Sport Industry Management Degrees

A degree in Sports Industry Management gives students an understanding of the business and entertainment side of sports. With this sports degree, students learn how to manage and work with people in many different specialties in the sports field. There are mostly online Master’s programs available in this field, but some campus-based Bachelor’s programs in sports can launch a student’s career early on.

Are there online Sport Industry Management programs?

Yes, there are online Sports Industry Management degree programs that cater to students who work while pursuing their education. In particular, students should also consider a Sport Management degree, or for the graduate level a Master of Sport Management degree program.

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Are there online Bachelors programs in this area?

Unfortunately, not many online Bachelor’s in Sport Industry Management exist. However, students can opt to pursue an online Bachelor’s in business with a minor in Sports Administration or Sports Management before pursuing graduate-level coursework in this field.

Are there online Masters programs in this area?

Yes, there are many online Master’s in Sports Industry Management degree programs for students to choose the program that is best suited to their needs and career goals.

Are there COSMA or accredited programs in this area?

Yes, students can pursue their Sports Industry Management degree at COSMA and accredited programs.

Top 5 COSMA or accredited programs in Sports Industry Management Updated for 2024

#1 Georgetown University-Master’s in Sport Industry Management

Georgetown University offers an online or campus-based Master of Professional Studies in Sport Industry Management that emphasize business leadership in sports as a part of their core curriculum. Within the program, required courses include sports business, leadership in sport, and sport management. It positions graduates to pursue a wide variety of Sports Industry Management careers due to their professors hailing from many different specializations. Students also have the opportunity to choose an area of concentration in Sports Communications, Sport Business and Sales, and College Sports Administration. They offer a practicum for credit as well. A Bachelor’s degree is required to apply to the program.

An online Master of Professional Studies in Sport Industry Management will cost students $44,490 total.

#2 University of Florida-Master’s in Sport Management

The University of Florida offers both online and campus-based Master of Science in Sport Management degrees. The University of Florida is a public institution with elite NCAA Division 1 athletics in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) college athletic competition. Situated in the College of Health and Human Performance, students can choose a 30-credit thesis or 36-credit non-thesis track with comprehensive examinations. Both thesis and non-thesis track candidates begin their academic curriculum with research intensive core classes followed by 15 credits of required courses. Required courses include sport sociology, sport marketing, sport finance, sport law, and management and leadership in sport. Non-thesis candidates then work with advisors to select 15 credits of elective courses to specialize within their area of interest. Thesis candidates instead begin work on their thesis research for 6 credits.

UF also offers concurrent coursework to complete another degree while pursuing their M.S. in Sport Management, with a Joint Degree program already established for Juris Doctor (JD)/M.S. Sport Management candidates. An online Master of Science in Sport Management will cost students $21,087 total.

#3 University of San Francisco-Master’s in Sport Management

The University of San Francisco offers a campus-based Master’s in Sports Management at two locations: the San Francisco Campus and the Los Angeles Campus. With campuses in both Northern and Southern California, USF positions its students to pursue internships with one of their many partners across the state and country each of the four semesters. Classes take place only once a week, which allows students to spend more time at their internships gaining real-world experience. Core courses include business leadership, marketing strategy, strategic management, sport law, and accounting and finance. USF boasts that one of its projected outcomes for graduates is to be able to recognize, discuss, and demonstrate knowledge of globalization and themed entertainment within the sports marketplace using critical thinking skills. Students are required to have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 2.5 GPA to apply.

The Master’s in Sports Management at the University of San Francisco will cost students $54,360 total.

#4 Ohio University-Bachelor’s or Master’s in Sports Management

Ohio University offers a campus-based Bachelor’s in Sport Management that allows students to gain graduate-level work experience while working towards their undergraduate degree. This program gives students the opportunity to take courses such as leadership in sport management, marketing and revenue streams in sport, and sport facility and event management. Situated within the College of Business, the program allows students to choose from an area of concentration of their choice: Marketing, Data Analytics, Finance, or Accounting. Students can also choose to earn a certificate while completing their degree in any of the following fields: Sales, Women and Gender Studies, Environmental Studies, and Entrepreneurship. Students also must complete an internship practicum for credit at any sport organization in any field that they are interested in. Students must have a high school diploma or GED to apply to this program. A Bachelor’s in Sports Management will cost in-state students $50,448 total and out-of-state students $89,624 total.

Ohio University also offers an online Professional Masters in Sports Administration through their College of Business. This highly-respected online
program is designed for working professionals who want to continue their careers while pursuing higher education. Core courses include sport policy development, sport business revenue strategies, sport analytics, and financial administration of sport. Students will also complete one of the following applicable skills training: Applied Sports Marketing Project, Applied Sport Sponsorship Project, or Applied Sport Fundraising and Development. Students must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA as well as letters of recommendation to apply. In-state students can expect to pay $29,664 total and out-of-state students can expect to pay $30, 348 total. The program also offers a $5,000 scholarship to any students employed by one of their corporate partners.

#5 Western Carolina University-Master of Science in Sport Management

Western Carolina University offers an online Master of Science in Sport Management degree within their College of Business. Graduates will also earn a certificate in project management. WCU offers a full-time schedule that expects completion of the 30-credit course in 12 months. The part-time schedule expects completion in 24 months. Coursework includes topics such as sport administration, sport finance and economics, sport marketing and communication, and critical issues in sport. The project certificate coursework includes project planning and estimating, project scheduling, risk, and contracts, and project change management. There is a capstone exit requirement. Students receive credit for an internship experience facilitated by WCU. Students must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA, letters of recommendation, and an essay to apply to this program. A Master of Science in Sport Management will cost in-state students $9,739 total and out-of-state students $30,528 total.

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Typical curriculum in Sports Industry Management

Sport Business Revenue

In a Sport Business Revenue course, students learn about the major sources of revenue in a sports organization. As Sports Industry Management professionals with an interest in the business side of sports, having an understanding of income streams for their sport organization is key to developing partnerships and strategic planning. Some of the major sources of revenue for sports include ticket sales and television contracts, which Sports Industry Management graduates can use to grow their organizations.

Sport Marketing

A course in Sport Marketing is important for Sports Industry Management students to understand how to increase consumer enthusiasm when devising economic development strategies. Sports Industry Management graduates will oftentimes work closely with the marketing teams of sport organizations to plan funding events or ticket sales campaigns. Therefore, a course in Sport Marketing teaches students how to develop and maintain their organization’s brand to continue to grow the organization’s funds.

Sport Leadership and Management

A Sport Leadership and Management course teaches Sports Industry Management students different leadership styles, managing theories, and mentorship skills. It is important for students to have a formal understanding of why some leadership and management techniques work better than others so that they can choose the style that best fits their personality and the situational settings they may encounter.

Strategic Communications

As a Sport Industry Management graduate, individuals will be responsible for not only strong communication skills within their staff, but also will have an influence on the communication plans of their sport organization. A Strategic Communications course teaches students how to create and execute a narrative, develop strong relationships with sports reporters, and manage their brand engagement.

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What jobs or careers could you have with a degree in sport industry management?

Director of Operations

For a Director of Operations, logistics and organizational planning is their area of expertise. This includes developing and maintaining partnerships with community organizations and companies to supply resources such as seating, tents, food, and medical care. Director of Operations are typically responsible for logistical details such as travel planning, meal coordination, and event management. In any sport organization, the Director of Operations is the “go-to” for all other athletic and support staff on where and when to be in the designated places. Delegation and communication are lauded skills in a Director of Operations.

Sports Agent

Sports Agents are responsible for managing the career interests of professional athletes. They must recruit athletes to their agencies and then meet their expectations in terms of partnership deals and contracts with teams. They often also manage an athlete’s finances or develop partnerships with respected wealth managers. Sports Agents must have excellent communication and networking skills in order to work with coaches and other staff to create contracts that have the athlete’s best interest in mind. Oftentimes, Sports Agents also must manage their athlete’s medical care if they are injured. A degree in Sports Industry Management is crucial for a Sports Agent to have a grasp of how to manage and work with a sports organization, as well as to grow their professional network through internship experiences.

Sports Coach

Many Sports Industry Management students who want to pursue the role of Sports Coach will use their internship experiences to act as assistant or student coaches in the sport they are interested in. A degree in Sports Industry Management poises coaches to understand all of the different roles that make a sport organization work, which can help with player development and planning. While a coach is chiefly responsible for practice and competition strategy, mentorship is a key characteristic of any sports coach. Therefore, a degree in Sports Industry Management can help coaches demonstrate the bigger picture of a sport organization to players.

Player Development Coordinator

A pivotal role within an athletic organization is the position of Player Development Coordinator. A Player Development Coordinator is responsible for the growth and wellness of every player in an organization. They typically support transitions onto the team and coordinate logistical needs of players. Many players agree that the Player Development Coordinator is one of their most trusted allies within a sport organization. This is because they ensure a players’ needs are met both on and off the field through communication with the athletic staff as well as the surrounding community. They also are a go-to consultant for many coaches when coaches develop strategy for specific players or entire position groups. Player Development Coordinators benefit from a Masters in Sports Management because an understanding of the business operations of an organization guides their strategy for meeting their both players’ and coaches’ needs.

Sports Degrees by Level

• Bachelors degrees in sports
• Online Bachelors in Sports Management
• Online Masters in Sports Management
• Doctorate degrees in sports

Sport Program Areas

• Athletic Administration Degrees
• Exercise Science Degrees
• Kinesiology Degrees
• Coaching Degrees
• Health and Wellness Degrees
• Sports Industry Management
• Sports Analytics Degrees
• Sports Marketing Degrees
• Sports Psychology Degrees
• Recreation Management Degrees