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Do I have a shot at becoming a GM in the NFL or any big positions in the team's front office?

I'm in 10th grade and I would really enjoy pursuing a job in sports management because I love football and basketball and want to work in the front office of an NFL team. Also wondering what another degree instead of sports management would help like law maybe? #nfl #sportsmanagement

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Brandyn’s Answer

Hi James,
Great to see your passion so early! There’s no set path to becoming an NFL GM, but common degrees include Sports Management, Business, Law, or Psychology. What’s more important is gaining experience, understanding the game, and building strong industry connections.

Start by learning everything you can about team operations, player scouting, and salary cap strategy. Try to play, coach, or volunteer—any experience adds value. Internships, even with local teams or college programs, are gold.

An MBA or law degree can help, but real-world experience and relationships will open more doors in the long run. Keep your passion strong and your goals in sight.

Brandyn recommends the following next steps:

Research college programs with strong sports or business networks.
Look for volunteer or internship opportunities with local teams.
Start a blog or podcast to showcase your football knowledge and vision.
Follow front office professionals on LinkedIn to learn and connect.
Study how current GMs got where they are.
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Michelle’s Answer

Hi James! If you're considering education above-and-beyond a bachelor's in sports management, you may want to consider an MBA. Some programs have specialties in sports and media management which will give you tactical knowledge as well as access to networking opportunities. I had a few classmates intern with the NFL (and maybe NBA--I can't quite remember) while getting their MBA. This may turn out to be a good way to accelerate your career if needed. Good luck!
Thank you comment icon I love the internship process. It gives potential teams an idea of your work ethic. Harry Swayne
Thank you comment icon Thank Michelle! James
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Carl’s Answer

Hi James. If that is your passion, then go for it. Being a general manager for a professional sports team requires a lot of knowledge of the game, understanding how personalities mesh, salary cap acumen, and being able to sell your overall vision of team success to elite athletes(and their agents) and coaches. There is no easy way to become a general manager for a professional sports team. Many GMs spend decades honing their craft in various developmental or minor league versions of their sport. They are building their reputation and fostering their relationships in the process. This is a profession that will take more than a degree but hands on experience, networking, and dedication. Whether your degree is in finance, psychology, business administration, or sports management, if I were in your shoes, I would become a sports junky. Knowing metrics about players, coaches, personnel, salary caps for a team, agents, the scouting process, and the overall atmosphere for each team in the league you are interested in will give you a foundation to become a GM. It starts now.

Carl recommends the following next steps:

Find a league of your choice, NBA, MLB, NFL, MLS, etc and see what the salary cap is for each team. Use the internet to find this information.
Identify teams that are under the salary cap for the upcoming season. Use the internet to find this information.
Pick a team of your choice and find out what their college scouting process entails. This may take work but look on the team's website and see if a team contact is willing to respond to an email request for this.
Look at sport management degree programs at schools to see what the programs entails.
Thank you comment icon Thanks so much! James
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Sanober’s Answer

Hi James!

I think it's pretty cool to see that you already know what area you want to go into in your future career! Professional sports is a tricky area, as a lot of what happens in the front office/management side of the sport comes from networks and connections. You have the right state of mind in thinking about the sports management degree, and ultimately I think the combination of your degree and how well you find connections inside the league will determine you ability to make it there. In saying this, it may seem difficult but never say never and always shoot for the moon!

Hope this helps :)

Sanober
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Harry’s Answer

There is no one degree or major that sets a course for someone to become a GM on any professional sports team. Focus on an area (Education, Law, MBA, Sport Management, Psychology) that you're really interested in and passionate about. Also, playing the actual sport involved gives you a perspective that only players can possess. It doesn't matter what level of play you attain just go do it, learn it, discover its nuances and enjoy! Whether you intern in PR, coaching or facilities management just getting in the door of a professional football team is a great way to get answers to your questions and allow people to see your desire for the business of ball! Lastly, stay passionately creative. Nothing speaks volumes to football people than someone who has a passion for the work they do. This passion really drives creativity its the reason why we can do the work we do for free because we get so much joy from doing it.
Thank you comment icon Thanks, just a little worried that I won't be living with a stable job in the sport industry if I can't work my way up the rankings. Do you know if as a backup plan what else I could do with a sports management degree and also would getting a degree in Law or sports management better for the GM role or should I get both? Thanks again. James
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