Scoring with the big shots
Although the hours can be long and the environment is bound to be fiercely competitive, sports marketing and management offer many rewards. Competitive compensation, challenging work, excellent perks such as free tickets to sporting events and the chance to meet professional athletes are only a few of the reasons sports marketing is a popular career aspiration.
Most corporations rely on sports marketing to associate their brands and products with the excitement, enjoyment and admiration devoted to games and athletes. Globally, Emirates and Etihad Airways have followed this tactic quite intelligently to build their respective brands. Locally, brands like Beximco have also focused on brand building through sports marketing and management.
Where to start
One of the primary benefits of a career in this industry is the background needed. Since the field concentrates on advertising, public relations and marketing, one does not really require any other technical expertise to prosper. But no matter what the position is, a basic understanding of business, marketing and finance will be important. Most professionals should also understand sports law, event management and how to understand the publicity world.
There is always the option of getting your sports management degree and heading into retail and sports merchandising, or health and fitness management if you want to work directly with athletes.
Furthermore, there is a diverse pool of jobs from which one can choose his or her preferred profession. While some people go on to lead and work for school, college and community and school athletics programs, many get into professional sporting groups in the marketing, health, promotions and compliance sectors.
Money matters
Most salaries for the entry-level are generally low. Wide salary ranges for the upper-level executive positions reflect the sheer variety of employers amongst sports marketing firms; corporate sports marketing divisions; and sports leagues and associations. Certain professions, such as sports agents and lawyers, receive a set salary but earn the bulk of their money through bonuses and commission.
Salaries available in the sports marketing field also vary by region and nation. For example, the director of marketing for a major league cricket team could earn two to three times as much as his or her counterpart in the minor leagues.
Moving up
Sports' marketing is a profession notorious for low turnover, and quick advancement through the ranks is not common. More often, individuals in entry-level positions can expect to stay there for several years. As a lot of different sports happen during non-traditional times like the weekends and evenings, anyone looking into this type of degree or industry should expect weekend hours and late evenings. But mid and upper-level executive positions often become lifetime jobs since job satisfaction is so high.
There are a variety of ways for graduates of sports management degrees to maximize their earnings and move up in the world. One crucial way is to gain substantial experience in the field, and then apply for upper-level positions. Usually, starting at the low-end with a professional sports team and working your way up, results in an extremely lucrative sports management salary.
Pursuing advanced education at the graduate level may also help sports management professionals bag an impressive pay check. Gaining leverage in internal negotiations is another way to market yourself inside and outside of your organization, opening up a world of opportunities with other employers.
Although the sports industry requires minimal technical skills, this is nonetheless a dynamic field with no set rules. Here a person can only thrive through complete dedication. If the pay structure does not tempt one, then maybe the tremendous diversity offered by this field or the chance to meet and manage sports icons will. After all, who wouldn't love to befriend celebs like Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim?
Ishaqur Rahman is an Associate at Content & Analytics, GradInsights, the career intelligence service of GradConnect. Nakibul Hoq is the Lead Manager of Content & Analytics at GradInsights. Visit www.grad-insights.com for more articles
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