Careers in Sports

Everything You Need to Know About
Getting a Sport Business Degree

Working in the sports industry is a highly sought after career.
Those with the drive and grit to pursue their dreams can find success and gain a competitive edge in a desirable industry.

But It's Not Enough To Know The Sport  — You Need To Know The Business of Sport.

Neumann University offers a Master of Science in Sport Business for those seeking to specialize their skills with a sport business graduate degree.

Whether you have a background in business or whether you’re interested in making a career change in order to jumpstart your career in the sports industry, the Sport Business program at NU is meant for people of all levels of experience and interest in this niche professional landscape.

Ready to learn what you can do with a sport business degree? Let’s get started.

1

  

Specialized Business Degree

Not Your Average Business Degree:
What is Sport Business?

There are so many different types of business degrees, but sport business — sometimes called sports management or sports business management — is specifically designed to prepare professionals to secure a meaningful career in the sports sector of business.

A sport business or sports business management program covers several subjects of study, including but not limited to:

  • Business analytics
  • Organizational leadership
  • Marketing
  • Partnership activation
  • Digital media
  • Communications
  • Event management
  • Financial analysis
  • Revenue management

Armed with a sport business degree, you’ll learn about the numerous elements that go along with working with sports teams, sports networks, collegiate and high school athletic departments, sports marketing groups, and more. You’ll graduate with a diverse set of sought-after skills that will make you an indispensable asset to any organization in the sports industry.

Request More Information

2

  

sports careers

Competitive and Dynamic:
Why Should You Get a Sport Business Degree?

If you’re looking to break into the sports industry, you could choose from a variety of traditional business-related graduate programs, but only a graduate sport business degree will give you a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of the management of the sports industry.

In fact, a sport business program is similar to an MBA, but it’s specifically focused on the development of skills in the sport business field in a variety of areas, such as: 

Professional Sports

Collegiate athletics

Youth sports

High school athletics

Community-based sports

Brands and agencies

Esports

Equipped with a graduate sport business degree, you will enter the workforce with valuable knowledge and skills in analytics, leadership, marketing, legal and regulatory issues, events and facilities, revenue generation, financial management, and digital media and communication — making you a valuable asset to any athletic organization.

3

  

is it worth it?

Entry-Level and Beyond: Sport Business Jobs for Graduates with a Sport Business Master’s Degree

One of the most important elements of earning any master’s degree in sport business is the different careers in sports that will become available once you graduate and in the years to follow.

Here’s a brief list of careers in sports management and sport business:

Salary chart for careers in sports management and sport business

If you’re considering looking for more experience before pursuing these director and management positions, there are many entry-level positions offered for you during graduate school or right after you graduate.

Some examples for each position are also listed:

  • Social Media Coordinator — writing, editing, and public relations for sports teams, sports manufacturers, and sports networks

  • Marketing Coordinator — advertising/promoting, brand development, and research for athletic departments, online sports properties, and live event productions

  • Ticket Sales Account Executive — working with professional teams and select collegiate athletic departments to generate revenue through the sale of tickets
4
WHO YOU KNOW

Why is Networking in Sports So Important?

Network building takes time and effort, but building professional relationships while in school and while working in entry-level positions is crucial to landing the job you want in a sports-related field.

In other words, never expect someone to just offer you a job or an internship — internalize now that you must build professional relationships to advance in the workforce later.

Whether you’ve enrolled in a sport business graduate program or not, it’s never too early to start building your professional network. But are you wondering where and how to get involved in networking?

Let’s break down your options for networking in sports:

Professional Sports Organizations

Professional organizations are one of the best places to begin your search:

Digital Networking:

In a world of ever-changing technology, many interactions in our daily and professional lives are digitized, but this is good news! You won’t have much trouble obtaining connections online through various social networks. Be sure to utilize these tools and continue expanding your references and connections.

The professional networking site, LinkedIn, is one of the several low-cost ways of making connections and growing your personal brand. You can make your resume visible to business owners and even allow people to endorse you for certain skills.

Staying active on social media platforms like X/Twitter can help you stand out and appear knowledgeable and current. The more you vary the types of social media you use, the larger and more diverse your contact list will be.

Take Advantage of Existing Networks:

Sometimes existing connections from past jobs or classes are your best option since you already have a relationship with these people. The best practice in this case would be to stay in touch consistently. Even if you’re still months away from graduation, start your search early to get a feel for the hiring period and to make sure your networks are willing to help you.

5

  

sport business at NU

Flexible, Affordable, Accessible:
An Inside Look at Neumann University’s Sport Business Degree

Neumann University’s Master of Science in Sport Business was designed with input from over 50 industry professionals to prepare you for career growth in sport business roles such as sales, fundraising and development, facility and event management, social media and digital communication, marketing, partnerships, and activation.

Hear from two alumni on their experiences and diverse career paths after graduation. 

Alumni Spotlight


A portrait of a smiling person against a blue background.
quote-left-solid

Challenge Yourself To Be Prepared For The Business Of Sports By Faculty Who Have Professionally Been Where You Want To Go.

Dr. Julie D. Lanzillo
Program Director and Professor

Neumann University’s Sport Business courses are taught by faculty members in the field. By enrolling in Neumann’s program, you are entering the networks of many expert professionals — in turn, significantly expanding your network as well.

Whether you’ve just graduated from college with a business-related degree or whether you’ve been in the workforce for a few years in a field unrelated to sport business, Neumann University’s Sport Business program can teach you the sought-after skills needed to qualify you for a number of sports-related positions. Prior experience or not, anyone interested in pursuing this degree has an equal opportunity to develop the professional skills favored by sports organizations.

Sports Business
Program Features
Learning Outcomes

Get On-the-Ground Experience — Learning With and From Sports Industry Experts at Neumann University

Students at Neumann University can work directly with faculty and the program director to begin securing a sports internship, a volunteer position, or even a sport business job while they earn the degree. The program director is dedicated to helping students create their brand and build relationships with organizations in the sport industry, starting on day one of the program.

Below are just a few of the organizations in which our graduates have received internships or jobs:

  • phillies
  • pbt
  • philadelphia flyers
  • phila-union
  • 76ers
  • eagles
  • hb-sports
  • nxt
  • aramark
  • hendrix
  • bet365
  • lincoln-financial
  • perfect game
  • heyday athletic
  • united sports
  • Rush Street Interactive
  • main line mayhem
  • wharton
  • iceworks
  • whitemarsh parks rec

Sport Business Degree Course Examples

This is not your average business administration program, as all of the required courses are related to sports. Some of these courses include:





Students should note that the Sport Business program at Neumann no longer requires an internship for completion. Rather, the 30-credit hour graduate degree includes a capstone project as the final “course.” 

Three options for the capstone are available to you:

  • Thesis Project: You’ll work with an academic advisor to research, submit, and defend a thesis in front of a panel that includes the program director.

  • Consulting Project: You’ll work with an industry partner in the sport business industry to develop a solution to a challenge faced by the organization and present the data to a panel that includes the program director.

  • Immersion Experience: You’ll work a minimum of 275 hours within a sports organization, taking on various projects and completing writing assignments. This is for students looking for field experience prior to graduation.

asterisk1_layer

Neumann strongly encourages the immersion experience for students interested in developing hands-on experience in their desired profession.


You will have the opportunity to work with professionals in a sport business organization with the help of NU's Faculty. A capstone experience and internships are a great way to build your networks and relationships to secure a job in the industry. 

6

 

Connect with Us

Take the Next Step: Explore Neumann University

graduate students walking campus

You have a valuable opportunity at your fingertips — Neumann University’s Master of Science in Sport Business could be the avenue through which you develop the skills needed to land a successful career in sports. 

At Neumann University, we value the ambitious, focused, and compassionate professionals who make up our community. Driven by a culture of inclusivity and innovation, we are committed to preparing you to reach your full potential. 

You have the valuable opportunity to enroll in a flexible, affordable sport business program and get a master's degree that will serve as a launching pad for your dream career — get started today.

Connect with us at Neumann University!

We're Here to Help

Request More Information