Sports management programs are offered by some colleges in conjunction with their business schools.
While many colleges and universities have developed majors and studies in sports management, only a few offer a more specialized sports marketing program. Other colleges may allow you to customize your own course of study by combining business, marketing and sports management courses.
Indiana University
Since 1985, Indiana University has been offering a sport marketing and management degree within its department of kinesiology. Classes include courses from the university's Kelley School of Business plus an internship program. Guest lecturers have come from the university's own athletic department, the Indianapolis Colts, the New England Patriots, ESPN, and broadcasters Dick Enberg and Joe Buck.
University of Oregon
The University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business houses the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center (WSMC), billed as the first sports business program, offering a combination of classroom instruction and real-world experiences. Undergraduate and graduate courses are offered, leading to an MBA supplemented by sports business courses. According to WSMC, graduates have utilized their sports marketing and business backgrounds to enter professional organizations such as Adidas, the NBA, Nike, Octagon and Visa.
Other Schools
The University of Florida offers a specialized dual-degree program where students can earn a BS and a masters in sport management in five years through its department of tourism, recreation and sport management. Barry University also offers a dual-masters program with an MBA as well as a sport management degree. Other sports management and sports marketing concentrations can be found at the University of Nebraska/Lincoln, Wharton, University of Buffalo/SUNY, Ithaca College, Bowling Green State University, Baylor University, Towson University in Maryland. the University of Michigan, North Carolina State University and Georgia Southern.
Considerations
Fields such as sports management and sports marketing are highly competitive and rely on networking, building connections and real-world experiences to promote one's career. When looking at undergraduate or graduate schools for sports marketing, ask about their relations with alumni who have successfully entered the field, the development of their internship programs and their connections with local or professional athletic teams.
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