Average Salaries
- PR Manager, $89,400
- Operations Manager, $114,500
- Athletic Director (collegiate), $99,900
- Director of Marketing, $126,200
- Entry-level Administration, $40,000
Career Options
Sports-related jobs are expected to increase 23% for the decade ending in 2018, a much larger increase than the average for other employment sectors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics* (BLS). Only a tiny fraction of people will ever join the professional ranks as players, coaches or top executives, but jobs connected to sports marketing and administration will continue to grow, a result of demographics and the increasing demand for sophisticated organizations that specialize in youth sports. Chicago is one of the greatest sports towns in America. Several local sports organizations keep contacts with Northwestern University for job openings.
MSA Potential
Jobs in sports administration have such titles as athletic director; associate director of marketing; assistant director of facilities; director of operations for youth sports; media relations director; advertising sales representative. For those with expertise in sports marketing and administration, jobs can be found at many large corporations with divisions that focus on consumer ties to athletics. These jobs often track closely with public relations, a field that is expected to grow some 24 percent through the decade ending in 2018, according to the BLS.
Additional Information
Northwestern University provides a comprehensive learning experience for students looking to build a career in sports. With the outstanding academic pedigree of Northwestern, a strong alumni network and elite networking opportunities, the Master of Arts in Sports Administration program has quickly become regarded as one of the top graduate programs in the field.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Guide to Industries, 2010–11 edition