23 Examples of a Sports Business

John Spacey, July 11, 2020

The sports business is any business model related to sports events, activities, goods and media. The following are common types of sports business.

Professional Sports

Sporting events, leagues and teams that charge spectators and media outlets a fee.

Media

Sports media such as magazines, television shows, radio shows, podcasts, blogs and newspapers.

Sports Marketing

Advertising and other promotional techniques such as sponsorships that generate brand recognition and demand for products and services.

Sporting Goods

Sporting equipment such as training equipment, elements of games such as balls and protective gear. This can be extended quite far to include complex machines such as sports cars.

Sportswear

Sports themed apparel, footwear and accessories.

Fast Moving Consumer Goods

Consumer products with a sports theme such as a sports drink.

Retail & Ecommerce

The selling of sporting goods, sportswear, sports services and event tickets.

Hospitality

Hotels, resorts and other businesses such as restaurants that host guests at sports related destinations such as a ski hill or race track.

Recreation & Leisure

Sports related recreation and leisure facilities such as a skating rink or golf course.

Sporting Infrastructure

The planning, construction and maintenance of sports infrastructure such as stadiums.

Education

It is common for K-12, universities and colleges to have significant sports offerings including gym classes, extracurricular activities and academic programs such as sports management.

Training

Sports training services such as surfing lessons.

Sports Medicine

The branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness, performance and the prevention and treatment of sports related injuries.

Night Economy

Bars and restaurants that attract customers with sporting events.

Personal Services

Sports related personal services such as a personal trainer.

Video Games

Sports is a major genre of video games including simulators, massively multiplayer online games and fantasy sports that involve managing virtual sports teams.

Esports

Sports competitions that occur in a game environment. This is analogous to professional spectator sports but occurs in a virtual environment.

Events

The production, promotion and delivery of sporting events including international events.

Fundraising

The use of sporting events to raise money for charity.

Business Services

Business services for sports businesses such as a sports management consultant.

Publishing

Books about sports.

Sports Memorabilia

Collector's items such as baseball cards.

Arts & Entertainment

Sports related arts and entertainment such as sports photography or a movie about sports.

Notes

Some of the categories above are often non-profit but may support many related business models nonetheless. For example, entities that promote and operate fundraising events may be businesses.