But, as reality set in, we came to the conclusion that athletic greatness was just not in the stars for us. In recent years, though, many have found that a love of sports can be combined with the skills gained in ad agencies, design firms, and other creative endeavors, in the field of sports marketing. Although you won't get the opportunity to go one on one with Michael Jordan, there is a possibility you can still be on his team. The field of sports marketing is growing, with a number of major corporations establishing sports marketing divisions and major ad agencies developing sports marketing components. If you have a background in a creative pursuit, the field may have a place for you.
Sports marketing is a relatively young field.
While athletes have taken advantage of their fame and cashed in with endorsements for over 100 years, the intense involvement of corporate sponsors and the use of sports to market products and services in the current manner can be traced back to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Where previous Games had been big money losers, the organizers of the L.A. Olympics turned to the corporate world for support, selling sponsorships to help underwrite their efforts. Since then, it's rare that a major sports league or event has not been tied-in with a host of corporate sponsors. There's a very active group of people who really get behind these sports and the products and services used within them. A number of athletes have also embraced sports marketing, leveraging their fame on the playing field to gain wealth and greater renown.