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.
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
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
Program: Sports Analytics Bachelor of Science
Credits: 120
Cost per credit: $275
Delivery Method: On-campus
Learn more: Program detailsGeorge Mason University
Fairfax, VAProgram: 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 detailsMercer University
Macon, GAProgram: Sports Marketing and Analytics Major
Credits: 120
Cost per credit: $1,250
Delivery Method: On-campus
Learn more: Program detailsRice University
Houston, TXProgram: 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 detailsSamford University
Birmingham, ALProgram: 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 detailsSpringfield College
Springfield, MAProgram: Sports Analytics Minor
Credits: 120 (18 for Minor)
Cost per credit: $2,154
Delivery Method: On-campus
Learn more: Program detailsSyracuse University
Syracuse, NYProgram: 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
Adelphi University
Garden City, NYProgram: Online Master of Science in Sport Management
Credits: 36
Cost per credit: $950
GMAT Required: No
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsAmerican University
Washington, DCProgram: 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 detailsCalifornia University of Pennsylvania
California, PAProgram: Online Sport Management Studies Master’s Degree
Credits: 36
Cost per credit: $774
GMAT Required: No
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsIndiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, INProgram: 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 detailsLasell University
Newton, MAProgram: Master of Science in Applied Sports Science Analytics
Credits: 36
Cost per credit: $626
GMAT Required: No
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsLinfield University
McMinnville, ORProgram: Master of Science in Sport Science and Analytics
Credits: 33
Cost per credit: $686
GMAT Required: No
Delivery Method: On-campus
Learn more: Program detailsMarquette University
Milwaukee, WIProgram: 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 detailsNortheastern University
Boston, MAProgram: Masters in Sports and Exercise Analytics
Credits: 45
Cost per credit: $785
GMAT Required: No
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsNorthwestern University
Chicago, ILProgram: Master of Sports Administration, Sports Analytics Concentration
Credits: 33
Cost per credit: $1,326
GMAT Required: No
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsSamford University
Birmingham, ALProgram: MBA, Sports Business Concentration
Credits: 45
Cost per credit: $915
GMAT Required: No
Delivery Method: On-campus and Online
Learn more: Program detailsStevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJProgram: 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 detailsSyracuse University
Syracuse, NYProgram: Sports Analytics, M.S. – Online
Credits: 36
Cost per credit: $1,111
GMAT Required: No
Delivery Method: On-campus and Online
Learn more: Program detailsTemple University
Philadelphia, PAProgram: 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 detailsUniversity of Mississippi
Oxford, MSProgram: Master of Science in Sport Analytics
Credits: 30
Cost per credit: $456
GMAT Required: No
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of New Haven
New Haven, CTProgram: 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 detailsUniversity of North Texas
Denton, TXProgram: 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 detailsUniversity of Oklahoma
Norman, OKProgram: 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 detailsUniversity of West Georgia
Carollton, GAProgram: 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.