Discover the Variety of Sports-Related Jobs that Go Beyond Athletics

Summary: The sports industry is a massive global enterprise. If you’re a high school student who dreams of working in this exciting world, there is a breadth of career options that don’t require athleticism. Starting in high school is a significant advantage.

Key Points:

• Careers span sports medicine, management, marketing, law, broadcasting, and even the business of sports. 
• Getting started in high school with relevant pre-college online courses is an excellent advantage.
• Successfully finishing each course will earn you a Certificate of Completion that looks great on college applications.

Everybody knows that the sports industry is a massive global enterprise, generating over $170 billion in revenue. But beyond the high-profile jobs of athletes and coaches, people often don’t give enough credit to the millions of people who work in the industry behind the scenes. Are you a teen who dreams of working in sports? Do you know the scope of jobs behind the scenes that have nothing to do with athleticism?

Read on to discover the wide variety of sports jobs and how to get a head start while in high school.

Careers in Sports that Don’t Require Athleticism

The following is a snapshot of the breadth of sports-related careers that span law, healthcare, business, and more.

Medical Care and Rehabilitation:

• Athletic Trainer: Provides medical care and rehabilitation for athletes.
• Team Physician/Orthopedic Surgeon: Treats athletes' injuries and manages their health.
• Sports Psychologist: Helps athletes improve mental focus and performance.
• Strength and Conditioning Coach: Develops training programs to enhance athletes' physical capabilities and performance.
• Nutritionist/Dietitian: Provides guidance on proper nutrition for athletes.
• Scout: Identify and evaluate potential athletes for teams.
• Player Development Manager: Oversees the development of athletes within a team or organization. 

Management and Administration:

• Athletic Director: Oversee the management of overall athletic programs at schools or universities.
• General Manager: Oversees all aspects of a sports team's operations.
• Event Coordinator: Plans and executes sports events, from local tournaments to large-scale competitions.
• Facilities Manager: Manages the day-to-day operations of sports facilities.
• Sports Agent: Represents athletes in contract negotiations and other career matters.
• Sports Information Director: Manages media relations and public information for teams or organizations.

Sports Marketing, Media, and Sales:

• Sports Marketing Specialist: Develops and implements marketing strategies for sports organizations and events.
• Sports Analyst: Analyzes game data, player performance, and trends in sports.
• Sports Broadcaster/Commentator: Provides commentary and analysis during sports events.
• Sports Writer/Journalist: Reports on sports news and events.
• Sales Representative: Sells tickets, merchandise, and sponsorships for sports teams and organizations.

Other Related Fields:

• Sports Scientist: Researches athletic performance and training methods.
• Sports Lawyer: Specializes in related legal issues, such as contracts and player representation.
• Sports Physiotherapist: Treats and rehabilitates sports-related injuries.
• Sports Equipment Manufacturer: Designs, develops, and produces sports equipment.
• Referees/Umpire: Officiates sports games to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game.
• Sports Photographer: Captures images of sports events and athletes.
• Personal Trainer: Works with individuals to enhance their fitness and overall well-being, often in a sports-related setting.

Now that we’ve covered the wide variety of careers you might not have considered in sports, let’s review courses for a career in sports that are available for high school students like you.

Sports-Related Pre-College Online Courses

The Northwestern Pre-College Online Program course, Business of Sports: Beyond the Field, is a highly relevant choice. Designed for motivated high school students, this course provides an insider's view of how sports teams operate behind the scenes. 

Here’s just a preview of what you’ll learn:

• How data analytics and technology are transforming talent development and game strategy.
• How sponsorship deals and market expansion drive revenue.
• How data and technology are used to support recruitment and roster decisions across pro sports.
• How teams generate revenue through ticket sales, concessions, and corporate sponsorships.
• How women’s professional sports manage revenue, investment opportunities, and strategies for expanding both fan base and media coverage.
• You’ll even apply what you learn to create your expansion franchise. From scouting to business operations, you'll design a winning strategy for your team’s success. And in the process, you’ll gain valuable insights into how professional sports teams operate.
  

Beyond sports medicine pre-college courses, several other courses apply to the vast world of sports. 

Orthopedics is vital in sports as those in the industry help optimize patients' athletic performance and quality of life by treating pain and conditions linked to the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. In the Rochester Pre-College Online Program course, Orthopedic Medicine: Treatments & Surgery, you’ll study trauma, total joint replacement for the knee, and injuries of the foot, hip, and ankle. You’ll learn the most common orthopedic conditions, how they present in the body, and the broad range of operative and non-operative treatments available.

The Wake Forest Pre-College Online Immersion Program offers the course Sports Medicine: An Inside Look at the Major Injuries and Treatments. In this course, you’ll focus on three common injuries: ACL tear, shoulder dislocation, and concussion. Plus, you’ll learn about the traumas and treatments of star athletes. This online course is a must for those seeking a future career in the field, from orthopedic surgeon to athletic trainer.

Physiology, the study of how the systems work together in a healthy body and what can go wrong, is highly relevant in the world of sports. Sports physiologists study how exercise alters the body. The Rice University Precollege Program provides a course, Physiology: The Foundations of Medicine, that offers a comprehensive exploration of the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, examining how they function in harmony. Hear from practicing physicians who will describe the pathological complications they may encounter.

Having the opportunity to learn about the business of sports while in high school is a significant advantage. These tech-forward, interactive courses offer a flexible format, allowing you to study at your own pace, anytime, anywhere. Plus, you’ll enjoy the support of seasoned mentors. Successfully finishing the course will earn you a Certificate of Completion that looks great on college applications. Why wait? Get started today!

This was last reviewed by Ashley Simmons on 08/7/2025.