What’s a good sports career for a non-athlete?
From sports commentator or broadcaster to a career in the world of sports journalism, here are eight answers to the question, “What are some good suggestions for a sports career for a non-athlete?”
- Sports Commentator or Broadcaster
- Physical Therapist
- Sports Communications
- Social Media Marketing
- Sports Medicine
- Sports Agent
- Massage Therapy
- Be in the Mix in Ticket Sales
- Consider a Career in the World of Sports Journalism
Sports Commentator or Broadcaster
Broadcasting and media are becoming increasingly popular, especially with the rise of streaming platforms like YouTube. Broadcasting is a great way to get involved in sports without the rigorous physical demands that come with being an athlete.
You can use your knowledge and passion for sports in a very lucrative career path by commentating on games or even developing content about teams and topics related to sports. It’s a great way to make good money and still stay connected with the world of sports.
Michael Fischer, Founder, Elite HRT
Physical Therapist
Athletic careers can be strenuous if not outright debilitating without support. As a physical therapist, your job would help support athletes by assisting them in keeping their bodies in top shape.
From pain relief to rehabilitation after severe injuries, physical therapists are the professionals that athletes turn to when the physical demands of a sport have taken their toll.
Virtually all major sports need physical therapists. Aside from your regular clientele, this can mean meeting and working with professional athletes from a multitude of different sports.
In a sense, while you may not be on the field yourself, you’ll have a job that every team and every sport relies on for support. You may not be in the limelight as a physical therapist, but for many athletes and teams, you’ll be the MVP behind the curtain.
Boye Fajinmi , Co-Founder & President, TheFutureParty
Social Media Marketing
This line of work can open many paths. You can work for a sports news channel and keep up with the latest developments while copywriting, doing basic graphic design, and engaging with other sports lovers.
If you’re lucky enough, you can go to events and post stories on IG or live updates on Twitter and network with other people in the industry. You can also, at some point, choose to manage the social media accounts of athletes (or consult)—a more individual venture.
Apart from that, you may also decide to do marketing of sporting events or sports businesses (ones directly related to consumption, such as retail). Pick and choose.
Nicole Ostrowska , Career Expert, Zety
Sports Medicine
Sports medicine is an excellent career choice for non-athletes. From physiotherapy to ATC spotters at pro sports events, there is no shortage of options in sports medicine.
Much like other fields of medicine, however, choosing a specialty takes time. The common link between whatever specialty is chosen will prevent and treat injuries common to exercise and physical activity.
Adam Bem , Co-Founder & COO, Victoria VR
Sports Agent
A great option for someone with deep knowledge about a sport but who is lacking athletic ability would be a sports agent.
As a sports agent, you can help athletes negotiate contracts with teams and sponsors, as well as manage their financial affairs. You will need excellent communication skills to be successful in this role, as well as an understanding of the business side of professional sports.
Additionally, having connections within the industry can also benefit you greatly in this career.
Michael Burghoffer , CEO, PicoSolutions
Massage Therapy
A good sports career for a non-athlete is massage therapy. Massage is a very physical job that does not require any previous experience or athletic ability, though will take extensive training to do well.
Massage therapists help athletes prepare for and recover from injuries, which can be very rewarding. Plus, massage therapy is a relatively high-paying career with no college degree.
Grace He , People & Culture Director, teambuilding.com
Ticket Sales
For those who love sports but didn’t get to fulfill the dream of playing at a professional level, looking into jobs in team ticket sales is a great option.
There are many options, including selling tickets yourself, leading a team, and working with high-end clients on sponsorship packages. There are perks, such as getting to learn the inner workings of professional sports, meeting influential people, and getting to watch a lot of games.
Kelli Anderson , Career Coach, Resume Seed
Sports Journalism
Journalism can be the ideal career choice for someone interested in sports while not being the most athletic. These days, there are countless numbers of sports that you, and a lot of the world, might not have heard of.
Typically, there are magazines and websites that are devoted to these niche activities. By looking in the right places, there are lots of opportunities for those that are seeking careers in the world of sports without being athletes themselves.
Bridget Reed , Co-Founder & VP of Content, The Word Counter
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