Become a Sports Agent: Education and Career Roadmap
Find out how to become a sports agent. Research the education requirements and learn about the experience you need to advance your career in sports management.
Requirements for Sports Agents
Sports agents negotiate contracts for athletes. They may negotiate contracts between athletes and sports teams, as well as athletes and endorsers. When they are not negotiating contracts, sports agents are promoting the value of their athletes. Although it is not required that sports agents have a degree at all, due to the competitive nature of the field, many sports managers have law or graduate degrees. The following table contains the core requirements for sports agents:
| Common Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | No degree is required; law or master's degree common* |
| Degree Field | Sports management, business** |
| Licensure | Licensure or registration as an athlete agent is required in many states*** |
| Experience | Sales experience preferred**** |
| Key Skills | Strong verbal and written communication skills, understanding of contracts, knowledge of league rules* |
Sources *SouthSource, November 2011, **University of Minnesota, Career Services, ***Various state licensing authorities, ****Job listings (September 2012)
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Aspiring sports agents can pursue degrees in sports management. A sports management degree program combines coursework relating to business with courses that provide basic instruction on exercise science. Students may also take courses in sports marketing, finance, business law and kinesiology. Some programs require an internship. Sometimes a sports management degree is offered in the kinesiology or exercise science department, and the program may also be available at a business school.
Success Tips
- Build communication skills. Agents will be required to communicate the value of their athletes to sports teams, corporations and even charities. It is important to build persuasive communication skills by taking speech courses or joining public speaking groups.
- Get experience. If possible, aspiring agents will benefit from an internship at a sports management agency. However, experience selling will provide sports agents with the skills of persuasive speaking.
Step 2: Become Licensed or Registered
In many states, including Georgia, New York and Florida, agents who represent athletes are required to become licensed or registered. There is not a formal board that governs this process across the country, so the various requirements can vary by state. Generally, prospective agents will only need to submit to a background check, along with an application and any applicable fees.
Step 3: Earn a Graduate Degree
Sports agents can also consider going to law school. Here they will use their studies to help them read and negotiate contracts. However, it is not mandatory to go to law school, and sports agents can also find master's degree programs that offer training in sports management, such as the Master of Business Administration. With this type of degree, students can learn the details of the sports industry, such as how to develop a brand for players, as well as the details of salary caps and intellectual property rights in the field. The program may also include an internship.
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30 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MS in Sport Management
- MS in Sport Management: Athletic Administration Concentration
- MS Sport Management: Certificate in International Sport Management
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- International MBA in Athletic Administration
- International MBA in Sport Management
- MBA Certificate in International Sport Management
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- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Bachelor
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- BS in Sport Management
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- BS in Management - Sport Management
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
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Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Doctorate
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- PhD in Education - Sports Management
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Master
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- MEd in Athletic Coaching
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- MEd in Sports Management
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Non-Degree
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- Education Specialist in Sports Management
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- Master of Science in Education - Allied Health Teaching and Leadership
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor of Science - Sport Management
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- BS in Health Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MS in Sport Management - Tourism (Non-Thesis)
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- MS in Sport Management - Tourism (Thesis)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MBA in Sports Management and Recreation
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Bachelor
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- BBA in Sports Management
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