The Best Jobs In Sports

Glassdoor announced today it's list of the " 25 Best Jobs in America ." If you're looking for a job as a data scientist, a median salary of $116,840 could be in your near future.

The list got us to thinking: What are the best jobs in both college and professional sports? Sure it might be nice to haul in $6.9 million like Alabama's Nick Saban, but there's plenty of other high-paying and rewarding jobs without the stress of an entire football-obsessed state on your back.

So while Glassdoor has its list of best American jobs ranging from data scientist to software architect, here's our list of the best jobs in college and professional sports.

NFL Backup Quarterback

Pro: How would you like to stand on the sidelines with a clipboard, listen to the offensive coordinator calling in plays to the starter on the field (who's getting killed by the defense and cursed at by the home fans), all while making $13 million over 10 seasons? That's what it's like to be an NFL backup QB like the Indianapolis Colts' Charlie Whitehurst.

Con: When the starting quarterback gets hurt, you have to actually go in and play.

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College Cheerleader

Pro: You get to attend every home and away football game and home basketball contest. If you're a male cheerleader, you get to toss cute girls into the air and scream "Go. Fight. Win!" into a megaphone. If you're a female cheerleader, you get to dance with your friends while hunky dudes toss you into the air.

Con: The gig doesn't pay, and home fans might get fed up with chants of "We're number 1!" when trailing 56-3.

Photo credit: Athlon Sports

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College Mascot

Pro: Free tickets to every home sporting event, freedom to roam wherever you please throughout the facility, and you can mess with little kids during timeouts without getting in trouble.

Con: Wearing that godforsaken costume on a blistering-hot, Saturday September afternoon.

Photo credit: Wisconsin Athletics

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Soccer Goalie

Pro: While everyone else is running the equivalent of a marathon, you get to chill with your Gatorade bottle. Then, every half hour or so, the opposing team kicks the ball in your general direction. Keep it out of the net. Simple.

Con: On the off chance you let the opposing team score, home fans will have a lynch mob ready for you after the final gun.

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Right Fielder

Pro: The catcher is taking foul balls off his face, the pitcher is throwing his arm out, and the middle infielders are doing cartweels on double plays as hard-charging runners take them out. You? You're standing in right field to snag lazy fly balls when they come your way every three innings.

Con: When your right-hand pitcher throws hard against a right-handed-heavy lineup. Enjoy those slicing line drives down the foul line.

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Golfer

Pro: No unprepared, lousy, and apathetic teammates to bring you down.

Con: No unprepared, lousy, and apathetic teammates to blame when you lose.

Photo credit: Stanford Athletics

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College and NBA Benchwarmer

Pro: For college bench players, it's a chance to perform crazy antics while cheering on your much-more talented friends. For NBA players, the minimum salary for taking the last seat on the bench is $507,336.

Con: You probably won't see any game action unless your squad is winning or losing by 40-plus points.

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TV Commentators

Pro: You get paid to talk about sports, and the longer you're in the industry, the more acceptable it is to paint your hair and slather your face in makeup.