Sport Industry is a market in which people, activities, businesses, and organizations involved in producing, facilitating, promoting, or organizing any activity, experience, or business enterprise focused on sports.
Professions include coaches, referees, managers, administrators, recreation workers and therapists, athletes, and athletic trainers. Just like traditional business settings, sports organizations, recreational centers, and park authorities also require a host of administrative and support roles. These can include human resources workers, accountants, advertising and public relations representatives, marketers, and professional scouts to name a few.
Check out this informative panel about careers in sports: https://youtu.be/48tZGURQsOM
Necessary skills
Championship Competencies: Necessary Skills for a Career in Sports
- Listen Up: Active listening & interpersonal savvy
- Think Fast: Critical thinking & sharp judgment
- Lead the Team: Collaboration, teamwork & leadership
- Communicate Like a Pro: Verbal, written & PR skills
- Stay Cool: Composure under pressure
- Own the Clock: Time & event management
- Know the Game: Sport-specific & teaching skills
- Serve with Purpose: Customer focus & strong values
- Move with Intention: Physical skills (for practitioners)
- Manage Like a Champ: Ops, programs & decision-making
What To Do Now To Prepare
Train Like a Pro: Develop Your Skill Set
Join a Club or Organization
Joining an industry related organization will help you catapult your career. The University of Michigan has a diverse offering to fit your niche.
- Michigan Sports Law Group
- Michigan Sports Business Conference
- Sports Medicine Club
- Michigan Sports Analytics Society
- Adaptive Sports Student Interest Group of University of Michigan
- Entertainment, Media and Sports Business Association at the Ross School of Business
- Michigan Sports Venture Group
- Michigan Women Empowerment in Sport and Entertainment
For a list of all student organizations at the University of Michigan, please visit Maize Pages.
Connect with Professionals
Networking Resources on the University Career Center website
UCAN (University Career Alumni Network)- Find U-M alumni who have volunteered to connect with current students about their jobs!
- Professional Linkedin Groups:
- Sports Industry Network,
- ConnectKines
- University of Michigan Alumni
- Michigan Sport Business Conference
- Parks and Recreation
- MParks
- Sport and Exercise Professionals
- NIRSA (NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation)
- Disabled Sports USA
- Professional Recreation
Job Shadowing
Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look: Job Shadowing in the Sports Industry
Michigan Athletics is a massive operation—with professionals working in everything from marketing and event management to sports medicine and facilities operations. Job shadowing is a great way to explore different roles and see what it really takes to keep a top-tier athletic department running.
If you’re curious about career paths in the sports industry, consider connecting with staff in areas like operations, communications, athletic training, or administration. Start by reaching out to departments that align with your interests—not head coaches or high-profile staff—so your request stays respectful and realistic.
Michigan Athletics also offers the Victors Internship Program for students to explore different areas of the department and get hands-on experience. Learn more about it here: Victors Internship Program - University of Michigan Athletics
Need help figuring out where to start or how to reach out? Go to the University of Michigan Athletics Staff Directory to get connected.
Relevant Certifications
LinkedIn Learning is a great resource to build your skill set for the sports industry. Here are some relevant courses that are related to the necessary skill set that will help you succeed.
- Active Listening: The Secret to Effective Communication
- Essentials of Team Collaboration
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Business Etiquette: Phone, Email, and Text
- Event Planning Foundations
- The Service Mindset: Enhancing Your Customer-Centric Skills
- Time Management Fundamentals
- Building a Superstar Brand
- Visualizing Your Leadership Journey
Forage gives you virtual job simulations created by top companies—think of it like a mini-internship you can complete on your own time. This is a risk‑free way to test drive a career in the sports industry (or beyond)
Parker Dewey offers micro‑internships—short, paid, real‑world projects from top employers, all completed on your schedule to build real-world experience without committing to a full internship
Internship and Job Essentials
Find Your Winning Role
Keywords for Job Boards
General Entry-Level Keywords
Use these to start broadly:
- "Sports Management"
- "Entry Level Sports"
- "Sports Industry"
- "Sports Business"
- "Athletics Coordinator"
- "Sports Marketing Assistant"
- "Sports Admin"
- "Team Operations Assistant"
- "Event Assistant" or "Event Coordinator (Sports)"
- "Ticket Sales Representative"
- "Game Day Staff"
Category-Based Search Keywords
Marketing & Promotions
- Sports Marketing Intern/Assistant
- Fan Engagement
- Sponsorship Coordinator
- Brand Ambassador (Sports)
- Social Media Sports
- Digital Content Assistant (Athletics)
Sales & Sponsorships
- Ticket Sales Associate
- Account Executive (Sports Sales)
- Inside Sales - Sports
- Sponsorship Sales
- CRM Sports
Event & Operations
- Athletic Operations Assistant
- Event Operations (Sports)
- Venue Operations
- Facilities Coordinator (Athletics)
- Logistics (Sports Events)
Broadcasting & Media
- Sports Production Assistant
- Sports Reporter/Editor
Broadcast Intern (Athletics Department) - Media Relations (Sports)
Health, Fitness & Performance
- Athletic Trainer Assistant
- Strength & Conditioning Intern
- Sports Science Technician
Performance Coach Intern - Wellness Coordinator (Athletics)
Recreation & Coaching
- Recreation Assistant
- Youth Sports Coach
- Camp Counselor - Sports
- Fitness Instructor (entry level)
- Recreational Sports Staff
Filters & Search Tips
- Use "entry level" as a filter when possible.
- Try "sports AND (marketing OR sales)" in advanced search bars.
- Look for college athletic departments or minor league teams—they often post internships that lead to full-time roles.
- Use location + keyword (e.g., "sports coordinator Ann Arbor").
- Don’t be afraid to try terms like "intern", "seasonal", or "graduate assistant"—these often describe paid, experiential roles in sports
Common Job Boards
Teamworkonline is a great resource for additional job postings and events tailored for those interested in a career in sports!
WorkInSports is one of the most current and up-to-date job boards in the sport industry
Sports Business Ventures has its very own job board featuring those coveted internship and entry level roles
NCAA Market, College Sports.jobs, and Collegiate Sports Connect are job boards that are tailored to helping young professionals find roles in intercollegiate athletics.
Women Leaders in Sports is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to propelling women in sports and they too have a job board that covers roles from collegiate to professional.
Formula Careers is another job board that highlights roles in motorsport from Formula 1 and IndyCar to MotoGP and beyond!
Hiring Timelines
Distinct Hiring Timelines by Sports Organization
Traditionally, many sport organizations—like pro teams, college athletic departments, and sport marketing agencies—follow seasonal hiring timelines tied to their competition calendars or fiscal years. For example, summer and early fall are often big recruitment periods for full-time roles, while spring tends to bring more internship openings.
But here’s the reality: the sport industry moves fast, and timelines are always shifting. Team needs, staffing changes, and last-minute projects can open up opportunities at any time of year. Staying proactive, flexible, and regularly checking in on job boards and networking channels is key.
In short: Know the trends, but don’t let them limit you. Stay ready year-round.
|
Organization |
Peak Full-Time Hiring |
Internship/Seasonal Hiring Timeline |
Notes/Patterns |
| NFL (National Football League) | Winter to Early Spring (Dec–March) | Fall application for Spring/Summer roles (Sept–Nov) | Heavy hiring for event roles pre-Super Bowl, Draft. Summer internships posted early fall. |
| NBA (National Basketball Association) | Spring (March–May) | Fall (Sept–Nov) for Summer internships, occasional Spring internships | Summer League & Draft season triggers hiring. Internships often run June–August. |
| MLB (Major League Baseball) | Late Summer to Fall (Aug–Oct) | Fall (Sept–Nov) for Spring/Summer internships, Spring (Jan–March) for in-season gameday/event roles | Many roles tied to game season (April–Oct). MiLB teams often hire on a rolling basis. |
| NHL (National Hockey League) | Late Spring to Summer (May–July) | Winter/Spring (Jan–March) for Summer internships, Fall for in-season roles | Season starts in October, so off-season hiring for full-time and interns is common May–July. |
| NCAA (College Athletics Departments) | Late Spring to Early Summer (April–July) | Early Fall (Aug–Oct) for Spring semester internships, Spring for Summer roles | Depends on sport seasons and fiscal year budgets (often July 1 reset). |
| Other Sports Organizations (e.g., USOPC, ESPN, Agencies, Venues, Minor Leagues) | Rolling, project/event driven | Heavily Fall-driven for Summer internships | Olympic organizations peak pre-Games year, ESPN follows media cycles. Agencies follow client event calendars. |
General Trends Across the Sports Industry
|
Timeline |
Typical Hiring Activity |
| August–October | Internship recruiting for Spring/Summer; Full-time hiring for next fiscal year |
| November–December | Slower hiring due to holidays, some final push for spring interns |
| January–March | Full-time roles open up post-holiday; Spring internships start; Summer internship final selections |
| April–July | New fiscal budgets open hiring for college athletics, NHL, NBA postseason prep |
| Event-Specific Hiring | Super Bowl, NBA Draft, MLB Opening Day, College Football season start |
Typical Entry-Level Jobs
Choose Your Own Adventure: Entry Level Paths for the Sports Industry
If you ask people how they got their foot in the door in the sports industry, many will tell you the same thing: sales. Whether it’s ticket sales, group sales, sponsorships, or account management, sales roles are often the launchpad for sports careers. Why? Because it’s where organizations hire the most entry-level talent and where you can quickly build connections and skills that transfer across the industry.
But don’t worry—sales isn’t the only path. The sports world is huge, and there are plenty of other entry-level roles out there depending on your strengths and interests.
Below is a snapshot of some of the most common ways to get started.
Game Day Gurus
- Athletic Event Coordinator – Run the show behind the scenes of live sports events
- Sport Camp Manager – Plan and lead action-packed sports camps for all ages
- Ticket Operations Specialist – Get fans through the gates and in their seats
- Project Coordinator – Keep sports and fitness projects on track and on time
Hype Builders & Brand Champs
- Sports Marketing Coordinator – Drive the buzz around teams, players, and events
- Sponsorship Coordinator – Connect brands with teams and events they love
- Advertising Assistant – Craft campaigns that turn heads and sell tickets
- Public Relations Consultant – Manage athlete and brand reputations like a pro
- Manager, Sports Promotion – Lead hype campaigns that fans can’t ignore
- Consultant, Sports & Entertainment – Advise big names in the game
Behind the Broadcast
- Broadcast Production Assistant – Bring the game to life behind the camera
- Sports Broadcaster – Be the voice fans tune in for
- Sports Editor/Staff Writer – Cover games, tell stories, report scores
Data, Tech & Strategy
- Sport Researcher – Dive deep into stats, trends, and performance data
- Network Administrator (Sports Org) – Keep the digital side of teams running smoothly
- Sales/Marketing Analyst – Help teams and brands sell smarter
- Sport Telemarketing Rep – Drive ticket sales and fan engagement
- Corporate Sales Assistant – Bring in big sponsors and big revenue
Health, Fitness & Human Performance
- Health & Fitness Consultant – Coach individuals or corporations toward wellness goals
- Corporate Fitness Specialist (certification required) – Design fitness programs at the office
- Fitness Center Director/Manager – Run the gym like a pro
- Personal Trainer (certification required) – Guide clients toward peak performance
- Health & Fitness Media Contributor – Report on trends, tips, and training
- Health & Fitness Professional – Design holistic wellness experiences
- Laboratory Technician/Study Coordinator – Support sports science research
- Pharmaceutical or Health Product Sales Rep – Share products that support recovery and performance
Athletic Training & Care
- Athletic Trainer (High School/Clinic) – Keep athletes strong, safe, and game-ready
- Athletic Trainer in Sports Medicine Clinic – Be a key player in recovery and prevention
- Athletic Trainer/Teacher (dual degree required) – Educate and treat future athletes
Coaching & Rec Leadership
- Youth or Assistant Coach – Lead the next generation of players
- Recreational Sports Coordinator (grad degree often needed to advance) – Manage leagues, tournaments, and intramurals
Keywords for Job Boards
General Entry-Level Keywords
Use these to start broadly:
- "Sports Management"
- "Entry Level Sports"
- "Sports Industry"
- "Sports Business"
- "Athletics Coordinator"
- "Sports Marketing Assistant"
- "Sports Admin"
- "Team Operations Assistant"
- "Event Assistant" or "Event Coordinator (Sports)"
- "Ticket Sales Representative"
- "Game Day Staff"
Category-Based Search Keywords
Marketing & Promotions
- Sports Marketing Intern/Assistant
- Fan Engagement
- Sponsorship Coordinator
- Brand Ambassador (Sports)
- Social Media Sports
- Digital Content Assistant (Athletics)
Sales & Sponsorships
- Ticket Sales Associate
- Account Executive (Sports Sales)
- Inside Sales - Sports
- Sponsorship Sales
- CRM Sports
Event & Operations
- Athletic Operations Assistant
- Event Operations (Sports)
- Venue Operations
- Facilities Coordinator (Athletics)
- Logistics (Sports Events)
Broadcasting & Media
- Sports Production Assistant
- Sports Reporter/Editor
Broadcast Intern (Athletics Department) - Media Relations (Sports)
Health, Fitness & Performance
- Athletic Trainer Assistant
- Strength & Conditioning Intern
- Sports Science Technician
Performance Coach Intern - Wellness Coordinator (Athletics)
Recreation & Coaching
- Recreation Assistant
- Youth Sports Coach
- Camp Counselor - Sports
- Fitness Instructor (entry level)
- Recreational Sports Staff
Filters & Search Tips
- Use "entry level" as a filter when possible.
- Try "sports AND (marketing OR sales)" in advanced search bars.
- Look for college athletic departments or minor league teams—they often post internships that lead to full-time roles.
- Use location + keyword (e.g., "sports coordinator Ann Arbor").
- Don’t be afraid to try terms like "intern", "seasonal", or "graduate assistant"—these often describe paid, experiential roles in sports.
Industry Trends
Industry Trends
Keep up with the latest trends and happenings in the sports industry:
Front Office Sports is a media and news platform that covers the intersection of business, sports, and culture and is a great way to learn more about the industry.
Interested in a career in intercollegiate athletics? D1 Ticker is a news publication that covers key stories in the collegiate sect of the industry to expand your knowledge!
Deloitte Insights shares their outlook into the trends for 2025; The global sports industry is professionalizing, with heightened stakes and increasing investments in talent, analytics, and fan experiences
Sports Business Journal is another great news source to stay up-to-date on all things sports industry
The Athletic by New York Times is a paid news source.
Resume & Interviews
Resume and Interview Tips
Resume Playbook:
Your resume is your highlight reel—showcasing your skills, experience, and achievements that make you a great fit for roles in the sports industry. Explore resources to help you draft and refine a resume that gets you off the bench and into the game.
Cover Letter Game Plan:
A strong cover letter is your chance to show recruiters your passion for the sports world and why you’re the right pick for the team. Learn how to craft tailored cover letters that highlight your skills and enthusiasm for specific roles.
Interview Prep Zone:
Game day isn’t just for athletes—interviews are your time to perform. Access tips and strategies for answering common interview questions, showcasing your strengths, and navigating virtual interviews with confidence.