Online MBA in Sports Management Programs
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The sports experience is following all the major global trends: digitalization, internationalization, and data-driven analytics. An online MBA in sports management provides professionals with the up-to-date knowledge and network necessary to handle a dynamic, interdisciplinary industry valued at over $400 billion dollars.
Those in traditional sports industry roles, such as sports agents, event and facility managers, sports equipment manufacturers, marketers, executives at professional sports teams, intercollegiate athletics administrators, and sports lawyers can all benefit from an MBA in sports management, preparing them for the complicated, intersectional challenges of the future.
The past two decades have seen an overall shrinking of domestic athletics markets in Western countries, but a massive proliferation of satellite and telecommunications to wider audiences abroad. Therefore, Industry professionals need to adapt to a new technological landscape and a new set of management, financial, and accounting policies. An online MBA in sports management familiarizes students with this new terrain while equipping them with the strategic methods and leadership skills necessary to excel in it.
The opportunity to pursue such programs entirely online allows working professionals to continue advancing their careers while furthering their education, proceeding at a customizable pace, with minimal logistical disruption. Advances in digital collaboration mean that online students can now access a school’s alumni and peer network just as they would on-campus, with opportunities for mentorships, internships, and job placement within the industry, all facilitated by the school’s partners and affiliates.
As the sports industry continues to evolve, so will its job demands. An online MBA in sports management equips professionals for the industry as it is today and what it will be tomorrow.
| Featured Sports Management & Marketing Programs | ||
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| Southern New Hampshire University | Online MBA In Sport Management | View Full Profile |
| University of West Alabama | MBA - Sports Management | View Full Profile |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Featured Online MBA in Sports Management Programs
Southern New Hampshire University offers one of the most affordable MBAs in the nation, and one where students can pursue additional certificates beyond the standard curriculum that add significant credentials to one’s resume with minimal additional coursework. All online MBA students take seven core courses that cover topics such as leading people and organizations; organizational strategy in a global environment; innovation and strategy for high-performance organizations; measuring success in an organization; optimizing brands; leading organizational change; and strategic opportunity management.
The curriculum of the sports management concentration includes courses such as sport and society; internationalization of sport business; and management of sports organizations. Providing an innovative educational experience grounded in relevant practice and theory, this online concentration enables students to become successful leaders in the sports industry.
Those with non-business academic backgrounds may be required to take foundational courses in mathematics and statistics, economics, financial reporting, business law, and/or human behavior in organizations. The program consists of 30 credits and can be completed entirely online. No GMAT or GRE scores are required for admission.
| Location: Manchester, NH |
| Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $637 per credit |
St. Thomas University offers an online master of business administration program with a concentration in sports administration. Encompassing elements of accounting, economics, psychology, marketing, communications, and law, this online concentration helps students learn how to effectively and ethically market sports and how to plan events, diving into the areas of sports budgeting, administration, and publicity. Moreover, students will delve into the major legal issues confronting sports administrators such as due processes, contracts, safety procedures, defamation, risk management, and collective bargaining and arbitration.
This online MBA in sports administration comprises 36 credits, however, nine additional credits of foundation courses may be required based on a review of transcripts. The curriculum includes courses such as sports marketing and promotions; facilities and event management; sports psychology; legal aspects of sports administration; financial management; international business; management ethics; and strategic marketing management.
| Location: Miami Gardens, FL |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months or more |
| Estimated Tuition: $545 per credit |
The University of West Alabama provides a wealth of online MBA programs, including one with a concentration in sports management. To apply for admission, candidates need a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 or higher GPA. Those with a lower GPA may be admitted on a conditional basis.
General courses for all concentrations include the foundations of business; comparative business law and ethics; managerial accounting; emerging technologies; research methods and design; managerial economics; financial management; marketing management; and strategic management and business policy.
The sports management concentration adds additional instruction in organization and administration and human performance; an athletic administration seminar; accounting and economics in sports; and sports management and marketing. The program consists of 33 credits.
| Location: Livingston, AL |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months or more |
| Estimated Tuition: $429 per credit |
Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business offers an online master of business administration program with a concentration on sports business. Emphasizing on sports management, this online MBA allows students to blend their business acumen with a passion for sports and explore key concepts in operations and management. Graduates will be able to examine marketing, sales, revenue generation, and finance through the lens of the sports industry.
This 54-credit program includes courses such as sports business analytics; sports business revenue generation; strategic management; managerial finance; operations management; quantitative methods; finance principles; and applied business probability and statistics.
| Location: Phoenix, AZ |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $640 per credit |
Florida Atlantic University’s MBA of sports management program has been ranked as one of the best in the world, and its alumni have gone on to work for some of the biggest sports teams and sports media networks across the globe. The core curriculum contains courses such as financial accounting; the global environment of management; advanced analysis of accounting data; marketing management in a global environment; management of information systems and technology; operations management; and global management strategy and policy.
The sports management concentration covers topics such as managing the sports enterprise; sports law; sports marketing; financial aspects of sports management; and sports business analytics. Students take another elective in either management and administration of intercollegiate athletics, or management of sport, entertainment, and convention venues. The program consists of 40 to 43 credits and may be completed entirely online. GMAT or GRE scores are requested but may be waived in consideration of relevant work experience.
| Location: Boca Raton, FL |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $800 per credit |
Florida International University’s Graduate School of Business offers a professional online MBA with a specialization in sports management in partnership with Real Madrid Graduate School — Universidad Europea (EURM UE). Bringing renowned sports executives and leaders, top faculty members from across the globe, and the expertise from Real Madrid C.F., one of the best sports clubs in the world, this exceptional program prepares students to responsibly and successfully manage institutions in fast-changing environments worldwide.
Interestingly, students in this program will also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of traveling to Madrid, Spain during their optional White Week program residency and experiencing the day-to-day operations at the club.
With nine courses from Florida International University and five courses from EURM UE, students will cover all aspects of business: marketing, finance, management, communications, entrepreneurship, human resources, analytics, competitive strategy, operations, and information systems.
The curriculum includes courses such as marketing and communications; managerial skills and human resources; entrepreneurship and sports for development; sports facility operation; business law for entrepreneurs; strategic management; management of information systems; and international business.
| Location: Miami, FL |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: A17 to 24 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $42,000 total |
Selected as one of Apple’s Distinguished Schools for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, the curriculum of Lynn University’s online MBA is designed to give students global managerial and decision-making skills that can position them for leadership roles in a multinational environment. The university offers two options for students to earn their degree. A standard online MBA (12 to 24 months) and a 10-month online MBA. The sports management concentration is offered only in the standard online MBA program.
The core curriculum comprises foundation courses in business modeling; managerial accounting; financial management; operations management; a graduate orientation seminar; and a strategic management seminar.
The sports management specialization includes classes in the management of sports business; issues in intercollegiate and professional sports; legal aspects of athletics; sports marketing and public relations; and current topics in sports management.
Students will round out their education with elective courses from other specializations like international business, human resources, and media management. The program totals 37 credits and may be completed entirely online. No GMAT or GRE scores are required to apply.
| Location: Boca Raton, FL |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (12 months); part-time (24 months) |
| Estimated Tuition: $750 per credit |
Saint Leo University’s online MBA in sports business offers a diverse student body and an ethically-focused Catholic faculty.
Students will take MBA core classes in management essentials; professional development; human capital for organizational performance; managerial economics; financial and managerial accounting; and global business management, and pair these with courses in sports marketing; financial aspects of sport; facility planning and management in sport; and risk management and legal concepts in sport. The program consists of 36 credits and may be completed entirely online.
The school encourages applicants to submit GMAT scores, but this requirement may be waived considering other factors such as work experience, GPA, motivation, and leadership qualities.
| Location: Saint Leo, FL |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $820 per credit |
Shorter University’s Robert H. Ledbetter College of Business offers an online accelerated master of business administration (MBA) program that offers students a competitive edge and an executive education helping them stand out in today’s business landscape. Graduates receive a Christ-centered educational experience in which professors help students through personal experience, networking opportunities, and knowledge, allowing them to become successful in their career paths and as stewards of the world.
The concentration in sport management in Shorter University’s online MBA program is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). This 30 to 33-credit program features coursework in sports operations & event management; sports marketing; leadership & administration of sports; risk management in sport; business of sport; managerial economics; business analytics & research methods; and legal & ethical environment of business.
| Location: Rome, GA |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $551 per credit |
Tiffin University’s online MBA in sports management features a 200-hour mentorship program that gives students practical experience with sports franchises, athletic departments, and agencies that have links to the university. This professional program will equip students with the real-world skills, experience, and knowledge they need to succeed in this dynamic industry. Focusing on the whole sport and team from a business perspective, this online concentration prepares students for management roles in various sports and recreation settings.
The core curriculum of the online MBA program includes courses such as managerial finance; managerial business foundations; managerial economics, fundamentals of quantitative business; quantitative business analysis and research; global & transnational management; strategic management; and legal and ethical issues in management.
For the sports management specialization, students take classes on communication and fundraising in sports; business strategies in sports; personnel management in sports; and sports mentorship. The program consists of 36 credits and may be completed entirely online. No GMAT or GRE scores are required to apply.
| Location: Tiffin, OH |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 30 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $700 per credit |
One of the top-ranked online MBAs in the nation, the program at UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management provides graduates with a comprehensive knowledge base and a network of over 3,500 alumni currently working in the industry. Students take 11 core classes in strategic information management; business law; operations management; financial and managerial accounting; corporate finance; economic analysis for managers; statistics for business; marketing strategy; and leadership and organizational behavior.
The sports management focus offers electives in sports analytics; applied sports market research; consumer sales strategy in sports context; and digital media in sports. Depending on their academic background, some students may be required to take foundational classes in accounting and finance. The program consists of 45 credits and can be completed online, with optional campus visits. A GMAT or GRE waiver is available for those who qualify.
| Location: Amherst, MA |
| Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $925 per credit |
Professors to Know in Online MBA in Sports Management Programs
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Dr. Janet S. Fink - University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dr. Janet S. Fink is the department chair of sports management at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Business, where she is also a professor. She received her MS in higher education and student affairs in 1994, and her PhD in sport management in 1997, both from Ohio State University. She also completed her BA in physical education from the same university. At UMass Amherst, Dr. Fink teaches sports consumer behavior, marketing, and law classes.
A prolific researcher and academic author interested in topics such as diversity issues and consumer behavior in sports, Dr. Fink has been academically cited over 2,000 times in the last five years alone. She received the Ohio State University Distinguished Teaching Award in 2007 and was a distinguished lecturer at the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota in 2012.
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Dr. Rick A. Goeb - Tiffin University
A former NCAA national champion wrestler, Dr. Rick A. Goeb is currently an associate professor of sports management at Tiffin University. He received his PhD in educational leadership and administration from the University of North Dakota in 1997. His teaching philosophy centers on connecting students with the community to find marketing and event management opportunities that create win-win scenarios for both parties. In a previous role, as director of athletics at Bemidji State University, he successfully fundraised for a new $65 million sports facility, and, through the implementation of specialized priority, club, and suite seating, he raised its revenues by over 700 percent. Dr. Goeb is a recipient of the Herb Brooks Outstanding Service Award.
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Dr. Jim Riordan - Florida Atlantic University
Dr. Jim Riordan is the director of the MBA in sports management program at Florida Atlantic University, a program he himself initiated. He received his PhD in educational leadership and higher education in 2009. Dr. Riordan served as director of training and quality control for the New York Mets in 1994, while also assisting in the management of Shea Stadium. With extensive experience in planning and implementing crowd management operations, Dr. Riordan has helped orchestrate some of the largest spectacle events on the planet, from a Live Aid benefit concert; to the Stanley Cup Finals; to official public visits by Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, and Pope John Paul II. He serves as an expert commentator on sports, stadium, arena, and crowd management issues for major media outlets across the United States.
