If you enjoy watching or playing basketball, you might want to think about making a career out of it. Working with teams to develop engaging fan experiences is a common perk of many basketball careers. Knowing your options will enable you to play basketball professionally without turning into a professional athlete. In this post, we go over some basketball careers, along with their main responsibilities and earnings.
Basketball careers
Below are some basketball careers:
1. A camera operator
National average yearly salary: $33,238
Primary responsibilities: A camera operator’s main responsibilities in basketball careers are to record events on camera. These experts in the basketball sector frequently broadcast live games for cable networks. To capture action pictures and interview players, they deploy cranes and remote-control cameras. To showcase best practices in the industry or convey the tale of an athlete’s career, camera operators can also film material for films about basketball.
2. A sports coach
National average yearly salary: $33,285
Primary responsibilities: A sports coach’s main responsibilities in a basketball career include assisting their team in reaching its potential. To discover the best athletes for their squad, they could speak with scouts and hold tryouts. Also, they organize practice regimens, provide drills, and show techniques. Sports coaches may conduct instructional seminars to go over tactics and watch game film in addition to more conventional methods. These experts lead players throughout games and plan both offensive and defensive tactics.
3. An exercise physiologist
National average yearly salary: $36,673
Primary responsibilities: A primary responsibility of an exercise physiologist in basketball careers is to assist athletes in increasing their performance with exercise. Patients are consulted to assess health records and present levels of fitness. These exams may include heart rate, stress, blood pressure, and oxygen levels tests. Exercise physiologists can create personalized workout routines using the data they gather to assist patients in achieving their objectives. They might advise stretching to build flexibility or aerobic workouts to enhance cardiovascular health, for example.
4. An interpreter
National average yearly salary: $46,657
Primary responsibilities: The main responsibility of an interpreter in basketball careers is to promote verbal communication between persons who communicate in various languages. They pay attention and take notes as the participants speak, making sure to translate while maintaining the original meaning. As more clubs hire talent from all over the globe, this function is becoming more crucial in the basketball industry. Many basketball teams employ interpreters to make sure they can interact with players who communicate in various languages. During negotiating and interviewing, translators can help players by explaining the game’s tactics.
5. Referee
National average yearly salary: $38,440
Primary responsibilities: A referee’s main responsibilities in a basketball career are to supervise sporting events. They assure fair play by all athletes thanks to their in-depth understanding of the league’s rules. Referees in basketball have the authority to halt play after a foul and administer the appropriate punishment. These experts also keep track of the time, keep score, and mediate player conflicts.
6. A graphic artist
National average yearly salary: $51,067
Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a graphic designer in basketball careers are to create visual information using a variety of artistic methods. By creating newsletters and packaging designs, they could focus on print media. Additionally, they might employ software to make apps, digital graphics, and logos. Graphic designers are frequently used by basketball teams to market their image. These experts in basketball careers could, for instance, design products or write material for websites and social media platforms.
7. Social media manager
National average yearly salary: $47,977
Primary responsibilities: A social media manager’s main responsibilities in basketball careers include managing the social media accounts for an organization. Their marketing expertise enables them to build a brand’s reputation and advance its basic principles. These experts also design marketing campaigns that respond to the tastes of a specific demographic. The main duties are planning posting times, monitoring social media trends, and assessing engagement. Basketball clubs’ social media managers can utilize a variety of platforms to advertise games, provide results, and interact with fans.
8. Radio/TV host
National average yearly salary: $56,357
Primary responsibilities: An individual who hosts a radio or television program is known as a broadcaster. These experts in basketball careers may talk about the teams’ prior performances and do interviews to introduce games when they work for channels that broadcast basketball matches. Broadcasters can offer commentary and score updates during games. These experts may also be in charge of moderating panel discussions and providing post-game analysis.
9. IT supervisor
National average yearly salary: $85,798
Primary responsibilities: An IT manager’s main responsibilities in basketball careers include managing the company’s computer infrastructure. These IT professionals make sure that all networks, software, and hardware are operating correctly. They could offer guidance to a company during installations or suggest the necessary changes when systems start to malfunction. By creating educational materials and enforcing IT regulations, IT managers also have control over the support workforce. To prevent security breaches and safeguard the organization’s sensitive information, a lot of these specialists design safety measures. Basketball teams’ IT managers might work with tools like cameras, scoreboards, and shot clocks.
10. Athletic director
National average yearly salary: $57,057
Primary responsibilities: An athletic director’s main responsibilities in basketball careers include managing the athletic departments in high schools, colleges, and private organizations. To ensure that teams have competent leaders, they frequently have the responsibility of interviewing and selecting coaches. They also assess coaches’ effectiveness and make recommendations for tactical changes. The oversight of the group’s budget is another crucial duty of the athletic director. Teams receive money to pay for their supplies and travel costs. Additional responsibilities include scheduling games, publicizing events, and enrolling students for different sports teams.
11. Scorekeeper
National average yearly salary: $26,508
Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of a scorekeeper in basketball careers are to record game results and statistics, such as the dates and times of games, the score at any time while play is in progress, and the total points earned by each participant. People might choose to sit close to the court or find a booth somewhere where they can see the court. Scorekeepers run the scoreboard and correctly report the winner of each game using their expertise in basketball, including the importance of specific shot types and the duration of shot clocks.
12. Statistical Analyst
National average yearly salary: $98,035
Primary responsibilities: A statistician’s main tasks in basketball careers include data analysis and trend identification. They might use data from outside sources and check the veracity of it. In addition, statisticians can conduct their own data collection by planning experiments and conducting surveys. These experts analyze the data and pinpoint areas where a business might improve using sophisticated mathematical models. Additionally, they create reports and recommend changes to stakeholders. Basketball statisticians may forecast teams’ results or assist leagues in increasing ticket sales.
13. Event personnel
National average yearly salary: $28,301
Primary responsibilities: Basketball games as well as other activities are organized, planned, and staffed by event staff personnel as their main jobs. This could involve planning player introductions and halftime performances. Moreover, even employees may handle security for basketball games, sell products and food, and collect tickets. They might answer to facilities managers or event coordinators. Event staff members may travel to different events across several regions or work in one place.
14. Basketball manager
National average yearly salary: $29,754
Primary responsibilities: Basketball managers in basketball careers are in charge of and guide their teams. They help coaches with practice planning and execution, player statistics tracking, player hiring and trade, and club budget creation. They could also negotiate pay for salaried players. They might work directly for a basketball team’s owner or assume ownership responsibilities.
15. Basketball referee
National average yearly salary: $31,717
Primary responsibilities: Basketball officials’ main responsibilities in basketball careers include officiating basketball matches and upholding the game’s rules. Professional and collegiate games may be officiated by qualified officials who have undergone considerable training. A game’s result may be impacted by the calls the officials make in complicated scenarios. Officials often don black and white striped referee suits during professional games.
16. Sports facility manager
National average yearly salary: $34,569
Primary responsibilities: Sports facility managers in basketball careers are in charge of managing a sports complex, which includes hiring staff and supervising athlete training. Managers of sports facilities also seek out and work to keep clients, who can range from casual customers to amateur athletes from the area. They might also employ cleaners and lend a hand with event planning. They might also look for ways to raise money and make other investments in their sporting facilities.
17. Program Coordinator
National average yearly salary: $39,802
Primary responsibilities: Program facilitators’ main responsibilities in basketball careers include organizing athletic training sessions or tournaments in a facility. They receive instruction to teach athletes different strategies and give performance criticism. Also, facilitators in basketball careers may plan employee and player schedules and choose the days and times of games.
18. Recreational assistant
National average yearly salary: $43,086
Primary responsibilities: The planning, staffing, and supervision of recreational events like basketball camps and clinics are assisted by recreation assistants in basketball careers. They could aid in hiring and assist in staff supervision at recreational facilities. They might also be responsible for extra tasks like cleaning and money collection.
19. Basketball coach
National average yearly salary: $46,267
Primary responsibilities: Coaches’ primary roles in basketball careers include educating players on basketball regulations and winning tactics so that they are better prepared to perform during games. Athletes’ skill levels are used to determine the best training techniques. Coaches in basketball careers may train players during practices themselves or through an assistant coach. A player’s readiness to participate in a game may also be decided by the coach.
20. Equipment specialist
National average yearly salary: $59,420
Primary responsibilities: Basketball-related equipment, including balls, hoops, and practice equipment, is the responsibility of equipment technicians in basketball careers. They might clean the machinery and use tools to repair any broken components. For instance, they might use a ladder and a screwdriver to adjust a basketball hoop that is not positioned properly.
21. Parks and recreation manager
National average yearly salary: $73,150
Primary responsibilities: The development and administration of sports programs in municipal or county parks, as well as the appointment of administrative and support staff, is within the purview of the directors of recreation and parks. They might choose where to build new courts and employ staff to operate the equipment. Directors in basketball careers may also oversee programs, like special events, and facility maintenance. They might coordinate fundraising efforts for parks and public amenities in addition to running basketball operations.
Possibilities for Basketball Players
The best basketball players are employed by the National Basketball Association, where they can make six- to eight-figure salaries annually. Female basketball players are employed by the WNBA, but they often make less money than their male colleagues. The NBA also runs a developmental league in which players are paid far less and receive less attention. Basketball players can also pursue careers in foreign basketball leagues. When they cannot find stable employment in the NBA, many players opt to play in Europe. Most basketball players continue to compete professionally until their mid-to late-30s.
Possibilities for Help
Several people who handle operational and administrative duties work for professional basketball clubs. At the highest levels, there are league owners, managers, vice presidents, and financial experts. Vice presidents are in charge of managing community relations, ticket sales, player relations, and communications. Professional teams may also include accountants, department managers, secretaries, public relations specialists, buyers, statisticians, concessionaires, groundskeepers, and security guards.
Internships in the NBA
At the collegiate level, team managers, directors of sports information, public relations specialists, and statisticians closely collaborate with a school’s athletic department; some of these positions are tailored specifically to basketball. There are occasionally internships offered in the NBA. For example, the Orlando Magic Internship Program provides sophomores and juniors in college with the chance to apply for a variety of internship roles in management, broadcasting, corporate strategy, community engagement, legal, advertising, publicity, and more.
Possibilities for Coaching
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, there are over 18,000 high schools having basketball teams at the time of writing, which creates basketball career job opportunities for persons with the training and credentials to operate as high school basketball coaches. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for high school teachers was $61,660 in 2019. Stipends for coaches are frequently added to their teaching remuneration. Many paid coaches, including head coaches, assistant coaches, and conditioning and strength coaches, are frequently employed by colleges, institutions, and professional teams.
Referees and player agents
Basketball players’ financial concerns are taken care of by sports agents. They undertake public relations responsibilities and arrange contracts with clubs and sponsors. Most sports agents have a legal degree in addition to a bachelor’s. Some real estate brokers started as basketball players. In addition to receiving a tiny basic salary from the athletes they represent, player agents are also given a part of the players’ earnings. Basketball referees serve as game officials. College and professional officials’ careers are based on their work. Officials at high schools frequently hold additional full-time employment.
Jobs in the Media
Sportswriters and commentators are employed by newspapers, journals, TV networks, and radio stations to report basketball games and provide sports news. The wage information for TV and radio announcers in general, including sports announcers, is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary for those in this field in 2018 was $51,630.
Important Advice for Choosing a Sports Career
The sports sector is famously cutthroat, making it challenging to maneuver through. For guidance on choosing a profession in sports, we spoke with instructors and actual sports professionals. Following are their main recommendations.
1. Think about pursuing a master’s degree
A master’s degree program can be very advantageous for a job in sports. In general, a master’s degree can result in enhanced knowledge, quicker promotions, and larger earning possibilities.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in a field unrelated to sports or want to follow a particular job in sports, a master’s degree may help you obtain specialist skills in the sports sector.
Graduate programs in sports-related subjects encourage students to enter the field by fostering relationships with alumni and peers, going to conferences and events focused on the subject, and completing internships.
2. Maintain a Professional Network
In the sports world, networking is crucial. You can start building relationships with your classmates because they might one day work for you. Making contacts as you advance in your career might open up new doors as well as a good name for you in the sports world.
3. Be a character with strength.
The sports and activities that form the foundation of the industry are reflected in it. Great athlete is frequently admired for their character in addition to their athletic prowess; this is also true of professional athletes.
The secret to success in a sporting profession is flexibility, confidence, and an optimistic attitude. Working hard, exhibiting a strong moral character, and presenting soft skills can make a good impression on colleagues and influential people in the sports sector at every chance.
How do we select the best jobs? (And What to Be On The Lookout For)
Knowing what characteristics a job has that make it ideal for sports fans is crucial (besides the obvious fact that they should be related to sports). Among the crucial elements are:
- Outdoor sports. Sports enthusiasts might benefit greatly from basketball careers that provide them the opportunity to go outside and exercise. Nobody who loves sports can dispute the appeal of being outside, regardless of whether you’re participating in your preferred sport.
- Teaching. You can spread your love and expertise for sports by instructing others. It’s the ideal environment to share all those intriguing insider secrets you’ve been itching to share.
- Reporting. Similarly, reporting jobs will enable you to stay up to date on all things sports while also being paid to discuss them.
- Wellbeing and health. If an athlete is not in good psychological and physical condition, they will not give their all. Fortunately, someone who enjoys athletics might like giving that care.
For the sake of this list, we will primarily focus on employment that meets any of these requirements, but keep in mind that one of these aspects may be more essential to you than another. You will then have a variety of alternatives in a variety of sectors and fields.
Conclusion
You may feel secure in the knowledge that there are a variety of related careers available for you to investigate, regardless of whether you actively participate in sports or prefer to watch them from the couch. You can discover a well-paying profession that you’ll love doing anything from assisting players with their fitness to covering the most recent sports news.
Of course, there are plenty of additional careers that are available that enable you to be physically active or in contact with a range of athletes, even if our list concentrates on some of the finest wages you can make in sports-related fields. You simply need to venture out and enter the employment market!
Frequently Asked Questions about basketball careers
- What is a basketball career?
Depending on their abilities and the league they play in, basketball players can make a very good living. The highest-paid NBA players often make the most money, with the average yearly salary of their group being approximately $20,000,000. In the less well-known leagues, basketball players often make between $30,000 and $60,000.
- Which basketball position has the highest salary?
Centers and power forwards have earned the most money in the NBA for almost the whole last 26 years, and that is still the case now.
- What are the responsibilities of a professional basketball player?
Professional basketball players are expected to give their all during practices and games, play the right way on the floor, and provide their best effort to represent their club in public. They must provide every game they’re playing on the court with their full effort.
- Can you play basketball professionally?
Basketball offers a wide range of professional options for those that meet the requirements. Many of these careers are related to education, especially in colleges and high schools. The majority of basketball-related employment, particularly those involving professional basketball, is often found in large cities.
- What courses should you do to become a basketball player?
Athletes only need natural talent, willpower, strength, level of fitness, skill, and self-discipline. A high school diploma would be sufficient for this position regardless of the absence of educational requirements. The majority of athletes focus on one sport and exercise almost daily.
- What sport has the biggest salary?
The world’s highest-paid sport is basketball.
The average yearly wage in the NBA in 2023 will be close to $10.5 million, making basketball the best-paid sport in the world.
Elizabeth is a seasoned content writer with multiple years of experience writing on different topics under the general terms of scholarship, academics, business management, and human resource management and development.
She has a degree in Mass Communication and other relevant certifications.