Online MBA: Sports Business Emphasis

woman sports management posing by field
Start your GCU
journey today.
Step 1: Educational Interests
This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process.
Find Your Purpose
Start your GCU journey today.
Request Info
Overview

Specialize Your Business Studies in Sports Management

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. 

Two sports business professionals talking strategy in a basketball gym.
Master of Business Administration
Why GCU

Earn Your MBA: Sports Business Emphasis From GCU

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. 

Choose Online Sports Business Courses

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. 


This Degree Is Offered Online

A male sports business manager working in the office on a laptop.
Coursework

Sports Business Courses Taught in This MBA Program

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:

  • The science of organizational behavior and key concepts in leadership
  • The principles and strategies for generating revenue in the sports industry
  • Business analytics for the sports industry
  • Marketing processes, research and innovation

Sports Management Skills and Learning Objectives

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

View All MBA Programs

Discover additional MBA emphasis options that can help you find the right path for your academic and career aspirations.

Careers

Career Paths for MBA: Sports Business Emphasis Graduates

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

124,200

Estimated number of new jobs for top executives from May 2022 through 20324

Career Opportunities

Some of the sports careers that may be related to this degree include the following:

  • Chief executive
  • General and operations manager
  • Sales manager
  • Administrative services manager
  • Compensation and benefits manager
  • Human resources specialist or manager
  • Training and development manager
  • Entertainment and recreation manager (except gambling)
  • Social and community service manager
  • Personal service manager
  • Cost estimator
  • Logistician
  • Project management specialist
  • Management analyst
  • Business operations specialist
Accreditation

Complete Your MBA at an Accredited University

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. 

FAQ

MBA: Sports Business Emphasis FAQs

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.

male smiling posing blue suit

Start Your Journey Today

Pursue your passion for sports and further your career in business. Apply today for enrollment in GCU’s sports business MBA online.

Apply Now

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.

We're here to help.

I'm Ready to ApplyI Need More Information