15 Sports Summer Internships for College Students
- Lydia Park
- 6 days ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a college student who wants to see what working in the sports industry is really like, consider enrolling in a summer internship.Â
Sports internships place you inside the daily work of teams, media outlets, athletic programs, or sports companies, where you learn how things actually run beyond what you see on the field or screen. You might track player data, assist with event logistics, help produce sports content, or support community outreach programs.
Doing a summer internship also helps you figure out which part of the industry fits your goals. You could realize you prefer the business side, like marketing or management, or the media and reporting side. Along the way, you build professional habits and connections that will help you later when applying for full-time positions.
To help you explore the options, here are 15 sports summer internships for college students!Â
(Note: Some of these internship links may expire once the hiring cycle closes, but the same programs often reopen the following year, so it’s worth checking back if a listing isn’t currently live)
15 Sports Summer Internships for College Students
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type | Financial aid available
Application deadline: Cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summerÂ
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks; Open to high schoolers, undergraduates, and gap-year students
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week virtual internship where you work on real projects with start-ups and corporate businesses. Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, the program focuses on applied learning through assignments guided by start-up founders and supervisors with experience at places like Harvard Business School, McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft. You’ll develop problem-solving and project management skills, gain insight into entrepreneurial practices, and receive weekly mentorship from your manager and a Ladder Coach. The program ends with a final project presentation to strengthen your resume and professional portfolio.
Location:Â NBA Headquarters, New York, NY (with some placements in Secaucus, NJ)
Cost:Â Paid; $23/hour for undergraduates, $25/hour for technical roles, $35/hour for graduate students
Dates: Early June–Mid-August
Application Deadline: Video interviews in November; final interviews in late January–early February
Eligibility:Â Rising undergraduate seniors and current graduate students in excellent academic standing, with strong communication and leadership skills
The NBA Summer Internship program is a 10-week, full-time program that places you in the middle of the league’s day-to-day operations. As an intern, you’ll be assigned to a specific department, ranging from marketing and global strategy to legal or basketball operations, where you’ll work on NBA projects and gain direct exposure to how the business of basketball runs. You will start with a two-day orientation, followed by regular professional development sessions, executive fireside chats, and opportunities to attend events like the NBA Draft and WNBA games.Â
Location:Â Jackie Robinson Training Complex, Vero Beach, FL
Cost:Â Paid; rate not publicly listed
Dates: Spring term; typically February–May
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; applicants encouraged to apply in the fall
Eligibility: Enrolled undergraduates with at least three years completed or recent graduates; valid driver’s license required; preference for candidates with athletics experience and knowledge of baseball/softball
The MLB Internship in Athletic Operations is a hands-on summer opportunity based at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida. You’ll assist with daily athletic operations and help run major events like the Andre Dawson Classic, Trailblazers Series, and the MiLB Jackie Robinson Day Game. Your tasks will include coordinating game schedules, supporting live broadcasts, managing logistics, and handling front-facing event responsibilities. You’ll also contribute to outreach and sales campaigns, help create digital content, and serve as a liaison for visiting teams and staff.Â
Location:Â NFL League Offices in New York, NY; Mount Laurel, NJ; and Inglewood, CA
Cost:Â Paid; amount not publicly listed
Dates: June–August
Application Deadline:Â Applications open in early December; deadlines vary by role
Eligibility: Current undergraduate juniors, Master’s students, and law school students
The NFL Summer Internship Program offers you a chance to work inside one of the most well-known sports organizations in the world. As an intern, you'll be assigned to a department, such as communications, legal, football operations, marketing, or strategy, and take on responsibilities tied to ongoing projects. You'll also attend speaker sessions with league executives, participate in team-building events, and gain broad exposure to how the NFL operates behind the scenes. Interns are placed across three League Offices, located in New York, New Jersey, and California, depending on the department.
Location:Â USA Sport Group Headquarters, Bound Brook, NJ (with hybrid/remote options)
Cost:Â Unpaid; travel expenses covered; eligible for academic credit
Dates: Typically run late May to early August
Application Deadline: May 15 (Summer)
Eligibility:Â Current college students majoring in sports management, business, marketing, education, or related fields; strong communication and organizational skills required
The USA Sport Group Internship is a flexible, hands-on opportunity at a fast-paced company that runs sports camps and classes for all ages and skill levels. You can choose a track that fits your interests, such as Sports Management, Business Development, Coaching, or Marketing. No matter which track you choose, you’ll work on projects like client outreach, event logistics, youth curriculum development, or online marketing campaigns. You’ll receive personalized training and mentorship from department leads, and take part in orientation sessions, workshops, and ongoing professional development.Â
Location:Â Barstool Sports Offices in New York, NY, and Chicago, IL
Cost:Â Paid; $16/hour
Dates: May 27–August 29
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; early submission recommended
Eligibility:Â Current undergraduates studying event management, marketing, communications, or a related field; must be able to work 40 hours/week in-office or on-site at events
The Barstool Sports Live Events Internship is a full-time summer opportunity where you’ll help run some of the brand’s biggest in-person experiences. Based in New York or Chicago, you’ll be involved in planning, promoting, and executing live events that draw large audiences and media attention. As an intern, you’ll contribute to logistics, fan engagement, brand activation, and on-site support. You’ll work with internal teams and external vendors to make sure events run smoothly. The role includes physical tasks like setting up venues and requires flexibility with hours, including evenings and weekends.
Location:Â Athletes First Headquarters, Laguna Hills, CA (with opportunities in Atlanta, GA; New York, NY; Gainesville, FL; Austin, TX; and other satellite offices)
Cost:Â Unpaid; academic credit may be available
Dates: Early June–Mid August (based on previous cycles)
Application Deadline:Â Closed for summer; applications typically open in early spring
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate and graduate students interested in sports representation, legal affairs, event management, or client services
Athletes First offers a competitive summer internship at its headquarters in Laguna Hills, CA, as well as in satellite offices across the country. As an intern, you’ll support teams in departments like football operations, legal, client relations, and event marketing, depending on your placement. You’ll gain exposure to athlete representation, client services, and behind-the-scenes work that goes into contract negotiation and brand development for NFL players, coaches, and media talent.
Location:Â Wasserman offices across the U.S., Canada, the UK, and select global locations
Cost:Â Paid; specific rates vary by location and role
Dates: Varies by session; summer internships typically run June–August
Application Deadline:Â Deadlines vary by division; summer applications generally open in early spring
Eligibility:Â Undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of college, and current graduate students, must be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution
The Wasserman Internship Program offers a structured, professional experience for students interested in the business side of sports, music, and entertainment. You’ll be placed in one of three divisions, Brands and Properties, Music Talent Representation, or Sports and Media Talent Representation, based on your interests and career goals. As an intern, you’ll work on real-time projects and collaborate with full-time staff on marketing campaigns, talent relations, event planning, or sponsorship initiatives. The program runs in spring, summer, and fall, with applications opening for each term.Â
Location:Â Centric Brands Offices, primarily in New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA
Cost:Â Paid; specific rate not publicly listed
Dates: June–August (10 weeks)
Application Deadline:Â Opens later in the year; typically early spring
Eligibility:Â Current undergraduate and graduate students; undergrads must have completed at least their sophomore year
Centric Brands offers a hybrid, 10-week paid summer internship that provides experience across brand strategy, merchandising, and marketing, including roles connected to its entertainment and sports-related brand categories. As an intern, you’ll work on projects that support activewear and licensed sports apparel partnerships, participate in cross-functional team meetings, and gain exposure to areas like product marketing, brand positioning, and market research. The program also includes structured learning sessions focused on industry knowledge, career development, and Centric's social impact initiatives. You will finish the program by presenting a final team project to senior leadership.
Location:Â UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost:Â Paid; $500 stipend; housing and meals provided
Dates: July 20–25
Application Deadline:Â February 26
Eligibility:Â Current college students or recent graduates; prior experience with youth or peer leadership preferred
The Sports Industry Academy Internship is a short-term, residential opportunity for college students interested in youth mentorship, event coordination, or the sports industry. Held on-site at UC Santa Barbara, the internship supports a one-week summer program that introduces high school and community college students to careers in sports media, marketing, law, and operations. As an intern, you’ll live on campus and help lead daily activities, facilitate workshops, and manage logistics such as attendance, session setup, and student check-ins. There’s also the option to contribute to social media and program documentation.Â
Location:Â Sports Academy facilities in Thousand Oaks, CA; Seal Beach, CA; Frisco, TX; and Plano, TX
Cost:Â Unpaid; no application fee; may be eligible for academic credit
Dates: Mid-May–Mid-August (Summer)
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; apply early for preferred location and term
Eligibility:Â Must be 21+ and currently enrolled in a college program related to sports performance, exercise science, or a similar field
The Sports Academy Internship is a hands-on, immersive program designed for students interested in sports performance, rehabilitation, and athletic training. Unlike agency-focused internships, this one places you directly in the training environment, working with athletes ranging from youth to NFL-level clients. You’ll learn Sports Academy’s performance methods while gaining experience in strength and conditioning, cognition training, and return-to-play protocols. The program includes weekly educational sessions led by professional coaches and assigned research topics to deepen your understanding.Â
Location:Â Global HQ in Herzogenaurach, Germany; U.S. HQ in Portland, OR; additional locations in Amsterdam, Paris, Milan, London, Athens, and more
Cost:Â Paid; salary varies by location
Dates: U.S. (Portland): Late May/Early June–August (12 weeks) | International: March–August or September–February (6 months)
Application Deadline: Portland: January (for summer) | International: October (for March start) and February/March (for September start)
Eligibility:Â Current undergraduate or graduate students; international students must meet local visa and enrollment requirements; most roles require strong English skills, and some require additional language proficiency depending on location
The Adidas Internship Program gives undergraduate and graduate students the chance to work at one of the world’s top sportswear companies, with placements available in the United States, Europe, and other global locations. Internships typically last between 3 and 6 months, depending on where you’re placed. You can apply to departments like sports marketing, product development, finance, e-commerce, and brand strategy. You will work on department-specific projects while also joining broader programming, such as speaker series, learning sessions, and cross-functional team collaborations. The U.S. internship, based in Portland, Oregon, runs for 12 weeks, while international programs in cities like Herzogenaurach, Amsterdam, and Paris last for 6 months.
Location:Â Remote or in-office (based on role); Team Liquid offices in Los Angeles, CA, and Utrecht, Netherlands
Cost:Â Paid; specific rate not listed
Dates: January 30–May 26
Application Deadline: September 15–30
Eligibility:Â Open to anyone 18+ (college enrollment not required); enthusiasm for esports, gaming, and digital media encouraged.
The Good in Gaming Internship Program by Team Liquid is a paid, part-time opportunity designed for individuals passionate about esports, gaming culture, and digital media. Open to anyone over 18, this remote-friendly program connects you directly with Team Liquid departments, offering internships in areas like production, business intelligence, brand marketing, web development, talent management, and more. Over the course of the internship, you’ll participate in mentorships, professional development workshops, and team projects that build real-world skills and a portfolio of work. Interns also enjoy perks like TL merch credits, early access to apparel drops, and community events like fireside chats and watch parties.
Location:Â Indiana Sports Corp Offices, Indianapolis, IN
Cost:Â Paid; $2,000 per semester; no housing or relocation support
Dates: Spring–Summer; approximately January–August
Application Deadline:Â Not specified; early application recommended
Eligibility:Â Open to current undergraduate or graduate students, or recent graduates from accredited institutions
The Indiana Sports Corp Business Development Internship offers you the chance to work in a nonprofit sports organization known for hosting major sporting events and initiatives across Indianapolis. As an intern, you'll support the planning and execution of business development and fundraising activities, which include prospect research, database management, and member outreach. You’ll also take part in event operations, administrative tasks, and meetings that connect different departments, giving you a comprehensive view of how the organization functions. While the focus is on business development, you’ll gain exposure to the larger world of sports tourism, marketing, and community engagement through hands-on work and collaboration.
Location:Â FOX Sports, New York, NY (onsite only)
Cost:Â Paid; $20/hour
Dates: Session 1: June 1–July 24; Session 2: June 15–August 7
Application Deadline:Â January 11
Eligibility:Â Must be a current college sophomore or above (undergrad or grad); enrolled in an accredited college or university; access to own housing and transportation required
The FOX Sports Summer Internship Program offers you the chance to work inside a major sports media company and gain experience with departments like FS1 Original Programming or OutKick. Based onsite in New York, this paid internship places you in an active production environment where you’ll contribute to projects while learning about live event coverage, studio programming, and digital content. You will also participate in masterclasses, networking events, and professional development workshops throughout the program. The company looks for candidates with a strong academic record, knowledge of the FOX Sports brand, and a demonstrated interest in the sports media industry.
One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Lydia is an alum from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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