A sports administration degree can give you an edge in a competitive job market. Plus, a quality sports administration program helps you expand your professional network while gaining invaluable real word experience.
If you are thinking about pursuing a master’s degree in sports administration, you should research the many career possibilities that await you upon graduation. A comprehensive degree program like Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online Master of Science (MS) in Sports Administration – General program will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed for a wide variety of exciting jobs. Here are six careers you can explore after earning a master’s in this field:
1. Director of Sports Marketing
The sports market was valued at roughly $470 billion in 2025, and estimates suggest a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% will raise that figure to over $617 billion by 2029. The sports industry is huge business, dependent on revenue from myriad sources. However, as with any such industry, a great deal of this revenue relies on excellent marketing that effectively targets and capitalizes on consumers, donors and sponsors.
Given this, directors of marketing, fundraising and similar functions for professional sports organizations are vital to organizational success and growth. They receive substantial compensation due to their strategic expertise, averaging $104,448 per year according to ZipRecruiter data as of November 2025.
2. Sports Agent
Sports agents play a critical role in the sporting world. These professionals represent and advocate for athlete clients. This can include negotiating contracts and endorsement deals, as well as guiding the career trajectory of their clients.
Sports agents protect their clients’ interests and strive to secure the best possible deals for the athletes they work with. Sports agents often work independently, and their compensation depends on the rates they charge and the contracts they set up. As such, their pay varies widely. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), annual earnings for agents and business managers of artists, performers and athletes ranged from $47,100 to over $239,200 in 2023, with a median annual wage of $84,900.
3. Head Coach
A head coach position is the dream job for many people who love tactics, strategy, gameplay, athlete development and the excitement of competition. Southeastern’s M.S. in Sports Administration program includes extensive coursework devoted to coaching, from athletic development techniques to research methodologies and statistical analysis used to improve strategy and decision-making.
Coaches often begin their careers as athletes or high school coaches and move their way up to more prestigious positions with colleges or professional sports teams. Salaries for coaches vary widely, according to training and experience as well as the type of sporting organization and echelon of the team.
For instance, ZipRecruiter reports the average salary for professional athletic coaches was $49,424 as of November 2025. However, the average annual compensation for the 50 highest paid coaches in collegiate and professional sports was roughly $7.75 million in 2024, according to Sportico research.
4. Sports Statistician
Southeastern’s coursework in sports-related research and statistical analysis also prepares graduates for unique jobs as sports statisticians. These professionals may draw statistical analysis from player performance data, coaching strategy and other sources to inform and improve coaching decisions, training programs and team strategy.
Sports statisticians may also work for sports media networks, providing statistical analysis on team performance and league developments for sports news shows, articles and other entertainment media sources. According to November 2025 data from ZipRecruiter, sports statisticians make an average annual salary of $86,921.
5. General Manager
General managers (GMs) occupy top-level executive management positions in professional sports franchises, similar to a chief executive officer (CEO) role. In this capacity, GMs oversee other departments like marketing, public relations and business development from a business management perspective. This involves supervising subordinate managers and coaches, managing financial resources, ensuring compliance with regulations and league policies, and reporting directly to a team’s owner.
Salaries and additional compensation for GMs vary greatly. According to ZipRecruiter, general managers in sports make an average annual salary of $65,026 as of November 2025, but some GMs in upper-level collegiate and professional teams earn salaries in the seven figure range.
6. League Administrator Positions
Students in Southeastern’s M.S. in Sports Administration program delve into topics like legal aspects of sports, contemporary and societal issues, finance, event management and much more. Beyond working with specific teams or media outlets, the comprehensive knowledge graduates gain prepares them for various administrative roles with sports league organizations such as the WNBA, NBA, NFL, NHL, NWSL, MLS, NCAA and more.
Graduates could pursue management-level positions in league departments like business development, finance, marketing and media relations. Experience, advanced education and job performance could lead to upper-management opportunities or even the coveted role of league commissioner. According to the website Sportscasting, commissioners of the top professional sports leagues command compensation in the seven- to eight-figure range (annually).
Of course, very few professional league commissioner positions exist. However, they demonstrate the range of growth opportunities that education and experience can provide. Regardless of how ambitious your professional aspirations are, a master’s in sports administration can help you develop the knowledge and skills you will need to excel in your chosen career.
Learn more about Southeastern’s online M.S. in Sports Administration – General program.