Industry Outlook

"We are a nation of sports fans and sports players," reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. America's love of sports ensures steady demand not only for talented athletes but also for those who support them: sports administrators. Specialists in sports management and in sports marketing and public relations - the two areas of focus of Northwestern University's Master of Arts in Sports Administration program - can expect 12 percent growth in employment between 2006 and 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations, according to the BLS.

Competition for jobs in sports administration can be keen, a reflection perhaps of the view of sports as a glamorous, exciting industry. Education and work experience, even on a volunteer basis, increase the chances of finding work as a sports administrator, but the key to landing a dream job may lie in learning to see the sports industry in all its breadth, from college athletics to professional sports. The fundamental business and leadership skills supported in the MSA curriculum equip graduates for roles in marketing, management, and communications in a wide range of organizations.

Earnings of sports administrators vary greatly depending on the employer and the work specialty. In general median annual earnings of U.S. administrative services managers in 2006 were $67,690. Public relations specialists earned $47,350, while public relations managers earned $82,180. The BLS reported earnings of $73,060 for advertising and promotions managers, $98,720 for marketing managers, and $91,560 for sales managers.

Chicago is a sports center, and several local sports organizations have contacted Northwestern with job openings. Online postings of sports jobs can be found at JobsinSports.com and SportsCareerFinder.com. The College Athletic Business Management Association maintains information about sports jobs at colleges and universities.