Chapter 1_ Introduction to Sport Management
Chapter 1_ Introduction to Sport Management
Management
This document provides an overview of the field of sport management, exploring its unique
characteristics, challenges, and opportunities. It delves into the definition of sport and sport
management, the financial structures involved, and the evolving landscape of career paths
within the industry. Additionally, it addresses the segmentation of the sport industry into
commercial, nonprofit, and public sectors, while highlighting the competencies required for
future sport managers. The document also includes review questions to facilitate deeper
understanding and engagement with the material.
Sport Management is defined as the study and practice of all individuals, activities,
businesses, or organizations involved in producing, facilitating, promoting, or organizing any
sport-related business or product. This field is unique due to several factors:
• General Competencies: Transferable skills that can be applied across various contexts.
• Creative Thinking: The ability to innovate and improve processes continuously.
• Multitasking: Effectively managing multiple responsibilities.
• Organizational Skills: Being organized and flexible with time management.
• Leadership: Guiding teams and organizations effectively.
• Information Management: Handling data and information efficiently.
• Critical Thinking: Analyzing situations and making informed decisions.
While "sports" refers to specific activities, "sport" is a broader term that encompasses all
athletic endeavors, making it more inclusive.
Review Questions
1. Emerging Sports: Name three sports that have emerged in the last few years and
discuss their impact on career opportunities in sport management.
• Examples: Drone racing and esports have created more career opportunities,
particularly in technology and inclusivity.
2. Sport Business Settings: List and discuss three sport business settings that might
represent job opportunities for sport managers.
3. Sport Industry Model: Describe the sport industry model and its three sectors,
providing examples of organizations in each sector.
5. Task Clusters: Explain the task clusters into which sport managers' responsibilities can
be classified.
6. Critical Thinking: Define critical thinking and explain its benefits in sport management.
7. Critical Thinker Dispositions: List the dispositions that critical thinkers should possess
and reflect on your own possession of these traits.
8. Principled Decision Making: Define principled decision making and provide examples
relevant to sport managers.