In the first part of this series, I wrote about my own path to becoming an NFL agent and whether a law degree can be a valuable asset. Today, I’ll discuss grad school and the various sports management programs now available to would-be agents and sports team executives.
Grad school
When I read the Sports Business Journal or other industry papers, I often see advertisements for universities’ sports management programs. More and more, colleges are offering MBAs in sports management and/or marketing.
What I find interesting is that a majority of these schools’ professors have never worked as agents, negotiators or in any other capacity in sports. Many of them have been professors all of their adult lives. So where's the beef? Where’s the real-world experience? Many of these programs can be akin to the class attended by Thorton Mellon in “Back to School.”
AP"Back to School" star Rodney Dangerfield
Some of these programs charge between $30,000 and $60,000 for a one- or two-year program. They offer internships and even a relation of some sort with a real pro team. However, the problem is that most of the time, no one in the campus building has ever worked in sports. Additionally, the programs may claim to have an internship component, but only one of every 30 students can actually obtain an internship.
I spoke recently to a very smart woman who had undergrad degree from Harvard and plopped down $40,000 for one of these programs. She told me that she doesn’t really feel like she’s learning anything special and that the well-known university oversold the program. She said she learned more in two hours talking to me and an MLB executive than she did in her first year in the program. I’m not saying I know everything, but I try to give young people real-world practical advice, as I’m doing now.
If you’re considering grad school for a sports management program, check to see who the professors are and what their experience is. I would advise you to look for professors like my colleague here at the National Football Post, Andrew Brandt, who lectures at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Andrew has been a GM, a player’s agent, a salary cap manager and, most recently, an entrepreneur. He’s currently consulting for the Eagles. These are the kind of people you want to learn from. Make sure you get your money’s worth.
Getting Hired
I’ll tell you from experience that most sports people get hired because of their personality and real-world experiences than their educational resume.
And now, the two most important ingredients you’ll need to break in and succeed in the sports industry (especially as an agent) are:
1) a competitive nature
2) determination
All the people I know who work at top of the sports stratosphere possess these two intangibles. The top agents in our business might not have the greatest educational background, but when it comes to these two traits, they’ve got plenty.
So whether you go to law school or graduate school or pass on both, be ready to compete. And know that your determination can get you through the door -- and ultimately help you to succeed.
In a future series, I’ll be writing about the first-hand experiences of agents, executives and team presidents and how they broke into the business.
I find your articles to be fascinating!
Great article again Jack. I agree completely with your assesment of sport management degrees. I graduated in 93 with this major and found it to be completely useless. The real world experience I received included learning to attend parking lots at football games as well as stuffing envelopes for the athletic department fund raisers. At that time internships where not around as much as today so that was pretty much a waste of time and money as it was required for my degree.
Real world experience and the enthusiasm for the industry is the key. Make contacts and your time will come. Also be prepared to make no money for several years as these jobs dont pay well. I should add that Im speaking of the area of sport (pro teams, events, etc..) in general and not being a sports agent. Although Im pretty sure alot of free work is required when starting in that industry as well.
Great article again Jack. I agree completely with your assesment of sport management degrees. I graduated in 93 with this major and found it to be completely useless. The real world experience I received included learning to attend parking lots at football games as well as stuffing envelopes for the athletic department fund raisers. At that time internships where not around as much as today so that was pretty much a waste of time and money as it was required for my degree.
Real world experience and the enthusiasm for the industry is the key. Make contacts and your time will come. Also be prepared to make no money for several years as these jobs dont pay well. I should add that Im speaking of the area of sport (pro teams, events, etc..) in general and not being a sports agent. Although Im pretty sure alot of free work is required when starting in that industry as well.
"Back to School reference = + 5 points
Great article, Jack. At the same time, such programs are just like any others at Colleges and Universities. Show me business classes where the prof has actually ever run a business, been an entrepreneur, even held a major position at a global corporation. Problem is, profs are mostly academics. Once they hold prestigious positions, then they get called onto board or director positions, but they really don't have any real world experience. And that cannot be substituted by anything one reads in books or hears in a study hall...
This article is perfect, Jack, as I am currently in Graduate school, pursuing my Masters in Sports Industry Management. I am about halfway through the year-long program, on track to complete it in December/January. Unlike the graduate school programs, that you describe, ALL of the instructors in my program are current/former/retired sports executives. Students in my program have access to a wide array of internship opportunities; I am currently working two internships.
If anyone is interested in graduate programs, feel free to contact me.
kyle what school is that,
Gazza - Georgetown University
Thanks for this article. I just submitted my application for Georgetown University. Kyle, hope to see you there.
Great article again Jack. I agree with completely with your assesment of sport management degrees. I graduated in 93 with this major and found it to be completely useless. The real world experience I received included learning to attend parking lots at football games as well as stuffing envelopes for the athletic department fund raisers.
Jack,
How do you feel about NYU's program? Another of your colleagues, Robert Boland, is a professor there.
DG, I don't know much about the other professors at NYU but I do know that Robert Boland is one of those individuals with real world experience, knowledge and access. if you can get a big helping of Bob Boland you will be better prepared to land a job in sports. NYU has a very good reputation.
This is one of my favorite posts you have done. I’m looking to work in, or something associated with sports and this gave me some very good tips. Thanks!
Adam
www.adamhyde.wordpress.com
REALLY Awesome article. extremely informative. I couldnt agree with you more. Awesome advice, keep these comin, there is definitely a need for content like this.
What real world experience is required to become an NFL agent? on the NFL players assocaition website it says you can become an agent if you have real world experience in lieu of an advanced degree? I have experience negotiating commercial real estate contracts that have been as high as $6,000,000 for one transaction. would that be sufficient in your opinion?
Jack,
Could you give us some insight on the financial requirements after a client is signed and before they take the field for the teams they are drafted by. I am specifically speaking of pre-draft workouts, housing, etc.
Thanks.
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Jul 02, 2009
08:15 AM
Its not just sports management degrees that are oversold, there are several degrees like that. Too many people don't actually think ahead to what they are actually going to do with a degree and if they can even gain employment in that field. I know a bunch of people with degrees and huge student loans that work as bartenders and waitstaff...wait, maybe I just happen to know a bunch of bartenders for some reason...