The United States has established itself as a global power on the sports scene, offering incredible opportunities for athletes from a wide range of disciplines. With more than 2,600 medals in all editions of the Olympics, the United States is also the country with the largest number of sports stadiums in the world. It's a dynamic and fast-growing market, ideal for athletes who want to boost their careers in America.
Salaries
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of athletes and sports competitors in the United States is 358 thousand dollars. The sector that pays athletes the most is spectator sports, such as American soccer, field hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis and golf.
The states with the best average annual salaries for athletes are: Indiana(702 thousand dollars), Ohio(648 thousand dollars), Colorado (213 thousand dollars), Texas(189 thousand dollars) and New Jersey(184 thousand dollars).
Different sports
The private sports market in the United States is the largest in the world and is valued at more than 83 billion dollars in 2023. American sports tourism had a turnover of more than 43 billion dollars in 2022, and this figure is expected to grow by 13.9% annually until 2033.
The major American sports leagues make billions of dollars a year from broadcasting rights contracts for their teams. In 2022 alone, the NFL (National Football League) received more than 4.5 billion dollars from television broadcasters, while the NBA (National Basketball Association) received 2.6 billion dollars; and the MLS (Major League Soccer) signed a 10-year contract with streaming platforms for its broadcasting rights for 2.5 billion dollars.
Most popular sports in the USA
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is the largest school sports association in the United States and has ranked which sports were most practiced in American schools in 2021 and 2022. Among boys, there are more players in American soccer (973,000), track and field (569,000), basketball (521,000), baseball (481,000), soccer (436,000) and wrestling (231,000). The most popular sports among girls, by number of players, were: track and field (456,000), volleyball (454,000), soccer (374,000), basketball (370,000), softball (340,000) and cross country running (191,000).
No matter what your sport: the United States needs experienced athletes and coaches. According to the National Coach Survey (NCS), 81% of American sports coaches reported a need for more sports coaches in their schools and communities.
And you, who are an athlete in Brazil, can use your career as a passport to America and get a Green Card to work and live in the United States.
But how does it work?
Your medals: Passport to the USA
Through the Immigration Act (1990), the US government created the EB-1 to EB-5 visa categories. These visa categories allow skilled workers from all over the world to obtain permanent residency in the USA(Green Cards) using their professional experience.
2022 was a record year for Brazilians in the USA, and more than 20,000 professionals such as doctors, engineers, dentists, physiotherapists, pilots and athletes obtained their Green Cards last year.
Most qualified professionals get their green cards through the EB-2 category, given its eligibility criteria. And to be eligible for an EB-2 green card, someone must show proof of extraordinary or exceptional ability in their field.
Medals and sports titles in national and international categories are considered proof of these skills for US immigration. If you are a Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion, Brazilian soccer champion, or South American swimming champion, for example, you may be eligible for a Green Card.
EB-2 NIW visa: What are the requirements?
If you are an athlete and have more than five years of professional experience, exceptional or extraordinary skills in your field, you may be eligible for a Green Card.
And, if you are approved for a Green Card under this visa category, your spouse and children under the age of 21 will also be granted their respective Green Cards.
All this without you needing a previous job offer in the United States.
Am I eligible for a green card?
Want to know if you are eligible for a green card?
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