50 Best Sports Business Ideas and Opportunities for 2017

Are you interested in starting a business in the sports industry? If YES, here are 50 highly lucrative sports business ideas and opportunities you can start from home in 2017.
If you are an entrepreneur or an aspiring entrepreneur and you have passion for sports, you can actually become a millionaire by starting a sport related business. There are several multinational organizations in the sports industry and there are still rooms large enough to accommodate new entrants into the industry.

Why Start a Business in the Sports Industry?

There are several business opportunities in the sports industry; if you are determined to make money from this industry all you need to do is to choose a niche in the industry, and then build your business along the niche or area of specialization. You have the options of choosing from sports promotions and advertisement to owning a sports club. The bottom line is that you can make money from rendering sports related service to own a sports manufacturing company.

The sports industry is so large for any corporation to monopolize the industry, no matter how large the corporation is. One good thing about sports related businesses is that you can afford to start small in your city and then grow the business within a period of time to become a multi – million Dollars Company; Part of what you will require to achieve this is consistency, dedication, creativity and good business management skills.
If you have been struggling with starting a viable business in other industries, you should consider starting a business in the sports industry; the sports industry is amongst the industries that can hardly become less profitable, rather it will continue to grow and become more profitable as the years roll by.
Here 50 sports related business ideas that you can choose from if you are determined to make money from the sports industry; the ideas cut across the whole sports industry:

50 Best Sports Business Ideas and Opportunities for 2017

1. Open a Sports Shop

No matter the part of the world or the city that live in, there are couple of people who are engaging in one sporting events or the other. As a matter of fact, there will be one or more sporting events that is popular in the city. If the city is located in India or Pakistan the sporting events could be cricket, if the city is located in the United States, the sporting event could be basketball or American soccer and if the city is located in Brazil or Argentina, the sporting event could football et al. In essence if you decides to open a sports shop wherever you are located, you will definitely attract loads of customers as long as your sports shop deals in relevant sports wares and it is well positioned.

2. Start a Sports Magazine or Newspaper

If you are a trained journalist, one of the sports related businesses that you can decide to start is a sports magazine or sports newspaper. The percentage of people who read sports news and buy sports related news are more and they are enough to help your business breakeven no matter the parts of the world that you are located in.

3. Become a Football Scout

One of the coolest ways of making money from soccer (football) without being a football player is to become a talent scout for football clubs in Europe or even in your country. The truth is that football business is indeed a money spinning business and if you are able to discover world class football talent for a club, you are likely going to become an instant millionaire especially if one of the top football clubs in Europe such as Real Madrid FC, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal FC, Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan, PSG et al signs the player that you discovered. A good example is the case of Lionel Messi and Neymar both of FC Barcelona of Spain.

4. Start a Sports Television Station

If you are a big time investor and you know your way around the government bureaucracy in your country, you can successfully secure a TV license and start your own sports television. It requires huge start – up capital and good business strategy to run this type of business but the fact remains that it is a profitable venture.

5. Start a Sports Radio Station

Another broadcasting related business that you consider starting is a sports radio station; a station that is dedicated to everything about sports on a 24 / 7 basis. Although it is capital intensive to run a 24 hours a week sports radio station, but you are sure going to reap huge benefits from the business.

6. Open a Basketball One Stop Shop

One of the easy to start basketball related business ideas that an entrepreneur can start in any part of the world is a basketball one stop shop. This is a place where people can purchase all their basketball wares and materials, i.e. basketballs, jerseys, sport shoes, hand bands, headbands basketball videos and basketball souvenirs, and all what not. Just ensure that you choose a good location for your basketball sport shop and you won’t struggle to make daily sales.

7. Sports Betting Company

People all over the world are into sports betting and the industry of course is growing in leaps and bounds. Sports betting business is one sports related business that can thrive in any part of the world especially if you not just operating a sports betting business where people can only be allowed to place bet by visiting your outlets but via your website. With that you will be able to attract customs from all over the world irrespective of where your sports betting company is located. One key factor that will help you to succeed in this business is to pay winners as at when due.

8. Start a Football Jersey Customizing Business

Top football clubs in Europe such as Real Madrid FC, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal FC, Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan, PSG, Juventus, Manchester City, Liverpool FC et al have a fan base that cuts across people from all over the world. If you are lucky to live in a city that has robust football followership, one of the small scale sports related business that you can start is a football jersey customizing business. Part of what you would need to get this type of business rolling is a good graphic skills and a business network that can help you access quality jersey at affordable prices.

9. Start a Basketball Academy

Another sports related business idea that you can start is opening a basketball academy; a place where young people can be groomed to become professional basketball players. The truth is that if your basketball academy is well recognized, you are likely to attract students from all part of the world. Please note that you would need a license before you can be allowed to legally operate a basketball academy in the US.

10. Sports Promotions Business

If you are a boxing fan, you most likely would have heard about Don King the famous boxing promoter; he is a successful boxing promoter that is known all over the world. You don’t need to start this type of business by competing with world class sports promoter; all you need to do is to start from your local community. You can choose to promote sports events in your community that can attract some of the finest skills in your community.
You might not start making money immediately, as a matter of fact you will be parting away money from your pocket, but the truth remains that if you are consistent and willing to grow with time it won’t be too long before you start making money as a sports promoter. Please note you are expected to choose a sport to promote; it could be boxing, it could be wrestling, it could be Judo, it could be taekwondo or any relevant sport.

11. Football Pitch Construction and Maintenance Business

Football clubs and other related sports spend huge some of monies maintaining their pitches; little wonder the pitches are always in top shape during football matches. If you have skills in that area, you can consider starting your own football pitch construction and maintenance business. Aside from football pitches, you can also list rugby fields, cricket fields, American football pitch, golf course, and any sports that is played on the field as part of your service offerings.

12. Production of Sports Video or Computer Games

If you are a programmer and you are a sports lover, one of the sports related business ideas that you can successfully start is to go into the production of sports video or computer games. It is a cool way of making cash if you know how to push your product in the market place. It will be easier to push your product into the market if you choose a sports that is popular in your country.
For example if you live in Brazil, Argentina, and in most parts of the world, football based video or computer games should be your number one choice when considering the video game to produce. Just ensure that you have sports legends and stars like Pele, Maradona, David Beckham, Ronaldo De Lima, Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi et al in your football related video game.

13. Balls Manufacturing

You don’t have to be a major player before you make money from manufacturing balls for different games that requires balls. You can start by manufacturing footballs, tennis balls, basketballs, hockey balls, volley balls, rugby balls et al for children. It is a way to encourage children to start playing their favorite sports. If you are consistent and have a big mentality, some day in the future you can win the contract to produce footballs for FIFA™ sponsored tourney just like Nike, Puma and Adidas.

14. Production of Sports Cartoons

Production of sports cartoons is yet another sports related business ideas that a graphic artist / animation expert can successfully start. The truth is that, if you produce a cartoon movie that has top football, rugby, wrestling, boxing or basketball players as characters then you are likely not going to struggle to get people to accept and purchase it. Children love cartoons and producing sports cartoon will get kids to fall in love with the sport that is played in their favorite sports cartoon. For example if you produce a cartoon that is built around football legends, kids that watch and love such cartoons would naturally want to become footballers.

15. Basketball Reality Show

If you are an event organizer and also a basketball enthusiast, then you can consider starting your own basketball reality show. If the program is well organized and you are able to secure good sponsorship, then the reality show will likely become an annual show if you want it to be so. You are sure going to make good money from this business venture if the reality show is well packaged.

16. Start Community Football Academy

Football is indeed a big global sport and it is indeed one of the most popular sports in the whole world. Aside from being a popular sports, it is also a money spinner. One of the ways you can make money from football is to start your own football academy in your community; a grassroots football academy. The truth is that if your football academy is of good standard where students will not just enroll to learn how to play football but also an academy that also follows the normal academic curriculum in the country where it is located, you will sure attracts students from far and wide.

17. Production and Sale of Sports Toys

Another profitable sports related business idea that an entrepreneur can successfully start is the production and sale of sports toys. Just ensure that you produce toys that represent favorite sports star; sports celebrities such as David Beckham, Pele, Diego Maradona, Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neil, Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, Andrea Agassi, Tiger Wood et al and you wouldn’t struggle to get people to purchase them. Besides selling the toys for children’s use, you can also produce key holders and adults will sure buy and make use of it.

18. Start a Basketball Kids Club

Basketball is a very interesting sports and kids are in love with it too. You can start a program / club with the aim of catching future basketball players from an early age. Starting a basketball kids club is yet another profitable business idea that an entrepreneur can start. Just ensure that you create basketball events with the aim of teaching kids the rudiments of basketball. You can target schools and parents to enroll their wards in your basketball kids club. You will be required to register the business and obtain a license before you can be permitted to operate this type of business.

19. Start a Community Based Taekwondo Club

In schools especially primary and high schools (secondary schools), part of the extra curriculum activities that students engaged in is taekwondo. You can start a community based taekwondo club where parents can send their children to after school hours. You can as well talk to the management of schools around your community to help them start and manage a taekwondo club in the school.

20. Construction and Maintenance of Basketball Courts

If you are a civil engineer, then you can consider specializing in the construction and maintenance of basketball courts. There are schools, clubs, and even individual who would like to build their own basketball courts but they don’t know how to go about it. So, all you need to do is to register your business, and employ good promotion strategy. No doubt, there are some basketball enthusiasts that will make up their mind to build their own private basketball court in their compound if they know that it is something that won’t cost them a fortune.

21. Football Viewing Center

If you live in Africa, Asia and South America, one of the low budget sports related business that you can start is to open a football viewing center. Aside from European champions’ league, English Premiership League (EPL) and La Liga, football lovers also pay to watch FIFA soccer world cups. It is a cool way of making money. If the business is well located and you have enough space to accommodate fans, you will be amazed at the amount you will make from the business. The major thing you need to do to get this type of business started is to rent a hall, acquire 3 or more big screen TVs and also a satellite TV decoder.
Furthermore, be sure to make your viewing center really attractive, since there is already a crazy trend of competition in this trade. So, you have to have a very unique setting son as to attract all and sundry.

22. Training School and Empowerment Centre for Basketball Coaches and Umpires

One of the advanced sports related business ideas that an entrepreneur can start is to open a training school and empowerment center for basketball coaches and Umpires. A place where these coaches and umpires can attend refresher courses and special skill trainings, amongst others. You would need robust experience and advance certifications before you can open and operate this type of school. You would also need accreditations from relevant authorities before you can be allowed to run this type of business. It is capital intensive, but you can be rest assured that you will make good returns on your investment.

23. Start a Football Talk Show on Radio and TV

The business opportunities available in the football industry is very large and one of the ways you can make money from the industry is to start your own football talk show on radio and TV. If you have quality guests per – time and the show is well organized, you will definitely attract corporate sponsorships; it is indeed a cool way of making money while fulfilling your passion.

24. Start a Basketball Talk – Show on Radio and TV

Another sports related business ideas that you can start is to start a basketball talk – show on radio and TV. If you have rich contents, you will definitely get good sponsors and endorsement and that will surely translate to cool cash for you. In as much as there are huge fan base for football, there are also huge fan base for basketball and other sports as well.

25. Start a Car Racing Talk Show on Radio and TV

Of course there is a huge fan base for car racing and it is one area that is still pretty much green. Loads of journalists are heading towards football, basketball or athletics et al making it difficult most of them to differentiate themselves in the industry. You can choose to start a car racing talk show on Radio and TV stations, especially if you have done your market survey and you are aware that there are fans of the sports within the country you intend starting this type of business.
You would be surprised at the number of followers that you will attract when you start this. People are looking at looking for something unique that is able to attract their attentions aside from soccer.

26. Start a Sports Marketing, Branding and Promotion Company

If you are a professional marketer, you can start a marketing company that is specialized in sports marketing. You can market and promote sports events and sports wares or anything related to sports for concerned organizations. It is a cool way of making good money with little investment. For example, you can help a company who are into manufacturing of sport clothes market and promote their new products and you are sure going to make money as long as people patronize sport wares from them.

27. Start a Sports Clothes Production Company (Sport Label)

Sports brands such as adidas, puma, Nike et al, did not just start making it big from the outset; they paid their dues before they became what they are today. If you are interested in going into the production of sports jerseys, and sports wears generally, then you must be ready to adopt a good marketing skills in order to penetrate the market. The truth is that once your brand is accepted in your country, it won’t be too long before people from the international communities starts buying sports clothes from you.

28. Start a Boxing Talk Show on Radio and TV

Boxing is yet another money spinning sports in the world and loads of entrepreneurs are making money out of the industry. Boxing legends like Mohammed Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Lenox Lewis et al were part of the people that help in increasing the fan base of boxing. Boxing is of course a popular sport and if you start a boxing talk show on radio or TV you will definitely attract corporate sponsorship.

29. Start a Rugby Clinic

On a yearly basis the fan base for rugby is on the increase and there are loads of countries that are yet to join the flow despite rugby being considered as one of the top 3 most popular sports in the world. If you are country where rugby is relegated to the background, you can start a rugby clinic and attract children of school age. If you are a good organizer, and you are able to attract sponsorship and endorsement from well – known rugby players and key establishment in both the private and public sector, you can move your rugby clinic from city to another in bid of getting people to start loving and playing rugby.

30. Start a Swimming School

Aside from the fact that people swim for sports, most people who engage in swimming do it for the fun of it. If you are a good swimmer and you know you can teach people how to swim either for sports or fun, then you should look towards starting your own swimming school. One thing about this type of business is that you can run it as a part – time business while keeping your regular 9 – 5 job especially if your weekends are free.

31. Open a Gym

Just swimming, people register in gyms to keep fit and it is common to see people who are into active sports registering in a gym close to them especially if they gym is well equipped with state of the art gym equipment. The start – up capital required to set up a standard gym might be on the high side, but the truth remains that you are sure of making your money if the gym is well located.
More than ever in the history of man, people are beginning to take their fitness status really seriously. So, in starting a gym, you have to have it well equipped with the necessary machines.

32. Sports Research, Documentary and Biography Writing Company

If you are a researcher or someone in the academia you can make good money from the sports industry by specializing in researching and writing biographies for eminent sports personality. The truth is that if you are good at what you do and are able to successfully write and publish the biography of one or two well – known sports celebrities, it won’t be too long before become a star as well. Please note that this type of business is pretty much green and it is open for professional researchers and biographers.

33. Start a Consignment Business that Deals in Sports Wares and Clothes

There are loads of people who can’t afford expensive jerseys of their favorite clubs or sports equipment that they need to play their favorite sports. If you know how to source for fairly used sports wares and clothes, you can make huge money by starting your consignment business especially if the business is located in developing or underdeveloped countries. Just ensure that you have jerseys from different sports and different clubs, tennis rackets, baseball bats, hockey sticks, balls, boxing gloves, football booths, sports shoes, table tennis bats, chess boards, et al.

34. Start a Snooker Bar

Snooker is yet another sports that people play both for fun and also as a sport. Snooker might not be a popular sports, but you are likely going to make money by starting your own snooker bar in a location with healthy social life. If you own a carwash, a coffee bar, beer joints et al, you can consider introducing a snooker bar and people will sure patronize it.

35. Organize Armature Football League in Your Community

If you are good with organizing events and you are a football lover, then one of the sports related business that you should consider starting is an armature football league. It could be for high school students, college students or community based football clubs. There are organizations in your community and even politicians who will be willing to sponsor it as long as it keeps students out of trouble. It could be a one – off thing and it could be a yearly thing.

36. Organize Armature Basketball League in Your Community

Another sports related Business that you can consider starting if you are a good organizer of events is a basketball league for high school students in your community. You will sure attract corporate sponsorship if you the event is well planned and packaged. It could be an annual event or just a one – off event.
Organizing a league at any level isn’t a child’s play, as a result, you have to be sure you are up for this. This is so that you do not start the process, and half way leave off.

37. Start a Sports Apps Building Company

We are in a dispensation where smartphones is becoming the closet companion to loads of people out there. Apps are some of the stuffs that keep people busy with their smartphones and computer devices et al. If you are a software developer you can consider specializing in sports related apps. There is a very large market for sports related apps.

38. Start an Athletic Club

100 meters sprint is perhaps one of the most watched Olympic sports events hence the popularity of gold medalist in 100 meters sprint events. People like Ben Johnson, Carl Lewis, Usain Bolt et al are popular sports figures simply because they won 100 meters sprint at the Olympics. You can start an athletic club in your community. Aside from making money from the business, it is also a way for you to contribute your quota in helping your country raise world class athletes.

39. Start a Cycling Club

Cycling is another sports that people do for fun even from a very young age. If you are looking towards starting a sports related business, you should consider starting a cycling club. A cycling club that is specifically design for children; catching them young is a good should be your motivation of starting this type of business.

40. Start a Laundry Business Targeted at Sports Clubs

We are all aware that footballers, basketball players, rugby players and those who play for various organized sports clubs do not wash their jerseys themselves. It is the practice amongst sports clubs to contract all their laundry jobs to Laundromats. Of course if you start a Laundromat that is specialized in washing sports clothes, you will sure secure business deals from sports companies in and around the city where you operate.

41. Start a Training School for Football Referees and Coaches

Although you would need professional certifications and accreditations to be able to successfully run a training school for football referees and coaches, but one thing is certain, if you are able to go all the way, you will sure make money from the business. There are loads of people who would want to become a football referee or coach even if it just to coach a local team or officiate at local level but are finding it difficult to locate a school dedicate for such purpose.
For you to start this type of school, you have to first of all be versed yourself. It is for this reason that you will need to be certified and trained, so as to be able to run the school successfully. If it entails you travelling abroad to get trained, please do not hesitate to do so- since it will boost your business.

42. Sale of Tickets for Sports Events

People usually purchase tickets in order to watch live sports events. You can start a business that is involved in selling tickets for different sports events. You can engage in the sale of tickets for football matches, boxing matches, athletics events, rugby events or any event as longs as people are ready to pay to watch the sports event. This type of business is based on commission; the amount you are expected to make is dependent on the numbers of tickets you sell.

43. Provide Catering Services of Sport Clubs (Camps)

When sports men and women are camped, you don’t expect them to cook their foods themselves. If you are already into catering services, one area that you can expand your business is to partner with sports clubs so as to help them handle all their catering needs. One thing is certain, if you are consistent with what you do, before too long you will become the number one choice in your country when it comes to hiring caterers for sports camping events.

44. Start a Sport Souvenir Business

People who travel from far and wide to watch their favorite sports teams usually love going home with the club’s branded souvenirs. For example, if you are a fan of Arsenal FC and you travel all the way from Los Angeles, U.S to Emirate stadium England to watch Arsenal’s match, you would not want to leave without buying a souvenir for yourself and also for your family members and friends.
It could be jerseys, it could be tee – shirts, it could bags, it could mufflers, it could be wall clocks, it could be mugs, it could pens and it could be anything as long as it carries the logo of the sports club. If you intend starting this type of business, ensure that your store is positioned close to the stadium or inside the stadium facility.
All over the world, people cherish sports souvenirs. This is because of the point that they help them show off their followership for a particular sports or player. It is for this reason that you have got to make sure that all that you will deal in would be things of quality and that are durable.

45. Sports Consulting Business

Another interesting sports related business that you can start is to become a sports consultant; offering consulting services for sports men and women, sports clubs and even the government. Although this business is still pretty much green, but it is not open for all and sundry. You should be able to prove your worth as a consultant before you can make headway in the industry. It is one thing to register a business as a sports consultant, it is entirely another kettle of fish for you to attract clients’- especially big time customers that can pay you huge fees et al.

46. Start a Chess Reality Show

If you can secure good sponsorships deals from corporate organizations or the government, then you should consider starting chess reality show in your country; a show where chess players can show their skills and compete against one another in a friendly and socializing environment. You can be rest assured to attract chess players who will be willing to participate in the reality show especially if the prizes for the winners are attractive.
Hosting a reality show on the television- be it on local or satellite television costs an arm and a leg. As such, you have to be convinced that this is what you want to do. This is because of the huge amount of funds that would definitely be needed to pull things off.

47. Open a Pay per View Website

No doubt people are always on the go especially people that lives in busy cities of the world and usually that should not stop them from watching live sports events. One sports related business that you can start is to open a pay per view website where sports lovers can view their favorite sports events. If you are able to secure permits to stream live matches, you will sure attract loads of clients from all over the world. Just ensure that you have a secure payment platform.
Yet another step that you must take in bringing this business to fore, is making sure that you employ the services of an expert website builder that will help your build a very attractive and interactive website.

48. Start an Online Sport Shop

Another sports related business that you can start is an online sports shop, a shop where you will sell sporting wears and sports accessories et al. There is a large market for sports wears and accessories. Just like any other e – commerce store, you would need to make arrangement for shipping.

49. Start a Sports Photography Business

There are people making huge money from just covering sports events; you can become a sports photographer. It can be exciting at the same time financially rewarding. No doubt if you are a good photographer, you will make good money from selling quality pictures from the sports events you covered. Just ensure that you are well registered and licensed if not you will struggle to secure accreditations for major sports events.
One of the things that would make you stand out in this niche is for you to procure the best cameras that would help bring the best out of what you do.

50. Become a Professional Sports Blogger

Another of the sports related businesses that you can comfortably start with little or no start – up capital is to start blogging on sports related topics. You could choose to specialize in just one sports i.e. football (soccer) et al, or you could settle for all sports. The bottom line is that if you have useful contents on your blog you will attract readers / viewers and the higher the numbers of visitors that visits your blog regularly, the easier it is for you to make money as a blogger. You will be able to get corporate organizations to place adverts on your blog.
The sports industry all over the world has more followers more than how it was in the past. This is one of the reasons that should make you embrace a sports related business. Doing this means that you have got to be ready to bear the financial brunt, as well as other brunt that might follow it. If on the other hand the type of business that you intend to start is such that requires a huge start up, then you may want to bring in investors who can help push the vision.