Sports Management
The multi-billion dollar sports industry doesn't just need athletes and coaches; it needs professionals who can manage the business of sports. The BBA with a concentration in Sports Management prepares students to apply managerial, financial, and ethical business principles to the sport industry. The program will develop skills in multiple areas including sales, understanding the legal environment, developing marketing strategies and promoting events, and representing athletes during contract negotiations.
Internships are vital to the sports management experience. Students will be encouraged to pursue multiple internship opportunities during their time in the program.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
B.B.A. with a Concentration in Sports Management Minor in Sports ManagementCourses
This course provides a comprehensive overview for the fundraising, donor relations, non-profit, premium seating, and ticket sales profession. Students are provided with an ethical foundation and are introduced to basic terminology and concepts in the field. Topics will include major gift fundraising, annual funds, booster club organizations, priority seating programs, and benefits, the importance of donor research in the fund raising process, and the process from development to the transaction. Students will gain real experience in developing new skills for the job market.
This course will examine historical and philosophical aspects of sports management while giving an overview of current issues and career opportunities in sports management. The course will provide introductory exposure to: the historical evolution of sports, the role of media in sports, and legal and ethical issues in sports management. Students will formulate personal and career goals.
This course examines the world of sports as a business and will focus on attracting the ultimate customer—sports fans—in an increasingly competitive, fragmented and global service. The course will discuss the management of sports at professional, collegiate and special event levels focusing on the role marketing plays in planning and decision making in attracting fans and the other major customer—sponsors. Other topical areas will include: sports branding; athlete management; globalization; event sponsorship and marketing; media involvement; fantasy sports; sports vendors; sports innovations and the value and ROI of investing in sports. Students will study current opportunities and threats facing sports and entertainment properties and trends that may impact the future of sports and its various audiences. Guest experts will lecture in various classes giving students a firsthand opportunity to ask questions of sports marketing and management leaders.
This course will examine selected legal, financial, and policy issues and disputes that arise in the business of sports. The course will also include (to the maximum degree possible) discussions about new landmark judicial decisions, as well as, significant NCAA infractions cases and Olympic sports arbitration awards. Students are also provided an opportunity to debate complex issues related to the application of antitrust, labor, and intellectual property law to sports.
This course will provide students with the skills necessary to effectively manage sport and fitness facilities and events. This course will examine all of the facets of public assembly facility management as they relate to sports arenas, ballparks, stadiums and other venues. Among the topics to be presented and explored will be: event booking, finance, marketing, operations, scheduling, staffing and ticketing.
All Sport s Management majors are required to complete an internship during the fall, spring, or summer session. The course presents a valuable learning opportunity for a student to work in a professional environment and expand his or her understanding of the practical applications of the business of sports. After the internship application is approved by the Career Center and the grading faculty instructor, the student will develop a learning contract to specify the site supervisor's expectations, what the student anticipates learning, and how that learning will be assessed. It is possible for a student to repeat an internship (at the same or a different site) upon the approval of the grading faculty instructor.
