Not everyone that wants a career in sports in sports can be a professional athlete. The good news is that there are substitute career paths, including entering into sports law. This puts people in the thick of the industry in ways they may never have dreamed of before.
One of the most common careers in the field is a sports agent. Sports agents are famously portrayed in movies such as Jerry McGuire. While the role isn’t quite lavish as the film demonstrates, many people still find it to be an exciting career. Sports agents have the responsibility of handling the day to day occurrence a professional athlete faces. Additionally, they are responsible for securing contracts for each of their clients. Other job duties include tackling any legal and financial issues a player may encounter.
A similar profession to an agent is a sports/entertainment lawyer. This career option requires one to manage many more athletes than the average sports agent does. However, they also represent coaches, managers, sporting goods equipment companies, and the facilities where professional sporting events are held. And while every athlete needs a sports lawyer, many also need a defense attorney at times.
Another approach to work in the industry is to become a professor of sports law. A professor is a career path often chosen by those who want to make a real difference in the industry. They spend their career researching sports-related laws and often devise their plans for keeping the industry moving forward.
People also make a difference by choosing to become a member of their state legislature. These are the people who set the laws that govern professional sports. They work hard to acquire funds and permits to have new stadiums built.
One of the most well-known positions in the industry is the sports commissioner. This position requires that an individual previously worked as a sports lawyer. The role of the commissioner is the equivalent of a company’s CEO. The role entails representing owners of professional sports teams. It also requires an individual to be able to mediate problems between coaches and athletes.