There are plenty of exciting and well-paying jobs you can get with a sport management degree. A sport management degree opens the door to careers in professional sports, college athletics, fitness organizations, marketing, and even business operations. Salaries vary depending on the role, but you can expect to earn anywhere between $35,000 and $120,000+ per year, depending on experience, location, and level of responsibility.
Below, we’ll explore the top jobs you can get with a sport management degree, listed in order from the most entry-level to the highest-paying positions.
1. Sports Agent
A sports agent represents athletes, negotiating contracts, endorsement deals, and sponsorships on their behalf. With a sport management degree, you’ll have the business, legal, and communication skills needed to succeed in this high-pressure role. Agents act as advocates for their clients, ensuring they get the best opportunities on and off the field.
This career is best suited for individuals who are persuasive, highly organized, and skilled in networking. Building trust with athletes and teams is key, and many agents also work with attorneys to handle complex contract negotiations. The career path often starts with internships at sports agencies or law firms.
While competitive, sports agent jobs can be incredibly rewarding both financially and personally. Agents often attend games, meet with team executives, and develop long-term relationships with players. The role comes with a fast-paced lifestyle, especially during free agency or draft seasons.
The market for sports agents is growing, especially as athletes seek better career management beyond just playing contracts. This makes the role a secure and future-proof career choice for graduates in sport management.
💰 Salary Range: $50,000 – $120,000+ per year
2. Athletic Director
An athletic director manages sports programs at schools, colleges, or universities. Their duties include hiring coaches, creating budgets, scheduling games, and ensuring athletic compliance with regulations. A sport management degree provides the foundation for handling both the business and athletic sides of this role.
This job is ideal for people who enjoy leadership and working within an educational environment. Athletic directors often coordinate with faculty, athletic trainers, and even parents to ensure the success of their programs. They also play a major role in boosting school spirit and community engagement through athletics.
Most athletic directors begin their careers as assistant directors or coaches before stepping into the full director role. This career path rewards those who combine management skills with a passion for student-athlete success.
The job can be demanding during sports seasons, but it offers stability and strong growth opportunities in education systems nationwide. With schools investing more into athletics, demand for skilled athletic directors continues to rise.
💰 Salary Range: $60,000 – $100,000 per year
3. Sports Marketing Manager
A sports marketing manager focuses on promoting teams, events, and athletic products. This role blends marketing expertise with a love for sports, making it one of the most creative jobs you can land with a sport management degree. From social media campaigns to sponsorships, managers design strategies that bring fans closer to the action.
This position requires strong communication and digital marketing skills. Many managers work with teams, sportswear companies, or agencies that handle event promotions. The goal is to increase fan engagement while boosting ticket sales, merchandise revenue, or brand recognition.
A typical day could include analyzing audience data, collaborating with creative teams, and negotiating partnerships with sponsors. Those with innovative marketing ideas often thrive, especially in today’s digital-first sports world.
Sports marketing is highly competitive, but it offers significant opportunities for career growth. The rise of online platforms and streaming services has expanded the market, making it an exciting time to enter this field.
💰 Salary Range: $50,000 – $90,000 per year
4. Sports Facility Manager
A sports facility manager oversees stadiums, arenas, and athletic centers. They handle everything from scheduling events to supervising staff and ensuring the facility runs smoothly. With a sport management degree, graduates gain the organizational and leadership skills required to succeed in this role.
This job is ideal for detail-oriented professionals who enjoy operational work. Managers ensure safety compliance, maintain budgets, and handle customer service for both fans and athletes. In many cases, they also work closely with city officials or private investors who fund these facilities.
The career path typically starts with entry-level positions in event management or facility operations. Over time, professionals can move into higher management roles, overseeing larger venues or even multiple facilities.
The job comes with challenges, especially during major events like concerts or championship games. However, it offers steady growth and the chance to be at the center of high-energy sports and entertainment experiences.
💰 Salary Range: $45,000 – $85,000 per year
5. Sports General Manager (GM)
A sports general manager (GM) is one of the most prestigious roles available with a sport management degree. GMs are responsible for overseeing an entire team’s operations, including hiring players, managing coaches, negotiating contracts, and building a winning culture.
This job requires excellent leadership, decision-making, and financial management skills. GMs are often seen as the public face of a team’s management, working closely with owners and stakeholders to achieve success both on and off the field.
Many GMs work their way up from scouting or assistant roles, gaining experience in player development and team operations before landing the top spot. It’s a role that demands years of dedication but offers unmatched prestige.
While the pressure to succeed is intense, the financial rewards are equally significant. GMs not only earn competitive salaries but also enjoy perks such as travel, media exposure, and opportunities to shape the future of sports organizations.
💰 Salary Range: $90,000 – $200,000+ per year
Final Thoughts
A sport management degree unlocks multiple career paths in the sports industry, ranging from entry-level positions to high-paying executive roles. Whether you’re drawn to the business side of sports, athlete representation, marketing, or operations, there’s a job that fits your passion and strengths.
The salary ranges show that these careers aren’t just rewarding emotionally—they’re financially viable too. With dedication, experience, and the right networking, graduates can move from starting roles to six-figure leadership positions in sports.
If you’re passionate about sports and want a career that keeps you close to the action, a sport management degree can be your ticket to a fulfilling and profitable future.