Many successful competitive swimming programs in the United States are coach or privately owned. These teams are legally structured one of several ways. Traditionally there have been numerous sole proprietor and partnership arrangements. Increasingly, the limited liability corporations (LLC) is a popular choice. An LLC combines selected corporate and partnership characteristics while still maintaining status as a legal entity distinct from its owners.

For additional information on any topic in this section, contact your Sport Development Consultant , take the Club Leadership and Business Management School online 101 course, and/or plan to attend a Club Leadership and Business Management School 201 in-person course when it is offered in your area.

ADVANTAGES

• Continuity and consistency of vision & purpose.
• Organization, program, and leadership stability.
• Owner(s) enjoys typical advantages of self-employment.
• Owner(s) has potential for greater compensation and ability to build equity over long-term.
• Sole proprietorship and partnership relatively simple and inexpensive to create.
• Additional challenges beyond coaching.
• Involvement in every aspect of the program and business. 

DISADVANTAGES

• Greater financial risk for coach-owner.
• Start-up costs and challenges of any small business.
• Revenues are taxable.
• Owner and partners personally liable for business debts.
• More limited financial resources.
• Sometimes more difficult for privately owned teams to foster volunteer support.
• Involvement in every aspect of the program and business. 

Getting Started

If you are considering owning your own club, there is much advance preparing and planning that needs to be done. Remember, you will be operating a business, not just coaching a swim team. Below is some information with step by step instructions to get you started.