Breaking Down the Role of Human Resources in Sports

Human resources (HR) professionals are probably the last people who come to mind when you think about professional and collegiate sports. However, HR management in sports is a linchpin of the industry. From the largest NFL teams to the smallest minor league hockey teams, HR in sports is key to any organization's success.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the sports and entertainment industry¹ and the number of available jobs for HR professionals² are projected to grow at a rate above the national average for the coming decade.

HR professionals manage all aspects of sporting organizations, from recruiting and talent acquisition to ongoing legal compliance efforts and more. As an HR professional in the sports industry, you'll have a hand in mediating conflicts and fostering a positive work environment. You'll also be able to contribute to creating a diverse and equitable workplace through ongoing DEI initiatives, which many professional sports teams have adopted over the past several years.

HR in sports is also responsible for holding ongoing training programs to help employees reach their potential. These training sessions can run the gamut from mastering a new piece of software to enhancing employees' soft skills and public speaking abilities.

In the past, HR jobs in sports traditionally dealt with basic administrative tasks like payroll, onboarding, offboarding, and maintaining good employee relationships. However, modern HR professionals are increasingly called upon to take on a greater stake in the organization's well-being.

In the modern, interconnected world, sports teams recognize that HR professionals operate on the front lines. As an HR professional, you'll align human capital with organizational goals by upholding high standards in hiring, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, and fostering a healthy, inclusive workplace culture.

With the rise of social media, HR in sports has never been more important. HR teams manage reputational risks while ensuring ethical conduct among employees both in and outside of the office. In addition, the rise of analytics tools and big data means that HR workers have the power to make more refined, data-driven decisions during the talent acquisition and performance management processes.

A professional HR team can have a profound impact on sporting organizations. HR professionals drive success by laying the groundwork for improved retention, higher employee performance, and more open and productive working cultures. For example, the San Antonio Spurs has focused on creating a vibrant culture that emphasizes openness, collaboration, and learning, which has led to commendable retention rates for that organization.³

HR departments can drive enhanced performance by providing extra training. For example, HR-led leadership workshops for coaches can improve overall employee morale and lead to better results on the league leaderboards. HR professionals can also help to cultivate positive, inclusive environments that create better working conditions and better collaboration between employees.

The role of HR in sports has expanded to leverage data in the hiring process. Data-driven hiring practices use analytics tools to find top talent, predict future employee performance, and lower the incidence of bias in recruitment. These new tools intersect with the fast-growing field of DEI. Larger pools of data facilitate more diverse hiring practices and better organizational tracking methods.

HR plays a critical role in supporting the mental and emotional well-being of athletes and other employees through mental health initiatives and outreach efforts. As an HR professional, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with sports psychologists to offer individual counseling sessions and team-level stress management seminars. For example, the NHL’s player assistance program offers confidential mental health resources for athletes.⁴

HR careers typically provide healthy salaries for those who break into the sports industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median HR specialist makes $72,910 per year or $35.05 per hour.² Breaking into HR management can net you a sizable pay increase, with median salaries of $140,030 per year or $67.32 per hour.⁵ HR job openings are expected to grow at 8% per year from 2023 to 2033. That's much faster than the national average for all jobs.²

To advance in the field of HR in sports, you'll typically begin in an entry-level role like talent acquisition specialist or HR coordinator before moving on to a managerial role. Eventually, you can reach a director or vice-president level role.

A master's degree in sports management can help you gain the necessary skills for a job in sports. The Master's in Sports Management from the University of Kansas online will train you on modern best practices while providing you with the information you'll need to succeed in this fast-growing and competitive field of employment. Taking your education into your own hands will give you a leg up on the competition when you apply for one of the most highly-sought after jobs in the world of sports.

Advance to the next level in your HR career by getting a Master's in Sports Management* from the University of Kansas online.

Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more.