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Athlete Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB OVERVIEW The Athlete Graphic Designer supports the execution of athlete graphics across racewear, apparel, and hardgoods. This role focuses on production, buildout, and consistency. You translate ...

STUDENT ATHLETE ADVISOR II

Tampa, FL ยท On-site

$43K - $48K/yr

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks a STUDENT ATHLETE ADVISOR II to provide counseling and advising to student-athletes on major and career planning, and to maintain accurate and ...

Athlete Graphic Designer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$77K - $85K/yr

JOB OVERVIEW The Athlete Graphic Designer supports the execution of athlete graphics across racewear, apparel, and hardgoods. This role focuses on production, buildout, and consistency. You translate ...

STUDENT ATHLETE ADVISOR II

Birmingham, AL ยท On-site

$43K - $48K/yr

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks a STUDENT ATHLETE ADVISOR II to provide counseling and advising to student-athletes on major and career planning, and to maintain accurate and ...

$46K - $74K/yr

Communicate student-athlete academic progress to coaching staff, athletic administration, and MAC Director * Teach one section of the student-athlete first-year seminar course * Supervise, train, and ...

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Athlete information

See salary details

$20.5K

$46.8K

$81K

How much do athlete jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for athlete in the United States is $46,765.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $51,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are athletes?

Athletes are individuals who compete in sports or physical activities, often at a professional or elite amateur level. They train extensively to develop their physical abilities, skills, and endurance in order to perform at their best during competitions. Athletes may specialize in a specific sport, such as track and field, basketball, swimming, or gymnastics, and their careers often involve rigorous practice, discipline, and a focus on health and nutrition. Many athletes participate in local, national, or international events, and some become role models or public figures due to their achievements.

What are some common challenges athletes face when balancing training with personal commitments?

Athletes often encounter challenges in managing rigorous training schedules alongside personal responsibilities such as family, education, or part-time work. The physical demands of daily practices, travel for competitions, and required recovery time can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Many athletes develop strong time-management skills and rely on support networks, such as coaches, teammates, and family, to help navigate these pressures. Open communication with coaches and proactive planning are essential for maintaining both performance and personal well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Athlete, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Athlete, you need exceptional physical fitness, sport-specific technical ability, and a solid understanding of training principles, usually developed through rigorous practice and coaching. Familiarity with performance tracking tools, video analysis software, and sometimes certifications in strength and conditioning can enhance development. Key soft skills include discipline, resilience, teamwork, and strong communication to handle both competition and collaboration. These skills and qualities are vital to achieve peak performance, adapt to challenges, and succeed in highly competitive sports environments.

What is the difference between Athlete vs Personal Trainer?

AspectAthletePersonal Trainer
Required CredentialsOften no formal certification, but may have sports-specific licenses or degreesCertifications such as NASM, ACE, or NSCA required
Work EnvironmentSports teams, training facilities, outdoor fieldsGyms, fitness centers, clients' homes
Industry UsageSports, recreation, competitive athleticsHealth, fitness, wellness industry
Work FocusPerformance, competition, physical conditioningPersonal fitness, health improvement, injury prevention

While athletes focus on enhancing sports performance and compete in athletic events, personal trainers work with clients to improve overall fitness, health, and wellness. Both roles require physical fitness, but their goals, environments, and certifications differ significantly.

More about Athlete jobs
What cities are hiring for Athlete jobs? Cities with the most Athlete job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Athlete jobs? The most popular types of Athlete jobs are:
What states have the most Athlete jobs? States with the most job openings for Athlete jobs include:

Director, Athlete Partnerships - Basketball

Fanatics Collectibles

Coppell, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

About Us
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.
About the Team
Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.
Role Summary
Fanatics Collectibles is looking for a strategic, athlete-savvy Director of Athlete Partnerships - Basketball to join our Athlete Partnerships team. Reporting to the VP, Athlete Partnerships. This role will oversee athlete strategy and engagement owning key relationships, managing partner execution, and ensuring talent integration across product, marketing, and brand initiatives.
This position serves as a central point of contact between Fanatics Collectibles and a diverse set of stakeholders, including athletes, agents, leagues, and internal teams. As a leader within the Athlete Partnerships team, you will help drive innovation, scale athlete-driven product experiences, and bring basketball's most exciting voices into our collectible's ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities:
Athlete Strategy & Relationship Management
  • Lead all basketball athlete engagement by owning and growing relationships with agents, players' associations, league partners, and key athlete stakeholders.
  • Represent Fanatics Collectibles in high-level negotiations, partnership discussions, and relationship-building efforts.

Contracting, Procurement & Activation
  • Oversee athlete procurement and autograph execution, including contracting, scheduling, and deliverables.
  • Manage execution timelines and logistics for activations, signings, and campaign-related athlete support.
  • Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and internal processes.

Cross-Functional Execution
  • Serve as the strategic partner to Product, Creative, Athlete Marketing, and Legal in delivering athlete-led initiatives.
  • Contribute to product planning by advising on athlete availability, alignment, and talent-driven storytelling opportunities.
  • Act as a connector between athlete engagement and go-to-market planning.

Team Collaboration & Enablement
  • Serve as a leader elevating team members supporting basketball, other verticals, and cross-functional partners.
  • Help define and scale athlete engagement processes for maximum efficiency and consistency.
  • Partner with peers across Talent Partnerships to ensure strategic alignment and best practice sharing.

Industry Trends & Representation
  • Stay up to date on basketball culture, athlete influence, and commercial trends.
  • Represent the basketball talent perspective in internal meetings and external touchpoints.

What we're looking for:
  • 10+ years of experience in athlete management, agency, sports marketing, or talent partnerships.
  • Strong network within professional basketball (NBA, WNBA), including athletes, agents, and associations.
  • Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with athletes and representation and translate those relationships into meaningful long-lasting business partnerships.
  • Proven ability to drive athlete engagement strategies from ideation through execution.
  • Experience managing complex relationships and high-visibility talent deals.
  • Proven track record of managing and mentoring high-performing teams.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to drive multiple initiatives from concept to completion in a fast-paced environment.
  • Comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
  • Willingness to frequently travel as needed and support nights/weekends for key events.
  • Passion for basketball culture, collectibles, and innovation.

Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don't fall victim to fraud. Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com). For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers
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