Online MBA: Sports Business Emphasis
Online MBA: Sports Business Emphasis
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Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
GCU is an institutionally accredited, private university that prioritizes the quality of our instruction and curriculum. Additionally, the Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The Colangelo College of Business shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
This degree allows you to blend keen business acumen with a passion for sports. During your sports management courses, you will explore key concepts in management and operations, as well as examine sales, marketing, finance and revenue generation through the lens of the sports industry. There is an emphasis on the values of servant leadership. As a Christian university, the GCU community embraces ethical decision-making for the greater social good.
As you consider your desired career pathway and your options for furthering your education, some questions may arise. GCU has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers to help your decision-making process.
The sports management field covers a wide range of topics, so it’s best to try and narrow down what you’d like to do post-graduation. An MBA with a sports business emphasis often takes a broad, holistic approach to the daily operations and overall vision of a sports business.5 In contrast, a sports management business degree takes a multidisciplinary approach, bringing in a number of specialties that can pertain to sports business.5 This may include topics like sociology and human performance, as well as leadership and even kinesiology. An MBA with a sports management emphasis may include building-block topics like finance, marketing, accounting, statistics and human resources directly related to sports.5
A sports business MBA emphasis can prepare you to pursue a career as a top executive. As of May 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for top executives to increase by about 3% from 2022 to 2032, accounting for an estimated increase of 124,200 jobs in the field.4 An MBA with a sports business emphasis may be well worth the investment for those equally involved in sports and business, as it can offer a great deal of leadership strategy and franchise management.
Sports management courses explore a wide range of topics — from leadership and organizational science to strategic management to sports business analytics. It’s possible you may find the coursework challenging at times, but these challenges can present opportunities for academic, professional and personal growth. In addition, you’ll be able to network with peers who are potentially in the sports industry (and those aspiring to transition to the sports industry). You’ll also be able to hear from a diverse range of perspectives amongst your fellow learners and instructors.
A sports business emphasis program shares many similarities with a sports management MBA, but there are some key differences to be aware of. A sports business degree focuses on business and economic issues, such as accounting, finance, marketing, management and entrepreneurship. In contrast, a sports management degree emphasizes the management or operations of sporting events. Students may focus on areas such as sports marketing and communications.6
Some of the sports careers that may be related to this degree include the following:
While working toward your sports business MBA emphasis, you will explore a number of current issues in sports management. Examine digital technologies, like social media platforms and how they are applied to the global business environment. Explore emerging trends in analytics, revenue generation, marketing and sports business sales.
Core Competencies
Candidates in this emphasis program will study core competencies that are essential in the business of sports and may be transferrable to other industries. Organizations may value job applicants who have demonstrated that they possess the drive and perseverance necessary to complete an MBA program. Critical thinking, ethical decision-making and problem-solving are all skills that are valuable in any industry.2
Other learning objectives include:
Maximizing value for brands, rights holders, media and agencies
Managerial accounting concepts like internal reporting, cost systems and performance evaluation
Market environmental analysis, marketing planning and pricing strategy
Sports management is a dynamic career field that offers high-level opportunities for MBA graduates. Upon graduation with an MBA, you may be able to pursue positions working for professional sports organizations, athletic representation agencies, sporting goods manufacturers, sports or fitness start-ups and scholastic/amateur sports teams or organizations.3
Estimated number of new jobs for top executives from May 2022 through 20324
Pursue your passion for sports and further your career in business. Apply today for enrollment in GCU’s sports business MBA online.
The business of sports has enjoyed substantial growth. The global sports industry is a multi-billion-dollar giant that encompasses events, sporting goods, merchandising and more.1 This industry can offer many opportunities for future business leaders who hold a sports business MBA. The Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University offers the Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Sports Business to support professionals who wish to specialize in sports management.
1 Research and Markets (2023, May 3). Global Sports Market Forecast To 2032: Sector Is Expected To Reach $623.63 Billion in 2027 At A CAGR Of 5%. GlobeNewswire. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2023.
2 Herrity, J. (2023, March 1). Transferrable Skills: 10 Skills That Work Across Industries. Indeed. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2023.
3 MBA Central. (n.d.). What Can I Do With A Sports Management MBA? Retrieved Nov. 20, 2023.
4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Top Executives, retrieved on Nov. 20, 2023.
5 Sports Management Degree Hub (n.d.). Differences Between Sports Management MBAs And Master’s. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2023.
6 Indeed. (2022, June 24). 9 Differences Between Business And Sports Management Degrees. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2023.
Discover additional MBA emphasis options that can help you find the right path for your academic and career aspirations.
To accommodate your needs as a working professional, you can earn a sports business MBA online using GCU’s intuitive e-learning platform. Within this online classroom environment, you have the opportunity to participate in stimulating academic discussions with instructors and peers and enjoy building your professional network. Our online program offers the same quality of education as our on-campus programs. Most online sports business courses are eight weeks in length.
Participate in engaging peer discussions and benefit from exposure to a diverse range of perspectives and viewpoints. Explore the theories and current research regarding the business of sports under the guidance of leading experts in their fields.
You will study core concepts in sports management courses such as:
