Internships are one of the best ways to break into the sports industry. They can give you hands-on experience, valuable connections, and a clearer sense of where you want your career to go. But not every posting you see online is legitimate. In fact, some so-called “internships” are little more than scams, distractions, or free labor schemes disguised as opportunities. We wanted to share this article with you because we’ve seen this many times on LinkedIn. “Companies” are using “job postings” to generate interest in their platform by getting more likes, shares, and comments, creating a flywheel of more followers. Many of these jobs and internships are not real – they’re just a marketing ploy.
If you’ve ever scrolled LinkedIn and seen a “(paid) sports internship” from a company that has no posts, no staff, and no clear identity, you know the feeling: something isn’t right. These are especially common with “remote” internships. To help you avoid wasting time and energy, we’ve put together a list of the biggest red flags to watch out for when evaluating internship listings.
1. Lack of Organizational Presence
Legitimate sports organizations are visible. They post updates, share content, and have ties to teams, leagues, or industry events. If you can’t find much about the company beyond a brand-new LinkedIn page or a bare-bones website, take that as a warning sign. Also, just because a ‘company’ on LinkedIn has a lot of followers does not mean it is legit. Sometimes companies with catchy names are able to grab a lot of followers who don’t do their research. See what that ‘company’ is posting. Is it content that is helping you? Or are they constantly soliciting for you to apply to jobs or just buy merchandise? That’s a red flag!
Red flags:
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No website, or a website with minimal info
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A LinkedIn page with no activity or posts that aren’t particularly relevant
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No signs of involvement in the sports community
Note: If it’s a new organization that is founded by “legit” people – as in just getting up and running – then it might be legit. But if the platform has no content AND you can’t find anything about the founder or they have a very low presence on social spaces = red flag.
2. Vague or Over-Promising Descriptions
Real internships clearly outline what you’ll be doing – ticket sales, social media, event operations, sponsorship support. Fake ones often rely on buzzwords like networking and sports marketing without explaining the actual work.
Red flags:
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Overly generic descriptions with no details
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Big promises like “all-access passes” or “guaranteed jobs”
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“Paid internships” that sound too good to be true
3. Sketchy Payment Practices
Money is one of the easiest ways to spot scams. A reputable organization will never ask you to pay to intern with them.
Red flags:
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Being asked to pay application or training fees
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“Paid” listings with no clear pay structure
4. Suspicious Contact Details
Hiring managers and internship coordinators put their names on real opportunities. If there’s no contact person – or the contact info looks off- you should dig deeper.
Red flags:
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No named supervisor or manager
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Unprofessional emails (like Gmail/Yahoo instead of a professional/company domain)
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Rushed acceptance without an interview
5. No Track Record of Interns
Sports organizations love to showcase their interns and success stories. If you can’t find evidence of previous interns, testimonials, or any mentions of past programs, that’s cause for concern!
Red flags:
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No former interns to be found online
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Bad reviews or complaints from past applicants
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Claims of affiliation with a team or league that don’t check out
6. Sports-Specific Red Flags
The sports world has its own version of scams that pop up repeatedly.
Red flags:
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“Pop-up” agencies claiming to represent athletes without proof
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Event-based scams promising major tournament experience but offering no details
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Overuse of flashy words like “elite,” “exclusive,” or “VIP access” with no real substance
How to Protect Yourself
Not every suspicious posting is a scam, but it’s always better to be cautious. Here are a few steps to take before applying:
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Verify affiliations: Check if the organization is listed on official league or team websites.
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Look up supervisors: Ask for a name and check their LinkedIn profile.
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Search for past interns: See if anyone has done this role before.
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Trust your instincts: If it feels rushed or off, step back.
The sports industry is competitive, and that means shady players will always try to take advantage of eager students. By learning how to spot red flags, you can focus your energy on the internships that are worth your time, and avoid the time-wasters that could hold you back.
At The Sports Intern, our goal is to help you navigate the industry with confidence. Stay sharp, do your research, and remember: a real opportunity won’t leave you second-guessing whether it’s legit.
