Many students are interested in careers in sports for a variety of reasons. Some love sports, some love taking risks, and others love a good challenge.
Contrary to popular belief and stereotypes, a career in sports also isn’t just for professional athletes. After all, sport executives, like directors, and sport managers are the individuals who keep the team or organization fully operational on and off the field.
These career paths are available to students seeking either a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management or a bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration.
Let’s explore the differences between sports management vs. sports administration in order to determine which degree and career path is right for you.
What is Sports Management?
Sports management is the management of the business of sports and recreation. Sports managers manage players’ contracts and oversee the marketing and financing of an individual player or team, among many other daily duties. Individuals in this position are focused on the business and ensuring the careers of the different players and teams are successful.
They do this by dedicating themselves to public relations, marketing, or negotiating trades between teams. Additionally, you see individuals with careers in sports management run the front office, work behind the scenes, and even as intermediaries between players, coaches, and the media.
And according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in sports occupations is projected to grow by thirteen percent by 2031, resulting in an average of about 106,200 openings annually. Statistics like these show sports management is a career with a promising future. That career often begins with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management.
What is a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management?
Bachelor’s degrees in Sports Management allow budding sports executives to learn the business and management side of sports and sports organizations.
Sports management programs ensure students develop a deep understanding of sports management’s financial, legal, and ethical realities. This opens them up to dynamic careers managing, coordinating, and marketing sporting events and teams.
Program and instruction will vary depending on the college or university, so students should look for programs that integrate rigorous education, project-based learning, and field experience to prepare them for this dynamic industry.
At University of Bridgeport, our one hundred and twenty credit bachelor’s in Sport Management degree includes courses in:
- Accounting
- Business Law
- Business Communications
- Principles of Macro and Microeconomics
- Workforce Dynamics
- Business Planning
- Sport Event Management
- Sports Marketing and Promotion
- Ethics in Sports Management
Students also have the opportunity to choose between an eSports concentration, an eSports minor, and a sports marketing concentration.
Ready to press ‘Play’ on an exciting future as an eSports professional? Learn more about how UB can help you get your game on!
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Sports Management?
Sports managers find employment working for professional teams, parent programs, colleges and universities, recreational departments, and sports marketing firms.
Positions available for candidates with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Management include:
- Business Development Coordinator
- Sports Facilities Manager
- Athletic Director
- Sports Agent
- Contract Administrator
- Event Coordinator
- Financial Analyst
- Marketing Coordinator
- Public Relations Manager
- Sales Coordinator
What is Sports Administration?
While sports management focuses on the business side, sports administration focuses on the management, development, and well-being of athletes and athletic programs.
These are the individuals helping with recruitment efforts, setting athletic goals for players, working with players’ agents to negotiate contracts, and arranging activities and events, like interviews and press conferences, off the field.
Sports administration professionals primarily provide effective talent support daily by optimizing their performance, managing rosters, signing new talent, and developing them personally and professionally.
What is a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Administration?
Bachelor degrees in Sports Administration provide students with the fundamental skills needed to become a successful sports administrator through courses encompassing:
- Economics
- Accounting
- Psychology
- Law
- Communications
- Marketing
Sports administration programs enable students to apply the administrative skills and knowledge and professional values and ethics gained in these programs to apply them in their future careers.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Sports Administration?
There is quite a bit of overlap between the jobs and careers available, with both a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management.
While sports administrators are usually the team managers, coaches, agents, and trainers, individuals with this degree can also pursue jobs as:
- General Managers
- Media Relations Directors
- Equipment Managers
- Advertising and Marketing Director
- Ticket Manager
Sports Management vs. Sports Administration: Which Degree is Right for Me?
Choosing between a degree in sports management and a degree in sports administration is a highly personal decision that will depend on your personal and professional interests and goals.
If you are interested in business and furthering your analytical thinking, communication, and business skills, a degree and career in sports management is the way to go.
However, if you would prefer to support and work with players and teams in an administrative capacity, a degree in sports administration might be the best fit.
No matter what, you’ll be entering a program and industry meant to grow your collaboration, communication, creativity, time management, and problem-solving skills.
Become career-ready with University of Bridgeport’s bachelor’s degree in Sport Management program. Together, we will get you through college and into a great career in the sports industry.
Financial aid is available and there is no fee to apply. Your future starts today!