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Sports Management Specialization

Your playbook for success in the sports industry

Learn how to manage, market, and promote sports teams and events with Marian’s Sports Management Specialization. 

Why you should choose the Sports Management Specialization

College graduates who can plan, manage, budget, market, and lead sports organizations are increasingly in demand. With a major in accounting, business analytics, finance, management, or marketing and a specialization in sports management, logistics and supply chain Management, you can more narrowly define your career interests/goals and be even more marketable upon graduation.  

  • With a Sports Management Specialization, you’ll have the option of completing an  additional internship in the sports field to gain a first-hand perspective about operations. 
  • Thanks to our Indianapolis location, you’ll have access to internships with sports franchises like the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Indians, Indiana Fever, Indy Eleven, and the Indy Fuel. You might work at locations like NCAA headquarters, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Lucas Oil Stadium, or Victory Field. And you might help plan and manage major sports events like the Big Ten and NCAA Final Four events, swimming and diving championships, or golf tournaments. 

What you’ll learn

Your coursework will include sports in relation to the corporate world as well as sports marketing and operations. You’ll learn the fundamentals of leadership and motivation in sports, how to plan and manage sponsorships, developing successful athletic events, and sports law.
 
To complete our 12-credit business in Sports Management, you’ll complete courses such as: 

Career paths in Sports Management

Whether it’s behind the scenes at a major league game or running events in your own community, the Sports Management Specialization gives you the tools to thrive wherever sports and business meet: 

  • College or university athletic departments 
  • Professional and amateur sports organizations 
  • Athletic facilities and venues 
  • Sports marketing and PR firms 
  • Media and broadcasting operations 
  • Sporting goods manufacturing, including retail and e-commerce operations 

Specific functional roles might include: 

  • Sponsorship and ticket sales director 
  • Facility manager 
  • Fan experience, loyalty, safety, security, or customer service director 
  • Data management, including sports analytics, statistics, and information 
  • Agent, business manager, talent scout, or coach 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in entertainment and sports occupations is projected to grow by 10 percent through 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing popularity of sports will drive this growth.