Overview of Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree Program in Sports Business
Majors Overview November 7, 2017This article talks about Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree program in Sports Business and their education requirements, coursework, career options, job and wage outlook, and continuing education options.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programs in Sports Business
Students enrolled in an MBA in Sports Business program are trained to seek careers not only in any commercial sports field of employment, but also in many non-sport industries, such as parks and recreation or tourism. The focus of some programs may be on international sports business, and enrolled students may be allowed to complete field experiences abroad, during which they can assume business consultants’ roles in athletic organizations worldwide.
Students typically need about two years to complete MBA programs; in some instances, they may be able to complete it within 18 months. Schools offering Sports Business MBA programs usually collaborate with the university’s athletics division in providing practical training for students, and some schools even form affiliations with professional sports teams. Internship opportunities with these organizations may be available to students who perform well in the MBA program.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree satisfying a GPA standard of 3.0. In addition, submitting GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) score reports, letters of recommendation, a written personal statement essay, and a professional resume.
Coursework
The focus of program coursework is on quantitative studies such as finance, statistics, and accounting. Coursework features a combination of consulting projects, case studies, debate and discussion, and guest lecturers including managers of professional athletic clubs and sports agents. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Sports law
•Sports marketing and promotion
•Sports economics
•Statistical analysis for sports
•Organizational behavior
•Financial analysis
•Athlete negotiations
•Managerial accounting
•Team sports management
•Technology in sports business
Career Options
Program graduates can seek positions in sports industries such as collegiate, international and Olympic athletics; they may also seek jobs in gyms and fitness centers, the tourism industry, recreation centers, and resorts. This degree may also prove helpful for professionals to pursue career advancement in other fields such as:
•Coaching
•Sports Writing
•Broadcasting
•Refereeing
•Marketing
Job and Wage Outlook
Business managers and agents for athletes (as well as artists and performers) are expected to see an average job growth over the 2016 – 2026 decade. In May 2016, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $86,560. Coaches and scouts are expected to see a faster-than-average job growth exceeding 13% over the 2016 – 2026 decade. In May 2016, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $31,460 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Continuing Education Options
An MBA is usually considered the terminal degree for a career in business. Program graduates may pursue continuing education through a Ph.D. in Sports Management to examine sports management from a more academic perspective. A university’s department of kinesiology or business schools may offer these programs. Graduates from the doctoral program may not seek careers as sports business consultants or sports managers, but instead may pursue positions such as those of future researchers, scholars, and professors of sports management.