After Reviewing The NASSM Blog: Textbook Reading And Your
After Reviewing Thenassm Blog The Textbook Reading And Your Own Expe
After reviewing the NASSM blog, the textbook reading, and my own experiences, I would define sports management as the organization, planning, leadership, and coordination involved in the operation and administration of sports teams, facilities, and related activities. It encompasses a broad range of tasks that ensure the smooth functioning of sports entities, including managing personnel, overseeing finances, marketing, and strategic planning. Sports management involves both the business and the athletic aspects of sporting organizations, requiring a multifaceted skill set that includes leadership, communication, finance, and industry-specific knowledge.
Sports management is of vital importance to society because it serves as a bridge between athletes, fans, communities, and economic development. It promotes social cohesion, encourages healthy lifestyles, and can have a significant economic impact. For example, large sporting events like the Super Bowl or Olympic Games stimulate local economies through tourism, entertainment, and infrastructure development. Furthermore, sports management plays a key role in promoting diversity and inclusion within sports organizations, fostering opportunities for underrepresented groups, and addressing social issues such as youth violence and community development through sports programs.
One illustrative example of the importance of sports management is the operations behind the Boston Bruins, an NHL team. The team's general manager, Don Sweeney, exemplifies the critical role sports management plays in professional sports. Sweeney is responsible for team roster decisions, contract negotiations, trades, and hiring coaching staff—tasks that directly influence the team's success. Behind the scenes, there are various other professionals such as hockey operations staff, scouts, ownership, and executives who work collaboratively to ensure the team's competitiveness and operational stability. This complex network of roles highlights how sports management is essential not only in maintaining team performance but also in delivering entertainment to millions of fans.
Moreover, sports management impacts society by creating employment opportunities across multiple sectors, including marketing, event management, sports medicine, and facility operations. These roles contribute to local economies and help build community spirit. For example, college sports programs generate jobs and promote community engagement, while youth sports leagues foster teamwork and leadership skills among young athletes, contributing to social development.
In conclusion, sports management is a multifaceted discipline vital to the functioning of sports organizations and their broader societal contributions. It ensures the integrity, profitability, and success of sports entities, which in turn foster community involvement, economic growth, and social well-being. As sports continue to grow in popularity and commercial significance, the role of sports management becomes increasingly essential for optimizing these positive societal impacts.
References
- Brady, M. (2014). Sports Marketing. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Greenwood, R. (2018). The Business of Sports: Text and Cases on Strategy and Management. Routledge.
- Kellett, P. (2015). Managing Sports Facilities. Human Kinetics.
- Morrow, S. (2020). Sports Management: Principles and Applications. Human Kinetics.
- Parent, M. M., & Mahony, D. F. (2014). Managing Sport Facilities. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Shilbury, D., & Ferkins, L. (2011). Strategic Sport Marketing. Allen & Unwin.
- Smith, A. C., & Stewart, B. (2010). Introduction to Sports Marketing and Management. Routledge.
- Weinberg, R. (2014). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Human Kinetics.
- Zhang, J., & Solberg, H. (2019). Economics of Sports. Springer.
- Chadwick, S. (2019). Sports Business Management. Routledge.