Sports administration is the business side of athletics, the work that keeps professional teams, college programs and sports organizations running smoothly. Sports administrators manage a wide variety of tasks crucial to any athletics organization’s success, from payroll and contract negotiations to media relations and marketing.
Students can develop a unique blend of business and sports acumen through the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Sports Administration program from St. Thomas University (STU). The advanced degree program teaches the business behind the game through a comprehensive curriculum covering topics ranging from management to sports-related law.
Explore Career Growth and Salaries in Sports Administration
Sports administration encompasses a wide range of career paths, and many of them are growing quickly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of entertainment and recreation managers — a category encompassing many sports administration leadership roles — to increase 8% through 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Compensation in the field varies widely depending on factors like the size of the athletic program, region, league and specific position. BLS reports that entertainment and recreation managers earned a median annual wage of $77,180 in 2024, while the highest paid professionals in the field made more than $134,680 per year.
Operational Roles in Sports Administration
Many positions in sports administration and management are operational in nature. For instance, ticket sales managers oversee box office operations, resolving customer disputes and ensuring that online sales portals run smoothly and efficiently.
Event coordinators and managers handle the logistics of tournaments or other athletic events. Responsibilities for these roles may include:
- Managing schedules and recruiting event staff
- Coordinating hotel bookings and travel logistics
- Supervising volunteers
- Overseeing the production of event documentation and brochures
For large, professional sports teams, guest services and guest relations staff attend to important guests such as former players, dignitaries and donors. This involves managing accommodations and addressing any guest requests or needs promptly.
Compliance officers ensure that teams adhere to regulatory and internal policy requirements. Sports facility managers, also known as athletics facilities managers, oversee the daily maintenance of courts, rinks, arenas and other athletics facilities.
Leadership and Executive Roles in Sports Administration
Sports administration also includes numerous executive leadership and management roles. Organizations hire general managers, athletic directors and sports directors to oversee team and individual sports programs. These professionals work for organizations ranging from community outfits like the YMCA to school districts, university athletic departments and major league teams.
Directors develop, organize and administer sports teams and leagues while hiring and recruiting staff to support various aspects of the program. General managers take a more hands-on role, overseeing staff and day-to-day operations of all kinds.
Managers of public and media relations, marketing and other functional areas are also essential for business-oriented sports organizations. Labor relations and contract negotiation specialists are particularly important in large professional sports outfits dealing with multi-million-dollar contracts and complex collective bargaining agreements.
Vice presidents (VPs) of finance and chief financial officers (CFOs) in the professional sports industry fulfill a similar role to their peers in other businesses. These upper- and executive-level leaders oversee all aspects of accounting, payroll, financial planning and reporting. CFOs, CEOs, VPs and others in top leadership positions are among the highest paid administrative professionals in the sports industry.
Learn the Business Behind the Game
Sports administrators bring skills as diverse as the teams and athletes they serve. STU’s online MBA in Sports Administration prepares graduates for rewarding careers guiding professional sports teams. STU faculty teach all courses, and students can complete the program in as few as 12 months. The MBA curriculum covers skills ranging from managerial accounting and strategy systems to sports media, marketing and public relations.
Beyond the business aspects of running a sports team, graduates gain insight into topics uniquely related to sports. The curriculum addresses subjects like contract negotiation, sports psychology, defamation, collective bargaining and safety protocols. These combined competencies prepare graduates to lead with confidence across the full spectrum of sports administration.
Learn more about the STU online MBA program with a specialization in Sports Administration.
