Boston is a global business hub and a passionate sports town with a fan base to match.

Combine your passion for sports with a well-rounded understanding of the complexities of this dynamic business enterprise. In the sport management program, you will learn to communicate effectively using the concepts and analytical tools of these industries and to balance the diverse needs of a variety of stakeholders. Boston's vibrant landscape of professional and collegiate teams offers premier opportunities for hands-on, real-world experience, through which you can put into practice the ethical, social and legal theories learned in the classroom.

A First-Class Experience

Get to know the people and programs that will define your academic journey.

A Competitive Advantage

The Emmanuel Business Collaborative develops strategic, mutually beneficial partnerships with local business and industry organizations who share Emmanuel’s strong commitment to social justice, diversity, inclusion and service.

Meet the Faculty

Our distinguished faculty publish, exhibit and research. Present, compose and chair. Inspire and collaborate.

The Curriculum

View the 2024-2025 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for B.S. in Sport Management

Seven Business Core Courses:

  1. MGMT1101 Intro to Business
  2. ACCT1101 Financial Accounting 
  3. ACCT2201 Managerial Accounting
  4. ECON1101 Principles of Microeconomics 
  5. MKTG2200 Principles of Marketing
  6. MGMT2301 Legal Environment of Business
  7. MGMT3305 Financial Management

Two MATH Courses

  • MATH1118 Introduction to Statistics with R (QA) (QR)
  • MATH1111 Calculus I (QA) (QR) OR MATH1121 Applied Mathematics for Management (QA) (QR)

Seven Required SPORT Courses

  • MGMT2401 Introduction to Sport Management
  • MKTG3422 Sport Marketing 
  • MGMT3423 Sport Law  
  • SPORT3412 Sport Events and Facilities Management
  • SPORT3415 Sport Leadership
  • SPORT3496 Internship in Sport Management 
  • MGMT4303 Sport Management Strategy

Additional Recommended Courses

  • BIOL3151 Exercise Physiology
  • COMM2525 Sport Communication
  • COMM3806 Health Communication
  • HIST2122 Sports and the Making of the Modern World 
  • INT1010 Internship
  • MGMT2307 Organizational Behavior (SA) (SS) (DM) (WI)
  • MGMT2310 Business Analytics
  • PSYCH2405 Health Psychology

View the 2024-2025 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for Minor in Sport Management

  1. MGMT1101 Intro to Business
  2. MGMT2301 Legal Environment of Business
  3. MGMT2401 Intro to Sport Management
  4. MGMT3423 Sport Law
  5. One course selected from:  
  • MKTG2200 Principles of Marketing
  • MGMT2211 Leadership: Person and Process (SA) (SS)
  • MGMT2307 Organizational Behavior (SA) (SS) (DM) (WI)
  • MGMT2410 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management

At the completion of the Sport Management Major, students will:

  1. Articulate the global scope of sport.
  2. Identify and solve problems relating to financial, leadership, operations, marketing and legal challenges inherent in the sport business industry.
  3. Communicate effectively in oral and written formats commonly used in the sport management profession.
  4. Exhibit knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles necessary for professional success in the sport management profession.
  5. Demonstrate the capacity to make ethical decisions in the sport management profession.
  6. Develop sport management skills and practices that support diversity, equity and inclusion principles.
  7. Effectively employ technology and data analytics in the application of sport management practice.

What can I do with a degree in sport management?

Sport management majors need a combination of specialized knowledge and transferable skills to succeed in their field. Here are some of the most in-demand skills for sport management majors:

  • Leadership and Management Skills: Ability to lead teams, manage projects, and oversee operations within sports organizations.
  • Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication abilities for interacting with athletes, staff, media, and the public.
  • Event Planning and Management: Expertise in planning, organizing, and executing sports events, including logistics, scheduling, and coordination.
  • Marketing and Promotion: Knowledge of sports marketing strategies, brand management, and promotional tactics to increase fan engagement and revenue.5. 
  • Financial Management: Ability to manage budgets, financial planning, and revenue generation for sports organizations.
  • Negotiation and Contract Management: Skills in negotiating contracts and managing agreements with athletes, sponsors, vendors, and other stakeholders.
  • Analytical Skills: Capability to analyze data and metrics to make informed decisions and evaluate the performance of teams, events, and marketing efforts.
  • Knowledge of Sports Law and Ethics: Understanding of legal issues, regulations, and ethical considerations in sports management.
  • Customer Service and Relationship Management: Skills in providing excellent customer service and managing relationships with fans, athletes, sponsors, and partners.
  • Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with technology used in sports management, including software for event management, marketing, and analytics.
  • Project Management: Ability to plan, execute, and manage projects efficiently, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills for building and maintaining relationships with team members, athletes, clients, and other stakeholders.
  • Strategic Planning: Developing long-term strategies for the growth and success of sports organizations.
  • Adaptability and Flexibility: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and handle unexpected challenges in a dynamic sports environment.
  • Public Relations: Managing the public image of athletes, teams, and organizations through effective communication and media strategies.
  • Understanding of Sports Psychology: Knowledge of psychological principles that affect athlete performance and team dynamics to support mental health, enhance team cohesion, and improve performance.
  • Sales Skills: Proficiency in sales techniques to promote and sell tickets, merchandise, and sponsorship packages.

These skills make sport management majors well-equipped to handle the diverse and dynamic nature of the sports industry, allowing them to pursue various roles in sports teams, leagues, facilities, events, and organizations.

A major in sport management can prepare you for a variety of careers in the sports industry. Here are some common career paths for sport management majors:

  • Sports Marketing and Sponsorship: Sport management majors can pursue careers in sports marketing, where they promote sports events, athletes, and products to consumers. They may also work in sponsorship, where they secure sponsorships for sports teams, events, and athletes.
  • Sports Media: Sport management majors can work in sports media, including broadcasting, journalism, and social media. They may work for sports networks, newspapers, or online publications.
  • Sports Events and Facilities Management: Sport management majors can work in event management, where they plan and coordinate sports events, such as the Olympics, the Super Bowl, or the World Cup. They may also work in facilities management, where they oversee the operation and management of sports facilities, such as stadiums, arenas, or training centers.
  • Sports Agency: Sport management majors can work for sports agencies, where they represent athletes, negotiate contracts, and manage their careers.
  • Sports Administration: Sport management majors can work in sports administration, including roles in college athletics, professional sports teams, or sports governing bodies, such as the NFL, MLB, or NBA. They may work in roles related to finance, operations, or human resources.
  • Sports Analytics: Sport management majors can work in sports analytics, where they use data and statistical analysis to help sports teams and organizations make better decisions related to scouting, player development, and game strategy.

Overall, a major in sport management can provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a variety of careers in the sports industry. The sports industry is diverse and constantly evolving, and a sport management major can be a solid foundation for a long and rewarding career.

Related Programs

The School of Business & Management also offers a more general major in Management with a concentration in Sport Management

Where Essential Values and Skills Meet the Real World

Where Essential Values and Skills Meet the Real World

Along with areas of knowledge and major requirements, you will cultivate essential values in the classroom and complete two courses in each area:

  • Social Justice (SJ): Develop knowledge, skills, values and motivation to participate beneficially in activities of personal and public concern.
  • Diversity & Multiculturalism (DM): Understand the complexity of identity the historical truths of different cultural perspectives to address bias and examine contemporary social issues. 

One hundred percent of Emmanuel students complete an internship as part of the core curriculum. In a city as dynamic as Boston, your options are bound only by the limits of your curiosity.

Students from the School of Business & Management intern at all Big 4 accounting agencies, major financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley and Bank of America, and creative agencies and cultural organizations such as Hill Holliday and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

In all majors, the Capstone Experience involves completing a significant piece of work that requires the integration and application of learning from multiple courses.

For students in the School of Business & Management, capstone courses blend theory and practice, with experiences ranging from live case consulting, research and analysis on current industry topics, the assessment of company performance and strategy and thesis presentations.

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