Careers in Sports: Breaking Barriers

Imagine the world as a big sports arena with spaces to run, dive, swim, pedal, jump, aim, throw, catch, hold, hit, leap, zip, stretch, punch, dunk, smash or simply be. Believe it or not, that’s really how we see the world as a child. It’s only when we grow-up, the spaces we call home or school or college, develop boundaries, and very soon these walls (or our devices) cage us. What if we could go back to our child-like understanding of the world and experience it through the lens of a sportsperson.

Importance of the Sports Ecosystem

Anne Mahler, a student athlete in her senior year shares, “Sports brings stability and groundedness to my routine and helps me to develop Student Experiences great work habits. I know I need to be committed not only to my team but also my academics.” This Political Science and Pre-Law Major goes on to highlight how besides ensuring that she’s physically fit, being a sportsperson has connected her to opportunities such as even coaching the boys team!  

Anne Mahler from Flemington, New Jersey is a Political Science and Pre-Law Major. A senior at Marist College, New York, she’s a student athlete (Volleyball), Setter/RightSide Hitter.

Of course not everyone has the athletic genes or is intrinsically motivated to pursue a sport. Every sport however, creates its own ecosystem that breeds multiple opportunities.

On October 30, 2011 when the Budh International Circuit hosted the first Formula One race in India, it did not just host some of the finest racers in the world, it birthed track support engineers, speed photographers, celebrity managers, commentators, visualisers and even sound engineers! It’s interesting to learn about Niharika Ghorpode, a young girl from Kolhapur and Mayo College Girls’ School, Ajmer who started as a motorsport intern at an automotive magazine and went on to become India’s first F1 Paddock Journalist. It’s possible!

Sports is big business. Find your niche.

According to the 2024 report, the global sport market was at $440 billion in 2021, and by 2025, it is projected to reach nearly $600 billion. From direct growth through media rights or via fields such as sports science, legalized sports betting, fantasy sport and little leagues to connected sectors such as fitness, wellbeing, healthcare and education, the pie is fairly large and this projection may be a bit conservative.

To put things in context, I reached out to one of my students who chose sports marketing and branding as his niche: ESSEC Sports Chair 2024, Nandan Saraf highlights, “The recent trend of Drive to Survive and the use of OTT platforms to revive sports fan engagement in a sport like Formula 1 (has)  basically revived the sport that was dying. Following this we could see a lot of other sports like Tennis, Football making Netflix specials to engage fans and target new audiences.”

Moreover, India may be hosting the Olympics in 2036, there’s no better time to build the ecosystem and encourage students to consider mapping their interests and aptitude with a connected career in sports. This is not an exact or exhaustive summary of some possibilities, but it can be used to begin exploring.

“In today’s context, sports is beyond games or an industry vertical. Some nations are expanding their investment in sports, so they can reduce the expenses on health insurance payouts. In India, organizations are increasingly focussed on sports as an employee wellness measure.” says sports enthusiast, Kala Anand, Vice President, Global upGrad Connect.

Why then, is Physical education (PE) still considered a free period or an easy scoring tag-along subject at most schools. As a parent and counselor, having experienced the expanse of a school such as the Isha Home School (ISH), Coimbatore, I’m of the firm understanding that schools are laboratories, not just for STEM related learning but also for exploring oneself on the field, on stage and in life, in general. Where else will the student learn to win and lose, fall and get back up with grace! ISH is one of the few schools where students not only learn Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art that builds inner resilience, but also a space where academic orientation is built around physical, mental and spiritual well being.

Building a career as a sportsperson or around a sport you love: What must a student or parent know?

Passion versus Preparation

As college counselors, we meet with passion everyday. It could be dance, music, acting, or a sport; not all are willing to take the path less traveled, gain mastery and build a life around it. Moreover, focus in one area can mean alienation from another. In getting ready for a related field, one may even need to study some subjects that might seem unnecessary (especially to a sports person). A college degree is not always a means to an end. You study to become a better thinker, ideator, and more, and you also learn some skills. Is it for everyone? Not really.

Sports and Education Consultant, Vikram Anand believes that it is “Not difficult to build a career in sports. Specialization is the key. Don’t restrict yourself to an undergraduate degree. You can do a Business Administration or Business Management or Psychology (degree) and then specialize” in a sports related discipline. On the other hand, Vipul Bhargava, parent to an aspiring cricketer notes that “Building a career as a sportsman is extremely hard given the competitive nature and the sheer competition… The first thing a student or parent needs to know is themself. A tru is e and honest assessment of oneself is critical to distinguish an interest and a passion.”

Research is key

College, country, course, career, students must learn to filter their options and choose what truly matters to them. “The use of technology in sports (VR, immersive experience) or the increasing use of data in cricket and how it can be used to make strategic decisions.” points out Vipul, who’s also the CEO and Founder of GILT Education and an expert on school partnerships worldover. He adds, “Most importantly a student needs the right guidance. I fundamentally believe that education should not suffer because of sport.”

Most would agree that sports such as cricket and football are oversubscribed. Encouraging sports such as Track and Field, Swimming, Basketball says Vikram, since they “both are timing based sports and hence its easier to measure performance” can increase chances of future success. He’s quick to add that “unfortunately (the sports) lack adequate coaching and training facilities in our country.” Kala is confident that “India’s young population is propelling sports at a front runner position.” But are there some universities that are truly setting the stage for the future? She points out that, University of Canberra does not see sports as a separate area of study but incorporated within every aspect at the University. A historic partnership between Cricket ACT and University of Canberra to support every student who wishes to pursue their passion to play along with study, is evident of the University’s commitment to sports education.

Additionally, with less than 5% women holding sports leadership positions, how will we bridge the gap for women in sports? Although close to 40% of sports participants are women, when asked to visualize someone playing basketball or rowing a boat, most would only think of a man! That’s because women’s sports receive less than 4% media coverage as compared to men’s sports. Here’s an area to develop sports advocacy as a career!

Twenty-five year old Nandan says, “…to be a Team Principle of one of the Formula 1 teams is the ultimate goal I want to achieve. To follow on that, in a few years, I can see myself working the F1 bubble in Partnership/Sponsorship/Marketing related jobs and if nothing works out, I’m even ready to be a paddock cleaner just to be in the industry and follow up my passion.”

Careers in sports are more than just careers, they are life decisions that define you, make you. Hope that you’re able to break these barriers (mostly in your mind) to live the life of your calling!