How Women Can Break Into Sports Management: Your Playbook for Success in the Sports Industry
Imagine this: You’re in the boardroom of your favorite sports team making calls that could shape the future of the franchise. Sounds like a dream, right? Here’s the truth—it’s way more doable than you might think. And honestly, the sports industry could use more people like you right now.
Women’s sports are hitting incredible milestones. In 2024, they smashed records with big jumps in TV viewers and game attendance. This growth has opened doors to push even further with expansions planned in 2025. Experts believe revenues in elite women’s sports will pass $2.35 billion that same year. But here’s the catch: while women’s sports are thriving on the field and in the stands, there’s still a big gap on the management side that needs more female leaders making decisions.
How can women step into the field of sports management? Let’s go over some ideas that might shape your career in a big way.
The Current Scene: Why This Moment Might Be Yours
Before jumping into tactics, let’s look at the bigger picture. The sports world isn’t just expanding—it’s booming. By 2025, 67% of Americans say they follow at least one women’s sport. That’s a big jump from the 55% reported in 2022. This isn’t just a passing phase—it’s a major change.
Think of it like this. When industries grow fast, they open doors. Plenty of them. Right now, sports management is looking for new ideas creative minds, and, let’s face it, the teamwork-focused leadership women often excel at.
By May 2024, 83 percent of sports organizations included at least one woman on their executive committees. Back in 2019, that number was 64 percent. Is this progress? Definitely. But “at least one” is a pretty low bar when it comes to true leadership representation. There’s clearly space to add more.
Breaking the Barriers: What You’re Up Against
We need to face the facts—there are actual problems here. Studies reveal gender bias and stereotypes in sports jobs. Men and women alike often hold negative and outdated views about women’s careers and skills in this field. What sets apart those who succeed is the ability to recognize these hurdles without letting them define your limits.
The Way People See It
You’ve heard it said before: “Sports is for men.” That mindset is old and doesn’t belong anymore. The issue isn’t that women lack the ability to thrive in sports management. The real battle is challenging those who still think that way.
The Missing Networks
Breaking into sports management can seem like entering a tight-knit circle. A lot of roles get filled through personal connections, so if you aren’t already part of the network, it might feel like there’s no way in. But there are ways to work around this.
The Experience Dilemma
Employers want people with experience. Yet how can anyone gain experience if no one gives them an opportunity? It’s a tricky situation, but it isn’t something you can’t overcome.
Build Your Playbook: Steps to Enter Sports Management
1. Start Small, Make the Most of What You Have
You don’t need to have been a top college athlete to excel in sports management. What matters is knowing how business works being a strong leader, and showing real excitement for the field.
Building the Basics
- A sports management degree fits , but it’s not always a strict requirement.
- Business admin courses with a focus on sports work well too.
- Experience in marketing, finance, or communications connects to the field .
- Certificates in sports marketing, event planning, or data analytics can boost your credentials online.
What makes sports management special? It pulls from lots of different disciplines. A psych degree can help with managing player relationships. Accounting skills? Perfect for dealing with salary caps. Got a background in marketing? Teams are seeking expertise to grow online.
2. Grow Your Network (It Matters)
Here’s where effort meets opportunity. Research shows that women aiming for leadership roles in sports should focus on finding mentors, role models, and sponsors. Later, they can also use those connections to create more opportunities and networks for others.
Clever Ways to Network:
- Become a member of groups such as Women in Sports and Events or the Alliance of Women Coaches.
- Start attending conferences in the industry even if they are online at first.
- Reach out to female leaders on LinkedIn. Many are open to giving advice.
- Help out with local sports groups to meet people and make connections.
Keep in mind, networking isn’t about taking advantage of others. It’s about fostering real connections that help both sides grow over time.
3. Dive Into Hands-On Experience
Start with Entry-Level Roles That Could Take You Somewhere:
- Internships with pro teams (yes even if you’re not 22 yet)
- Part-time jobs at college athletic offices
- Volunteer roles helping out during big sports events
- Marketing assistant positions at sports marketing companies
- Admin roles with sports organizations or governing bodies
Tip: Don’t pass on smaller gigs. Hard work matters in sports, and people notice when you’re eager to do what’s needed.
4. Build Your Expertise (But Keep an Open Mind)
Sports management is wide-ranging. Narrowing your focus can make you stand out:
Fields That Are in Demand:
- Promoting brands with digital marketing and managing social platforms
- Analyzing sports data and making sense of trends
- Organizing and running events
- Building sponsorships and forming partnerships
- Handling player relationships and managing talent
- Overseeing sports facilities and keeping operations on track
- Dealing with media and managing communications
Here’s the key: Find what you’re great at, and then get amazing at it by applying it in the sports world.
5. Get Comfortable with Promoting Yourself
It might not always feel natural, but it’s necessary. Research shows women in sports leadership roles should focus on promoting themselves . Balance humility with strength.
How to Promote Yourself :
- Share your achievements on LinkedIn and include details about how your team contributed.
- Publish articles about trends in sports management.
- Present at panels or speak at events within the industry.
- Guide and support women beginning their careers in this field.
- Keep track of your projects and highlight their proven results.
Taking the Leap: Becoming Part of the Inner Circle
Playing the Application Game
When it’s time to apply for jobs how you approach it is crucial. Sports organizations value enthusiasm, but they also must trust your abilities.
Your Application Needs to Highlight:
- A solid understanding of the organization and their unique challenges.
- Tangible successes from your past roles even outside of sports.
- Awareness of key trends and the issues the industry faces today.
- Strong writing speaking skills, and an all-around polished presentation.
The Interview Blueprint
Sports interviews often bring a lot of intensity. They search for individuals who think on their feet, stay calm under pressure, and operate in demanding situations.
Steps to Prepare for an Interview:
- Study the team or organization’s recent track record, obstacles, and opportunities to improve.
- Come up with concrete examples where you tackled issues under tight deadlines or stress.
- Learn about key industry trends and how those trends might shape the company’s plans.
- Ask meaningful questions that show you’ve thought about their long-term strategy.
Tackling Confidence Issues
Let’s be real for a second: imposter syndrome exists. It’s a tough challenge in male-dominated industries. Women in sports management who’ve succeeded know one thing—those feelings of doubt happen to everyone sometimes. What matters is finding a way to move forward despite it.
Ways to Build Confidence:
- Celebrate small victories you achieve along the way.
- Seek out someone who’s been down this road to guide you.
- Keep in mind that your unique perspective matters because it’s different.
- Aim to keep learning instead of feeling like you need to know it all right away.
Why Mentorship Matters
Finding the right mentor can save you years of trial and error in your career. Search for someone who:
- Has already accomplished the goals you are working toward
- Aligns with your values and approach to work
- Offers honest and straightforward feedback
- Has connections and can introduce you to key people
But remember, mentorship is more than just receiving guidance—it’s about building a relationship. Be ready to support your mentor and contribute to their projects when you can.
Looking Forward: The Future Holds Endless Possibilities
The sports world is changing fast and opening new doors for women like never before. In 2024 elite women’s sports brought in over $1 billion in revenue, which marks a 300% jump compared to 2021. This isn’t just regular growth—this is a game-changer.
New Possibilities:
- Women’s pro leagues are growing at a remarkable pace
- Teams and organizations are paying more attention to fan experiences
- Diversity and inclusion efforts are getting stronger
- Tech and digital advances are introducing fresh roles and divisions
- Sports properties are expanding to global markets
Your Next Move: Start Now, Not Later
Getting into sports management doesn’t require having every detail figured out from day one. Many successful women in this field began by taking steps even when they had more doubts than clarity.
Your 30-Day Kickstart Plan:
- Week 1: Look up and choose five companies you’d like to work with.
- Week 2: Sign up for a professional group and attend an online event.
- Week 3: Contact three women who work in sports management to set up informational interviews.
- Week 4: Submit an application for a volunteer role or an entry-level job.
Remember, experts started as learners. Executives were once interns. Success begins when someone takes the leap without needing to have it all figured out.
The Final Point: Now Is Your Moment
The sports world is growing faster offering more variety and openings than ever before. Women’s sports are breaking new records in revenue, with attendance climbing higher and organizations realizing how much value diverse leaders bring to the table.
You don’t have to wait for someone to approve your dreams of working in sports management. You don’t have to wait until you feel “ready enough” or “qualified enough.” What matters is having a clear plan real passion, and the grit to keep moving forward even when things get tough.
It’s not a matter of whether women can thrive in sports management—women are proving it every single day. The real question is: are you ready to step into that success with them?
Your playbook is set. The doors to new opportunities stand open. All that’s left is to step in and prove yourself.
Want to take the leap into sports management? Begin by reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn joining a sports management group, or volunteering with local teams. The steps you take now lay the foundation for your career in sports management.