How hard is it to get a good career in sports?

Every male in law school starts out wanting to be a sports agent or sports lawyer.

And maybe 1 every other year gets remotely in the field.

Unless you have serious connections or were a high-level college athlete, don’t bother. The field is grossly over-saturated. If you don’t mind spending your first 5 years covering girls high school volleyball and/or working for minimum wage, then go ahead.

quote:

---

good career in sports

---

The definition of this is bigger than you think.

Are you going to become a professional athlete? A rich sports agent representing the top names? An ESPN or Fox Sports analyst or commentator?

Probably not.

But you can very easily get into the following careers in sports and find success at a relatively young age:

Position coaching
Athletic trainer
Cameraman
Medical trainer
Physical therapist
Athletic massage therapist
Nutritionist/Dietician
Marketing/Communications - think web design, video editing, etc
Strength and conditioning coach
Radio/Audio/Video engineer
Equipment management
Events coordinator
Recruiting services
Accounting/Financial services

Not one of those jobs requires nepotism. Just get your college degree in your field of interest and start small. Don't think NFL or NBA or ESPN until you've put in some years at lower levels. Network at conferences or conventions. Stay abreast with the latest technology and strategies. Just like any other job.

quote:

---

I have been watching ballers and this makes me want to work in sports. most guys I know love sports and are always commenting on it. But it must be competitive. Sports has more nepotism than Hollywood.

---

Very difficult. Have a buddy who went this route. He started as an intern at Vandy while getting his masters. He then got an extremely low paying job at Michigan for a couple years, then went to Boston College for a couple years, then to VCU for a few years. It's been over 10 years since he graduated college and finally got a good paying job with Belmont's AD. That market is just so hard to get into and job openings are far and few between unless you know the right people. The people who have these jobs don't do it for the money, I can tell you that much.

Had another buddy do the same thing and has bounced around G5 and FCS schools ever since college.

If you're talking about being a sports agent, it's nearly impossible and takes an incredible amount of luck and networking. Always shook my head at the kids 1L year of law school that said they wanted to be sports agents (none of achieved this "goal"). Entertainment law is a better course of action and somewhat doable if you're in the right market.

What about Hollywood? I want to drink, dine, and party with clients evryday

I got my Master's in Sports Admin from LSU in 09. I worked in the Athletics department as an intern for 5 years in undergrad and grad school, in ticket operations and corporate sponsorships. I had connections and worked with many AD's and Assoc AD's in the Athletic Department and TAF. I had letters of recommendation from several Senior AD's at LSU when applying for other jobs.

When I graduated, not only was there no opportunity for me at LSU, I searched for a job for 8 months, only receving two interviews (an entry level position in marketing at Tulane and a commission only ticket sales job for the Atlanta Hawks).

This field is extremely difficult to get into and make any kind of money (most jobs are very low pay and long hours/nights/weekends, only the highest level makes any money). You better really love sports if you want to work in the field, because you won't make anything.

Most people I see get the jobs are like someone already said --- former athletes or people with family/serious connections. I work for a healthcare company now as a financial analyst, make good money, and glad I didn't end up in sports.

quote:

---

I have a friend that graduated from LSU in sports management, and now works for the Pelicans/Saints as a Senior Account Executive. Pretty much deals with season tickets holders and sales. Gotta start somewhere, but if he sticks it out long enough I'm sure he'll get other opportunities.

---

This is about the only prayer an average Joe has at getting a job in a front office.

What area specifically are you looking to work into? I was a double major in college, getting a degree in Sports Management and Marketing

Are you looking into working in Intercollegiate sports in at Athletic dept
Ticket sales
Event Operations
Facility Management
Human resources of a sports organization
Sorts medicine
Sports agent
Coaching
Parks & Recreation
Broadcasting
Sports marketing

If you're looking to make a lot of money with a stable job, this is the wrong field. If you love sports, then this field can be very fulfilling. But its tough to break into. Entry level positions are usually long hours with crap pay. Work crap job long enough for a few years then you can move up into something better

How does coaching and rising up the ranks work? How did Belechick get to where hes at?

I'm surprised you had so much trouble. There's openings every year working in Athletic departments at different universities. Granted you have to have a certain amount of experience depending on the position, but you still should of had a shot.