Sport Business and Organizational Management

Sport organizations must be run and operated as businesses. This requires that leaders have a solid grasp of how to budget, plan, and lead sport organizations to long-term success by applying common business principles and organizational strategies.

Sport Marketing and Communications

If you’re interested in the work that goes into building a solid fan base and generating revenue on behalf of a sport organization, concentrating your studies in sport marketing and/or communications may be ideal. In this area of sport management, you’ll be focused on building essential communication skills, learning more about different advertising and marketing strategies in sports, and exploring public relations as a means of building an organization’s image.

Legal and Ethical Issues in Sport Management

Leaders in sport organizations also need to thoroughly understand the legal and ethical issues that can present themselves — as well as how to handle them as they arise. This includes challenges such as discrimination, inclusion, fan behavior, and ethical treatment of athletes.

Sport Event and Facility Management

Another area of study to consider in sport management is sport event and facility management, which is focused on the planning and execution of special sporting events and the management of the venues where they occur. Professionals in this area should be familiar with all aspects of facility management, ranging from safety and security measures to basic maintenance and operations.

Data Analytics and Technology in Sports

With data analytics and similar technology becoming increasingly commonplace in sport management, this is another up-and-coming area of the field that many graduate students choose to focus on. Those working in data analytics and technology in sports need to be familiar with common data collection strategies, along with the software and tools used to extract meaningful insights from raw data. These skills can then be leveraged to inform decision-making as it relates to player performance, fan engagement, operations, and beyond.

Leadership and Human Resource Management in Sports

Just as leadership and human resource management are critical in everyday business, the same applies to sports. Teams and organizations rely on strong leaders to foster a positive workplace culture, help them solve problems, and acquire the right talent for long-term success.

Sport Management Internships

One option for students in this program is a graduate internship, which is designed to provide a unique opportunity to apply theories and conceptual material in a professional setting. These internships not only help students build connections and network within the sport industry, but they can also be tailored to fit the work environment of online students, allowing them to gain relevant experience that aligns with their current professional roles. For instance, types of sport management internships that have been available to students of such programs include those in:

• Professional and minor-league sports
• College athletics
• Scholastic athletics
• Campus recreation
• Sport marketing
• Sport media
• Health and fitness

Case Studies and Simulations

In addition to internship prospects, students in a Master of Science in Sport Management program have the opportunity to explore case studies and realistic simulations as part of their classroom experience. These experiences enable students to apply what they’ve learned to real-world scenarios that mimic the real world as much as possible — in turn preparing them for the specific kinds of projects they may partake in as future leaders and decision-makers.

Special Projects and Industry Collaborations

Sport management programs may also offer students the chance to take courses in special topics, where they can explore related or adjacent interests that could serve them in their careers down the road. These classes may be substituted as electives and encompass areas such as management and marketing.

In some cases, students may have the opportunity to explore special industry collaborations sponsored by the university itself. These partnerships can be a great way for students to be directly involved in real-world projects without the commitment of a full-time internship.

Building a Strong Professional Network

Throughout their time in a graduate degree program, students should take advantage of opportunities to establish strong connections in the industry. This includes not just networking with faculty and other students but also attending industry events and building professional relationships with other thought leaders in the field.

Graduate and Advanced Study Options

If you decide to pursue an even further education beyond your master’s degree in sport management, the program can prepare you for a wide range of advanced study options that help propel your career even further. Some graduates, for example, may consider pursuing a doctorate degree in sport management if they’re interested in taking on teaching or research roles in the field.