Sports management is all about the business of recreation. Sports managers can work with professional teams, college teams, sports marketing firms or recreational departments. The business of sports involves the practice of ethics. This system of values isn’t just for individual conduct; it also informs the actions and missions of sports organizations.
Ethics are essential to good sportsmanship and the concept of fair play. As sports managers train athletes to follow the rules of a game and adhere to good sportsmanship, these managers must also navigate the ethical challenges that are part of any sports organization. Unfortunately, accusations and instances of racism, substance abuse, lack of diversity and gender equality, dishonest recruitment practices and abusive treatment of players are not uncommon in athletics. A sports manager needs to know how to address, manage and solve these challenges in today’s sports world.
The online Master of Science (M.S.) in Recreation with an Emphasis in Sports Management program from Northwest Missouri State University gives students a solid foundation in sports communication, management, facility design, finance and marketing in recreation. In addition, with core knowledge in grant writing, data analytics, human resources and risk management, graduates can effectively tackle ethical challenges in the sports management world.
Ethical Challenges a Sports Manager May Face
A sports manager might deal with a variety of ethical dilemmas during their tenure. Some of the most urgent ethical issues coaches and sports managers may encounter include:
- Gender equality and parity. Women make up a sizable portion of athletes, yet traditionally receive exponentially less sports media coverage than male athletes. Plus, women in professional sports often make significantly less money than their male counterparts. Recent events show promising signs of a shift in gender parity and equality in sports, with more beneficial compensation deals for women in the news, a women’s Final Four game becoming the most watched basketball game in ESPN history, and — for the first time — the 2024 Paris Olympics will see 50:50 representation of female and male athletes competing.
Sports managers play a key role in ensuring this progress toward equality and parity continues. A sports manager is responsible for hiring coaches, drafting athletes and recruiting front and back of house personnel. It’s increasingly paramount to be cognizant of unequal treatment in sports, especially regarding race, gender and ethnicity. Sports managers are also responsible for following Title IX rules that enforce men and women having the same opportunities in athletics — especially as it relates to the pay gap between women and men.
- Substance abuse. Some athletes will engage in unethical behavior due to overwhelming pressure to win or perform. Some may turn to drugs and alcohol to relieve pressure and stress, while others may turn to performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to perform at a higher level. Coaches and sports managers need to take an active interest in players’ lives. With clear communication, a sports manager can let athletes know that they will not tolerate drug and alcohol use. Educating the team on how substance abuse affects performance and mental health is also important. Education and clear policies also bolster legitimacy in the public perception of a team’s ethical behavior.
- Recruitment practices. Ethical recruitment practices include full transparency regarding student-athletes’ past athletic program, school and career success. Recruiting students who can be athletically and academically successful should be the main force behind the recruiting approach. Sports managers must carefully construct and abide by an ethical recruitment policy, even amidst complex circumstances like changes in the ways collegiate athletes may be compensated.
- Treatment of players. Incidents of bullying and hazing highlight the need for more vigilant prevention plans. Athlete abuse can happen as sexual, physical or emotional abuse at the hands of coaches, trainers, those in positions of authority and fellow teammates. Improved structures for abuse investigation and reporting, as well as learning to support and understand victims and survivors, are vital to protecting athletes.
How to Get Involved in Ethical Sport Management
For those who want to turn their passion for sports into a career, earning an online M.S. emphasizing sports management can be an excellent choice. With a skill set that includes effective communication, leadership, public relations, business strategy, event coordination, sales and financial asset management, graduates can ethically guide athletes and staff toward success with integrity as a foundation.
Learn more about Northwest’s online M.S. in Recreation with an Emphasis in Sports Management program.
