Sports Jobs in Illinois
Sports jobs in Illinois are concentrated in professional leagues, collegiate athletics, fitness and recreation, and sports media, with Chicago anchoring one of the most active markets in the Midwest for the role at every level from entry-level coordinator to senior operations director. The heaviest hiring happens in Chicago, Rosemont, and Champaign, where organizations like the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, and the University of Illinois Athletics Department maintain lasting rosters of sports professionals. The most in-demand specialties include athletic training, sports operations, coaching, and sports marketing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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We are looking for school event and sports action photographers!
Photograph school events like plays, performances, concerts and other school activities.
Photograph sports action during games
Responsibilities
- Confirm event or game details before each photo assignment
- Photograph assignments
- Make image selections
- Upload images within 24 hours of each photo assignment
Qualifications
- DSLR camera
- Short zoom lens, generally a 24-70mm
- Telephoto lens, 70-200 f/2.8
- TTL flash
- Reliable transportation
- Valid driver's license
- Car insurance
- Ability to pass a background check
We create beautiful memories
Help us create candid images at school and sports events that capture important moments for families. Take beautiful images for parents who want to remember the journey their sons and daughters are on as students and athletes, preserve their family history, and share their joy with the other people in their lives.
We believe in using our photographic talents to give back to the community, so in addition to taking senior, school, and sports portraits, we also donate our time to document events for organizations such as Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, Camp Hometown Heroes, and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation.
About VIP
Visual Image Photography was started in 1978 by Tom Hayes. His father William Hayes opened a portrait studio in Shorewood, WI in 1950. Our goal since we began has been to take the best picture possible every time we press the shutter. In 2016, Tom's daughter Courtney became the new owner of VIP when he retired. The foundation of being committed to creating beautiful portraits continues to be a family tradition for over 75 years.
Our work culture is built on a team oriented mindset that has fun and brings a smile to the job everyday. Teaching new photographers the skills to create beautiful portraits, and helping our current staff to continue developing their skills is important to our company. Our team is people oriented, socially connected, and fun to work with.
We are looking for school event and sports action photographers!
Photograph school events like plays, performances, concerts and other school activities.
Photograph sports action during games
Responsibilities
- Confirm event or game details before each photo assignment
- Photograph assignments
- Make image selections
- Upload images within 24 hours of each photo assignment
Qualifications
- DSLR camera
- Short zoom lens, generally a 24-70mm
- Telephoto lens, 70-200 f/2.8
- TTL flash
- Reliable transportation
- Valid driver's license
- Car insurance
- Ability to pass a background check
We create beautiful memories
Help us create candid images at school and sports events that capture important moments for families. Take beautiful images for parents who want to remember the journey their sons and daughters are on as students and athletes, preserve their family history, and share their joy with the other people in their lives.
We believe in using our photographic talents to give back to the community, so in addition to taking senior, school, and sports portraits, we also donate our time to document events for organizations such as Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, Camp Hometown Heroes, and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation.
About VIP
Visual Image Photography was started in 1978 by Tom Hayes. His father William Hayes opened a portrait studio in Shorewood, WI in 1950. Our goal since we began has been to take the best picture possible every time we press the shutter. In 2016, Tom's daughter Courtney became the new owner of VIP when he retired. The foundation of being committed to creating beautiful portraits continues to be a family tradition for over 75 years.
Our work culture is built on a team oriented mindset that has fun and brings a smile to the job everyday. Teaching new photographers the skills to create beautiful portraits, and helping our current staff to continue developing their skills is important to our company. Our team is people oriented, socially connected, and fun to work with.
See All 72 Sports Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Sports JobsSports Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Sports Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Sports & Recreation
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in sports jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Athletic Trainer license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation where applicable
- Bachelor's degree in sports management, kinesiology, exercise science, or a related field
- Relevant certification such as NATA-BOC Athletic Trainer certification or NSCA strength and conditioning credential
- Experience with scheduling, logistics, or event operations in a professional or collegiate sports environment
- Strong proficiency in sports analytics software, video review tools, or athletic performance tracking platforms
- CPR and AED certification and a valid Illinois driver's license for roles requiring travel or on-site response
Sports Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a sports professional in Illinois?
The path depends on your specialty within sports, but most roles in Illinois require a relevant bachelor's degree in sports management, kinesiology, or a related field. Athletic trainers must obtain licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which requires BOC certification and completed coursework. Coaches at the high school level need an Illinois Educator Licensure endorsement. For operations and business roles, a degree plus internship experience with an Illinois collegiate or professional organization is the standard entry route.
Which companies hire sports professionals in Illinois?
Employers hiring sports professionals in Illinois right now include YMCA, Skyhawks Sports Academy, and Sports Illustrated, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of professional franchises, Big Ten athletic programs, and regional sports media outlets means sustained demand well beyond the seasonal peaks seen in smaller markets.
Which Illinois cities have the most sports jobs?
Chicago, Peoria, and Mattoon lead Illinois for sports job openings. Chicago drives the majority of listings thanks to its six major professional franchises, McCormick Place event infrastructure, and a dense cluster of sports media and marketing firms, while Rosemont and Champaign add volume through the Allstate Arena circuit and University of Illinois Athletics respectively.
Are there remote sports jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're relatively uncommon. Most sports roles in Illinois are tied to on-site venues, practice facilities, or live events, which limits remote availability. About 12% of sports openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and these tend to be concentrated in sports marketing, media production, data analytics, and front-office business development functions rather than coaching, training, or operations.
How can I get hired as a sports professional in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or seasonal operations role with a professional team, collegiate athletic department, or large recreation organization in Illinois. The Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and University of Illinois Athletics all run structured intern and associate programs designed for candidates without full-time experience. Lateral entry from adjacent roles like event coordination, physical education, or fitness instruction is also common. Obtaining an Illinois Athletic Trainer license or a strength and conditioning certification from NSCA gives candidates a measurable edge even before their first full-time hire.
Where can I find and apply to sports jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to sports jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across professional teams, collegiate programs, fitness organizations, and sports media companies. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 72 Sports Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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