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Professional Athletes, Individual Sports

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for professional athletes will grow about as fast as the average for all careers through 2028. It's extremely difficult to advance to the top levels of sports competition, and many athletes' careers are cut short due to injuries.

The outlook for professional athletes will vary depending on the sport, its popularity, and the number of athletes currently competing. Competition at the highest level of sports is expected to be keen. On the whole, the outlook for the field of professional sports is healthy. Some sports, however, may experience an increase in popularity, which will translate into greater opportunities for higher salaries, prize monies, and commercial endorsements. In addition, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created an element of uncertainty in many industries, and will likely impact the economic and competitive aspects of sports.