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Home   >   Careers   >   Sports Analytics Degree: How to Become a Sports Data Analyst

Earn a Sports Analytics Degree

Alex Gurevich – Last updated: September 6, 2024

WRITER

Alex Gurevich is the CEO of FinalStepMarketing, a full-service marketing and business consulting firm.

On This Page
  • Sports Data Analyst
  • Sports Analyst Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree Options
  • Master's Degree Options
  • Sports Analyst Career
  • Sports Statistician
  • Sports Statistics Degree
  • Career Outlook
  • FAQs
  • Resources

If you’re passionate about sports and possess a knack for numbers, a career as a sports data analyst could be your perfect match. This exciting field offers a blend of analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and the thrill of being part of the sporting world.

Analytics can play a part in both on- and off-field programs. For example, a coach could use analysis of a football receiver to improve his catching capability and use data to implement optimized exercise programs for player durability and flexibility.

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techguide.org is an advertising-supported site. Clicking in this box will show you programs related to your search from schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other information published on this site.
Featured Analytics Programs

School NameProgramMore Info
Southern New Hampshire UniversityOnline BS in Data Science and Data AnalyticsVisit Site
Eastern Oregon UniversityOnline BS in Data AnalyticsVisit Site
UC Berkeley School of InformationOnline MS in Data ScienceVisit Site
Ohio UniversityOnline Master of Business AnalyticsVisit Site
Syracuse UniversityOnline MS in Applied Data ScienceVisit Site
University of West AlabamaBachelor of Arts/Science in Sport ManagementVisit Site

In this guide, we look at what is required to get a sports analytics degree. We will also look at what sports data analyst does, their responsibilities, how to become one, and the career outlook for this field.

  • Why is it important to track a player’s batting average?
  • Or a player’s reaction time to a ball hit into the field?
  • Or the speed of a pitcher’s fastball?
  • Or how much yardage a football receiver can obtain following a catch?
  • Or how far a golf ball is driven?

For many years, this was information coveted only by fans or fantasy sports owners; however, over the past few decades, this data has come to matter to coaches, managers, recruiters, scouts, and other figures within a sports organization.

Over time, this data has been used in decision-making processes such as player selection, team position needs, performance enhancement, player health assessment, competitive analysis, and skills development.

What is a Sports Data Analyst

A sports data analyst gathers information from a variety of sources, including game statistics, player biographies, scouting reports, and wearable technology data.

By utilizing statistical methods and data visualization techniques, they transform this raw data into meaningful insights that can inform player evaluation, injury prevention, strategic decision-making, and overall team performance.

Sports data analyst typically begins by asking themselves the kinds of questions a team manager, coach, or general manager would want answered when it comes to a team’s success in player placement, game strategies, and play selection.

Data assembled by sports data analysts can also be published in sports magazines or on team sites to provide information about players for fans, college recruiters, professional scouts, or team executives such as general managers or team owners.

Such data can help teams come up with the best plays based on player abilities, opponents, and other factors.

These analysts will often study and interpret data for managers to assist in developing game plans, creating player scouting reports, and relaying information to players to help them play to their strengths.

In addition, data gathered by sports data analysts can predict or interpret fan behavior and consumer buying habits. For instance, player ranking data or performance statistics might drive consumers to purchase merchandise around those specific players.

Sports data analysts can contribute to fan publications, sports statistics reports, athlete evaluations, and team performance analyses.

Sports Analytics Degree

It takes at least a bachelor’s degree to start a career in sports data analysis. Degree programs in sports analytics are fairly new; Syracuse University boasts of being the first university in the United States to offer a Bachelor of Science in Sports Analytics, which began in August 2017.

Other colleges and universities also offer such a degree; in some cases, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in sports management with a concentration in sports analytics.

You can also choose to earn a bachelor’s degree in business analytics. In such a program, you’ll take courses in marketing, management, economics, and finance, much the same as you would in a sports analytics program, and the concepts you would review in these classes would be applicable within a sports organization, company, or agency.

Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Analytics

  1. California Baptist University

    Riverside, CA
    Program: Sports Analytics Bachelor of Science
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $275
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details
  2. George Mason University

    Fairfax, VA
    Program: Sports Analytics – Undergraduate Minor
    Credits: 120 (18 for the Minor)
    Cost per credit: $698 in-state | $2,001 out-of-state
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details
  3. Mercer University

    Macon, GA
    Program: Sports Marketing and Analytics Major
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $1,250
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details
  4. Rice University

    Houston, TX
    Program: Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Sport Management and a Major Concentration in Sport Analytics
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $403
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details
  5. Samford University

    Birmingham, AL
    Program: Player and Team Performance Analytics Track Sports Finance Analytics Track Sports Marketing Analytics Track
    Credits: 120 (24 for concentration)
    Cost per credit: $667
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details
  6. Springfield College

    Springfield, MA
    Program: Sports Analytics Minor
    Credits: 120 (18 for Minor)
    Cost per credit: $2,154
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details
  7. Syracuse University

    Syracuse, NY
    Program: Sports Analytics Major and Minor
    Credits: 125
    Cost per credit: $418
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details

For those who wish to advance to senior management or executive positions in some organizations, a master’s degree could be required.

In these cases, one could pursue a master of science in sports analytics or choose a master’s degree in sports administration or sports management with a concentration in sports analytics.

A few postsecondary institutions offer graduate sports analytics or sports analytics and management certificates.

Master’s Degree in Sports Analytics

  1. Adelphi University

    Garden City, NY
    Program: Online Master of Science in Sport Management
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $950
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  2. American University

    Washington, DC
    Program: Online Master of Science in Sports Analytics and Management
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $1,345
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  3. California University of Pennsylvania

    California, PA
    Program: Online Sport Management Studies Master’s Degree
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $774
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  4. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

    Indianapolis, IN
    Program: Master of Science in Applied Data Science with a Specialization in Sports Analytics
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $478 in-state | $1,565 out-of-state
    GMAT Required: Yes
    Delivery Method: On Campus and Online
    Learn more: Program details
  5. Lasell University

    Newton, MA
    Program: Master of Science in Applied Sports Science Analytics
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $626
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  6. Linfield University

    McMinnville, OR
    Program: Master of Science in Sport Science and Analytics
    Credits: 33
    Cost per credit: $686
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details
  7. Marquette University

    Milwaukee, WI
    Program: Master of Science in Sports and Exercise Analytics
    Credits: 33
    Cost per credit: $1,245
    GMAT Required: Yes
    Delivery Method: On-campus and Online
    Learn more: Program details
  8. Northeastern University

    Boston, MA
    Program: Masters in Sports and Exercise Analytics
    Credits: 45
    Cost per credit: $785
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  9. Northwestern University

    Chicago, IL
    Program: Master of Sports Administration, Sports Analytics Concentration
    Credits: 33
    Cost per credit: $1,326
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  10. Samford University

    Birmingham, AL
    Program: MBA, Sports Business Concentration
    Credits: 45
    Cost per credit: $915
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: On-campus and Online
    Learn more: Program details
  11. Stevens Institute of Technology

    Hoboken, NJ
    Program: Master’s in Business Intelligence & Analytics + Sports Tech
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $1,648
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details
  12. Syracuse University

    Syracuse, NY
    Program: Sports Analytics, M.S. – Online
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $1,111
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: On-campus and Online
    Learn more: Program details
  13. Temple University

    Philadelphia, PA
    Program: Master of Science in Sports Business, Concentration in Sports Analytics
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $956
    GMAT Required: Yes
    Delivery Method: Online, In-Person or Hybrid
    Learn more: Program details
  14. University of Mississippi

    Oxford, MS
    Program: Master of Science in Sport Analytics
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $456
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  15. University of New Haven

    New Haven, CT
    Program: Master of Science in Sport Management, Sports Analytics Concentration
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $772
    GMAT Required: Yes
    Delivery Method: On-campus
    Learn more: Program details
  16. University of North Texas

    Denton, TX
    Program: Advanced Data Analytics with a concentration in Sports, MS
    Credits: 21
    Cost per credit: $253 in-state | $675 out-of-state
    GMAT Required: Yes
    Delivery Method: On-Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  17. University of Oklahoma

    Norman, OK
    Program: Master of Science in Sports Data Analytics
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $346 in state | $957 out of state
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: On-Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  18. University of West Georgia

    Carollton, GA
    Program: Master of Science – Sport Management, Concentration in Sports Analytics
    Credits: 36
    Cost per credit: $341
    GMAT Required: No
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

A Career As A Sports Data Analyst

One who pursues a career in sports data analysis can seek to become, in addition to a sports data analyst, a:

  • Coach
  • Sports statistician
  • Sports sales analyst
  • Sports recruiter
  • Sports market research analyst
  • Sports advertising/promotions manager

In these roles, professionals would implement data analysis tools, statistical methods, and observation methods to measure player performance to determine that player’s role on a team.

They can also research the marketability of player and team merchandise, come up with game plans, measure the possible sales of specific sports merchandise, develop team advertising materials, promote games, and summarize player and team statistics for TV and radio broadcasting purposes.

How To Become A Sports Statistician

Closely related to a career as a sports data analyst is that of a sports statistician. In this role, professionals focus more heavily on mathematical and economic statistics to analyze player value, such as current and future performance and game plans and strategies.

Sports statisticians might work at the collegiate and professional levels. To become a sports statistician, one would have to take several courses in statistics and develop strong technical, analytical, and quantitative skills.

Abilities in data mining, technological integration, computer programming, and logistics would all be important for those interested in this career path.

Sports statisticians use data collected during games, such as that assembled through technological means such as baseball pitching velocity, the strength of a bat’s contact with the ball, the track of a pitch to the plate, and the trajectory of a hit ball.

This data can then be gathered and analyzed to import team and player performance information for coaching and game assessment purposes.

Still, they could also be pertinent in player contract negotiations and even medical history records.

Among the benefits of sports statistical information is that it clarifies details for each player. Since performance evaluation, skills development, and ability improvement would differ from player to player, having extensive data for each player becomes essential not just for individual improvement but also for team improvement.

Such data could help coaches decide how certain players will fit into specific game plans or schemes and how their abilities would best benefit the team against certain opponents.

In this career, sports statisticians can begin in sports management companies, sports talent agencies, newspaper sports departments, sports websites, television networks, or professional or college sports organizations. They might work in junior roles and work their way up into managerial positions.

Sports Statistics Degree

As with sports data analysis, one who desires to become a sports statistician can pursue a bachelor’s degree in sports management, sports administration, or sports analysis. A bachelor’s degree in sports science might also be acceptable but is not offered as readily as the previous degrees.

Taking courses in mathematics, statistics, business analytics, computer programming, and data modeling is essential to becoming a sports statistician. It is important to run digital simulations, conduct basic regression analyses, and use statistical classification tools.

Learn more about analytics degrees

For advancement in the field, as in many fields, a master’s degree could be required. A master of science in sports administration or sports management with a concentration in sports analytics would be viable options. Other possible graduate degrees that could be considered include a Master of Science in Data Science or Data Analytics.

Career Outlook and Salary for a Sports Data Analyst

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected a 27 percent job growth rate and a median annual salary of approximately $80,000 for sports statistical analysts.

This projection is thought to be based on the increased use of technology to collect data during sporting events to assess and improve game strategies, player skills, and other intangibles such as ball velocity, running speed, and reaction times.

For all types of statisticians, not particularly those focusing on sports, a 30 percent job growth rate is expected between 2022 and 2032, influenced heavily by increased use of digital data analysis for business (or, in the case of sports statistics, team and player) improvement, product design, and advertising.

Opportunities are believed to be best for those who maintain updated skills in computer programming and statistical methods.

According to the BLS, the median annual wage as of May 2022 for statisticians was reported as $99,960.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Sports Data Analyst?

A sports data analyst collects and analyzes data from various sources like game statistics, player biographies, and wearable tech to inform decisions related to player evaluation, injury prevention, and team performance.

What qualifications are needed for a career in Sports Data Analysis?

To begin a career in sports data analysis, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is typically required. Degrees in sports analytics, sports management with an analytics concentration, or business analytics are relevant.

What career paths are available for Sports Data Analysts?

Beyond being a sports data analyst, career opportunities include roles such as coach, sports statistician, sports sales analyst, sports recruiter, and sports marketing research analyst.

How is a Sports Statistician different from a Sports Data Analyst?

Sports statisticians focus more on mathematical and economic statistics to assess player value and performance. They require strong skills in statistics, data mining, and computer programming.

What is the Career Outlook and Salary for a Sports Data Analyst?

The field is expected to grow significantly, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 27 percent job growth rate. The median annual salary for sports statistical analysts is around $80,000.

Related Resources

  • Podcast interview with Billy Nayden
  • Data Analytics Master’s Degree Programs
  • Tech Careers
  • Find a Degree, Certification, Bootcamp, or a Career in Analytics
  • How to Become a Data Analyst

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Alex Gurevich – Last updated: September 6, 2024

WRITER

Alex Gurevich is the CEO of FinalStepMarketing, a full-service marketing and business consulting firm.

ON THIS PAGE

  • Sports Data Analyst
  • Sports Analyst Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree Options
  • Master's Degree Options
  • Sports Analyst Career
  • Sports Statistician
  • Sports Statistics Degree
  • Career Outlook
  • FAQs
  • Resources

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