Sports Business Ideas: How To Work in Sports Without Being an Athlete
From apparel to gaming, there are many ways to work your way into the sports sector and make a good living in the process.
So maybe you can’t hit a 100-mile-per-hour fastball or run a 40-yard dash in less than five seconds. Your dreams of being a professional athlete may not come true, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a living in the sports industry. The truth is that for every person who succeeds as a professional athlete, there are countless more who work in some form of sports business.
Whether you want to work for established sports teams or start a sports organization of your own, there are many ways to work your way into the sports sector and make a good living in the process. Below are some profitable sports business ideas for entrepreneurs and sports enthusiasts.
Why start your own sports business?
The cold hard truth is that most sports fans don’t have the physical talent needed to support themselves in athletic competition. Starting a sports business is a way for a sports enthusiast to work in an industry they are passionate about, regardless of athletic prowess. If you approach an investor with a great business idea, they’re not going to ask how fast you can run or how high you can jump. Like any investor, they will want to know if you have identified a potential market and developed a viable business plan.
When Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper started their apparel company Eastside Golf, they focused on bringing the sport they loved to a new audience – particularly those who weren’t represented on the traditional country club membership rolls.
“We’ve certainly positioned our brand as, you know, kind of removing barriers and allowing everyone to essentially define what golf is to them,” Earl says. “We like to say, ’Whether you’re a miniature golfer, whether you’re a putt-putt golfer, whether you’re … competing in the PGA Championship … we make apparel for you."
But that’s not all. Olajuwon – like Earl, an excellent golfer – connects selling athletic apparel with competing in the game he loves.
"I started this brand because I was tired of being told, ‘No,’” Ajanaku explains. The thought dawned on him: “Why not take the entrepreneur route and sponsor myself to get back into professional golf?”
Benefits of starting your own sports business
No matter your relationship with sports activities, you have plenty of reasons to consider launching a sports-related business. Some of the benefits of starting your own sports business include:
- Personal fulfillment. Starting a sports-related business lets you turn your passion for sports into a fulfilling career. You may find yourself more motivated to work and succeed if you’re connected to a pastime that excites you.
- Autonomy and control. If you still harbor a competitive streak from your days on the athletic field, you may appreciate the autonomy and control of operating your own business. As an entrepreneur, you’ll make decisions, set your hours, take on new competition, and stay connected to the activities you love.
- Earnings potential. Sports are immensely popular worldwide. Successful sports businesses can generate significant revenue and provide financial stability for their founders. In 2023, the global sports equipment market netted more than $160 billion, while the global sports nutrition market made nearly $28 billion in 2022.
- Networking opportunities. Working in the sports industry can lead to fulfilling connections with athletes, coaches, agents, and other industry professionals. For instance, if you have your own shop selling equipment, you can establish relationships with professional athletes who could become brand ambassadors for your merchandise.
- Positive impact. Sports help people stay active and physically fit, whether they’re competing in local sports events or engaged in Olympic training programs. By working in the sports world, you might inspire more people to embrace physical activity.
To read the rest of the blog that originally appeared on Shopify.com, click here.