2 answers
Riley
Student
Antwerp, Ohio
2
Questions
Asked
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How long should I go to collage or what kind of degree do I need for Sports management?
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2 answers
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1058
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Riley, I hope my response in your other post was helpful. A career in sports management can take many different forms—ranging from working with professional teams and athletic departments to managing marketing campaigns, sports facilities, or player representation. To enter this dynamic field, most students begin with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, which typically takes four years of full-time study at an accredited college or university. This undergraduate program provides a strong foundation in areas such as sports marketing, finance, law, event planning, leadership, and facility management, along with valuable internship experiences that are critical for building industry connections and real-world skills.
Many colleges across the U.S., including those in Ohio, offer well-established sports management programs. For example, Ohio University offers a Bachelor of Sport Management through its College of Business, which is nationally recognized for its industry ties and hands-on learning opportunities. More details can be found at https://www.ohio.edu/business/sport-management. Similarly, Bowling Green State University provides a comprehensive sports management degree that integrates classroom instruction with field experiences and internships—see https://www.bgsu.edu/ for specifics.
Riley, while a bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for entry-level positions, pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Management or a related field—which typically takes an additional 1.5 to 2 years—can significantly enhance your career prospects, particularly for leadership, administrative, or executive roles. Graduate programs often allow for specialization in areas such as sports analytics, business administration, or athletic compliance, and can be completed on-campus or online. Notable programs include the Master of Sports Administration (MSA) at Ohio University (ranked among the best in the world) and the University of Florida’s online Master’s in Sport Management at https://hhp.ufl.edu/.
To further boost your career readiness, it’s essential to seek out internships and volunteer opportunities during college. Many programs require students to complete internships with sports teams, marketing agencies, or athletic departments, which serve as a critical entry point into the industry. Platforms like TeamWork Online - http://www.teamworkonline.com/ are widely used by sports organizations to post job and internship openings in areas like ticket sales, operations, sponsorship, and event coordination.
In summary, Riley, a four-year bachelor’s degree in sports management is the typical educational path to start a career in this field, but pursuing a master’s degree or specialized certifications can open additional doors, especially in competitive or high-level roles. By choosing a strong academic program, gaining hands-on experience, and actively building a network within the industry, you’ll be well-positioned to succeed in the fast-paced and exciting world of sports management.
Many colleges across the U.S., including those in Ohio, offer well-established sports management programs. For example, Ohio University offers a Bachelor of Sport Management through its College of Business, which is nationally recognized for its industry ties and hands-on learning opportunities. More details can be found at https://www.ohio.edu/business/sport-management. Similarly, Bowling Green State University provides a comprehensive sports management degree that integrates classroom instruction with field experiences and internships—see https://www.bgsu.edu/ for specifics.
Riley, while a bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for entry-level positions, pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Management or a related field—which typically takes an additional 1.5 to 2 years—can significantly enhance your career prospects, particularly for leadership, administrative, or executive roles. Graduate programs often allow for specialization in areas such as sports analytics, business administration, or athletic compliance, and can be completed on-campus or online. Notable programs include the Master of Sports Administration (MSA) at Ohio University (ranked among the best in the world) and the University of Florida’s online Master’s in Sport Management at https://hhp.ufl.edu/.
To further boost your career readiness, it’s essential to seek out internships and volunteer opportunities during college. Many programs require students to complete internships with sports teams, marketing agencies, or athletic departments, which serve as a critical entry point into the industry. Platforms like TeamWork Online - http://www.teamworkonline.com/ are widely used by sports organizations to post job and internship openings in areas like ticket sales, operations, sponsorship, and event coordination.
In summary, Riley, a four-year bachelor’s degree in sports management is the typical educational path to start a career in this field, but pursuing a master’s degree or specialized certifications can open additional doors, especially in competitive or high-level roles. By choosing a strong academic program, gaining hands-on experience, and actively building a network within the industry, you’ll be well-positioned to succeed in the fast-paced and exciting world of sports management.
I 100% agree with Patrick Meyer (maybe it's a Meyer thing) about the importance of education, networking and interning.
Those three things are a path to career success in the dynamic and challenging field of sports management.
I've provided broadcast facilities to sports events for many years, and can tell you that, from my perspective, it's a great place to be. Best of luck to you.
Marty Meyer
Julia Pulgini
Medical Assistant
20
Answers
Wilmington, Delaware
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Bachelors in sports exercise!