Best Online Master’s in Sports Management Degree Programs

Earning an online master's in sports management offers a great pathway for individuals passionate about the business side of the sporting industry. Whether working with PGA players, collegiate soccer stars, or up-and-coming high school tennis champs, a sports management degree provides the training needed to begin various in-demand positions.Students on a budget typically opt to study at a public college in their state, as tuition rates at these institutions averaged $9,000 during the 2021-2022 academic year. Private students paid an average of $29,670 during the same year.

When deciding whether to attend graduate school, prospective learners should note that many jobs in the industry feature expansive projected growth in the coming years. Most professionals earn between $40,000-$70,000 per year, depending on their title, but top workers can earn six-figure and even seven-figure salaries.

Keep reading to learn about the top online schools for sports management, commonly required classes, professional outcomes, and opportunities for continuing education.

What Can I Expect From an Online Master's in Sports Management Program?

Before enrolling in a master's in sports management program, prospective students should think carefully about if their skill sets and personality traits align with jobs for graduates. Sports management professionals tend to be outgoing, engaging individuals who enjoy negotiating and do not feel intimidated by tense situations or confrontational moments.Most programs consist of 30-40 credits and require about two years of full-time study. Part-time learners may need up to three years, while accelerated programs can sometimes be completed in a year. Aside from general core coursework, many programs offer a variety of specializations to help students focus their classes in the areas in which they hope to work. Each school has its own unique offerings, but common options include:

• Sports Project Management
• Sports Law
• Athlete Management
• Sports Marketing
• Sports Media and Communications
• Event Management

When preparing for graduate school, prospective learners should note that these programs often require an internship. This experience allows them to gain in-demand skills and network with others in the discipline before graduating.

Still Looking for the Right Fit? Discover Similar Programs.

What Courses Will I Take in an Online Master's in Sports Management Program?

History of Sports Management

This introductory course looks at the trajectory of sports management. Coursework starts with the English Club system and moves through to the American League structure, the National League, and the creation of sports management as an academic subject.

Entrepreneurship in Sports Management

Designed for students who anticipate owning a sports management firm in the future, this course looks at how to structure and frame entrepreneurial ventures within the sports management world. Students also learn how agent fees work.

High School and Youth Sports

This course provides the knowledge needed for those who plan to work in coaching or scouting. It looks at topics around the history of high school athletics and the role of high school athletic directors.

Collegiate Sport

This class provides an overview of all that goes into college sports. Topics include the various sporting divisions, financing for student athletes, athletes' right to compete, and the role of intramural sports teams.

Sports Broadcasting

After providing a timeline of sports broadcasting, this course looks at current issues and challenges within the discipline. It also covers the role of data and analytics in conducting audience research, forecasting ratings, and widening the share of viewers.

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What Can I Do With an Online Master's in Sports Management Degree?

Career Outlook

Jobs in the sports administration world are projected to grow expansively based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In fact, jobs for coaches and scouts are expected to grow by 26% between 2020-2030. The BLS projects jobs for sports competitors to grow by an astounding 38% during the same years. The amount that master's in sports management program graduates earn can vary widely based on their title, clients, location, and the type and level of sports they represent. For instance, someone managing a professional golfer on the PGA tour can make more than an athletic director for a local high school.

See where a master's in sports management degree can take you. Learn more about sports management careers.

Career Paths

Athletic Directors

Athletic directors usually work at high schools or universities, overseeing the institution's athletic activities. Rather than focusing on individual sports, they oversee the various coaches of individual sports, set budgets for the sports department, and handle staffing issues as they arise. They may also handle disciplinary measures for student athletes.

Median Annual Salary: $61,270

Sports Competitors

Sports competitors play amateur and professional sports across various games, including golf, football, tennis, soccer, and baseball. While a master's in sports management is not required, some athletes decide to pursue these degrees to better understand their career and management approach.

Median Annual Salary: $50,850

Coaches and Scouts

Coaches and scouts work with amateur and professional athletes to develop their playing skills. They also seek out new players for amateur, collegiate, and professional teams. Coaches organize practice sessions, create strategies for gameplay, and offer motivation. Scouts travel to recruit new players and keep track of their stats.

Median Annual Salary: $36,330

Athletic Trainers

Athletic trainers work with athletes to create rehabilitative programs and those that help prevent muscle and bone injuries during play. They develop individualized training programs for each client. They also use devices such as braces, tape, and bandages that can either help prevent injury or manage an ongoing injury.

Median Annual Salary: $49,860

Athlete Agents and Business Managers

These professionals manage a portfolio of athlete clients and negotiate contracts between the client and their team. They act as a business manager by keeping track of earnings from both playing and endorsements. They also work to gain new athletes as clients to expand their portfolio.

Median Annual Salary: $75,420

Sports Management Not For You? Check Out These Related Careers.

Continuing Education

While most professionals in this arena finish their education with a master's in sports management, a select few may decide to pursue additional degrees. Those who work towards a doctorate in sports management typically either want to conduct academic research in the field or teach the discipline to the next generation of sports managers at a college or university.

Best Accredited Online Master's in Sports Management Programs

Rankings compiled by the the BestColleges Ranking Team

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Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Sports Management Programs

Is a master's in sports management worth it?

When deciding whether an online master's in sports management is worth it, prospective students should think carefully about what they want from their advanced education and whether this particular degree leads to their anticipated outcomes. Those who know they want to work specifically with athletes as managers, agents, trainers, or coaches often find this program provides the training and credentials needed.That said, someone who wants to manage various well-known figures, including athletes, may find that another program more closely aligns with their aspirations. Think carefully through this question and more before making a final decision.

What can I do with a master's in sports management?

Graduates of a master's in sports management program can take their careers in many directions based on their interests and professional goals. Some decide to work as scouts, finding the next generation of great athletes to represent at the collegiate and professional levels.

Other graduates feel most drawn toward the business side of the industry and want to negotiate contracts and endorsements for their clients as a sports agent and business manager. This degree provides versatility within the sports world.

Are sports management graduates in demand?

Sports management master's degree graduates are projected to be in demand over the coming years, with jobs for coaches and scouts projected to grow by 26% between 2020-2030. Meanwhile, jobs for athletic trainers are projected to expand by 23% by the end of the decade, leading to 7,000 new positions.

Given that the BLS projects that athlete and sports competitor jobs will grow by 38% over the coming years, many jobs for managers, agents, coaches, trainers, and other sports professionals should continue to expand to meet these needs.

How much money can I make with a master's in sports management?

Earnings for master's in sports management graduates vary based on occupation and title. Athletic trainers earned median annual wages of $49,860 in May 2020, while those in the top 10% of earners made over $75,810.

Meanwhile, athletic directors at high schools and colleges currently earn an average base salary of $61,270 as of Feb. 2022. That said, Payscale reports that bonuses for these professionals can reach up to $24,000 annually based on winning statistics for their teams.

What are the highest-paying jobs with a master's in sports management?

The highest-paying jobs for sports managers can vary widely based on the types of athletes they work with, at what level they work (e.g., amateur, collegiate, professional), and how long they have been in the business.

For instance, the BLS reports that sports agents and business managers earned median salaries of $75,420 in May 2020. That said, sports agent Scott Boras earned $160 million in commissions in 2020 alone. How much experience an agent possesses, and who they have on their client roster, goes a long way in determining earnings.

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