Sports consulting is a niche sub-segment of the consulting universe. For many people, the world of sports is an inaccessible one. Professions in sports often seem unattainable, reserved for those with important connections or talent that they were born with. However, this perception could not be further from the truth. In reality, sports consulting is a field that is open to anyone with the right skillset and drive.
A career in sports consulting is the perfect way to combine your love of athletics with your business acumen. As a sports consultant, you'll have the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the industry, helping them to improve their performance and reach their goals. In order to be successful in this role, you'll need to be extremely knowledgeable about the game of your choice and have a keen understanding of the business side of sports. You'll also need to be able to think on your feet and be able to handle difficult situations with grace and poise. If you're looking for an exciting and challenging career, then a career in sports consulting may be just what you're looking for.
What Is Sports Consulting?
What is sports consulting? It’s not much more complicated that it sounds. It involves providing consulting services to sports organizations. Becoming a sports consultant is a great way to use your knowledge of the sports industry to help organizations achieve their goals. Sports management consulting is a branch of consulting that helps sports organizations reach their potential. As a sports consultant, you will use your understanding of the sports industry, combined with your problem solving, data analysis, and other consulting skills, to advise clients on how to improve their operations. This could involve anything from providing strategic planning advice to helping clients secure funding for new facilities. If you have a passion for sports and want to use your skills to help others, then sports management consulting could be the perfect career for you.
Consulting Sports Industry Snapshot
The sports consulting industry is booming. In recent years, a growing number of professionals have been turning to sports consultants for guidance on everything from building successful teams to designing training programs. The demand for sports consulting services is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. More and more organizations want to capitalize on the benefits of having a skilled consultant on their side.
A wide range of consulting firms have cropped up in recent years, each offering a unique blend of services and expertise. This abundance of choice is great news for organizations looking to hire a consultant, as it means they can find a firm that perfectly meets their needs. The future looks bright for the sports consulting industry, with experts predicting sustained growth as more organizations look to bring more data and analysis to their decisions. So if you're thinking about becoming a sports consultant, now is the perfect time to enter the consulting sports industry.
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Sports Consulting Firms
Here is a compilation of key information on some of the best sports consulting firms:
Deloitte Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 2015
- Location(s): 100+ worldwide, 80 in US
- Number of Employees: 30,000 (consultants)
- Specialty: 4 Biggest National Leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL)
BCG Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 1963
- Location(s):90+ in over 50 countries
- Number of Employees: 21,000
- Specialty: 4 Biggest National Leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL)
Elite Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 2001
- Location(s): Nassau County
- Number of Employees: 2-10
- Specialty: spectator sports
KPMG Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 1987
- Location(s): 125+ worldwide
- Number of Employees: 1,000 (specifically in sports)
Relentless Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 2012
- Location(s): Las Vegas
- Number of Employees: 4
- Specialty: American Sports Betting
Paragon Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 2019
- Location(s): Chicago
- Number of Employees: 2-10
- Specialty: Hockey, prospect recruitment
Accenture Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 1955
- Location(s): 100+ worldwide
- Number of Employees: 710,000
- Specialty: Sports Networks, namely ESPN
Bain Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 1973
- Location(s): 61 offices in 38 countries
- Number of Employees: 13,000
- Specialty: professional sports business consulting
Carr Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 1997
- Location(s): Odenton, MD
- Number of Employees: 11-50
- Specialty: Intercollegiate Sports
EY Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 1989
- Location(s): 700+ in over 150 countries
- Number of Employees: 312,250
- Specialty: assurance, tax, and advisory to sports teams
Global Sports Partners
Location(s): several worldwide
Number of Employees: 51-200
Specialty: professional, Olympic, club, university and recreational sports organizations
McKinsey Sports Consulting
- Year Established:
- Location(s): 100+ in 65+ countries
- Number of Employees: 30,000
- Specialty: Professional sports business strategy
Pro Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 2007
- Location(s): Portland, OR
- Specialty: College and professional sports business consulting
PWC Sports Consulting
- Year Established: 1998
- Location(s): 79 US offices, approx. 800 worldwide
- Number of Employees: 295,000
- Specialty: professional sports
How To Become A Sports Consultant
Of course, like any profession, there are certain steps that must be taken to become a successful consultant. Wondering how to become a sports consultant, specifically? The first step is to develop a deep understanding of the sport that you wish to consult on. This requires more than just knowing the rules of the game; it also involves understanding the strategies and motivations of the teams and players. It is also essential to have a strong network of contacts within the sports business consulting industry. This will give you the insider knowledge that is so crucial for success in consulting. Finally, it is important to be able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems. Sports consulting is a highly competitive field, but it is one that anyone can succeed in if they have the right tools.
Sports Consulting Internships
Sports consulting internships are the perfect way to transition into a career as a sports consultant. Through an internship, you'll gain valuable experience working with a team of other consultants to develop and implement strategies for clients. You'll learn how to manage projects, communicate effectively with clients, and deliver results. And, you'll have the opportunity to network with some of the most influential people in the sports industry. A sports internship can be an incredibly rewarding experience that will prepare you for a successful career in sports consulting. It’s always helpful, in any profession or industry, to get an internship. But with sports consulting, it’s particularly helpful. It demonstrates genuine interest and creates actual experiences to pull from when recruiting for full-time roles.
Sports Consultant Salary
The sports consultant salary average is $64,803. However, there is an incredibly wide range of salaries in the sports consulting industry, driven by the incredibly wide range of firms (i.e., sports betting to strategy development for a specific team to operational firms) roles within these firms.
Conclusion
As a sports consultant, you may have the opportunity to work with some of the most elite athletes and teams in the world. You will also get to work behind the scenes, developing strategies and plans that will help them to succeed. If you are passionate about sports and want to make a difference, then a career in sports consulting may be right for you. Contact us today to get help putting your best foot forward.
Additional Resources
- Top 25 Consulting Firms
- Boutique Consulting Firms
- Consulting Resume: Complete Guide
- Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide