It is no surprise that only a lucky few athletes make it to the professional leagues. According to the NCAA, it is estimated that only one in 16,000 high school students go on to a professional career in sports. For many sports fans, this might cut short any aspirations of working in the sports industry. But becoming a professional athlete isn’t the only way to work in the sector.
Of course, the professionals take the main spotlight, so it can be easy to forget about other key roles which don’t require you to be as physically gifted. With sports being a multibillion-dollar industry, teams need much more than just players — from statisticians to security guards, there’s a place, and an alternative job, out there for every sports fan, plus the pay’s not bad either.
Making The Most In Sports
It’s no secret that sports stars get paid the big bucks, but it’s just not the players on the field who make good money in the industry. With salaries hitting 7 figures for some of the supporting roles, it can really pay to sit on the sidelines.
1. Sports Agent – With earning potential of up to $1.28 million per year, being a sports agent is a lucrative career. Although no qualifications are necessarily necessary, the role requires sales ability, great interpersonal skills and the ability to manage the careers of some of the biggest sports stars in the business.
2. MLB Umpire – If you’re a stickler for the rules, and a massive baseball fan- an umpiring role isn’t one to be sniffed at. Earning between $120,000 – $350,000, umpires who’ve completed their training are the deciding line in all games and they’re paid well for the honor.
3. Bullpen Catcher – For those competitive baseball players who aren’t quite MLB team standard, becoming a bullpen catcher is a well paying alternative option. Bringing home $90,000 on average with responsibilities including training and warming up the starting pitchers, Bullpen Catcher not only pays financially but is also ideal for MLB super fans.
Alternative Jobs That Pay More Than Minimum Wage
Although a few states have a minimum wage of $11 an hour or above, there are some that stick to the federal minimum wage at $7.25 per hour. Knowing that, some might think that getting a job in the sports sector won’t pay as much as other jobs, however, this isn’t the case. Which is why leading entertainment experts PlayUSA found key roles that pay more than minimum.
1. Massage therapist – Being a massage therapists or physiotherapists is likely to be the most hands on role in the sector (pun intended) – seeing that they look after the wellbeing of players they get paid an average of $44,000 a year.
2. Waterboy – Thanks to Adam Sandler almost everyone knows what a waterboy is. Even though the role itself is sometimes forgotten, they still get paid an average of $53,000 and on top of that have an amazing view of any NFL game.
3. Zamboni driver – Earning an average of $31,000 a year are Zamboni drivers, despite the fact that they don’t directly interacting with the players or the game they do a service that allow the games to happen.
Even though these jobs aren’t the main event of any league, without them the show could not go on – these alternative jobs make sport events what they are today and are perfect roles for any fan that wants to support their team.
Go here to learn about the jobs in pro sports that you can actually do.
