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We all search for inspiration, something to act as a beacon in our lives imploring us to follow or come closer. For over 15 years, working in the sports industry has provided me excitement, passion, pride and fulfillment. This video is my attempt to pay forward all that working in the sports industry has given me.
I sincerely hope it acts as an inspiration for you on your path. If you like the message, and support our passion, please share on social media!
Video Transcript for: “Why Sports Jobs? It’s Simple…”
Brian Clapp, WorkinSports.com Director of Content: Hi I’m Brian from Work in Sports – before I get too deep into this discussion on why the sports industry is essentially recession proof and therefore always full of career opportunities and growth – I want to make one thing very clear.
I am not an economist
But that’s OK, because economists and other really smart people have already made the case for me:
- Despite negative press after a lockout the NHL is still filling stadiums to 96.7% capacity
- PricewaterhouseCooper expects 4.8% annual growth over the next 5 years, including a 7.7% growth per year in media rights fees and 6.6% annual growth in sponsorships, which may not sound like much, but the US economy is expected to grow at just 2.2% so that is saying something
- According to sports economist Andrew Zimbalist, the secret sauce is the long-term media rights deals professional teams have signed, which provide consistent revenue through economic down-cycles helping sports remain resistant to recession
- And the magazine The Economist, after tje last recession, said “Sports are, by and large, standing up to recession better than most industries”
Through good times and bad, people pay to see their heroes in action. Always have, always will – because sports are an escape from the everyday – an outlet for human competitiveness and aggression that will always have an audience.

Working in sports taps into your passion, satisfies your hunger for competition and fulfills your career aspirations
The simple fact is, as long as fans continue to put their butts in the seats, buy t-shirts and hats, watch games on television and read sports blogs –
- There will be a need for sports jobs in tickets sales –
- At sports networks broadcasting and talking about the games
- For sports marketers crafting new sponsorship deals,
- Publicists improving the visibility of athletes
- Agents passing dollars into their pockets
- And front office staff managing the process.
Sports will never go out of fashion, and will never become obsolete and neither will sports jobs
How many people do you know that dread Sunday night knowing a return to their uninspiring career awaits them on Monday morning? You and me – we can be different. We understand that sports are a spontaneous display of reality, that we never know when moments like
This (Lebron James playoff game winner)
This (Jadeveon Clowney’s hit)
This (Landon Donovan’s World Cup game winner)
Are going to happen….Or this this this this this this this this this this this –
When you have sports jobs you feel like you are a part of something that everyone else wants in on – you walk around with pride knowing that if you get stuck in some awkward moment when strangers at a party ask – “so, what do you do?” you can answer with confidence because you have a sports job, you love what you do and you can see a little jealousy in their eyes.
Everyone I know that works in the sports industry feels fulfilled – yeah of course there are long days, bad bosses and sometimes short pay – but they are living their true path, following their passion and never, ever stuck thinking…why didn’t I follow my heart?
So now ask yourself the question – why not work in sports?
I would like to know what do I need to do to get into a position like sports? What kind of degree do I need?
Darren – It all depends what you want to do in sports, there are literally hundreds of options. I have written a few other articles on the subject – here are some pieces you can read that may help you on your career path.
http://www.workinsports.com/blog/sports-jobs-in-social-media-on-the-rise/
http://www.workinsports.com/blog/why-a-sports-management-degree-will-separate-you-from-the-competition/
http://www.workinsports.com/blog/how-to-turn-your-dead-end-job-into-a-sports-career/
http://www.workinsports.com/blog/get-jobs-in-sports-when-internships-networking-arent-working/
http://www.workinsports.com/blog/working-in-sports-sales/
http://www.workinsports.com/blog/sports-marketing-jobs-do-you-have-what-it-takes/
http://www.workinsports.com/blog/starting-a-career-in-sports-media-relations/
http://www.workinsports.com/blog/sports-marketing-agency-jobs/
http://www.workinsports.com/blog/sports-jobs-qa-starting-a-career-in-research-and-analytics/
That should keep you busy for a bit 😉 – there is just under 100 articles on our blog…just start reading! Brian
I hold four masters degrees including an MBA have been teaching business as an adjunct for 20 years, and I love sports and wonder how to break in as an editor, writer, or a sports interviewer. I am also pursuing my PhD/
Considering Edith Piaf died over 40 years ago you have me a little worried… but in all honest it’s a great question Edith. I’d say it all depends on how far you are willing to step back to move forward. If it were me Id start by gust writing on some blogs (we accept guest writers for example) build a portfolio, look at the local newspapers in your area to break in, if it’s a smaller paper you might be able to do it part time as you still work as a professor and pursue your PhD. If you are willing to relocate we have many many sports writer jobs on our site. Also, more and more teams at all levels are in the content creation business, tey aren’t relying on the local papers or tv stations to tell their stories, they are hiring people on staff to write and blog etc. There are really many ays for you to break in especially with your higher education! – Brian
Dear Mr Capp,
My name is Luisa and I would really appreciate if you could advise on how to start a career in sports that combines both my passions for sports and languages!
I have to say I am extremely confused on what I want to do (to say the least).
What I do know is that I love sports and languages and, as a matter of fact, I have spent most of my life playing sports, be it athletics, playing soccer or simply working out at the gym. Until now, my career has focused on language jobs, and as of now, I work as QA editor. I really enjoy the work in itself, but I find it too “static” and really doesnt suit my personality. Also, even if we cover a wide variety of topics, sports is very marginal and mainly relates to retail. Also, the 9-to-5-sitting-at-a-desk situation is definitely not for me.
Having said that, I still don’t know how I would like to/should combine those passions: Would I want to become an interpreter at sport events? An Event Manager? A Player Recruiting Agent?
I am doing a lot of reading (I have read most of you articles), which surely helps, but I dont really know how and where to start from.
Would I have to start from scratch and obtain new qualifications, or maybe, my current MA in translation and Interpreting could be put to use in the industry? and if so, how?
Thank you in advance for any insights/suggestions you may provide!
Best,
Lu
Hi
Thanks a lot for this awsome video.
It’s make remind me why I want to work in Sport through Digital Maketing.
Best Regards
Kade
Thanks Kade!