Sport Management 101: What You’ll Learn, Do, and Become

Ever dream of being part of the team behind the team? Whether it's game day operations, player development, marketing, or community outreach, there’s a lot that goes into the sports business, and that’s where sport management professionals shine. 

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s online sport management program prepares students to take the lead in this fast-paced, dynamic industry. Whether you're aiming for a front office role with a pro team, planning community recreation programs, or managing athletic facilities, this program helps turn your passion for sports into a purpose-driven career.

What is a Sport Management Degree? 

Sport management is the business behind the game. It blends marketing, finance, leadership, and event planning, tailored to the fast-paced world of athletics. 

A degree in sport management equips students to run athletic programs and organizations from the inside out. That includes managing sponsorships, overseeing game-day operations, coordinating events, and navigating legal and ethical considerations in sport. It’s designed for people who want to work where strategy, business, and sports intersect, whether that’s in pro leagues, college athletics, youth development, or community recreation. 

What You’ll Learn, and Why It Matters 

The sport management curriculum bridges theory and practice to prepare students for the realities of the sports industry. 

You’ll explore how athletic departments and sport organizations function through targeted sports management classes that focus on leadership, sponsorship strategy, budget management, event execution, and fan engagement. Courses like KNES 240: Sport Finance and KNES 370: Event Management take you into the details of planning, fundraising, risk oversight, and logistics. 

Legal and ethical topics are woven throughout the curriculum, so you’ll graduate with a working knowledge of contracts, compliance, and governance — ideal for becoming a sports agent. You’ll also gain experience with sales and marketing technology to promote events and analyze performance. 

And with a required internship or capstone, you’ll graduate with the credentials and real-world experience to hit the ground running.  

What Can You Do with a Sport Management Degree?  

A lot more than you might think. 

Sport management professionals work across all levels of the industry, from major league franchises and college athletic departments to community rec programs and nonprofit organizations. You’ll find graduates managing partnerships, planning events, overseeing operations, and leading teams both on and off the field. 

Take alumnus William Fralia, for example. After switching from engineering to sport management, he developed the skills needed to land a sales role with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. 

Ashley Livaccari, another alumna, now works behind the scenes as a corporate partnership coordinator, helping execute game-day experiences and sponsorship activations during events like the Super Bowl.  

And Andre Pittman now manages finance and administration for UL Lafayette’s athletic department after earning his bachelor’s in sport management and continuing on to the University’s online MBA degree program. 

Some graduates start their careers in ticketing, marketing, or youth programming and grow into roles like operations manager, athletic director, or sports marketing strategist. The degree is flexible and built to adapt with you as your experience and ambitions evolve. 

Job Outlook and Earning Potential 

The demand for professionals in sport management jobs is growing, and so is the earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roles tied to sport management are growing at or above the national average: 

• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: Median salary of $59,440, with 7% job growth expected through 2033
• Coaches and Scouts: Median salary of $45,920, with job growth projected at a strong 9%
• Facilities Managers: Median pay of $106,880, with 6% growth anticipated
• Marketing and Promotions Managers: Median salary of $159,660, with projected growth of 8% in the next decade 

While many graduates begin their careers earning between $40,000–$50,000 per year, salaries often rise with experience, specialization, or a graduate degree like an online MBA. 

Next Steps: How to Apply to the Sport Management Program

The demand for professionals in sport management jobs is growing, and so is the earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roles tied to sport management are growing at or above the national average: ps: How to Apply to the Sport Management Program 

Whether you're starting fresh or picking up where you left off, applying to UL Lafayette’s online Sport Management program is simple. 

If you’re applying as a first-time college student, you’ll need your high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students with at least 24 college credits should have transcripts sent directly from all previously attended schools. You’ll need a 2.25 GPA (excluding remedial courses), along with completed college-level English and algebra. If you’ve previously attended UL Lafayette, you’ll apply as a re-entry student and submit transcripts from any colleges you’ve attended since. 

Tuition is straightforward: $380 per credit hour, with no out-of-state fees. Your total tuition cost depends on how many credits you transfer, which will reduce both time and investment.  

The best part? You can apply year-round and start when it works for you.  

Let’s get you in the game. Earn your B.S. in Kinesiology, Sport Management online on your schedule, without hitting pause on work or life.