Professional Athlete
A professional athlete is an individual who competes in sports for compensation, participating in official events that can attract varying audience sizes. These athletes may be self-employed or affiliated with sports organizations, and they dedicate significant time to physical training, strategic preparation, and competition. The career of a professional athlete can be brief, often due to the risk of injuries and intense competition, making it essential to plan for career transitions and financial stability. While some athletes achieve fame and lucrative endorsements, many earn modest salaries, particularly those in less popular sports or at the minor league level.
The work environment varies by sport, with athletes frequently engaging in training sessions, competing in events, and traveling extensively. Their routine often includes collaboration with coaches, nutritionists, and physical therapists to optimize performance. Aspiring professional athletes typically need to start training early, with a focus on skill development and maintaining academic standards in school. While formal education is not mandatory, pursuing collegiate-level competition can be beneficial. Overall, the path to becoming a professional athlete is challenging and competitive, requiring dedication, physical fitness, and strategic planning.
Professional Athlete
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Hospitality & Tourism
Interests: Exercising, training, leading and motivating, strategizing, physical education
Earnings (Yearly Median): $94,270 per year
Employment & Outlook: 9% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education No formal educational credential
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Long-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. A professional athlete is a paid sports competitor who participates in official athletic events in front of small or large live audiences. Professional athletes are generally self-employed or work for athletic clubs or organizations. They are physically fit and fully understand the strategy behind the sport they play. More successful athletes often benefit from product endorsement deals.
The career of a professional athlete can be short, as athletes are vulnerable to a wide variety of physical injuries related to their occupation. Further, aspiring professional athletes should know that professional sports is a fickle and very competitive industry. Athletes are only as good as their last performance, and there are always younger and more talented replacements waiting to take an athlete’s place in the lineup. It is critical that athletes understand and prepare for the end of their career by paying close attention to issues such as contracts, financial planning, and life after professional athletics.
It must be noted that while famous sports stars are notorious for earning huge salaries as well as lucrative endorsement deals, the vast majority of professional athletes do not reach such a level of fame and fortune. Indeed, it is not uncommon for athletes at the minor league level or who compete in less-popular sports to earn only the equivalent of part-time job wages.
Work Environment. The work environment of a professional athlete depends on the sport in which they participate. Athletes spend much of their working time training and practicing, either indoors in training facilities or outdoors on athletic fields. Most athletes spend a good deal of time traveling to and from sporting events. At the highest level of professional sports, athletes will travel by plane. At the lower levels, such as minor-league hockey or baseball, travel by bus is the norm. During competitive seasons, athletes can work up to seven days a week. When they are not competing, athletes usually train or enjoy extended periods of time off.
Occupation Interest. Professional athletes are expected to maintain an excellent physique and should take pride in exercising, training, and challenging themselves mentally and physically. People interested in becoming professional athletes should exhibit a natural talent in their designated sport and a willingness to devote their personal time and energy to improving their performance and developing those skills that might benefit their respective teams. They should be able to lead and motivate a group of people, as well as take instruction from a coach or supervisor.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Throughout the year, professional athletes spend time training, competing, and resting. Prior to the start of the season, professional athletes exercise and train their bodies on their own or under the direction of their coaches and along with other teammates. Most athletes regularly consult with nutritionists who advise them on healthy eating habits and diet restrictions. Athletes also work with physical therapists, strength trainers, massage therapists, and chiropractors, both before and during the season, to monitor and maintain muscular dexterity and physical fitness.
During the training season, professional athletes meet daily with their team members and coaches to exercise and practice. Many athletes review footage of prior games and competitions to improve their skills, evaluate their opponents, and break down strategies and plays.
During the competitive season, athletes spend days or hours resting, eating properly, and preparing mentally for the series of games ahead. Because many athletes play back-to-back games (meaning they have competitions daily, often in different locations), they must demonstrate excellent physical and mental endurance and stamina. They usually try to rest and relax between games or events in order to restore energy. Before competitions, athletes usually arrive two to three hours early, review strategy, stretch and warm up, and perform any practice routines designated by the coach. During the competitive season, athletes usually spend a great deal of time away from home, traveling across the country and to international destinations where they will need a professional athlete visa to compete.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Most professional athletes train and compete in environments similar to those of their designated sports. Some athletes spend the majority of their time indoors, while others spend their time outdoors, sometimes in cold weather. Those athletes competing in well-funded sports, like professional football, have access to top-notch facilities, equipment, personnel, and support. For those athletes competing in those sports that do not generate the revenues that organizations such as the National Football League (NFL) or Major League Baseball (MLB) do, facilities, equipment, and access to training professionals may be much more limited.
Human Environment. Throughout the year, professional athletes work closely with other athletes, especially their teammates, as well as coaches, assistant coaches, sports managers, and agents. When competing, athletes interact with referees, sports therapists, athletic supervisors, and fans. The professional sports industry is not without its theatrics. Those athletes hoping to reap significant financial rewards will understand that public persona and showmanship garner attention from fans and those industries seeking product endorsements. They should expect to wear a team uniform or company logo during all sports competitions and to comply with other dress-code regulations in accordance with the policy of the team they represent.
Technological Environment. All athletes must use specified training equipment related to the sport they play. They must also be comfortable using common gym equipment such as free weights, strength-training aids, and cardiovascular training machines. They must often utilize digital technology to break down past games and plays and in some cases should be comfortable using walkie-talkies and similar communication devices in competition.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students who wish to become professional athletes should maintain a grade point average that allows them to continue to participate and compete in school athletics. Most schools will not let athletes with poor grades participate in sports, so it is incumbent upon all students to organize their time to allow for study and practice. Athletes benefit from study in subjects such as biology, nutrition, health, communications, anatomy, physical education, and other sciences. They should join a sports team or enroll in a club sport. Students who wish to pursue a specific sport should work to excel at that sport by practicing or taking lessons during non-school hours as well in school (if the desired sport is offered). Reading about specific sports techniques and keeping up with the latest trends and technologies in different sports is also helpful.
Postsecondary. Though professional athletes are not required to have earned an undergraduate degree, many prospective professional athletes (especially those who play a team sport) compete in their desired sport at the collegiate level as a way to develop their talents and hone their skills. Some colleges and universities offer sports scholarships to students who are extremely accomplished in their athletic areas. These students are usually required to maintain a certain academic grade point average in addition to joining the university’s team or individual sports roster. A small number of them are discovered by athletic scouts or sports agents who see them compete at large events or who invite them to seasonal recruitment sessions.
Related Occupations
− Fitness Trainer and Instructor
− Health and Fitness Center Manager
− Radio/TV Announcer and Newscaster
Bibliography
"Athletes and Sports Competitors." Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/athletes-and-sports-competitors.htm. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.