22 Best Business Ideas For Athletes & Sports Lovers (2023)
To be involved in the sports industry doesn't always mean you need to be an active athlete.
There are a variety of business opportunities for those who have the experience and those that just have a love for the game.
Regardless of your experience, you may have an opportunity to turn your passion into a profitable business venture.
We put together a list of 40 business ideas for sports lovers and athletes.
Here they are:
1. Start an online fitness business ($15.8K/month)
Thinking of starting an online fitness business?
Online fitness is growing rapidly in popularity because it’s convenient, affordable, and accessible to everyone. The best part is that you can stay in your home to start.
Starting an online fitness business can be a great way to make money and help people. When you start an online fitness business, you don’t have to worry about overhead costs like rent or maintaining a physical location - all you need is a computer and an internet connection to get started.
I was once just an out of shape, overweight guy with a goal to make a change. I started my health and fitness journey by losing 90lbs. The discipline and drive it took to go from never exercising at all to achieving such significant weight loss taught me a lot about goals and how to attain them.
TeamFFLEX is my online personal training platform that coaches athletes, Hollywood actors, professional musicians and everyday people all around the world. Starting with literally 0 dollars and a hell of a lot of drive I successfully built my business into the 6 figures in less than a year. Today, TeamFFLEX LLC does $48,000 a month and is growing continually month after month.
Do you want to start an online fitness business the right way? Learn how!
2. Create a new sport
Hello, my name is Chris Meade, and I’m the co-founder of CROSSNET, the world’s first four-way volleyball game. We have created a revolutionary four-way volleyball net where four players compete in a hybrid version of foursquare and volleyball in a competitive game to 11, win by 2.
We began working on our first prototype of CROSSNET during the summer of 2017 when I and our co-founders Greg Meade and Mike Delpapa moved to Miami to start our business. In 2018 we did $74,000 in revenue and just one year later we 30x’d our business in 2019 to $2,250,000 in sales.
Learn about such a success story!
3. Start a ticketing platform business ($125K/month)
A ticketing platform is a business that allows individuals or organizations to sell tickets to events online. This can include concerts, sports games, festivals, and more.
The ticketing platform would handle all aspects of the ticket sales, from setting up the event and ticket options to processing payment and distributing the tickets. The platform would take a percentage of each ticket sale as its fee.
To run a successful ticketing platform business, it is essential to have a user-friendly website and a reliable ticket distribution system. Establishing partnerships with event organizers and venues is also crucial to expand the number of events available on the platform. Marketing efforts to reach potential customers and regular updates to the platform to improve the user experience can also help drive sales.
It can be beneficial to offer additional services such as seat selection and event management tools for event organizers. Offering a mobile app can also make it more convenient for customers to purchase and access tickets.
Overall, a ticketing platform can be a lucrative business opportunity for those with a strong understanding of the events industry and a knack for building and maintaining client relationships.
My name is Lars Helgeson and I am the founder of GreenRope, a CRM and marketing automation platform. Our company started in 2000 as an email marketing SaaS and in 2008 decided to focus on the challenges that businesses face in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
GreenRope has over 1,000 customers in over 20 countries, ranging from startups to universities and municipalities.
Check some of the successful ticketing platforms to get an idea for your own business!
4. Start a sports podcast ($30K/month)
Sports podcasting is a business idea that involves creating and distributing a weekly or monthly audio show discussing various sports topics and events. This type of business is perfect for sports enthusiasts passionate about discussing and analyzing the latest news and developments in sports.
To start a sports podcast business, the first step is to create a solid business plan that outlines your goals, target audience, and marketing strategy. It’s essential to research the market and determine what type of content will be most appealing to your audience and how you will monetize your podcast.
One essential tip to running a successful sports podcast business is to consistently produce high-quality content that is engaging and informative. This can be achieved by conducting thorough research and staying up-to-date on the latest sports news and events. Additionally, it’s important to regularly interact with your audience through social media and other channels to build a strong following and keep them engaged.
Another tip for running a successful sports podcast business is to invest in good-quality audio equipment and software. This will help ensure that your podcast sounds professional and is easy to listen to. Building relationships with other sports industry professionals is also a good idea. This can help you secure guests for your podcast and generate additional income through sponsorships and partnerships.
Sports podcasting is a great business idea for those passionate about sports who want to share their insights and analysis with a broader audience. Founders can create a successful and profitable sports podcast business by consistently producing high-quality content and building relationships with industry professionals.
My name is Sean Green and I’m the co-founder of The Sports Gambling Podcast Network and co-host of The Sports Gambling Podcast. In 2011 I hosted the first episode of The Sports Gambling Podcast with my partner Ryan Kramer. At the time I didn’t realize I was starting a business, I just thought I was talking about betting on football with my buddy.
In the following ten years, we’ve grown it from two guys recording their conversation in a garage to a legit sports gambling media empire. We have over 15 shows under our brand, multi-million downloads per year and have reached $30K/month in revenue.
Learn how to start a podcast!
5. Start a sports betting website
Sports betting has continued to become popular over the past years. Although sports betting is still not legal everywhere, the global betting market is huge and can be lucrative. If you love sports and looking for a profitable sporting-related business, you may consider starting a sports betting website.
However, before starting your sports betting website, make sure sports betting is legal in your state and that you have the required permits and licenses.
My name is Sean Green and I’m the co-founder of The Sports Gambling Podcast Network and co-host of The Sports Gambling Podcast. In 2011 I hosted the first episode of The Sports Gambling Podcast with my partner Ryan Kramer. At the time I didn’t realize I was starting a business, I just thought I was talking about betting on football with my buddy.
In the following ten years, we’ve grown it from two guys recording their conversation in a garage to a legit sports gambling media empire. We have over 15 shows under our brand, multi-million downloads per year and have reached $30K/month in revenue.
If you want to start a sports betting website, here are 3 steps you have to do:
6. Start a sporting goods store ($7.5K/month)
Experts estimate that consumer preference for the latest techniques in sports equipment and fitness gadgets will increase rapidly over the coming years. If you intend to start a sporting good and equipment store, research the market and identify target customers. You can focus on sporting equipment or include sports clothing in your business. You need to make sure you offer a wide range of sports products and ensure the pricing is fair.
I’m Alan Barker, founder of Infinite Discs - the largest direct-to-consumer disc golf retailer in the world. I’m a 42-year-old father of five with a primary focus on faith and family. I am very conservative and don’t consider myself a risk-taker, but the last time I worked for someone else was my sophomore year of college. I have been fortunate to find opportunities and then act on them.
I started this business as a side project just after I started playing disc golf in 2012. The business began as a hobby and an excuse to test out new disc golf products. I was hoping to make a few bucks back to cover the costs I spent on product testing. I never imagined that I would be able to make a living from this business. I could not have fathomed that I would one day have more than 50 employees on the payroll.
Learn how to start such business here:
7. Become an online fitness coach ($42K/month)
Online fitness coaching is using live or recorded video to offer fitness classes to an online audience at a fee. To become successful in business, online fitness coaches should possess the following personal qualities:
- Stay focused on clients’ needs and goals
- Be ready to walk the talk
- Ask the clients questions
- Focused on educating the client
- Adjust to a language clients understand
Increase in number of internet usersand more hours spent online, online businesses will keep thriving.
Therefore, fitness coaches looking to expand their businesses or venture into new markets can consider starting an online fitness coach business.
I was once just an out of shape, overweight guy with a goal to make a change. I started my health and fitness journey by losing 90lbs. The discipline and drive it took to go from never exercising at all to achieving such significant weight loss taught me a lot about goals and how to attain them.
TeamFFLEX is my online personal training platform that coaches athletes, Hollywood actors, professional musicians and everyday people all around the world. Starting with literally 0 dollars and a hell of a lot of drive I successfully built my business into the 6 figures in less than a year. Today, TeamFFLEX LLC does $48,000 a month and is growing continually month after month.
Here is all you need to become an online fitness coach:
8. Start a gym management software ($300K/month)
A gym management software business is a software-based solution that helps gym owners and managers streamline their daily operations and improve their overall efficiency. This type of software is designed to handle everything from membership management and billing to scheduling and class management.
Starting a gym management software business is excellent for any entrepreneur passionate about fitness and helping gym owners succeed. Here are some tips to help you run a successful business in this line:
Identify your target market: This is crucial for any business and is especially important in the gym management software industry. Make sure you understand the needs and challenges of your target market, so you can tailor your software to meet their specific needs.
Research your competition: Before you launch your business, it is important to understand the competitive landscape and see what other gym management software solutions are already on the market. This will help you differentiate your product and determine the best pricing and marketing strategies.
Focus on customer service: Your customers are the backbone of your business, so it is important to prioritize their satisfaction. Offer excellent customer service and ensure you are responsive to their needs and feedback.
Stay up-to-date with industry trends: The gym industry is constantly evolving, so it is important to stay informed about the latest trends and updates. This will help you stay ahead of the competition and ensure that your software is always relevant and in demand.
Invest in marketing: Marketing is crucial for any business and especially important for a gym management software company. Use a variety of marketing tactics, such as social media, content marketing, and email marketing, to reach your target audience and drive sales.
To date, we’ve bootstrapped our business to over $100,000 MRR. We’re especially proud to be the only platform in our space who serve the best interests of our clients first, having no investors to answer to.
Check this gym management software to see how it all works:
9. Start an athletic clothing line
An athletic clothing line is a great business idea for those interested in the fitness and sports industry. The business idea is to design and manufacture high-quality athletic apparel such as t-shirts, shorts, and leggings that can be worn during workouts and sports activities.
One of the essential tips for running a successful athletic clothing line is to focus on creating high-quality products. This means using durable materials, such as moisture-wicking fabrics, and paying attention to the fit and comfort of the clothing. Another tip is to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the athletic clothing industry, as this will help you design clothing that appeals to your target market.
Another important aspect of running a successful athletic clothing line is to have a strong marketing strategy. This can include leveraging social media and influencer marketing, attending fitness and sports events, and collaborating with fitness studios and gyms.
Finally, it’s important to have a strong customer service team in place. This includes providing excellent customer service through email, phone, and social media, as well as offering returns and exchanges if necessary.
Starting an athletic clothing line is a great business idea for those passionate about fitness and sports. By creating high-quality products, staying up-to-date on industry trends, and having a solid marketing and customer service strategy, founders can run a successful business in this line.
Hi, my name is Paul Dickey, I'm 23 years old, and I am the founder of Spuds, a men’s performance apparel company currently based out of the Monterey, California area.
Spuds is in the very early stages of formation, starting less than six months ago. I am the sole founder and still currently the only employee (looking to changing that soon!). I am currently focusing our efforts on our production/product development, as well as marketing efforts to start gaining momentum.
Starting an athletic clothing line have never been easier:
10. Start a sports coaching business ($4.76K/month)
Sports coaching is a fast-growing industry in all areas of the world. If you have a sports coaching qualification and experience, you can turn those experiences into a profitable business. You can offer coaching to teams or individuals depending on your preference and the nature of sports. You may join sports associations or attend networking events to market your sports coaching abilities.
My name is Sarah Wolfer and I am the CEO and Founder of Girl Boss Sports. I have been playing soccer since I was 4 years old and coaching soccer since I was 14. I played collegiately and semi-professionally and have coached at all levels from ages 2-22 including at the collegiate level. Most recently I switched sports and have begun playing professional tackle football with the Oregon Ravens who are part of the Women’s National Football Conference. I am also a licensed mental health therapist part-time as I build up my business.
Since starting Girl Boss Sports, I have hired over 20 women to become soccer coaches in the Greater Seattle area - this clearly shows that the common myth that “there are no women interested in or qualified to coach” is in fact false. In addition, we have brought in an average of $4700 of revenue per month over the last 6 months, partnered with over 10 other companies or organizations to work toward the same 2 goals mentioned above, and have worked with hundreds of athletes and teams in the Greater Seattle area.
Learn exactly how to start a sports coaching business...
11. Become a sports blogger ($11.2K/month)
Are you passionate about sports? You can start a sporting blog and earn extra income by sharing stories of the games you enjoy. Unfortunately, sports blogging is not new, so you should expect a lot of competition. To be successful, find a niche loved by your target audience and market it via social media and sports-related websites.
My name is Seth Keysor, and I’m the creator of the Chief in the North Newsletter, a Substack publication dedicated to covering the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL at large.
In under 2 years since I started this site, over 5,500 subscribers have jumped on board and it’s reached a point that it’s gone from a hobby that pays to a legitimate side income of over $4,000 a month.
Learn more about becoming a sports blogger:
12. Start a facebook group
Facebook is one of the oldest and largest social networking sites out there. Facebook offers its users a Group feature where one can join a community of people with similar interests. As per statistics, around 1.8 billion people use Facebook Groups each month.
Groups allow the members to have organic discussions, post content, and share their valuable experiences & knowledge with each other. The shared knowledge helped startups, business owners, freelancers, and professionals with their social media growth, lead generation, and customer acquisition.
Hello! My name is D’Shawn Russell and I am the founder and CEO of Southern Elegance Candle Company. I started the company 4 years ago as a side hustle to make some extra money on the weekends and to get me out of the house. But it quickly grew to much more than I expected.
You can check out our brand story video here: Southern Elegance: Candles Crafted In The South
Learn how to make money with facebook groups!
13. Start a sports PR business
My name is Jay Fuller, I’m one of three co-founders of athlo agncy. – a personal branding startup for the anonymous college athlete navigating NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness). Our flagship product is a personal branding workshop, pre-recorded in a MasterClass-like format. Facilitated by my other two co-founders – Aly and Isaac Nauta (brother and sister).
We’ve been able to add athlo ambassadors, participate in an event with UGA baseball and a sports accelerator, and have two on-campus workshops scheduled this summer with two different universities.
Here is how to start your own PR business!
14. Start a gym bag brand
Starting a gym bag brand can be a lucrative business opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to tap into the fitness market. The idea entails creating a line of gym bags that cater to the needs of fitness enthusiasts and gym-goers. These bags should be designed with functionality, incorporating features like multiple compartments for organizing gear, durable materials for long-lasting use, and comfortable straps for easy carrying.
To run this business, you must have a strong sense of design and an understanding of the fitness market. You should also have some knowledge of manufacturing processes and be able to source materials and find a manufacturer to produce your bags. Marketing and advertising will also be crucial to get your brand noticed and driving sales.
One of the benefits of running a gym bag brand is the potential for high-profit margins. Fitness gear and accessories are often in high demand, and if you can create a product that stands out in the market, you can charge a premium price. You also have the opportunity to expand your product line and add other fitness-related items, like gym towels or water bottles.
Another benefit is the ability to reach a broad audience. By targeting fitness enthusiasts and gym-goers, you can tap into a large market of potential customers. Additionally, the rise of online retail has made it easier to sell your products to a global audience.
Starting a gym bag brand can be a rewarding and lucrative business opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a splash in the fitness market. With the right design, manufacturing, and marketing strategies, you can create a successful brand that caters to the needs of fitness enthusiasts and gym-goers.
I am Matt Dawson and am the President of Ironmaster. We manufacture and sell our brand of home gym fitness equipment domestically and in more than 20 International markets. Ironmaster specializes in strength training gear, primarily of our proprietary designs. Our primary market is individuals who want to have their gym at home.
Ironmaster is a multi-million dollar company with a rock-solid reputation as an innovator, top-level service, and one of the longest established fitness equipment manufacturers in the world.
Check exactly what people appreciate on a good gym bag!
15. Become a physical therapist
Physical therapists are trained professionals who evaluate and treat abnormal physical function relating to injuries, disability, or other health conditions. The professionals can diagnose and treat various injuries and health conditions and improve a person’s range of movement and quality of life, preventing further injury or disabilities.
A licensed physical therapist works in various healthcare settings, including private practice and fitness settings. To become a physical therapist, earn a doctor of physical therapy education and pass the licensure exams. Then, you can register your business and focus on growing the business.
Hi there! My name is Sam Varnerin and I created Snuggle with Sam, my independent professional cuddling practice, while I was still working full-time as a construction engineer.
Here’s all of the contributors on the panel at CuddleXpo in Chicago presenting how we came up with the Code of Ethics for Professional Cuddling. Back left to right: Maryelen Reid, Madelon Guinazzo, Samantha Varnerin (me!), Samantha Hess, Jean Franzbleau, Fei Wyatt, Janet Trevino. Front left to right: Keely Shoup, Lisa Meece. Photo credit Rellian Chen Merrin
Learn how to start this business:
16. Start a fitness equipment manufacturer
Are you searching for a new business opportunity that will enable you to utilize your design and construction skills? Perhaps you should consider starting a business that manufactures fitness equipment. The main requirements for succeeding in this manufacturing business are a well-equipped workshop, design and construction experience, and good marketing skills.
The fitness equipment manufactured can include weight benches, weight stands, and squat stands, just to mention a few. Once the fitness equipment is constructed, selling can be wholesale to national and specialty retailers or directly to the public via a factory direct showroom or the Internet.
I am Matt Dawson and am the President of Ironmaster. We manufacture and sell our brand of home gym fitness equipment domestically and in more than 20 International markets. Ironmaster specializes in strength training gear, primarily of our proprietary designs. Our primary market is individuals who want to have their gym at home.
Ironmaster is a multi-million dollar company with a rock-solid reputation as an innovator, top-level service, and one of the longest established fitness equipment manufacturers in the world.
Check how such factory looks like:
17. Become a bicycle manufacturer ($1M/month)
The global bicycle market will reach a CAGR of 8.2% in the next decade. Leisure needs, government initiatives, and increasing health consciousness among all ages are reasons bicycles have become a popular transportation method. Experts expect that that industry will continue growing at a significant rate globally.
Starting a bicycle manufacturing business can be rewarding and profitable. To start a bicycle business, consider your target market and research the competition. Narrow down the niche, create a website, and market your business.
Ben Sarrazin, Founder, and CEO of the Yuba Group, designer, creator, distributor of load-carrying bicycles (bikes to carry things, passengers, sports equipment, tools, pets).
Over the past 15 years, Yuba has put over 50,000 cargo bicycles on the road. That is a lot of happy families.
Check what it is like to make a handmade bikes:
18. Start a sports consulting business
My name is Jay Fuller, I’m one of three co-founders of athlo agncy. – a personal branding startup for the anonymous college athlete navigating NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness). Our flagship product is a personal branding workshop, pre-recorded in a MasterClass-like format. Facilitated by my other two co-founders – Aly and Isaac Nauta (brother and sister).
We’ve been able to add athlo ambassadors, participate in an event with UGA baseball and a sports accelerator, and have two on-campus workshops scheduled this summer with two different universities.
Learn exactly how to do so:
19. Start a discount golf equipment business
A discount golf store sells golf gear and equipment for less than the average retail price. Starting a discount golf store can be a profitable business.
However, you ought to find manufacturers and wholesalers that sell at extremely low prices to transfer the discounts to your target audience. To succeed, stock items with mass appeal and ensure they are high-quality equipment and not cheaply made.
To maximize the sales potential, study the pricing of competitive retail stores and set the prices per what target customers expect to enjoy from a golf equipment discount stores.
I’m Alan Barker, founder of Infinite Discs - the largest direct-to-consumer disc golf retailer in the world. I’m a 42-year-old father of five with a primary focus on faith and family. I am very conservative and don’t consider myself a risk-taker, but the last time I worked for someone else was my sophomore year of college. I have been fortunate to find opportunities and then act on them.
I started this business as a side project just after I started playing disc golf in 2012. The business began as a hobby and an excuse to test out new disc golf products. I was hoping to make a few bucks back to cover the costs I spent on product testing. I never imagined that I would be able to make a living from this business. I could not have fathomed that I would one day have more than 50 employees on the payroll.
Wanna know how to start such business? Here is how:
20. Become a sports app developer
The fan base in the sports industry is growing continuously. The audience relies on mobile sports apps for news, live watching, fantasy games, and much more. If you are an entrepreneur willing to understand the latest app trends, you may consider building an efficient app that attracts sports enthusiasts.
Check if you can be a developer too!
21. Become a toy maker ($200K/month)
The toys market is growing at a CAGR of 2.5% and will reach a market size of $103 Billion in the next few years. Toys play a critical role in a child’s growth and development. They help in brain development, enabling the kids to acquire logical and reasoning skills.
Besides, toys help kids develop spatial reasoning and social and communication skills. Therefore, starting a toy-making business today could be the best decision you are about to make.
To start your toy-making business, identify a potential niche, and focus on delivering suitable toys.
My name is Mat Hofma, and I created Mini Materials. We sell miniature masonry and woodworking supplies like cinder blocks, red bricks, pallets, lumber, and even molds to pour your own cinder blocks.
Since then we've expanded to different styles of mini masonry and even kits to build models.
Check an interview with someone who did this!
22. Start a sports promotion business
A sports promotion business uses sporting marketing strategies to popularize sporting activities and appeal to the target audience. The sports promotion businesses may focus on marketing:
- Sporting activities
- Sports businesses
- Individual athletes
- Stadium and sports facilities
To start a sports promotion business, choose a niche, define the target audience and create a website. Then, create appealing marketing content and post it on your website. Launch a social media marketing campaign to expand the reach and accelerate results.
My name is Jay Fuller, I’m one of three co-founders of athlo agncy. – a personal branding startup for the anonymous college athlete navigating NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness). Our flagship product is a personal branding workshop, pre-recorded in a MasterClass-like format. Facilitated by my other two co-founders – Aly and Isaac Nauta (brother and sister).
We’ve been able to add athlo ambassadors, participate in an event with UGA baseball and a sports accelerator, and have two on-campus workshops scheduled this summer with two different universities.
Learn more:
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
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