Want a Job in the Sports Industry? Study Shows Race Matters More Than Experience

It seems that misconceptions and prejudices are alive and well in the wonderful world of sports management and administration. A recent study done at North Carolina State University shows that race and gender mean more than experience when it comes to getting an entry-level position in the sports industry.

"Previous research has shown that management positions in the sports industry continue to be dominated by white males – and that a prejudice against blacks in managerial positions exists because of a perceived 'lack of fit' between being black and being a manager or leader," explains Dr. Heidi Grappendorf, assistant professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at NC State. "We wanted to find out – when all other factors were considered equal – what impact race had on hiring for entry-level sports management positions."