The fields of sports management and esports management are growing at a rapid pace—and if you’re someone who enjoys the thrill of competition, now could be an excellent time to throw your hat into the proverbial ring of either of these fields. There are plenty of sports and esports manager job opportunities out there as well as positions in coaching and other roles.
So, what does it take to get involved in sports or esports management, and what exactly is the difference? Delve into the details so you can be in a better position to determine which career path is right for you.
Understanding Sports and Esports Management
Those in sports and esports management play central roles in leading players and teams, engaging with fans, planning major events, and much more. Yet as the sports and esports fields continue to boom in popularity across the globe, the demand for knowledgeable and experienced managers has grown along with it. More than ever, teams and leagues are looking for professionals with a degree in sports management or esports management to understand the nuances of this work.
What Is Sports Management?
Sports management focuses on roles within the sporting industry as a whole. This includes live sporting competitions at stadiums and arenas across the globe. Sports managers are generally responsible for overseeing entire teams or even leagues. In some cases, they may even manage individual players.
What Does a Sports Manager Do?
The exact responsibilities of a sports manager can vary, but most are responsible for leading and overseeing sporting leagues, teams, and players. They may provide specific training and resources to improve performance while working alongside coaches and other professionals. Managers also tend to play some role in improving fan engagement in addition to the overall marketing of a league or team to build interest and support within the local community.
What Career Opportunities Are Available?
There are numerous paths you can take with a sports management degree, with some of the most popular career opportunities including:
- Sports agent
- Sports marketing manager
- Athletic director
- Event coordinator
- Team manager
- Fitness manager
- Facility manager
What Is Esports Management?
Esports management is similar to sports management but with the core difference being that esports involve the management of online teams and leagues rather than in-person sporting events.
What Does an Esports Manager Do?
What do esports managers do compared to regular sports managers? With the growing popularity of esports, the demand for management professionals with an esports degree has increased over the past several years. Specifically, esports teams and leagues need experienced managers, analysts, organizers, and other specialists to help oversee and manage various aspects of these leagues. From planning events and tournaments to spearheading marketing campaigns and securing sponsorships, those in the esports management field tend to be more focused on tactics than physical conditioning.
What Career Opportunities Are Available?
Depending on where your interests lie, there are numerous opportunities available for those with an esports degree. Some of the more popular career paths in this field include:
- Esports team manager
- Esports coach or analyst
- Event and tournament organizer
- Esports marketing specialist
- Sponsorship manager
- Player agent
Comparing Sports Management and Esports Management
Although there is some overlap between sports and esports management, there are also key distinctions between the two to consider as you explore your own career options.
Industry Growth and Trends
While the demand for in-person sporting events is unlikely to fade anytime soon, it is worth noting that the popularity of esports events has skyrocketed in the past several years. This was perhaps heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person sporting events were canceled and spectators began turning to esports as an outlet for excitement and competition.
Today’s research projects that the esports market will reach a size of nearly $11 million by 2032 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.9% between 2022 and 2032. By comparison, marketing agency Two Circles projects that the sports industry as a whole will reach annual revenues of $260 billion by 2033.
Demand for Sports Managers vs. Esports Managers
As the number of online sports leagues and teams increases, the need for esports managers is anticipated to rise as well. Sports management professionals with formal degrees are more likely to stand out as viable candidates for these increasingly complex roles.
Potential for Career Advancement
In both esports and sports management, there is considerable opportunity for career advancement—depending on your specific interests. It is not uncommon, for instance, for an esports coach or assistant coach to work their way up to a league management or director position. Likewise, those with sports and esports management degrees can diversify their roles as sports analysts, agents, marketing consultants, event coordinators, and much more.
Unique Skills Required for Each Field
In sports management jobs, most of the required skills are centered on understanding how to lead individual teams and players while generating excitement and engagement from the sports audience. In esports, however, there is a greater need for technical skills—such as those related to online marketing, organizing online events, and handling sponsorships.
How to Choose the Right Career Path for You
Not sure whether a career in sports management or esports management is ideal for you? There are a few factors worth keeping in mind that can help you make a more confident decision based on your personal interests, professional goals, and more.
Self-Assessment
Begin by performing a self-assessment, taking the time to really think about your core interests and passions in life. It can be especially helpful to reflect on some of your past experiences in both sports and esports to determine which discipline may better align with your interests.
For example, if you are already heavily into online gaming and have participated in some tournaments yourself, then you may already have an understanding of the ins and outs of esports events. On the other hand, having more of a personal connection to live, in-person sporting events may also make a career in sports management more rewarding and satisfying.
Skill Set Evaluation
In addition, you’ll want to take some time to evaluate your skill set as it currently stands, especially as it relates to the kinds of skills you would need in a sports or esports management role. Some of the most essential skills to consider include leadership and decision-making as well as analytical and problem-solving skills—as these will be critical in just about any sports or esports management role. More technical skills may also be important if you will be pursuing a role in marketing, event coordinating, or other niche areas.
Likewise, you should consider your own knowledge of specific industry or league rules and regulations for the particular sport or esport in which you are most interested. Regardless of where your knowledge stands here, all sports and esports managers will also benefit from being adaptable and tech-savvy as these fields inevitably evolve and expand.
Career Goals and Aspirations
Last but not least, be sure to ponder your short- and long-term career goals and vision. It can be useful to think about where you might see yourself in five years, 10 years, 20 years, and even beyond that.
Consider, too, where your preferences lie regarding work environments. Do you enjoy the more traditional sports venue, or are you excited about the idea of a digital platform?
Other crucial considerations when it comes to goals and aspirations include the overall pace of the work, the culture of the industry or league, and the potential need for travel as part of your lifestyle; sports managers are likely to travel more than esports managers, though this isn’t always the case. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in a career with flexible work and the potential for remote work, then esports may be the better choice for you.
Launch Your Career with Baker’s Sports and Esports Management Degree
If you’re genuinely interested in a career in sports or esports management, having a formal degree could help you stand out and gain the foundational skills you need in this competitive line of work. At Baker College, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Esports Management that can help you explore the nuances of these dynamic industries while preparing for a variety of relevant sports and esports management roles.Learn more about this program by getting in touch today, or begin your online application for enrollment.