Would you like to establish yourself as a leader in the dynamic, competitive world of sports and entertainment? The University of Wisconsin-Parkside (UW-Parkside) online Master of Science (M.S.) in Sport Management program prepares you for a wide range of careers in the sports management industry, such as roles in event planning, operations, talent acquisition and marketing. Whether you are interested in working behind the scenes or in the public eye, there is sure to be a career in this field that suits your skills and interests.

The program emphasizes empowering students to build a professional network, an aspect of this industry that has proven decisive in career success, both for receiving guidance and learning about new job opportunities. Industry professionals with valuable connections teach this program’s 100% online coursework. Students advance their professional networks through studies in sports research and analysis, administration, law, financial management and other subjects. They explore the roles of agents in sports and entertainment and the nature of managing sports and entertainment facilities.

An internship in the program provides an opportunity to gain work experience and develop their professional network through collaboration with industry professionals.

There are several careers that graduates of UW-Parkside’s online M.S. in Sport Management program can pursue with a varied and versatile skill set, such as the following. As a general note, actual salaries will depend on location, company, experience and more.

Event Coordinator

Graduates of UW-Parkside’s program can be event coordinators or other sport event professionals. These individuals can work in a number of recreational or professional settings. They manage event schedules, utilize various software, manage budgets and employ communication skills to coordinate operational duties. These professionals may coordinate events for teams, program staff, training programs, leagues and other groups and organizations. The average annual salary for sports event planning professionals is $70,738.

Operations Manager

A sports operations manager handles all the operational elements of a department or team. They schedule practices and games, arrange travel, manage team finances, recruit new players and sometimes oversee ticket sales.

These professionals must be organized, good at communicating and problem-solving and flexible. Salary and compensation will vary based on experience, location and organization, but the average annual salary for this role, according to ZipRecruiter, is $57,750.

Sports Agent

A sports agent, sometimes known as a business manager, represents professional athletes and entertainers in negotiations with teams, movie studios, music labels, sponsors and other organizations. They help their clients to secure the most beneficial contracts with employers who need their talents, including sports teams and movie studios. They also handle contract negotiations for product endorsement deals, speaking engagements and appearances.

Many agents of high-profile athletes and entertainers have expanded roles, which may include marketing and promotional activities, handling public relations issues and working on behalf of their organizations to attract new clients. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a sports agent is $128,470.

Marketing Consultant

Sports marketing consultants work with athletes and organizations to make strong business decisions. These professionals handle budgeting, negotiation, management, sports media placement, online marketing strategies and other business deals. The average annual salary for sports marketing consultants, according to Salary.com, is $67,065.

UW-Parkside’s online M.S. in Sport Management program provides comprehensive coursework in sports and business subjects to prepare graduates for managerial leadership roles. If you have a passion for sports management, this program can be your key to exciting opportunities.

Learn more about UW-Parkside’s online M.S. in Sport Management program.