Sports Sales and Marketing FAQ

Getting a Job in Sports Sales and Marketing

How do I get a job in sports?

Start by building skills that teams want to hire, because many sports jobs are in sales and marketing. SMWW estimates that more than half of the jobs in sports are in these areas. The sports job market is competitive, so training, persistence, and a strong network are what set candidates apart.

How do I get a job with a professional sports team?

Be persistent, find a mentor, differentiate yourself, perfect your resume, and earn the credentials teams look for. Landing a sports job is a combination of what you know and who you know, and SMWW’s Sports Sales and Marketing course is built to provide both.

What jobs are there in sports sales and marketing?

Sports sales and marketing careers include ticket sales, sponsorship sales, client services, community relations, communications, branding and promotions, marketing, and event coordination. These roles exist in professional leagues, college athletics, and minor league organizations.

What level of education is necessary to work for a sports team?

Most jobs in the sports industry prefer a college degree, but it is not always required. SMWW has graduates without college degrees who now work full time for their dream teams. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can give you more options, but training, persistence, and contacts can open doors without one.

What qualities do sports teams look for in employees?

Teams look for hard working, motivated, sports minded people who communicate well with others. They also want employees who are already trained to produce revenue and who have marketing skills specific to selling tickets, sponsorships, and athletes. A competitive edge matters, and specialized training such as SMWW’s course helps you show you are ready.

About the SMWW Sports Sales and Marketing Course

Will the Sports Sales and Marketing course help me get a job in sports?

Yes, it can help, though no course can guarantee a job. SMWW has graduates working in every major league and at many levels, and some graduates are now the ones hiring. Many students use the course to earn a promotion in a job they already have, and others use it to start their own sports business.

What will I learn in the Sports Sales and Marketing course?

The eight week course covers business to business and business to consumer sales, sales best practices, prospecting, handling objections, closing, customer relationship management, sales analytics, marketing, branding, promotions, community relations, communications, client services, and event coordination. You also build a portfolio for interviews.

Who are the mentors, and how do they help with job placement?

The course is led by Jim Van Dam, Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service for the Indianapolis Colts, along with Alexa Klein of the New York Yankees and Dr. Lynn Lashbrook. You join a live, interactive Zoom session with them each week, and you network with classmates who are working in sports or soon will be. After you finish, you receive a professional rewrite of your resume with your mentors listed as references.

What sets the SMWW Sports Sales and Marketing course apart from other sports training programs?

SMWW’s course is taught online with live video chats, so you can keep your day job while you learn. Our staff have worked on the front lines of the sports industry and have done the hiring, so the training reflects what employers want. Graduates join a global alumni network of more than 30,000 people in 163 countries.

I already took a sports sales class in college, how is this different?

This course is led by sports executives who are currently working in the industry, and their names can appear as references on your resume. They train you the way they would want a new hire trained, and the techniques you learn are the ones that teams around the world look for. That kind of direct mentorship is very different from a typical college class.

How is the Sports Sales and Marketing course taught online?

The course runs through an interactive online classroom with discussion boards, weekly readings, weekly quizzes, and course projects, plus a live video chat each week. Guest speakers, who are respected leaders in the team sports industry, join to do informal interviews with students.

What happens if I finish the course and I’m still looking for a job?

SMWW students who complete the course and are still actively job hunting may qualify for free enrollment in the Sports Career Strategies course. It is a guided program that helps you sharpen your pitch, network more effectively, and pursue the job you want.

How old do I have to be, and do I need a college degree to take this course?

You must be eighteen or older, and no college degree is required to enroll.

What if I need one-on-one assistance?

SMWW staff are available by phone throughout the course for one on one help with coursework, live sessions, or career questions. Call 1 877 SMWW NOW in the United States and Canada, +44 0 871 288 4799 in the United Kingdom, or +1 503 445 7105 from anywhere else. Our offices are in Portland, Oregon, and London, England.

Do you have more questions?

Call the office and ask! 1-877-SMWW-Now in the US or Canada. In London at +44(0) 871 288 4799. Everywhere else at +1-503-445-7105