26 Profitable Sports Business Ideas: 26 Top Business Ideas in the Sports Industry

Are you passionate about sports related business then you are in luck. Sports related businesses account for several billion dollars industry world wide.

The industry is huge and has many sectors related to products, services and participatory sports. The sports entrepreneur could provide a service like sports management or sports insurance.

Sports business has may huge conglomerates and brand names however the industry is able to accommodate small, medium and large entrepreneurs

The industry is full of untapped opportunities that a business man can leverage on to earn decent income. Other important sectors in sports industry is the manufacturing sector. 
Manufacturing is either done on a small scale or industrial level. Sports items like footballs, cricket bats, sports shoes, nets, and cloths just to mention a few.

The amount of capital invested into the business dictates your business model. Whatever model you choose the sports industry is able to accommodate your vision.

The sports industry is highly profitable but you need proper knowledge and management skills. You need to decide on which aspect of sports business you want to establish.

Listed below are several sports related businesses you can do to earn a living. Some of the businesses mentioned need some capital investment but others might require substantial investment.

Start a Professional Sports Blog

You can start a sports blog with zero capital investment. Host your blog on a free host platform and create sports related posts.  You have the option of concentrating on a sports niche like basket ball, cricket, football or athletics.

There are many areas of sports journalism like daily news update, up coming events and statistics. Other things to focus on are club table, general sports review and live sports.

The quality of the content with attracts sport’s fans to your blog. Sports fans are fanatical and eagerly seek news about areas of interest. The sport industry that attracts lots of cooperate sponsorship, advertisements and endorsements.

Monetize your blog with direct advertisement placement, advertisement networks, products and sports memorabilia.

You can sell sport event tickets and gift items on your blog

Start a Sports Photography Business

Sports photography is a lucrative way to earn income. It is exciting, financially rewarding and challenging at the same time. Sports photographers always strive to get the perfect shot that will make history and resonate for years to come.

Do you remember the iconic image of Mohamed Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle image? A sports photographer strives to capture high quality images from sporting events.

You need registration and certification from local regulatory bodies to gain access to top sporting events. Sports photography business is lucrative if you learn the trade and take stunning images.

Open a Sports Bar

Sports bars are a meeting destination for sports enthusiast. The bar offers to its customers live sporting events, reviews and charts.

Sports bars are very popular, whenever there is a major sporting event like club football the bar is usually packed to the rafters.

The bar owner makes money from the patronage and in certain countries slightly increase the cost of the beverage or charge a small fee.

The amount of money you invest in your bar depends on location, interior decor, and other running costs.

Open a Sports Shop

A sports shop sells items like balls, bats, branded t-shirts, cps and sneakers. They also have pictures and images, and other sports related items.

The shop should be located in a sporting environment to attract buyers. The major people that buy sports items are professional athletes, youths and bargain hunters.

The sports shop can sell different collections of magazines, and sports newspapers. A sports shop is capital intensive because sports items are costly.

Open an Online Sports Business

You can complement your physical store with an online presence. You will make more money running an online store than your physical store because you are no longer limited to a location.

Online store opens the world to your amazing collection of sports accessories and memorabilia. You don’t even need a physical store to run an online sports business.

All you need are a number of interesting items and an eCommerce website. The way a sports eCommerce website works is you showcase the item for sale.

If there is a purchase you handle the packaging and shipping of the good. This is done either by courier service, airfreight or postal service.

Sports Betting Company

There are two ways to get into sports betting. The first is to invest heavily in developing your betting company, get certification and accreditation from government authorities.

You need a corporate headquarters, powerful website that accommodates online gaming. The software should be highly interactive and secure.

Your betting company needs physical agents and small retail outlets. This is where the second business opportunity in sports betting comes into the picture.

If you don’t have huge funds to start a Sports betting company become an agent for a betting company.

This business format requires little capital and the major investment is the shop rental, computer and agent fees.

The sports agent earns a commission on the amount generated by the gamblers. The parent company provides the training and printing equipment to the agent.

Pay per View Live Streaming

Any popular pay per view streaming is highly lucrative. The business man needs to first secure streaming rights before he can offer the service. Live streaming is very popular among movie watchers and sports fans. The subscription quickly adds up, earning the pay per view business lots of profit.

The reason why it works is because of the huge world population and marketing potential.

Manufacture Sports Equipment

Sports equipment manufacturing is big business. The business covers every aspect of sports form the hardware to various products.

The entrepreneur studies his immediate market and decides on the equipment to manufacture. It is better to concentrate on favorite sports events as a good business strategy.

To get into manufacturing sports products and equipment you need lots of financing. If you have a good credit rating and physical property obtain loans from banks.

Hire experts in the field and gain knowledge of the manufacturing process, marketing and distribution. You need to have a budget, plan adequately before venturing into sports manufacturing.

Become a Sports Consultant

Sports consultants offer there services to sports men and women. Many country hire sports consultants for advice on several sports related issues. Sports consultancy is a high paying job.

The good thing about sports consultancy is that the bigger your reputation and achievements the higher your profile and more money you make.

Networking is an important aspect of sports consultancy business and having the right connections.

Open a Sports Souvenir Shop

The best location for a sports souvenir shop is beside or inside a stadium. Sports fans are the major customers of sports souvenir shops.

After and before a game they spend hundreds of dollars buying souvenirs. Branded souvenirs are the highest sellers such as sports jerseys, face caps that have their favorite clubs logos and images.

Sports souvenirs are highly prized items they are durable and have longevity and value.

Sell Sports Tickets

You will make cool cash selling sports event tickets. There are many major sports events that attract lots of fans. The sports ticket selling business earns the seller commission.

You only earn commission as a ticketer therefore you need to sell lots of tickets. The best ticket sales are made at football, cricket matches and basketball matches.

Become a Football Scout

The next Messi and Ronaldo might be lurking a few blocks from you. Football scouts find talented youths and build them to become super stars.

The best hunting grounds are age grade international matches, football academies and local leagues. Other good places to find future stars are street corners and high school matches.

You need to network and build lots of connections in the football scout business. The scout earns huge commissions in transfer fees and other deals related to his player.

Start a Sports Training School

The sports training school can focus on training football referees. Other areas the school might develop are sport coaches of different disciplines.

To run a training school you need local government certification. Training schools require lots of funding, top quality training staff and equipment. The school needs accreditation of international sports bodies to give authenticity to your certificates.

Start a Football Academy

Starting a football academy is a good business venture. The business nurtures youths into future football stars. The academy owners most ensure top quality facilities and teachers.

To start a football academy you need a standard football field, boarding house and class rooms. You also have to get state certification and accreditation before opening your school.

Start a Cycling Business

A cycling club is all about leisure and fun activities. Locate your sports cycling business in a tourist or holiday destination.

The patrons hire your bikes for a few hours and go on scenic rides. The major expenditure in this business are the bicycles. The bicycle club can target locals like children and youths in the region.

You can make money from club membership and discounts.

 Build a Sports App.

Do you know how to build Apps then create sports App. Build a highly interactive and useful App and you could make a little money. There are lots of Apps on Google Play and other App marketplace.

There are Apps on health, food, nutrition and exercise.

Organize a Local Football Match

Football matches attract lots of fans and sports lovers. You can organize a local football game and attract lots of football lovers.

You make money from tickets and corporate sponsorship. To attract lots of interest you need to promote the event and get approval from local authorities.

The major challenge when organizing a football match is getting the teams, a football pitch and approval. Another easier method is to organize college football competitions.

Wholesale and Retail Business

A good business venture is opening a sport wholesale and retail outfit. There is a huge market for sports goods and products. Wholesalers stock the goods and sell to retailers while retailers sell directly to customers.

Discover the sports goods that are popular in your area and stock up on them. Some localities are crazy about boxing, others handball or basket ball.

Your job is to discover the passion, select appropriate goods and make money

Open a Gym

Gyms are here to stay because health and fitness is very popular today. Gyms are found in every locality, street corners and local government area. If you are interested in the sports industry why not start a local gym.

Start a Radio Program

There are two ways to get unto radio one is to join a radio station or start your own. A radio station needs a transmitter a few radio equipment and government certification and approval.

Every country has there own rule and legislation governing radio ownership. If you are a good orator then try working as a sports presenter on a radio station.

Sports Clothing Line Business

Sports clothing is a multi million dollar industry that attracts lots of companies. Sports clothing are usually pricey and high quality fabric.

To get into sports clothing business you need to use the best quality fabrics and lots of marketing. The business is highly competitive and an entrepreneur needs to stand out from the pack.

 Sports League Business

A sports league is recreational and youths focused. There are different leagues like basket ball leagues and football league.

The type of league you start should mirror the sports best loved in your locality. Running a sports league business aids the community while putting hard cash in your pocket.

Organize a Sports Camp Business

Your sports camp can focus on youths and kids. Do adequate planning before implementing your vision. Sports camps are fun, educational and build confidence and character in the kids.

Start a Sports Apparel Business

You sports apparel business needs licensing and registration. You can sell the sports, merchandise both online and offline.

The business format is simple but requires adequate funding.

Managing Athletes

There are many opportunities in the sports industry. One of such business opportunities is sports agency.

You can become a sports agent by opening a sports agency office. Agents make money from commissions on transfers, endorsements and winnings. The business is lucrative if you represent top athletes.

Personal Fitness Coach

There are many aspects to becoming a personal fitness coach. You can become fitness instructor, personal trainer or fitness coach.

The job descriptions are the same but vary slightly in execution. 

More Sports Business Ideas

Sports magazine

Good investment opportunity is establishing a sports magazine. Sports attract lots of passion, dedicated fans. They are eager to learn about their favorite stars including upcoming events. You need printing experience, professional reporters and distribution channel.

Sports television program

Independent television programs have their own audience. They involve good concept, funding, syndication. To start a program you must pitch the program to stations in your locality. You would need to pay for an assign broadcast bandwidth.

Customized jersey store

A customized jersey of a famous athlete is good business. However there are copyright laws guiding the enterprise. The cloths could have images, numbers, club logos and monograms.

Sports video games

You need to invest in popular video games consoles. Common games are car racing, adventure games, combat videos and football games. Find a location close to schools, residential areas.

Manufacture sports equipment

Quality sports kits are expensive, specialized to a particular game. You need to decide what type equipment to manufacture. Other considerations are type of equipment, factory space and machine operators. Others are appropriate pricing, branding and marketing

Taekwondo Club

Taekwondo is a popular sports taught to adults and children. Open a club in your locality, visit schools or recreational centers.

Football viewing center

Football is almost like a religion in many countries. Many fans love to gather together to watch their favorite clubs. Viewing centers make brisk business showing premiership matches, Italian league and Spanish league.

Open a public swimming pool

Public swimming pools are both recreational centers, health centers. A swimming pool in a good location would attract regular earnings for the owner.

Sell tickets for sport events

Ticket sales are big business if you are close to a stadium. Seasonal tickets are costly yet the sell out in a few weeks. You could run a sports store related to the sports event of you choice.