
- Doctor of Business Administration in Sports Administration
- Sports Administration- Graduate Business Certificate
Sports Management Career Opportunities
There are plenty of career options for students after graduation. A degree in sports management opens so many doors in both small and large athletic organizations.
General Manager
The top job for any professional sports team is the general manager. St. Thomas University has alumni that have had long and successful careers as general managers, including Al Avila (Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager of the Detroit Tigers) and David Gettleman (General Manager of the New York Giants).
General Managers (GM) are in charge of the hiring, firing, and the overall administration of the team’s players and coaching staff. GMs are responsible for putting together the right mix of people to make the team more successful.
As a GM, salary packages can vary widely depending on experience and the team’s overall success. The salaries for GMs of professional sports teams can range from 1 million to 6 million per year.
Media Relations Director
The perception of the media is vital to the health and well being of a sports team. Media relations directors are responsible for interacting with both the local and national media outlets. They often enjoy communicating and have no issue being on camera or writing a statement for a newspaper. Media relations directors work in close contact with all employees of the team, including the players, coaches, and owners.
Media relations directors make an average of $75,000 a year, but it could be more based on what team and organization you work for.
Facilities Director
You may not think much about the ongoing costs of running a local ballpark, but there is a lot of work to be done for these large facilities. While the season is obviously a busy time at any professional sports team, the off-season is often just as hectic. Facilities directors are responsible for the maintenance and overall appearance of the property. Image is everything when it comes to the popularity of a team, and facilities directors are crucial in obtaining and sustaining the overall building and grounds.
As facilities director, most professional teams pay about $100,000 per year. However, there are plenty of smaller facilities that may pay less depending on the organization.
There are plenty of opportunities for a long-lasting and fulfilling career in the world of sports management. We hope that this information has helped you learn what sports management is and the different opportunities involved. Visit our program page to learn more about the different degree options available in sports management.
