If you're looking for a career that is both lucrative and exciting, then professional sports may be the perfect choice for you. There are many different careers to choose from within the sports industry, and each offers its own unique set of benefits. This blog post will take a look at some of the most lucrative careers when it comes to professional sports. It will also discuss what it takes to pursue these careers and what kind of salaries you can expect to earn. So if you're thinking about making a career change, read on.
MMA Fighter
In the sports industry, MMA fighters can make a very good living by fighting in front of large audiences and winning prize money. In the words of MMA enthusiasts behind MMA Fury, on average MMA fighters make $50,000-$100,000 per year. Of course, this number will vary depending on the fighter's experience, popularity, and win-loss record. For example, a top-level UFC fighter like Conor McGregor can make millions of dollars per year. However, most fighters will not reach this level of success.
Nevertheless, there are also many different ways to make money as an MMA fighter, such as through sponsorships, merchandise sales, and pay-per-view (PPV) fights. Sponsorships can be a great way to supplement your income, as you can get paid to wear certain brands and promote their products. Merchandise sales are also a popular income stream for MMA fighters, as fans will often buy t-shirts, hats, and other gear with their favorite fighters' names on them. Finally, PPV fights can be extremely lucrative, as fighters can make a percentage of the PPV sales. These channels can all help MMA fighters make a very good living.
If you're thinking about becoming an MMA fighter, you'll need to be extremely physically fit and have a strong background in martial arts. This is because MMA fights are very physically demanding and require a great deal of skill and training to be successful. Hence, you have to be willing to put in the hard work required to train for and compete in MMA fights. You'll also need to be mentally tough, as MMA fighting can be quite brutal. But if you have what it takes, there's no doubt that you can make a very good living as an MMA fighter.
Professional Athlete
Of course, one of the most lucrative careers in professional sports is that of a professional athlete. Professional athletes are paid very well to compete at the highest level in their chosen sport. For example, according to Forbes, the average salary for an NFL player is $52.99 million per year. Similarly, NBA players make an average of $12 million per year, while MLB players earn an average of $11 million per year. So if you're looking to make a lot of money in the sports industry, becoming a professional athlete is one way to do it.
NFL players also receive a great deal of money from endorsements and sponsorships. Statistics show that the average NFL player earns an additional $300,000 per year from endorsements. Meanwhile, NBA players even cross into the entertainment industry as some of them have gone ahead to become actors. For instance, Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most successful athletes-turned-actors, with a net worth of $400 million. So if you have the talent and drive to become a professional athlete, there's no doubt that you can make a very good living. MLB players, on the other hand, have the potential to make even more money than NBA and NFL players. This is because they are free to sign multi-year contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. For example, in 2019, Mike Trout signed a 12-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels worth $430 million.
However, becoming a professional athlete is not easy. You'll need to have exceptional talent and be able to train extremely hard to reach the top of your sport. You'll also need to be lucky enough to be signed by a professional team. For instance, in the NFL, there are only 53 roster spots per team, meaning that there are only a limited number of professional football players in the world. In the NBA, only 60 players are drafted each year, meaning that the odds of becoming an NBA player are very slim. For MLB, the odds are slightly better as each team has 25 active roster spots. However, even if you do make it to the MLB, the average career only lasts around five years. So while becoming a professional athlete can be very lucrative, it's not an easy feat by any means. Nevertheless, if you have what it takes to become a professional athlete, the rewards can be great.
Coaches and Trainers
Another lucrative career in professional sports is that of a coach or trainer. Coaches and trainers are paid very well to help athletes improve their performance and reach their full potential. They also help athletes to improve their technique, tactics, and physical conditioning as well as provide motivation and support to athletes, which can be crucial in helping them perform at their best. Hence, coaches and trainers play an important role in the success of athletes. So if you're passionate about sports and helping others to improve, becoming a coach or trainer could be the perfect career for you.
Coaches and trainers typically earn a lot more money than the average person. For instance, the average salary of a boxing coach is $50,000 per year. Along with this, they get to enjoy other perks such as free travel and accommodation, as well as access to the best training facilities. Coaches and trainers in other sports fields such as football, basketball, and baseball also earn a good salary. Just keep in mind that the more popular the sport, the higher the salaries will be. In case you are lucky enough to be able to work with some of the top athletes in the world, you can earn an even higher salary. For instance, the head coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, is reported to earn $12 million per year.
If you are considering becoming a coach or trainer, it's important to have relevant qualifications. For instance, many coaches and trainers have a degree in sports science or a related field. This degree will help you to understand the principles of training and exercise as well as the science behind sports performance. Having a degree will also make you more attractive to potential athletes and clubs. In addition, being certified by a professional body such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) can also help you to get ahead in this career. Popular coaches or trainers also usually have several years of experience working with various athletes. So if you have the relevant qualifications and experience, becoming a coach or trainer can be a very lucrative career.
Sports Agent
If you're not interested in becoming a professional athlete yourself or even a coach, another option is to become a sports agent. Sports agents represent professional athletes and help them to negotiate their contracts. They also provide advice on various matters, such as endorsements and sponsorships. For example, when LeBron James was considering leaving the Miami Heat, he sought the advice of his agent, Rich Paul. Apart from negotiating contracts, sports agents also help their clients to plan their financial futures. They do this by ensuring that their clients are getting paid what they are worth and that they can save some of their earnings.
Sports agents typically earn a commission of around five to ten percent on the contracts they negotiate on behalf of their clients. Also, according to the website CareerAddict, sports agents typically earn between $40,000 and $200,000 per year. However, the top sports agents can make much more than this. For example, in 2017 Forbes reported that the top sports agent, Scott Boras, made $28 million in commissions. So if you're looking for a career that can be both exciting and lucrative, becoming a sports agent is worth considering.
To become a sports agent, you'll need to have a strong understanding of the business side of professional sports. This means having a good understanding of the contracts and regulations that govern professional sports. In addition, it's also helpful to have a network of contacts in the world of professional sports. This can be difficult to achieve if you don't have any personal connections. However, there are some ways to get your foot in the door. For instance, you could volunteer to work with a sports agency or get an internship in the sports industry. Alternatively, you could also study for a degree in sports management. Finally, you'll need to be very good at negotiating contracts. You can use this skill to negotiate better salaries and conditions for your clients. So if you have what it takes, becoming a sports agent is a career worth pursuing.
As you can see, many different careers can be both exciting and lucrative when it comes to professional sports. So if you're looking to make a lot of money in the sports industry, be sure to consider one of these options. Who knows, you might just end up making a very good living doing something you love.
