27.10.2016 - From the outside looking in, it may appear that a sports manager has a simple job. I mean who wouldn't love to be the manager for a big Premier League club or NFL team? Most of us are already armchair managers anyways.
What Does a Sports Manager Need to Do?
Sports managers need to perform a lot of duties. Some of those include signing/trading players, recruiting/scouting, working with coaches/trainers, budget planning, revenue generation, marketing and much more.
A sports manager doesn't get to simply sit back and build his team. Sure, that's a big part of being a sports manager, but there's a lot more work to be done in between that'll keep you busy well past a typical 9-5 job. You have to deal with the media and players, while balancing finances, marketing and promotion behind closed doors.
This profession can be extremely enjoyable. Have you ever dreamed of signing a player like Andrew Luck or making a blockbuster trade? Managing an NFL team is a dream job that only a few do, but anyone can do it. However, if you do get hired by an NFL team, you should buy a lottery ticket at PlayUSALotteries.com because it's your lucky day.
Job Requirements
Surprisingly, there are no formal education requirements to become a sports manager. However, the majority of sports managers today will have a bachelor's degree in sports management or business. Having a business degree will ensure you have the knowledge and tools to successfully manage your team's finances.
The biggest job requirement is having a passion for sports. Typically, sports managers have been around the sport their entire life. Often sports managers start out as scouts or coaches before moving up the career ladder.
Why are Sports Managers So Important?
Sports managers are in the media spotlight and are paid well in all major sports, but the job can often be stressful and you'll never a have free moment. You have to be a jack of all trades to be a successful sports manager.
A team wouldn't function without a sports manager. It's the manager's job to ensure the finances are in order, make sure the team remains competitive and to ensure stakeholders are making a positive return on investment.
I'm sure most sports managers would love to work with no budget and be able to sign/trade for anyone, but that's just not the case. Team owners will provide the manager with a budget that they have to follow. At the end of the day, the owners are in this business to make money and most owners put profits before anything else.
When things go wrong, sports managers are often the first one fired. It may not be the most glamorous job, but if you love sports and have a keen business sense, there aren't many better jobs on the planet.
We mainly discussed being a sports manager at the top level in this article, but there are thounsands of jobs on the market for sports managers at various levels of professional sports. The job market is growing according to reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
