SBA 
SBA Basketball Internship Programs
Internships — The SBA Intern Program
The Sunbelt Basketball Association (Sarasota, Florida) runs a paid, graded internship pathway: a 6-week internship, an honest evaluation, on-the-job training for those who advance, and a real SBA position for those who earn it. Interns do real work — game days, live streams, media and PR, sales, and the business of running a professional league.
Jobs are earned through the pathway, not guaranteed by applying. Placements are paid or funding-supported at every stage; specifics are confirmed with accepted applicants before a start date.
The pathway overview
The SBA Intern Program is a pathway, not a single summer job. You start with a 6-week graded internship inside a real developmental professional basketball league, with teams across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Indiana. If you advance, you receive on-the-job training. If you earn it, you move into a real SBA position. At every stage you are held to employee-level standards for attendance, conduct, dress, and social media.
The five role areas
- Game-Day & Event Operations — staffing hub-event weekends, on-site logistics, and fan experience.
- Production & Media — live-stream crew, stats, and social/content work, including filming and editing highlights.
- Public Relations — media relations, press, and community outreach.
- Sales — sponsorship support, partnerships, and ticket/group sales.
- Business Management — league admin, operations, marketing coordination, and bookkeeping support.
On the application you rank all five areas, from your #1 choice to #5.
How it works
- Apply — complete the SBA Intern Program application below.
- Cohort review — the SBA reviews applications in cohorts. If your application moves forward, the SBA will contact you at the email you gave to schedule a conversation.
- 6-week graded internship — work in your area, with real responsibilities and an honest evaluation.
- Training for those who advance — on-the-job training in the next stage of the pathway.
- A real SBA position for those who earn it — advancement is earned through performance, not promised by applying.
Who should apply?
- College students studying sports management, marketing, communications, or related fields
- Recent graduates building experience for careers in basketball operations
- Anyone pursuing league management, game-day operations, or sports media production
Frequently asked questions
Are SBA internships paid?
Placements are paid or funding-supported at every stage. Specifics are confirmed with accepted applicants before a start date.
Is this remote or in person?
Most roles are tied to our Sarasota, Florida headquarters and hub-event weekends. Some digital and media work may be handled differently — ask during your conversation.
What will I have to show for it?
Verified work inside an operating pro league: portfolio pieces, professional references, and experience that counts toward an SBA role.
How do I apply?
Click APPLY NOW below and complete the SBA Intern Program application.
What if I have no experience yet?
Tell us what you have done that is closest — school projects, volunteering, team roles, or personal projects. “None yet” is an acceptable answer on the form.
Published: October 2026 | By Marcus Tilghman, Owner, Sunbelt Basketball Association
