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Presently, sports management is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting fields in India. It combines different sports with marketing, administration, and business. It has a vital role in letting the sports industry function smoothly. This is because a sports manager usually handles everything, right from athlete management and sponsorship deals to sports analytics and event planning. In recent years, the sports industry has seen great commercialization. Hence, the demand for certified and skilled professionals is going up with leaps and bounds. Speaking about the value of the sports industry globally, it is around USD 512 billion (in 2023). The rise of the Indian Premier League, Pro Kabaddi League, etc., is opening more doors to sports management professionals.
What is sports management?
Today, sports management is more like the backbone of the industry. These professionals ensure that everything is running smoothly. Sport management is basically a blend of sports, finance, business administration, law, and marketing.
At its core, it includes various aspects like planning, organizing, monitoring, and modifying things. Working professionals usually get a chance to work in different fields, such as sports marketing, sponsorship coordination, athlete representation, team administration, and event management. The role of these professionals is quite clear – to attract fans for an event, ensure entertainment, and generate revenue.
Scope of sports management in India
We all know that the sports industry in countries like India is witnessing swift transformation. Therefore, it is creating even more opportunities for talented professionals. In addition to this, there is a rise in private leagues, and the government is taking various initiatives. All these are increasing the demand for sports management professionals.
Here is detailed information regarding the scope:
Rise of the sports private league
India’s sports industry has gone through a boom in recent years, in terms of professional private sports leagues. This has boosted the need for sports marketing experts, event managers, sponsorship professionals, etc. Here are some leagues generating more opportunities:
- Indian Premier League or IPL: This is not just India’s but the world’s most impressive sports league. It has generated around Rs. 48000 crore in revenue in 2023.
- Indian Super League (ISL): This sporting event has attracted many investors and international players.
- Pro Kabaddi League (PKL): This league has given a whole new life to Kabaddi in India, creating more choices for sports management professionals.
Besides, these popular ones, Ultimate Table Tennis, Hockey India League, Premier Badminton Leagues, etc., are expanding options for the professionals.
Government initiatives and support
The Government of India is heavily investing in different sports to promote good infrastructure, athlete development, and create more jobs. Below are some key initiatives:
- Khelo India Program: This is a Rs. 1000+ crore initiative by the government to promote grassroots-level sports.
- Fit India Movement: It has been launched to promote fitness and sports.
- Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): This program is introduced to support elite-class athletes for world-class training and global exposure.
Since the budget for the sport industry and its development has increased recently, we will definitely see some more initiatives.
The increasing demand for data analytics
Technology is booming everywhere, including the sports industry. Hence, the demand for skilled and talented professionals will be higher than ever. Look at the following for more:
- Performance analysis: Teams are now using AI-driven tools to gain insight into a player’s performance and make decisions.
- Fan engagement: With advanced tools, fan engagement can be increased. For this, audience engagement and social media marketing, etc., are used.
- Sponsorship and revenue: Various companies are now using analytics to measure the impact and ROI of a brand collaboration.
It is believed that the market of sports analytics may grow by up to 22% in the years to come. Thus, the scope for sport management professionals is quite vast.
Types of sports management
Sports management is quite a wide industry in terms of roles and categories. Here are the same so that you can know the types:
- Team management
- Facility management
- Event management (sports)
- Sponsorship and marketing management
Sports management jobs
The current sports industry is not only about the sportspeople or athletes on the field. Instead, it is a million-dollar sector now where skilled professionals are needed for smooth functioning. In India, where sports are more like emotions, one can obtain a degree to have exciting career opportunities with a high pay scale. Some of these options have been listed here:
Sports Marketing Manager
- They promote sports leagues, teams, and other sporting events.
- They create strategies to increase fan engagement, sales of tickets, etc.
- The average salary of these professionals may be Rs. 6 lacs to Rs. 15 lacs per annum in India.
Event Manager for Sports Leagues and Tournaments
- These professionals plan and implement for bigger events such as the Cricket World Cup, FIFA, the Olympics, etc.
- They coordinate sponsorships, logistics, etc., to make arrangements for the teams to execute seamless execution.
- In India, they can earn somewhere between Rs. 5 lacs and Rs. 12 lacs yearly.
Athlete or Sportsman Manager
- These professionals represent and negotiate contracts for athletes and sportspeople.
- They manage endorsements, sponsored deals, etc., and handle finances and legal matters.
- The average salary of these professionals in India is Rs. 8 lacs to Rs. 12 lacs per year.
Also Read: India Captain Rohit Sharma Retires from Test Cricket before England Series
Facility Manager
- They handle stadium operations, training centers, and sports complexes to control the crowd and ensure safety.
- To generate more revenue, they coordinate with different organizers.
- Their annual salary in India is around Rs. 6 lacs and Rs. 14 lacs.
Besides these, a sports management professional can also become a sports analyst or sports journalist to have a handsome annual salary of up to Rs. 10 lacs. Or, they can try their hands as a sponsorship manager and earn up to Rs. 15 lacs yearly.
Best sports management colleges in India
To meet the evolving industry needs, educational institutions are offering various courses in this field. Here are some popular courses and colleges in India:
International Institute of Sports Management (IISM), Mumbai
- BBA in Sports Management
- MBA in Sports Management
Symbiosis School of Sports Sciences, Pune
- MBA in Sports Management
Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior
- Bachelor’s in Physical Education
- Master’s in Physical Education
National Sports University (NSU), Manipur
- BSc. In Sports Coaching
- MSc.in Sports Science
Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Kolkata with Elective Courses)
- MBA in Sports Management & Marketing
Final Takeaways
Sports management is undeniably one of the most flourishing sectors where you will see the amalgamation of sports, marketing, administration, and business. Thus, you can obtain the right education, work on your skills, gain industry experience, and become a part of this evolving industry to earn a handsome amount and touch newer heights.
Kabir Sharma
