Sports is a multi-billion dollar industry with a massive following. In the US, it is more than just a game played by people you’ve never met. It’s a social activity; for some, it’s part of their identity. 

Patriotism comes in many different ways; for some, it’s raising the flag outside their home, and for others, it’s supporting the All-American teams from their state. Most people passively observe sports and dabble with their loved ones in the occasional Sunday game. 

However, this article aims to educate everyone that a career in sports isn’t as far-fetched as we initially thought. The thing about sports is that even if you are not an athlete, there are countless other avenues to consider.

Some might say the players do all the hard work, which is partially true. In most areas of sports, the work being done behind the scenes can get challenging as well. It can also be the most rewarding part of the industry, even if you’re not out on the field. 

With that said, here are some ways of earning big bucks in the sports industry. 

• Sports Nutrition

Think about the star athletes and biggest names in the industry. Would they have made it this far without coaches and dieticians keeping track of their food intake? It’s much more than watching your calories and hitting your macronutrient goals. 

This involves a fair degree of analysis, person-centered plans, and a general understanding the needs of the person at that time. Sports nutrition is a fairly high-paying branch of the industry, and you can make your way in with a sports nutrition certification. 

Even though this career is among the most important backend roles in the industry, you need to always be on your A-Game to make the big bucks. 

• Sports Psychologist

Getting cold feet, imposter syndrome, and generally being off your game is something most athletes feel at least once in their careers. Defeat gets into your head when millions of people are watching, and hundreds of thousands of dollars are on the line. 

A dropped catch or a missed swing can have monumental effects on an individual’s psyche; we may not realize it often. A sports psychologist helps individuals and the general team maintain morale and power through defeat. 

If one person has doubts, there is a strong chance it will bleed into the others. With that said, it’s also important to take care of that one individual and give them the counseling they need. Sometimes, it’s simply the pressure of it all that gets to the athletes. 

• Coach or Team Manager

Apart from representing athletes and promoting the team, being a team manager is one of the industry’s most lucrative and popular ways of earning big. Making decisions for the team regarding strategy, sponsorships, drafts, and more can be one of the toughest yet most rewarding jobs in the sports industry. 

Moreover, you make a fair bit of cash in this role with the kind of money where you could live fairly comfortably and retire younger than you would have initially expected. 

The other option is that you go into coaching. Coaches don’t make as much money as managers, but it’s still rewarding. You get to be directly part of the game, and the team looks up to you for advice. You are the person they consider their leader and the one running the show from the sidelines. 

You will need some athletic experience and sound game strategy knowledge before becoming a coach.  

Some coaches play an integral part in the development and sustainability of the team. Think of Phil Jackson in the 90s and how he led the Bulls to become the strongest team in the world for years!

• A trainer

A physical trainer is just as important as a nutritionist. These athletes need to be at the peak of their physical health to put it out there week after week constantly. Therefore, they need certified trainers and physical therapists to ensure they have the stamina, strength, and mental endurance to get through season after season. 

If you sign up as a trainer for the team or individual athlete, you stand to make a fair bit of money and manage your health simultaneously. One of the best things about the role is that you have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. 

The job can be a bit stressful as you need to be able to deliver. If an athlete is not responding to your training style, you must mold and adjust your strategy to fit their needs as best as possible. 

• Sports Journalist

If you don’t want to be in sports directly, you can always consider sports journalism to be on somewhat of the sidelines. Reporting about the latest developments and schedules are common roles you will encounter. Usually, sports journalists work for newspapers, magazines, or online publications and make their names.

As a sports journalist, you will meet and interview some of the biggest names in the industry and meet them up close for insights and views regarding a game. If you have strong research and communication skills, this is the job you may want to consider. 

Moreover, through sports journalism, you can also move into traditional journalism if you ever choose to do so. As we live in volatile economic times, keeping your options open and having a foot in either door might not be so bad. 

Conclusion

There we have it; some of the most lucrative ways of earning money in the sports industry. These roles entail experience, creativity, and responsibility. 

Sports offers a wide range of career opportunities for individuals who have a passion for sports and want to turn that passion into a profession.

From nutrition to psychology to journalism, we’ve covered several options that could be viable for someone looking to enter the sports industry. 

We hope this article has been helpful. If you have anything to add, please feel free to do so in the comments below.