When I worked at ESPN, the MBA was not yet popular outside of the finance and marketing departments. Some of my colleagues had earned a Master of Science in Sports Management (UMass Amherst was the most popular program at the time) to gain insight on managing the business of sports, but that was about it. However, in the years since I left ESPN, the sports industry has grown exponentially to include analytics, gaming, gambling, event management, licensing, and management. Consequently, more sports enthusiasts are looking for ways to gain business expertise to run these new and growing organizations and departments.
Additionally, more athletes are looking to get into the business side of their respective sports. After all, every athlete, no matter how accomplished, will have a long life after sports. Although many of us may remember the long careers of LeBron James and Tom Brady, the typical professional athlete, on average, will play for a maximum of five years before the wear and tear forces them into their next career.
Given all of this, which MBA programs are best suited for those interested in learning about the inner workings of the sports industry? Although students could gain many benefits from any top MBA program, several schools have specifically created programs for sports business and sports management. Here are 12 of the best:
Columbia Business School
Columbia Business School provides sports electives as part of its Media & Technology program, and you can utilize resources from Columbia’s MS in Sports Management program.
Duke Fuqua
Duke Fuqua has created an opportunity for learning the business of sports—and when you have Coach Mike Krzyzewski as a professor, you can’t go wrong. Furthermore, the Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics (COLE) brings in leaders of industry, and Fuqua’s experiential learning opportunities include working within Duke Athletics.
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School offers Crossover Into Business, a semester-long program where professional athletes work with MBA student mentors to prepare for a business career—both during and after their athletic career. Past participants have included athletes from several professional leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and WNBA. Professor Anita Elberse also teaches the second-year course, “The Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports.”
Indiana University Kelley School of Business
Indiana University Kelley School of Business has created partnerships allowing former or current NFL players or former or current WNBA players to get an online MBA degree. Furthermore, Kelley offers various courses related to the sports industry, and students can take electives in the Athletic Administration & Sport Management program.
MIT Sloan
MIT Sloan has been at the forefront of sports analytics, having founded the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in 2006. Aside from getting involved in the conference itself, students can prepare for a career in sports through Sloan’s Entertainment, Media, & Sports community.
NYU Stern
NYU Stern covers sports as part of its Entertainment and Media specialization. Furthermore, you can take sports-related electives or pursue a dual degree (MS in Sports Business) through the NYU Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport.
San Diego State Fowler College of Business
San Diego State’s Fowler College of Business offers a Sports Management MBA that focuses on international sports business. Students gain hands-on experience working with California-based sports teams and leagues while learning specialized skills through the school’s tailored curriculum.
UCLA Anderson
UCLA Anderson announced in early 2024 a new Sports Leadership and Management Program designed to provide both undergraduate and graduate students access to skills related to the global sports business. This program is part of the school’s Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports, through which a concentration in sports leadership and management is available.
UMass Amherst Isenberg
UMass Amherst Isenberg offers a dual MBA/MS in Sport Management degree, including experiential learning opportunities with teams across various sports as well as their sponsorship partners. The program culminates in the Octagon Bowl, an experiential learning project conducted in partnership with Octagon, a global sports and entertainment agency.
University of North Carolina (UNC) Kenan-Flagler
UNC Kenan-Flagler’s dual degree with the College of Exercise & Sport Science prepares students for leadership positions in intercollegiate athletics. Also, experiential learning opportunities such as STAR (Student Teams Achieving Results) afford students the opportunity to work with leagues including NASCAR.
University of Oregon Lundquist College of Business
University of Oregon Lundquist College of Business offers a Sports Business Specialization, and the Warsaw Sports Business Center provides a mix of experiential learning and connections to industry professionals to prepare students for careers in the sports business.
University of South Florida Muma College of Business
University of South Florida Muma College of Business offers the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management program, with a specific focus on “human capital, organization resources and development, innovation and technology in sport, culture and business relationships, sport and law and emerging issues in global sport.”
Whether you are looking to run a team, market a sports-related product, or develop media coverage of a major event, you have plenty of options for obtaining the necessary knowledge.
An MBA is a very personal endeavor. Take the time to be thoughtful and strategic about your application. If you’re looking for a coach to help you navigate the complex and competitive MBA application landscape and a team to champion you along the way, request a free 30-minute consultation with Stratus. All of our counselors have degrees from top MBA programs and would love to support you in your next phase in life!