Salary Guide for Sports Industry Jobs

Let's be upfront: sports industry salaries are generally lower than equivalent roles in tech, finance, or consulting. The trade-off is that you get to work in an industry you're passionate about, with unique perks and experiences. But you should go in with realistic expectations.

Entry Level & Internships

Internships in sports are often paid, but modestly — typically $15-$20/hour or sometimes stipend-based. Some are still unpaid, though this is becoming less common. Many entry-level roles start in the $38,000-$55,000 range, depending on the market, department, and organization.

Teams in major markets (New York, LA, Chicago) may pay slightly more, but cost of living offsets that. Smaller market teams often pay less but can offer more responsibility earlier in your career.

Mid-Level (3-7 Years)

With a few years of experience, expect salaries in the $55,000-$90,000 range for most departments. Analytics, engineering, and revenue-focused roles (sponsorship sales, premium seating) tend to be at the higher end. Operations, communications, and community relations roles are often at the lower end.

Sports betting companies are the exception — they tend to pay closer to tech industry rates, especially for engineering, data science, and product roles. A mid-level data scientist at DraftKings or FanDuel can earn $100K-$140K+.

Director & Senior Roles (8+ Years)

Director-level salaries typically range from $90,000-$150,000. VP-level roles can reach $150,000-$250,000+ depending on the organization, market, and department. C-suite positions at major teams can reach well into six figures, but these roles are rare and extremely competitive.

Remote Work Expectations

Sports is largely an in-person industry. Games happen in arenas. Events happen at venues. Relationships happen face-to-face. While some roles (particularly in tech, analytics, and corporate functions) have hybrid options, fully remote sports jobs are less common than in other industries.

Many teams expect staff to be present on game days and for major events, even if the day-to-day role could theoretically be done remotely. This is important to factor into your expectations — especially if you're coming from a fully remote tech role.

Negotiation Tips

Even in sports, you should negotiate. Research comparable salaries on Glassdoor and Levels.fyi. Know your market value from outside the industry — you can use that as a reference point. Ask about the full compensation package including benefits, bonuses, ticket perks, and professional development budgets.