When people hear the phrase ‘sports sales’, they might immediately think of ticket sales. And yes, ticket sales are a huge component of sports sales and the sports industry as a whole.
But, what about sporting goods or equipment sales? Partnership sales or corporate sponsorships?
While sports sales certainly encompasses ticket/suite sales to a large degree, there’s ever expanding areas of sports sales. The boundaries of sports sales continues to stretch, and with that, the possibility for individuals to obtain their dream jobs in sports sales arguably expands as well.
Types Of Jobs In Sports Sales
Jobs in sports sales vary from entry-level positions as ticket sales representatives to front office executive roles as the team’s vice president of ticket sales.
Others important jobs in sports sales include, but aren’t limited to, the following positions:
- Inside sales representative
- Vice president of sales and marketing
- Advance ticket seller
- Account executive
- Sporting goods store sales representative
- Director of corporate suites
- Vice president of ticket sales
- Manager of corporate partnership sales
- Director of suite sales and services
- Equipment sales representative
- Ticket account executive
How To Get Jobs In Sports Sales
Jobs in sports sales are ideally suited for those individuals who are personable, competitive, creative, and aggressive. Here is a great article outlining how six former/current inside ticket sales managers landed one of the very competitive jobs in sports sales.
Like most niches within the sports industry, sports sales requires unwavering hard-work; moreover, it might be the most valuable component of a professional/collegiate team or organization.
If you’re interested in sports sales, attending sports sales combines, like the one hosted by the Atlanta Hawks this Friday and Saturday, is a great way to develop your sports sales skills and potentially land one of those coveted dream jobs in sports sales. In addition, sports sales combines are valuable tools that teams use in recruiting new sales team members.
Similarly, Dave Neff — former Associate Director of Suite Sales and Services for the Indiana Pacers — spent four years with Pacers Sports & Entertainment. In his last role, Dave was responsible for driving new business in licensed suites as well as our individual event suite rentals. He also led the Pacers’ suite services group working with our current suite holders.
Below he offers one piece of wisdom to individuals searching for jobs in sports sales.
“A high percentage of people break into sports through ticket sales. My advice would be to create a one-year timeline (could be a PowerPoint) of how you will develop and achieve success in your first sales role.
“I guarantee you not too many people are doing that for their first job. Many people do that for their second and third jobs – but not their first.”
Connect with David on Twitter as well as LinkedIn.
College Programs That Can Help You Land Jobs In Sports Sales
Universities that offer sports sales-specific programs might be hard to come by in 2013.
While sports management, sports marketing, and sports administration programs are aplenty, undergraduate and even graduate programs centered around sales are surprisingly rarer than you may think.
However, Baylor University is the rare exception, as the Hanjamer School of Business houses the Sports Sponsorship and Sales Program.
Below, Sports Networker also highlights the University of Oregon, and its Warsaw Marketing Center, a nationally and even globally recognized educational center on the West coast.
Baylor University — Hankamer School of Business
Baylor University’s Sports Sponsorship and Sales Program (S3), which is housed in the Hankamer School of Business, is the only one of its kind, offering a complete undergraduate major in sports sales.
Prior to graduation, each student will complete two separate internships, so it’s very clear that the program places much-needed emphasis on real-world sports industry experiences. The University prides itself on placing its students at the highest level of professional sports, whether it’s corporate sponsorship, customer/public relations management, and sports marketing.
Contact: Undergraduate Program - Apply here. | Social Media: Twitter, Facebook
S3 Program At Baylor University As Seen Through Students’ Eyes
University Of Oregon — Lundquist College Of Business
Based in Eugene, Ore., the University’s Warsaw Sports Marketing Center was the nation’s first sports business program housed at a college of business, and more specifically, the Lundquist College of Business. Warsaw is world renown as an educational think tank for those passionate about concentrating in sports marketing.
The undergraduate program requires classes in sports marketing/research, sponsorship, and law and sports marketing.
The Sports Marketing Center is recognized by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Sports Business Journal, as one of the leading institutions in educating tomorrow’s leaders in sports business.
Contact: MBA Program - Apply here. | Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
Contact: Undergraduate Program - Apply here. | Social Media: Facebook, Twitter
Testimonials From Oregon MBA Students About Warsaw Center
How To Find Jobs In Sports Sales
Are you ready to find and land your dream job in sports sales? Check out the job postings on Work in Sports for a detailed breakdown of jobs based on type and region.
Did you know that there were so many types of jobs in sports sales to choose from? Let us know what your dream job in sports would be. Leave a comment for us below or tweet us your thoughts at @sportsnetworker.
I am interesting to learn more about equipment sales. Kindly advise.
Thanks
Silvia