A group of fans cheer at a sports game.

Sport Business Management

Sport Business Management Program Overview

Manhattanville University’s Master of Science (MS) in Sport Business Management degree program is designed to give ambitious professionals the knowledge, experience, and networking opportunities required to assume challenging, high-level roles in the sports industry.

Learn pertinent business management skills and industry-specific knowledge in small classes at your own pace. This 36-credit, 18-month master’s degree in sports management is offered year-round with flexible weekday evening and summer courses on campus in Purchase, New York.

 

Flexible and Affordable Sports Administration Training in New York 

The MS in Sport Business Management degree program at Manhattanville is ideal for students with backgrounds in athletics (even former players) and current professionals looking to begin or grow their careers in the sports industry. Your classmates will be current sports administrators, recent college graduates, career changers, and sports fans to keep in your professional circle for life.

Through weekday evening classes and summer electives, students work in the classroom and travel to visit sports business workplaces and industry employers in New York City and the Tri-State Area, including Citi Field, YES Network, and ESPN.

Manhattanville’s master’s degree in sports business management program is the only fully accredited degree of its kind in the Westchester/Fairfield County, Connecticut area. 

 

Network With Sports Industry Leaders

You’ll visit the sports stadiums, venues, and media organizations. But at Manhattanville, well-connected industry leaders will also come to you.

Influential voices in sports business management, sports media, and athletic program direction will serve as your adjunct professors, visit as guest speakers, work closely with our expert College faculty to elevate the program with real-world connections, and become a vital part of your support system.

The master’s in sports management program’s board of advisors is made up of veterans of industry giants including ABC Sports, the New York Knicks, USA Boxing, CBS Sports, PGA Golf, and major professional sports leagues. Career connections of this caliber uniquely position our students to jumpstart exciting opportunities in this competitive field.

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As a student in the MS in Sport Business Management program, you’ll learn directly from the experts, in and out of the classroom.

Core courses prepare students for a variety of management-level roles and responsibilities, and flexible elective selections allow students to achieve a practical specialization in a specific type of sports discipline. In addition, the master’s degree curriculum includes seminars, panel discussions, career fair visits.


Requirements for the MS in Sport Business Management degree program include:

  • Seven core courses (21 credits)
  • Four elective courses (12 credits)
  • Capstone course (3 credits)

Review complete degree requirements for the MS in Sports Business Management.

 

Master’s in Sports Management Courses

The MS in Sports Business Management program’s core courses build a foundational understanding of business principles including finance, marketing, communications, and strategy, with a special focus and hands-on project experience in the world of sports management and administration.


Courses you may take include:

  • Economic and Financial Aspects of Sport Management
  • Sport Marketing
  • Legal and Ethical Considerations in Sports
  • Sport Business and Technology in the Global Market
  • Sport Media Content
  • Role of Agents in Sports
  • Strategic Negotiations in Sport
  • Special Topics in Baseball Analytics

 

Sports Industry Internship Opportunities

Our connected faculty, wide professional network, and the Center for Career Development’s internship resources have helped students find short- and long-term work with dream employers like the National Hockey League.

Explore internship opportunities at Manhattanville.

 

Capstone Project

Students complete their master’s in sports management program curriculum through a cumulative capstone research project. The capstone project topic is decided by the student’s research interests, whether it’s a study on eSports, global sports marketing, or traditional sports organization administrative practices.

Manhattanville also offers an advanced certificate in Sports Business Management. This four-course credential can be pursued as part of the master’s program or alone.


Review complete information about the advanced certificate in sport management.

Prepare for Advanced Sports Industry Careers

Manhattanville’s experiential master’s in sports management program facilitates career growth for sports industry professionals and opens opportunities for newcomers to the industry from different backgrounds. Graduates of the MS in Sport Business Management degree program have secured roles with top employers including:

  • Metropolitan Golf Association
  • Yankees
  • Mets
  • Rangers
  • Jets
  • Giants
  • Islanders
  • International Olympic Games
  • Financial Times

Meaningful networking and work experience are paramount to finding your path in the sports industry. You’ll be exposed to the latest technologies and key players in the sports industry to develop management practices that translate to the successful operation of sports organizations, venues or facilities, athletic programs, and other vital segments of this $500 billion industry.

 

Master’s in Sports Management Career Opportunities

A master’s degree in business strengthened by targeted sports knowledge opens opportunities to enter or grow your career to the highest levels, from executive and director positions to becoming an independent entrepreneur.

Demonstrating your dedication to the field with graduate-level training helps newcomers gain higher salaries for entry-level roles and positions sports professionals to take the next step in their career path.

Careers you may pursue with a sports management master’s degree include:

  • Business Analyst
  • Sports Analyst
  • Sports Program Administrator
  • Corporate Sponsorship Director
  • Coach or Head Coach
  • General Manager
  • Sports Agent
  • Sports Marketer
  • Sports Organization Executive
  • Athletic Director

Picture yourself working in sports venues, athletic associations, agencies, leagues, teams, networks, associations, or franchises. You may work for your favorite sports team, sell the facility the training equipment it needs, or take charge of viral sports marketing campaigns through traditional or social media mediums.\

From participating in sports to watching them, this industry has expanded worldwide and has no signs of slowing down, making it an excellent career path to pursue or pivot to. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of entertainment and sports professionals will grow at a rate of 13% from 2021-2031, a rate higher than the average across all occupations.

 

The master’s in sports business management degree program is supported by an advisory board composed of prominent practitioners in the sport management field and sports-related education and research. Members of the board provide insight and advice to keep the program relevant in an ever-changing sports and business environment.

  • Art Berke, Sports Illustrated, MLB, ABC Sports
  • Kevin Hallinan, Senior Vice President, Major League Baseball (Retired)
  • Rich Ensor, Esq., Commissioner, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
  • Joe Favorito, Former VP NY Knicks
  • Jim Millman, Millsport Founder CEO USA Boxing
  • Rod Mergardt, MAXPREPS, Professor and former Athletics Director
  • Barry Hyde, Chief Marketing Officer United States Golf Association
  • Mitch Hoffman, President & CEO Bobby Valentine Sports Academy
  • Dr. Annie Clement, Professor, Author, Researcher, Attorney, and Academic Leader
  • Albie Collins, Retired Executive/Tennis Coach and Ivy League Tennis Legend
  • Dr. Bernie Kish, Director of Facilities/Lecturer, University of Kansas School of Education, Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science
  • Mark Piazza, Senior Vice President, Sports Team Operations, Madison Square Garden
  • Rick Walls, Executive Director Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Jerry Cifarelli, President ANC Sports
  • John Samerjan, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority
  • Robert A. Correa, Senior Vice President, Programming CBS Sports
  • Tom McGovern, U.S. Director of Sports Media OMD, OmnicomMedia Group
  • Mark Jeffers, President, MARSAR Consulting
  • Shaun May, Director of Public Relations, Brotman, Winter, Fried Communications
  • Jon Goldman, Managing Partner at Reaching Our Goal
  • Nik Kumar, Chief Revenue Officer, Lions Sport Marketing ​

The growing network of companies whose employees are involved in MS in Sport Business Management degree program development includes the NFL, ESPN, Sports Business Daily, the United States Tennis Association, Sports Agent University, Future Sports Business Executives, and more.

 

Graduate Admission Requirements

You may apply for admission to the MS in Sport Business Management degree program to start in the spring, summer, or fall term.

Requirements for your graduate application include:

  • Online application
  • 500-750 word personal essay
  • Resume
  • Undergraduate transcripts
  • Two letters of academic or professional recommendation
  • $75 application fee
  • Health records

This program admission is test-optional, you may submit GRE, GMAT, SAT, or ACT scores if you would like us to consider them. For any questions regarding the graduate application or submission materials, please contact a member of the admissions team.

Learn more about application components and how to apply to Manhattanville’s graduate programs.

 

Learn More

 

Apply to the MS in Sport Business Management Program at Manhattanville

The Master of Science (MS) in Sport Business Management degree program at Manhattanville shapes the next wave of sports business leaders and executives, providing them with the professional network and strategic edge they need to make their dreams happen.

Ready to get started? Begin your sports business master’s application today.

Contact Us

  • School of Arts and Sciences

    Dave Torromeo

    Program Director
    Sport Business Management