Did you know that you can't actually get paid to compete in college sports? College football has record attendances for any sporting event in the states. These are paying fans and there are also national TV deals. Colleges certainly make a lot of money from football, yet this money isn't passed on to the players. It's still considered an amateur event.
This isn't a problem if you're destined for the big leagues. But for an average football player, you won't make it. And you won't make any money from your pursuit. This shouldn't matter as you'll hopefully be receiving a top education in the process. But did you know there are actually a fair few ways to make money from college football? As long as you're not a player. In this article, we're going to look at a few different careers and side-hustles that could help you profit from the college game.
1. Betting
One of the best ways to make a bit of side money with college football (or even a lot more) is through betting. It's hard to place actual bets in the venues even today, as there are still a lot of restrictions. But that shouldn't stop you. Many states are losing up betting laws meaning you can play online. In the right locations, this can mean from inside the ground on your phone or tablet, but you might have to place any bets before the game at home.
There's a lot less information in the college betting world, which means it could be easier to get an edge compared to NFL sports wagering. Check out this Nairabet review to see some of the best options for you.
2. Coaching
The players might not get paid---but the coaches usually do. Being a college football coach is a full-time profession in most instances. The biggest names can also go on to big careers in the NFL. But even if you stay in the college game, it's still a career that can be highly rewarding, both financially and otherwise.
3. Food
People still have to eat at college games. Actually, food is often the center-piece of much of the experience. From tailgate parties to food vendors inside the venue. There's a lot of money to be made here, and you could make it if you've got something to offer.
4. Ticket sales
While not every game will be a sell-out like many NFL games are, there is still a lot of demand for the biggest games. You could either work in a ticket office or take care of secondary sales with the help of the different online ticket sales sites.
5. Merchandise
Concession sales are a big part of the college football experience. Someone needs to sell this stuff, and that could be you.
6. Driver
College games actually have good travelling support. This means there's a lot of demand for coach and taxi drivers. You could do this if it suits your expertise.
7. Referee
Some referees in the college game are extremely highly paid and can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. This surprises some people. But if you love the game and want to play an integral role without getting your hands dirty, referee could be it.
8. Additional staff
There are loads of other jobs that are propped up by college football. While you can't earn as a player---that doesn't mean there aren't well-paying careers that owe a lot to the college game. You might work in the venue helping fans, or you could even be a medic or other associated athletic employee. There are loads of jobs and other ways to make money that you might not have even thought of yet.