Last Updated on January 21, 2025

Why Should You Consider An Online MBA in Sports Management?

There are more jobs in the sports industry now than ever before. That said, competition for the top jobs is fierce. Major sports and media organizations can afford to be very choosy when it comes to who they grant an interview. It only makes sense, then, that an online MBA in sports management puts you head and shoulders abovethe competition.

In this guide…
What is an Online MBA in Sports Management?
What courses make up an Online MBA in Sports Management?
Sports Management MBA Graduation Requirements
Online MBA in Sports Management FAQs
Online MBA Program Listings

If you’re looking for a great job without an advanced degree, you’ll need a personal connection within your target company. Even then, without the credentials, your chances at even getting an interview are often slim. That’s because without inside help or an advanced degree, you’ll likely be automatically passed over by HR software. What’s more, for the resume they do look ait, hiring managers typically spend about 6 seconds scanning each resume. And if that’s not discouraging enough, studies have shown that under 15% of hires are made from job board candidates!

You can bypass these challenges and take charge of the situation by earning an Online MBA in sports management. These accelerated MBA programs were specifically created for working professionals, and they are delivered fully online. By leveling-up with an Online MBA program, you will automatically rise to the top of any applicant pool. Your skills will add value to any organization, and once hired, you will be a prime candidate for a promotion. Additionally, the connections you make while in school will expand your professional network, leading to opportunities for years to come.

What is an Online MBA in Sports Management?

MBA stands for Master of Business Administration. An MBA is focused on the business essentials that will make you effective in a company or organization. An MBA with a Sports Management focus delivers an MBA education while providing important context about the business of sport. In essence, you get a widely applicable business degree complete with insights and nuance that your professors have decades of experience in the sports industry – the best of both worlds.

“With the creation of our new Sport Management MBA, we worked with some outside parties and  brought some [industry experts] together… Then we crafted classes around those major focus areas, knowing that the core MBA classes that they were going to take are going to provide that business background for them.”

Dr. Charles Campisi, Chair of Marketing and Sport Management, Baldwin Wallace University

You might want to earn your MBA in Sports Management because you feel additional skills and qualifications would help you reach the next level in your career. Or you might want to switch industries entirely. In that case, skills and a degree are essential for you to make the transition to a career in sports.

A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) can be applied to the management and operations of any industry. Graduates can expect to have a solid understanding of how businesses function, the nature of customer service, and the importance of communication and teamwork. An MBA will encompass coursework in finance, human resources, customer relationship management (CRM), and strategy. Since the MBA degree assures that you will be educated in all aspects of business, you can be confident that earning this degree will serve you well even if you decide to pursue a career outside of the sports industry.

An Online MBA Program offers Flexibility for Busy Professionals

An MBA in Sports Management is sure to open doors for you, and with more programs opening each year, it’s easy to find a program that works within your budget and schedule.

Because Online MBA programs are designed for working professionals, the amount of synchronous learning is limited. Some programs may meet occasionally on weekends, while others may meet on a set weekday evening. Other programs may feature coursework that is completely asynchronous, with ultimate flexibility.

While choosing a program, it is important to be honest with yourself about what hours you are prepared to commit to. Flexibility is great, but so is the opportunity to engage with fellow students as you learn new concepts and approaches together.

Since your cohort will be composed of like-minded people with different perspectives, there will be excellent opportunities to learn from your fellow students. Keep in mind that the more synchronous time you have with your professors and classmates, the deeper connections you will develop. Consider this schedule aspect carefully as you begin to narrow-down your options.

The technology used in course delivery these days ensures that you will always be able to re-watch lectures – and even discussions between classmates – so missed classes can be made-up at your convenience. Nevertheless, being a part of an engaging discussion is part of what makes learning so much fun.

What is the benefit for studying an MBA with a concentration in sports management?

A generation ago, a bachelor’s degree was enough to get a job with good benefits and maybe even a pension. However, things have changed over the last few decades. The percentage of students attending college has gone up dramatically, as has the percentage of jobs requiring a college degree. Even as a college graduate, it’s easy to find yourself in an unfulfilling job with minimal benefits in today’s world. With rising inflation and stagnant pay, many entry level jobs hardly pay enough to cover personal expenses.

This is where earning an Online MBA program could help you change the trajectory of your career. An Online MBA in sport management will allow you to continue with your job and be there for your family while setting yourself up for success in the sports industry. With virtually no travel time or travel expenses, the opportunity cost is virtually nonexistent. And as many programs are streamlined to be completed just twelve to eighteen months, you could be in a position to earn a promotion in no time.

Work hard, juggle your job, classwork, and life for a couple semesters and you’ll make it out the other side with a newly minted MBA and a leg up in the sports industry. What’s more, you can apply what you learn to your current job every day, and you may find your career taking off even before you finish the program!

Visit our Sports Management Graduate Program Guide for more about those degree programs.

An Online MBA prepares you for a success with a strong business foundation

Becoming a Master of Business Administration means that you will graduate with competencies based on the latest research and expertise in both industry and academia. You’ll have both a broad understanding of the dynamics that affect all businesses, sport business knowhow, and the ability to operate the organizational levers in departments as varied as people management, marketing, finance and accounting. 

From the 35,000 foot view to the nuts and bolts of operating a business, you will be prepared with an array of business skills. You’ll be speaking the language of the upper management in meetings and interview, and they are sure to notice. You will understand how sports teams and sports-related companies make money, how they grow, and the challenges they face. Should you reach the point where you’re ready to strike out on your own and start a business, you’ll be far better prepared with an MBA in Sports Management than you might otherwise be.

An Online MBA will broaden your perspective. By learning about partnerships and sponsorships, you will discover how sport touches on nearly every industry, and you will be much more open to jobs with companies eager to be involved in the sports industry. 

“I always use the example of Coca-Cola. I ask, ‘how many of you ever think of working for Coca-Cola with a Sport Management degree?’ And nobody says, ‘me’, but I always remind them that Coca-Cola is one of the largest sport sponsors on the planet.” 

Dr. Jaime Orejan, Limestone University

Visit our MBA in Sports Management Guide for more about on-campus programs.

Earning an Online MBA will provide you with a versatile skill set that can be used in any industry

Sports is a business, and an ultra-competitive one at that. As MIT-Sloan Professor Ben Shields contends, sports organizations have been on the forefront of data-driven decision making for many years. The business world is now playing catch-up to the lessons that sports organizations have learned,

“There are a variety of ways to gain a competitive edge… Better, more objective information is one of them, and sports organizations have proven adept at capitalizing on new sources of data and advanced analytics methods to out-think and out-perform their opponents both on and off the field.”

Dr. Ben Shields, MIT

For this reason, those who have been successful in the business of sports are well positioned to lead help other businesses. The same fundamentals are important in all businesses, so there is no need to worry about being pigeonholed by a sports-focused MBA. Should you ever leave the sports industry to pursue work in another field, your online MBA in sports management will have given you applicable skills and a resume that stands out. Your business expertise can make you an asset in any company. This means the sky’s the limit when it comes to your future, no matter where your path may lead.

What Courses make up an Online MBA in Sports Management?

Curricula vary from one university to the next, so compare carefully and find the one that best aligns with your goals. Your online MBA is likely to include some version of the following example classes:

• Accounting Concepts for Managers 
• Introduction to Economic Concepts for Managers 
• Financial Management
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing Management
• Managerial Decision Analysis
• Operations Management and Quality Enhancement
• Organizational Behavior and Leadership
• Social, Ethical, Legal Systems
• Communication Skills for Managers
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Data Analytics for Business
• Sport and Entertainment Marketing Strategy
• Sport and Entertainment Law
• Global Environment of Sport
• Sport Business Analytics
• Internship in Sport Management

Online MBA programs provide access to invaluable alumni networks and mentorship opportunities

Like all business communities, the sports industry is fueled by human relationships and connections. Equally important to the coursework in your Online MBA in sports management are the connections you will make while enrolled. Most professors have been in the sports industry for a long time. Their professional networks can open doors for you. Many of your classmates will find their way into exciting opportunities that they will share with you. Most universities have alumni associations and communities that are eager to help current students and recent graduates find their way. Making these connections makes all the difference when it comes to starting your career in sports management.

The mentorship provided by professors and alumni often lasts well after the completion of the program, and is incredibly valuable. The misconception that networking opportunities are limited in online MBA degree programs has been laid to rest. That’s because meeting tools like Zoom and Skype have made mentorship more accessible for everyone.

Online MBA programs offer plenty of opportunities to build your network. Be sure to take part in as many alumni events and activities as possible during your program. Join trade associations and volunteer, and remember that your classmates are a huge resource.

You’ll have a lot in common with others who chose the same online MBA in sports management program. As your classmates’ and professors’ fortunes rise in sports, so can yours. The advice, and collaboration between professors, students, and colleagues is a major benefit of enrolling in a graduate program.

I tell students I work with now, there’s an old saying, “it’s not what you know it’s who you know.” But I’ve put a different spin on that, “it’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.”

-Dr. Kevin McGinnis, Isenberg School of Business, UMass

How much does an Online MBA in sports management cost?

Online MBA in sport management degrees can cost anywhere from about $10,000 to $125,000 with many falling around the $30,000-$40,000 range.

Sticker shock in higher education is a common experience for students looking at institution community college to the ivy leagues. But before you close the door on the future you deserve, take some time to understand the benefits that you get for that cost. 

Return on Investment of an online Sports Management MBA

Online MBA programs offer some of the most bang for your buck of any education investment. Most students are able to continue to work a full-time job and spend zero dollars on transportation and logistics. Coursework is condensed to a level that can be completed in a year or so, so you’ll find yourself finished with the degree and able to pursue jobs with much higher earning potential very quickly after beginning your studies.

Factoring in the elevated earning power that comes with your online MBA in sport management, it’s probably going to be a net gain. Research indicates that an MBA can increase your earning potential upwards of $20,000 per year. At that rate, it won’t take long at all for you to recover the cost of even the highest priced online MBA in sports management. 

Finally, student loans, scholarships, grants, and even contributions from employers can offset the cost of your degree and spread out the payments so that you can easily manage them.

If you’re able to set a budget and stay within it, you have a great chance of being able to pay off your entire tuition and fees within a couple of years after completing your degree.

If you love sports, enjoy working with people, and have a real desire to elevate your business skills, an online MBA in sports management is a solid investment that will supercharge your career. Do your research, understand your professors’ qualifications, look at the coursework, and find the one that suits your interests. Your search for the perfect program begins right here!

Online MBA in Sports Management Programs Listed

Online MBA in Sports Management FAQs