Thriving in the sports industry is like running a marathon. Results rarely happen overnight and future industry leaders must equip themselves with the tools to achieve success.
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Over the past decade, the sports industry has undergone significant changes across various contexts. In many ways, the business side of sports is barely recognizable compared to just a few years ago. To succeed in any profession, one must overcome challenges and be willing to make personal sacrifices. Understanding these inevitable dynamics will assist those entering any chosen field or discipline.
While sports executives and administrators often report high job satisfaction in an exciting industry, they often work long hours for low wages and receive little recognition for their efforts. In a 2021 study published in the Journal of Sport Management, scholars Weight, Taylor, Huml, and Dixon analyzed data from over 4,000 NCAA athletic department employees and pointed out some of the greatest challenges faced by full-time staff early in their careers are burnout, stress, and work-family conflict.
Aside from the challenges associated with entering a competitive and demanding industry, pursuing a career in sports—particularly at the elite-level—can be rewarding but requires professionals to possess and develop specific skills and abilities that enhance their employability and longevity. As the great coach John Wooden once stated, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
Through preparation and passion, successful sports professionals learn how to play the game both on and off the court.
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Here are a few essential tips for aspiring professionals who hope not only to survive but also to thrive in the ultra-competitive sports industry:
1. Develop a Desirable Technical Skillset
Sports have gone through a recent transition in areas of policy, technology, and fan engagement. Those who plan to enter the industry could make themselves more attractive to potential organizations by developing one or more specialized technical skills. This includes the use of digital tools related to data analytics and video editing. For instance, learning how to use an analytical software system such as Statcast, a technology used in Major League Baseball to track pitches, hits, and player movements, can benefit professionals trying to work in baseball. Other specialized areas include sales, marketing, promotion, and legal representation, to name just a few.
2. Possess Emotional Intelligence
Interaction with others is a delicate balance between confidence and selflessness. As researcher Daniel Goleman noted, “self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion.” Emotionally intelligent individuals embody qualities such as self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and empathy. They have a strong instinct for knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. Sports professionals must understand themselves, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and communicate effectively with others in social settings. This includes tactfulness and proper etiquette when seeking employment and performing job duties, as well as understanding one’s worth and negotiating on one’s own behalf. Emotional intelligence is helps an individual stay calm and avoid burning bridges.
3. Display Strong Interpersonal Skills
Networking and relationship building are key to success in nearly any endeavor. In general, individuals with effective communication skills have a distinct advantage in the workplace. Sports professionals must make an effort to connect with and relate to people from all walks of life. This includes building relationships with season ticket holders and international fans, forming partnerships with sponsors, closing deals with athletic donors, and marketing oneself to prospective employers. Body language, tone of voice, and demeanor can all leave a strong impression. Large sports organizations consist of separate entities working together in unison. Thus, it is crucial that employees are team-oriented and work well with others.
4. Enhance Cultural Competence
From a business perspective, sports organizations have recently engaged in major initiatives to expand into international markets. To this point, the NFL has seven games scheduled in international locations. Also, sports leagues within the United States have continued to acquire international talent. For example, entering the 2024-25 season, NBA rosters included 125 international players from 43 countries across six continents, according to NBA.com. Corporate boardrooms and departmental units have become more diverse, making it essential for employees to develop global awareness and cultural competence. Ways to improve cultural competence include active listening, continuous learning, and a genuine effort to understand diverse perspectives.
5. Set Realistic Expectations
As previously mentioned, working in sports can be a grind and aspiring professionals must be aware of this before entering the industry. The reality is that many employees who work in areas, such as operations, never get to see the field on gamedays. Like many corporate jobs, moving up the promotional ladder in sports requires patience and strategy. If the goal is to advance up the hierarchy in elite sports, frequent relocation is common. Depending on the job role, industry professionals often face a crossroads where they must decide whether they are willing to make sacrifices to get ahead, such as spending less time with their families.
6. Strengthen Stress Management and Coping Skills
Elite sports often involve highly pressurized situations that demand a positive stress response. They are full of unpredictable outcomes, on and off the field. Therefore, employees hoping to succeed in this environment must have effective coping skills to manage workplace conflicts, deal with office politics, and resolve gameday challenges. To enhance performance under pressure, it is important for industry employees to prioritize personal well-being, maintain physical fitness, and practice effective time management. High profile figures, in particular, often face public scrutiny and must develop unshakable confidence to combat negative criticism.
7. Become Adaptable and Commit to Ongoing Learning
As previously mentioned, sports business has evolved over the past decade. Industry norms, trends, and policies constantly change, requiring an adaptable approach and commitment to ongoing learning. An effective strategy is to learn from individuals who have reached the level one aspires to achieve. Reading their biographies, studying their journeys, and applying those insights can help chart a personal path to greatness. Those entering the sports industry must decide which context they would prefer to work in. It is helpful to gain experience working with diverse age groups in various environments during college through volunteer work and internships.
8. Seek Guidance from Experienced Mentors
In the pursuit of personal growth and professional development, it is crucial to seek advice from multiple mentors. Sports industry professionals should clearly identify their needs and build a social network of individuals who can help them reach their goals. A great way to start developing positive and mutually beneficial mentor-mentee relationships is to meet people through attending industry conferences, community events, or career-building programs. It is important for mentees to be open to receiving mentorship and respect the mentor’s time. Once they gain long-term benefits from these interactions, mentees should become mentors to others and pay it forward.
9. Adopt a Resilient Entrepreneurial Mindset
While the sports industry is highly competitive, those who are proactive with their futures make things happen. Successful sports industry professionals today are expected to be self-motivated and resourceful. In many instances, sport organizations require employees to act as intrapreneurs, which are those who embody entrepreneurial tendencies but work within a company or team setting. Responsibilities often include solving problems, driving innovation, developing products or services, and creating value. This applies to most aspects from in-game efficiency to on-field equipment. When seeking employment or exploring new ideas, rejection is inevitable, and life is not always fair. Therefore, it is important to have tough skin, learn from mistakes, and make appropriate adjustments.
10. Acquire and Demonstrate Leadership Skills
When attempting to progress in the sports industry, professionals must demonstrate effective leadership skills. They need to take initiative and possess a variety of traits and values, such as ethics, drive, passion, trustworthiness, and accountability. Ultimately, those individuals who aspire to move up the corporate chain of command or start their own businesses must be visionaries who inspire those around them and influence others to buy into their purpose and plan. Great leaders create and develop new leaders.
These are a few strategies that aspiring sports industry professionals should know before entering the workforce. Dreams are definitely worth chasing. Just remember—like in any profession, a career in sports requires preparation, perseverance, and perspective.