Most people think “working in sports” means working for a team or league, but that’s only a small piece of the picture. Sports rely on many different industries to operate, and those intersections create more career paths than most students realize.
Here are some areas that might not have come to mind when thinking of a career in – or alongside – sports:
- Merchandise & Apparel – Athletes have to be outfitted! Think: Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Oiselle. There’s also all that fan merch (I’m sure you have a few in your closet). Think: Fanatics, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker.
- Collectibles – This is an industry that has been booming recently with great interest in card breaks especially. Everybody wants that rarity! Think: Panini, Topps.
- Agencies – Becoming a sports agent is one idea, but you can also work for a sports agency in a variety of support positions needed to enhance the athlete experience. Think: Wasserman, WME, Excel.
- Journalism – Opportunities to be a sports writer abound across many platforms, often with the ability to specialize within a specific sport. Think: The Athletic, CBS Sports.
- Media Platforms – Use your communications skills in social media, marketing, video, graphic design or sales direct with a sports media group. Think: Togethxr, Uninterrupted, Front Office Sports.
- Analytics – Stats are needed by teams and athletes, as well as researchers, journalists, and media personnel. There are opportunities in this space for the math-inclined to work in this growing technology space. Think: Catapult, HUDL, Opta, Zoomph.
There are many other industries that have involvement in sports, including retail, event management, automotive, finance, catering, technology, and more.
This is not a fully exhaustive list, so it’s always important to keep an open mind about the hundreds of job opportunities in the sports industry that are not directly with a team or league!
If you’re looking to explore those paths, TSI’s internship job board is built to help you find those opportunities.
