Career Descriptions (visible)
Career Descriptions (behind the scenes)
Salaries
Requirements (high school, post-grad training, bachelor’s, masters/professional, doctorate)
Career Length
100

This person is responsible for coaching and training athletes to improve their performance.

What is a coach?

100

This person analyzes player statistics to help teams make strategic decisions. 

What is a sports analyst?

100

The average annual salary for a professional referee in the NBA or NFL falls around this range.

What is $200,000-$500,000?

100

Many professional athletes can begin their careers with just this level of education.


What is a high school diploma?

100

The average career length of an NFL player is around this many years.

What is 3-4 years?

200

This professional calls the shots during a game, ensuring rules are followed.

What is a referee?

200

This professional creates social media content and manages a team’s online presence.

What is a sports media manager?

200

This professional helps athletes improve mental resilience, focus, and performance, typically earning between $70,000 and $150,000 per year, with those working for elite teams or private clients making even more.


What is a Sports Psychologist?

200

Referees, personal trainers, and some fitness instructors often need this before working professionally.


What is training?

200

NBA players typically have an average career spanning this many years.

What is 4-5 years?

300

This person provides real-time updates and commentary on games for TV, radio, or online platforms.

What is a sports broadcaster?

300

This person negotiates contracts and endorsements for athletes.

What is a sports agent?

300

This sport is known for some of the longest and most lucrative contracts in professional athletics.


What is baseball?

300

Physical therapists, sports medicine doctors, and professors of sports science must complete this degree.


What is a doctoral degree?

300

The average career for a professional soccer player lasts about this long.

What is 8 years?

400

This individual captures action shots of players and games for media outlets.

What is a sports photographer?

400

This expert works with athletes on strength training and conditioning.

What is a strength and conditioning coach?

400

Professional sports agents typically make a percentage of an athlete’s earnings, around this range.

What is 4-10%?

400

To work as a sports psychologist, sports manager, or athletic director, this level of education is often required.


What is a master’s or professional degree?

400

This sport has one of the longest average career lengths, with athletes often competing for 10-20 years.

What is professional golf or tennis?

500

This specialist helps athletes recover from injuries and improve mobility.

What is a physical therapist?

500

This person handles ticket sales, marketing, and promotions for sports events.

What is a sports marketing manager?

500

Ranked by earnings, these are the top five highest-paid non-athlete positions in sports.

1. Owns the team and profits from ticket sales, TV deals, and sponsorships.

2. Negotiates contracts and endorsements for players, earning a commission.

3. Manages a team’s roster, trades, and salary cap, often making millions per year.

4. Provides analysis and commentary on games, sometimes earning more than players.

5. Leads a team from the sidelines, with top professionals making over $10 million annually.


What are a team owner, sports agent, general manager, sports broadcaster, and head coach?

500

Sports journalists, athletic trainers, and sports analysts typically need this level of education.


What is a bachelor’s degree?

500

This position in baseball tends to have the longest career span, sometimes lasting over 20 years.

What is a pitcher or designated hitter?