Five reasons you should begin with carving a career for yourself in the Sports Industry

Sports in India has entered a golden period, promising of a magnificent future for the country. With the recent performances of the athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, we can rest assured that the sports sector is blooming big-time. India’s medal tally at the quadrennial event is a testimony that many sports in India have been reborn and we will witness an upswing of the sector.

With every medal India has won at the Olympics, the need for Sports Management in the industry has increased manifolds. After all, every sport needs management. With formal Sports Management education, one can explore avenues better and carve a path in the industry.

Here are the reasons why sports lovers should consider studying Sports Management to make a career in Sports right away:

1. A career path fueled with passion

Sports Industry welcomes individuals who breathe sports and are willing to contribute to the flourishment of the sector with their skills. A Sports Management professionals don’t necessarily have to be an athlete, she/he can be someone who ardently follows sports. This helps professionals to understand the scenario and work dynamics better. Moreover, it is a dream career path for sports lovers as they get to stay connected to the sector forever.

2. Diversity in verticals

You name a vertical and the sports industry has it; the industry is huge. One can choose to make a career from numerous verticals existing in the industry. To name a few, aspirants can become sports journalists, sports lawyers, sports economists, entrepreneurs, psychologists, marketers, PR, facility managers, nutritionists, wellness experts, data analysts, athlete managers, retailers and much more. Also, one can switch paths too and gain as much experience as she/he wants.

3. Sports Management: The next big thing in India

The concept of Sports Management in India was acknowledged after the Indian Premier League came into the picture. It is a sunrise sector. In fact, IISM was the institute that pioneered Sports Management education in India 11 years ago. The Indian Sports Industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world at 15%. In fact, the size of the Indian Sports Industry in 2020 is estimated at INR 5894 Cr (Source: India Sports Sponsorship Report 2021 by GroupM, ESP Properties). Who wouldn’t want to emerge along with the industry?

4. Unique career path

Sports Industry isn’t the typical 9 to 5 job industry. There is a lot that goes in the backend of what you see as an output be it in sporting events or opening ceremonies. One gets access to work yet enjoy what people in general never do. Besides this, a professional is not compelled to stick to his own job roles and can explore opportunities aligning in diverse projects.

5. Need of professionals

The sports industry would require a human resource of four million. Professionals with Sports Management education understand the nuances of sports inches better than others as they rightly know how to bring the desired results for the brands. Sports Management professionals are trained and they understand well how sports is consumed by the fans. An individual with a formal Sports Management education proves to be critical in contributing to the success of the organisations.

It is fair to say that this is the perfect time for aspirants to get on their mark and set their careers to sail in the industry. Till now, IISM has trained over 1800 Sports Management professionals who are now a part of esteemed organizations in the industry or are competent Sports Entrepreneurs. We welcomed aspirants to explore career paths in the industry and would be happy to show them a way forward.

Note: The views expressed in this article are that of IISM - International Institute of Sports Management and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha