An MBA in Sports Management is an emerging MBA specialisation that lets you explore the sports industry from the perspective of a business professional. You will be introduced to the dynamics of running a sports organisation successfully, cohesive management of players, staff, coaches and other management professionals, cost, income and revenue, deals, agreements and contracts, sports business analytics and so on. As a Sports Management professional, you will be at the helm of developing and moulding the present and future of a sports organisation. If you are looking to pursue an MBA in Sports Management abroad, read on to know more.
MBA in Sports Management: Growth & Potential
Here are certain points that make the MBA in Sports Management program stand out.
- Development of Sports: With the evolution of franchise sports and the internet, the sports industry has seen massive growth in terms of financials as well as worldwide appreciation. Sports businesses have grown, social media presence has exponentially multiplied and the growth of sports in different developing countries such as India is being seen as the next big thing.
- Opportunities in Sports Leagues: Leagues such as the Premier League, NFL, IPL, ISL and other such sports leagues are redefining the nature of both sports and sports industry as a product. This has led to increased demand for professionals who have a grasp over different verticals of sports management like event management, security, sustainability, competition, collaboration with other leagues locally and internationally and so on.
- Sports and Fitness: Organisations in the business of sports have now started focusing on fitness and well-being as never before. This has led to growth in unique parallel fields of sports psychology, physiotherapy, sports motivation and team-building, personal athlete training, scouting and development etc. Jobs within sports teams and their importance to overall team performance is continuously being recognized.
- The Other Side of Sport: Management: Going to the business side, sports management has witnessed the inclusion of aspects of marketing, both offline and digital, and merchandising, legal rigour, negotiation and liaising on player/organisation contracts and deals, sponsorships, liaising with administration, management of personnel, coaching staff, hiring and managing of athletes and most significant of all, ensuring the swift working of the organisation.
- An Expert Professional: As a management professional working in the sports industry, you will be expected to face and tackle complex situations at it is a highly sensitive, dynamic and high-pressure environment. Such challenging circumstances help you in progressing towards executive-level jobs, better compensation, opportunities in other industries and much more.
- Switch Ability: Pursuing an MBA in Sports Management abroad or in India gives you a unique advantage: it lets you switch to different disciplines of economics, Human Resources, Consulting, Analytics, Finance & Accounting, Supply Chain Management and like.
- Networking: Being in an environment of top-level directors and management professionals, you will be in close contact with the actual wheels behind any league/company/organisation. This will give you ample opportunities of networking and making your abilities be appreciated. As is the common saying, your network is your net worth.
MBA in Sports Management Abroad
If you are looking to pursue an MBA in Sports Management abroad, you must have a look at some of the most important details as given below. As a course, it is a specialised professional degree with a focus on the business management aspect. There are numerous options of part-time, full-time executive and distance courses as well. Further, you can pursue MBA in Sports Management in UK, MBA in Sports Management in Europe and MBA in Sports Management in Canada, amongst others.
| Course | MBA in Sports Management OR MBA in Sports Policy OR MBA in Sports Management and Development AND MSc Sports Management |
| Categories | Full-Time, Executive, Part-Time, Distance, Dual Degrees, etc. |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 2 year [1-year courses also available] |
| Minimum Qualification Required | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Admission Procedure | University-based Application [Individual-based] |
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MBA in Sports Management Best Colleges in World
Here are certain universities that you might want to take into consideration if you wish to work in the sports management industry. There are different options for an MBA in Sports Management in the UK.
MBA in Sports Management in Europe and MBA in Sports Management in Canada, amongst others.
| Course | University | City | Country |
| MBA-Sports Management | EU Business School | Barcelona | Spain |
| MSc in Sports Management | University of Texas Austin | Texas | USA |
| MBA [Management Technology and Innovation]-Sports Business | Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University | Toronto | Canada |
| MBA Sports Management | EU Business School | Montreux | Switzerland |
| MSc in Sports Management | Columbia University | New York | USA |
| MBA Sports Management | Chifley Business School | Adelaide | Australia |
| MBA in Sports Management | EU Business School | Geneva | Switzerland |
| MBA in Sports Management | Universitat Bayreuth | Bayreuth | Germany |
| MBA in Sports Event Security Management [Part Time & Distance] | The University of Southern Mississippi | Mississippi | USA |
Other universities that you can check are the University of Oregon, USA, University of Salford, UK, University of Liverpool, UK and Florida Atlantic University, USA, amongst others. Hubs like Boston, New York, Barcelona and Scotland provide an additional advantage owing to their world-famous sports leagues along with unique sports culture and ambience.
MBA in Sports Management vs MS/MSc Sports Management
A common question that candidates face while applying is whether to pursue an MBA in Sports Management or an MS/MSc in Sports Management. The major difference between the two is that while the former is more business-oriented, the latter is more knowledge-based. In an MS/MSc, you will like into it as an academic, analysing its features, trends, history. In an MBA program, you will see the discipline as a management professional who aims to work in the industry.
MBA in Sports Management: Course Structure & Syllabus
At some of the MBA in Sports Management best colleges in the world, you can expect to find the following course structure. As this is only exemplary, the actual course outline may change from country to country, that is, MBA in Sports Management in Canada, MBA in Sports Management in UK and MBA in Sports Management in Europe. The subjects may vary according to full-time, part-time, executive and distance degrees.
| Introduction to Sports Management | Sports Programming | Financial Management | Principles of Sport Performance |
| Risk Management | Customer Service Excellence | Sports Event Management | Quality Management |
| Sports Marketing | League & Tournament Management | Sports Tourism | Leadership Skills |
| Public & Media Relations | Sports Sponsorship & Fundraising | Ethics, Conflicts & Trends in Sports | Sports Research Methods |
| Research Project | Sports Industry Placements | Entrepreneurship | Sporting Goods Administration |
The course comprises a blend of theoretical and practical courses. Classroom sessions will involve case studies, seminars and workshops. Projects and industrial placements will also be a part of the structure.
MBA in Sports Management: Eligibility
To apply at any of the above universities, there are certain elementary guidelines you must take note of, some of which have been pointed out below. The below-mentioned conditions can change with respect to the university, location, course structure and objectives.
- Equivalent qualifying degree in any discipline, for instance, a ‘Bachelors of Arts in Economics’. This can be business-related or humanities-based.
- Minimum marks in the qualifying degree as per university stipulations.
- A usual prevalent eligibility condition for an MBA in Sports Management is to possess around 1-3 years of relevant industry experience. Refer to university recommendations.
- GRE/GMAT test scores, if required. Typically, for an MBA degree, the GMAT is highly recommended though GRE is also acceptable at many universities.
- Indian applicants are typically asked to submit IELTS/TOEFL/PTE exam scores as evidence of their English speaking proficiency. Obtaining an over 7 band score is usually enough to be considered.
MBA in Sports Management: Application
The admissions cycle in foreign universities typically begin in September/October and ends in February/March of the subsequent year.
- Follow the basic eligibility requirements [Equivalent qualifying degree, relevant industry experience, etc. as required]
- Submit GMAT/GRE along with IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores [as required].
- Application Proposal Set [Passport, Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement, Two/Three letters of Recommendation, College Transcripts, Experience Letter (if required), Financial Support Statement/Funding Essay (if applying for scholarships/funding), etc.] Arrange all the materials well in time to send it before the deadline.
- Pay the requisite Application Fee.
- Appear for Personal Interview/Group Discussion/Writing Task [if required]
- The application will be confirmed, waitlisted or rejected usually within 2-3 months of applying.
- Deposit the required Tuition Fees.
- Begin Student Visa Application.
MBA in Sports Management Salary in India & Abroad
India is not untouched when it comes to the growth experienced by global enterprises in the sports industry. There has been an extraordinary development of home-grown sports, restructuring of pathways for youths, the establishment of football as an emerging consumer product, endorsements, and sponsorships, amongst others. In this regard, the scope of MBA in Sports Management abroad and in India is missing. While at the start, your MBA in Sports Management Salary in India can be anywhere between 5-8 LPA it can grow exponentially once you gain a bit of experience. In the global market, the MBA in Sports Management salary range of an experienced sports management professional can lie between $59,410 to $129,380 per annum at the top level.
MBA in Sports Management Job Profiles
Here are some of the job paths that are commonly taken by MBA in Sports Management graduates. Candidates are required to possess exceptional problem solving, critical analysis and brainstorming skills. Further, strong communication skills, both verbal and written, teamwork, adaptation, organizational and forward-thinking abilities are also highly valued.
- Sports Administrator
- Technical Director
- Marketing Manager
- Sports Consultants
- Public Relations Manager
- Negotiating Manager
- Management Analyst
- Director of Sport
- Athlete Agent
- Human Resource Manager
MBA in Sports Management Abroad: Scope
The MBA in Sports Management scope is rapidly increasing. While the North American sports industry is set to grow to a whopping $73.5 billion, similar trends are being observed in Europe, Asia and Africa. As the skills obtained are inevitably in high demand in parallel industries, you can effortlessly shift to consulting, event management, finance & accounting, business analytics, health and wellness, communication, human resources, economics and so on. Some of the organisations that are always on the lookout for competent sports management graduates are:
- Sports teams/organizations
- Dietary and Nutrition companies
- Fitness, health and well-being organizations
- Sporting goods manufacturers
- Health Administrations
- Sports or fitness start-ups
- Stadium management
- Sports Consulting Companies
- Athletes
Common Questions You Must Consider
Here are some relevant questions you must ask yourself if you want to pursue an MBA in Sports Management India or abroad.
- Do you want to enter the Sports Business? Does it fancy your interests and aspirations?
- Merely having an interest in sports is not enough. Do you have the desire to go behind the scenes, into the area where the action occurs?
- The sports industry is severely dynamic and challenging and professionals work under high-pressure and tight deadlines. Are you prepared to work in such a demanding environment? Are you resilient, patient and deadline-oriented?
- Are you the internet and social media savvy? In sports management, you may be asked to manage an organisation’s social media presence.
- The course structure may involve not only classes but also one or more industry placements. Are you equipped to tackle such responsibilities on a personal level?
- Are you willing to be on the go as the job may require you to switch locations often?
- Does the course align with your short and long-term goals and objectives?
- Is the course format align with your current schedule? If you are employed, do you want to leave your job and pursue a Full-time MBA or does a Part-Time MBA better suit you or a Distance MBA?
- The cost of management programs is quite high. Make sure you consider the respective tuition fee of different colleges and programs before settling on one.
At the end of the day, it is your conviction and dedication are that must drive you. If you are convinced that pursuing an MBA in Sports Management abroad or in India, then you must surely go for it.