Do You Watch More Than Just the Game?
Do you often find yourself wondering why a team keeps losing possession, questioning a coach’s substitutions, or predicting comebacks based on player stats, while your friends are simply watching the score? If so, you might have more in common with Nate from Ted Lasso than you think: the quiet strategist behind the scenes.
Welcome to the world of sports analytics, where your curiosity about the “why” behind each play can shape a career in one of the fastest-growing fields in data science. If you’re interested in turning your love for sports and data into something more, here are some of the resources to explore.
– Ashwini, MSBA’ 26
What Is Sports Analytics and How Do I Get Started?
Whether you dream of working behind the scenes of a championship team or analyzing fan behavior for a sports-tech firm, understanding the landscape might be the first step. This article will help guide you through what the field involves and how to begin exploring it.
What Skills Should a Sports Analyst Have?
From data wrangling to storytelling, the skills of a sports analyst extend across both technical and business domains. Check out this comprehensive list of sports analyst skills to better understand the blend of capabilities employers are seeking.
Where to Build Skills: Learn the Tools of the Trade
To become a sports analyst, knowing the game is only part of the equation. You’ll also need to understand how to work with data. Platforms like DataCamp offer beginner-to-advanced courses in Python, R, SQL, Tableau and Power BI. The best part? With your Brandeis login, you get free access to high-quality tutorials that make learning these tools approachable and practical.
Understand Current Trends in Predictive Sports Analytics
The field is evolving quickly. Today’s sports analysts are leveraging real-time tracking data, biometric sensors, and advanced simulation models to enhance performance, reduce injury risks, and predict game outcomes. Exploring the trends highlighted in this article will give you a clearer understanding of how data is transforming decision-making across the sports industry.
Read, Watch, Listen: Learn From the Best
Already intrigued or just getting curious? These resources can help you learn more about the field and hear directly from the experts.
Books to Explore:
- Moneyball by Michael Lewis : The classic that started it all
- Scorecasting by L. Jon Wertheim and Tobias Jacob Moskowitz : Hidden forces behind decisions in sports
What to Watch:
- MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference : Industry-leading talks and panels (YouTube archive)
- Netflix: The Playbook : Coaching philosophies through an analytical lens
Podcasts Worth Listening To:
- The Wharton Moneyball : Sports meets data science
- Sports Analytics Podcast : Real conversations with practitioners in the field
Practice Makes Perfect: Try It Yourself
Nothing builds your skills like hands-on practice. You can start by exploring open sports datasets from platforms like Kaggle, FiveThirtyEight and FBref. If you’re not sure where to begin, this article on datasets and project ideas can help spark inspiration and guide your next steps.
Build Your Technical Portfolio
As you work on projects, don’t forget to document and showcase them! A strong portfolio shows potential employers not just what you’ve learned but how you apply it. Not sure where to start? The CSE Technical Portfolio Visual Guide offers a step-by-step walkthrough on how to present your work clearly and effectively.
Final Thoughts: Turn Passion Into a Playbook
Whether you’re aiming to work with a pro team, a fantasy sports platform, or a sports-tech company, the journey begins with curiosity and consistent learning. Start by exploring data, working on your technical skills, and building meaningful projects this summer.
At Brandeis International Business School, you can also take this interest even further through the Sports Analytics concentration in the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. With flexible electives and industry-focused coursework, the concentration prepares you for roles in performance analysis, data strategy, and operations within sports organizations and beyond.
Enjoy the summer and take the opportunity to explore what excites you!
The 2025 Summer Reading Resource Round-Up Series has been brought to you by the Business School Captain team.
