A career in sports management throws promising opportunities in India and abroad. Dr Nayana Nimkar tells you how to make it a lucrative option

You’re taking the strike, about to face the match’s last ball. You need to score a boundary to win the game for your team. The bowler’s charging in. He bowls a fiery bouncer at you. You judge the ball well and pull it. The ball’s in the air. And your alarm goes off!

This is just one of the many what if scenarios you dream every other day. As a sports enthusiast, you might regret not making it as a successful athlete. But not playing the game doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of it. There are courses like MBA in Sports Management, which lets you switch to a managerial career in this field. Here are few reasons why you should consider it.

Turn your passion into a career: Instead of taking any job, you would desire a career in a field you’re passionate about and would love to live every minute of. Therefore, opting for a career in sports management will not only appeal to the sports enthusiast in you but also to the tagline ‘where work meets fun’.

Enjoy diverse opportunities: Contrary to popular belief, a career in sports management is more diverse than just sports event management. You can also pursue careers in other verticals such as sports marketing and sports technology. If you want to specialise in either of these verticals, you can opt for an MBA in Sports Management.

Be part of a fast-growing industry: In a recent press event, Sanjay Gupta, MD of Star India, attributed the fast growth of India’s sports industry by projecting its valuation to 10 billion dollars in the next five-seven years. It reflects the rising interest amongst the audience for sports other than cricket, considered as the most dominant sport. Thus, there is massive scope for you to make a career in sports management in your favourite sport.

Increasing use of sports analytics: In recent times, professional teams in India and globally are increasingly using data analytics to measure player performances, audience engagement and prevention of sporting injuries. If you want to make a career in sports analytics, you can opt for an MBA in Sports Management and specialise in sports technology. You will learn about sports software and application of technology in sports.

The rise in advertisement and sponsorship revenue: In 2018, the Economic Times reported that sports-related advertising and sponsorship revenue has crossed the $1 billion mark in India. It shows the amount spent on athletes and teams to market products in the market. As a sports management professional, you can represent your clients in these meetings and seek out the best deal for them. You can also charge a commission for smoothly getting these deals over the line.

Work with high profile clients: The opportunity to work with high-profile athletes is a major draw for a career in sports management. From securing them the best contracts to coordinating their charity events, you will make decisions that benefit your client in every possible way. The competency you show in your decision-making will put you at the top of the management game.

An opportunity to travel worldwide: A career in sports management throws promising opportunities abroad. It could be joining an international sports agency or handling an international sporting event for the current one. Hence, if you love to travel, you are in the right job!

The writer is Director, Symbiosis School of Sports Science