The Business of Sport: Industries & Opportunities
The sports industry is more than just competition—it’s an economic powerhouse that drives innovation across multiple sectors. From fan engagement and digital media to athlete performance, stadium infrastructure, and investment models, sports are shaping the future of business, technology, and global commerce.
At Future of Sport, we are committed to exploring the intersection of sports, business, and innovation. Our latest infographic, The Business of Sport: Industries & Opportunities, provides a clear breakdown of the key clusters shaping the industry today and where future opportunities lie.
Why This Matters
The global sports industry is evolving rapidly, influenced by emerging technologies, changing consumer behavior, and new investment models. As a result, businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals must understand how sports connect with industries such as finance, media, healthcare, and infrastructure.
What’s Inside the Infographic?
This visual guide organizes the sports business landscape into three major clusters:
Fan Experience & Media – How digital innovation, social media, and immersive entertainment are reshaping the way fans engage with teams and athletes.
Human Performance & Wellness – The role of biomechanics, sports medicine, mental conditioning, and wearable technology in optimizing athlete health and development.
Business & Infrastructure – How sports organizations, investors, and cities are innovating in areas like facilities management, sponsorships, and data-driven decision-making.
Each section includes industry-specific insights, key statistics, and opportunities for growth.
Bringing the Data to Life
To make this even more engaging, we’ve leveraged Google NotebookLM to create an interactive, bite-sized audio explanation of the infographic. This dynamic storytelling format allows you to explore the insights in a way that fits your busy schedule.
Explore & Join the Conversation
The sports industry is a dynamic, evolving ecosystem that presents exciting opportunities for businesses, investors, and professionals across various fields.
📩 Check out the infographic and listen to the Google NotebookLM audio breakdown.
🚀 Let’s talk about the evolution of sports as a business and what it means for the future of careers, investment, and innovation.
NextPlay: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
NextPlay: Legacy by the Future of Sport Foundation is an immersive entrepreneurship and innovation program designed for high school students. Through hands-on learning in sports, media, and technology, students develop real-world problem-solving skills, build startups, and pitch their ideas with confidence. Join us in shaping the future of sports business and innovation!
🎥 Watch the recap video above to see the program in action!
Over the past few weeks, the Future of Sport program has provided high school students with a hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, and problem-solving within the sports, media, and technology industries. Designed to inspire the next generation of leaders, the program introduced students to key business concepts, guided them through the startup process, and challenged them to develop and pitch their own ideas.
Building the Foundation
From the very first session, students were encouraged to think critically about the world around them—identifying real-world challenges and brainstorming solutions that could drive meaningful change. Through interactive exercises like the 5 Whys and Target Market Discovery, they refined their ideas and developed a deeper understanding of the problems they aimed to solve.
Developing a Business Mindset
With a strong foundation in place, students explored essential topics such as:
Lean Canvas and problem-solving frameworks
Business models for startups (B2B & B2C)
Go-to-market strategies
Pitch deck structure and storytelling
Each session built upon the last, allowing students to refine their ideas, receive feedback from mentors, and develop a compelling pitch.
Bringing It All Together
The program culminated in an exciting final pitch session, where students presented their ideas with confidence, clarity, and passion. Their ability to articulate their business concepts and respond to questions from industry professionals was truly inspiring.
Thank You to Our Supporters
This program wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our donors, mentors, and guest speakers. Your contributions helped provide students with the resources, guidance, and inspiration needed to take their first steps as entrepreneurs.
We’re just getting started. The Future of Sport is bright, and we can’t wait to see what these young innovators accomplish next!
📢 Stay connected! Follow us for updates on future programs and ways to get involved.
Legacy The School of Sport Sciences x Future of Sport
It all begins with an idea.
Innovative program empowers students to explore careers in sports, technology, and entrepreneurship
Houston, TX - December 2, 2024
Future of Sport, the philanthropic arm of HTX Sports Tech, is proud to announce the NextPlay Pilot Program, launching in January 2025 in partnership with the Legacy School of Sport Sciences, the first school in Texas dedicated to careers in athletics.
This pilot program brings together Legacy’s visionary curriculum and Future of Sport’s mission to create opportunities in sports innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Up to 20 students will engage in hands-on experiences, mentorship, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies shaping the sports industry.
NextPlay Pilot Highlights
Real-World Innovation: Students tackle challenges in sports tech and entrepreneurship.
Industry Mentorship: Experts provide guidance to help students achieve career goals.
Future-Focused Learning: Preparing students to lead in the evolving sports landscape.
This collaboration combines Legacy’s groundbreaking mission with Future of Sport’s dedication to empowering underrepresented students through innovation. Together, we’re shaping the future of sports careers.
Call to Action
Future of Sport invites corporate partners, individual contributors, and guest lecturers to support this initiative:
Corporate Partners: Sponsor program resources or mentorship opportunities.
Individual Donors: Fund life-changing opportunities for underrepresented students.
Guest Lecturers: Inspire students by sharing insights from sports, tech, or business.
Get Involved Today
Contribute to the NextPlay Pilot Program and help students connect passion with purpose. Learn more and donate at www.futureofsport.org/donate.
About Future of Sport
Future of Sport, the philanthropic arm of HTX Sports Tech, empowers communities by creating pathways in sports, technology, and entrepreneurship.
About Legacy School of Sport Sciences
Legacy is Texas’ first school focused on preparing students for careers in athletics, connecting education, sports, and business through project-based learning.