Master of Business Administration (MBA): Sports Business

In this course students learn how to apply a scientifically researched and developed management approach to strategic planning, designing corporate structures, managing organizations and people. The course further explores proven techniques for building and maintaining a culture for success. The course approaches general management through 4 frames developed for effectively utilizing resources and creating value for shareholders. Please note that a Business Exam fee is required for this comprehensive and interdisciplinary course.

This course explores accounting as the financial language of business, analyzing financial statements and the application of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). It covers reporting financial transactions on both accrual and cash bases, adopting an interdisciplinary approach with advanced methodologies for enriched analysis. Emphasis is placed on using sophisticated quantitative techniques to enhance decision-making processes and elevate financial management strategies.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary marketing strategies tailored for managers in various sectors. Emphasizing modern processes beyond traditional approaches, it covers dynamic identification of evolving needs, creating demand with compelling value propositions, and adeptly managing the competitive landscape.The course equips students with the latest insights and tools and prepares them for success in today's fast-paced, digitally-driven marketing environment.

This course explores various aspects of finance, focusing on minimizing risk and maximizing value through strategic capital acquisition and allocation. Topics include leveraging data for financial analysis, evaluating a company's financial health, and employing advanced cash flow modeling for informed capital investment decisions. Funding for working capital needs, the role of data analytics in corporate planning, and earnings announcements will also be covered. Students will gain a nuanced understanding of how to revolutionize financial decision-making for enhanced performance.

Prerequisites: MBA 604 and Economics course with a grade of B or better or MBA 632.

This course equips leaders with essential tools to acquiring and interpreting data for informed decision-making. It emphasizes critical assessment of marketing, production, research and development, and resource allocation models for organizational excellence. Students will develop a strategic mindset to optimize operational facets and enhance business leadership strategies. The focus is on honing skills for leveraging data in dynamic business leadership.

Prerequisites: MBA 603, MBA 604, MBA 605, and MBA 606.

The course will cover the key principles necessary for leaders and managing people in today's sports environment. Important aspects regarding interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence, skills to manage conflict, being a person influence, and directing teams through dilemmas to enhanced performance will all be covered. Case studies of sports business problems and adversity will be used to develop the required leadership skills that future sports business professional will need to apply to the unique situations they will encounter in their future positions.

This course will provide comprehensive look at the ever-evolving topics of Media & Public Relations within a sports business setting. The course will provide students with a comprehensive curriculum focusing on how major sports entities develop, manage, and execute their Media and Public Relations strategies and operations. Key topics including comprehensive media training, crisis management, social media training for staff and athletes will be a major focus of this course.

The course is designed to provide a solid understanding of financial concepts necessary in sports business. Students will be required to analyze current sports related financial case studies and then apply the results to other sports related short and long-term financial decisions. Some of the related areas will be value of cash flows, decision making based on balance sheets and income statements, sports franchise valuation, stadium/arena financing, athlete salaries, media rights, and more. The course will also require the student to understand and be able to explain all aspects of the economic impact sports businesses have on local communities, at the national and possible international level. Prerequisite: MBA 606

The course will require students to apply sports legal case studies to current issues in sport covering tort law, risk management, contract disputes, NCAA violations, Name Image & Likeness (NIL), Title IX, and professional sports league regulations, sport team negotiations, with other related law and ethics topics.

The course will cover multiple aspects of marketing and sponsorship that focuses on corporate partnerships in the world of sports. The student will be required to use current marketing concepts in multiple media forms to develop sponsorship activation plans that can be used in any of the many sports business entities. This could include any of the major professional teams (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, MLB, WNBA, etc.), motor sports, extreme sports, Olympic Sports, recreational sports, and club sports events. Student will develop and deliver a presentation demonstrating all aspects of a strategic marketing plan.

Brief course description for MBAS 696: Capstone sports business plans are the core documents used to formulate, develop, and communicate new business opportunities. Students will develop a comprehensive proposal of an original idea; a funding proposal for an entrepreneurial venture; or a new product line or business venture within an existing organization. Graduation Application Fee: $184. Business Exam Fee required. Prerequisites: MBA 603, MBA 604, MBA 605, MBA 606, MBA 607, MBAS 610, MBAS 611, MBAS 612, MBAS 613, MBAS 614

Note: MBAS 696E Capstone Sports Business Plan Extension: Students work toward completion of the MBAS 696 Capstone Sports Business Plan under the direction of a faculty member. The extension course requires additional fees and can be repeated once. Prerequisite is prior approval by capstone instructor.

Students will experience a hands-on approach to the use of data management and software to do statistical analysis related to both business operations and athlete performance operations of sports entities. This valuable information will be help future sports business professionals make informed financial decisions, evaluate team performance, provide marketing analysis that enhances market segmentation for best ROI, and to quickly validate results in a new sports venture.

The course will cover critical aspects the criteria for successful sports facility proposal, funding, design, construction, and use management. Students will be engaged in on site visits and virtual tours of sights in each stage of the facility planning and operations. Group work will include each of the key areas for both a sports facility and event management that require oral presentation on the group work.

This course will provide in-depth understanding into key aspects of sports business from a global perspective. Students will experience a deep dive into professional and major amateur sports structure and governance and how they differ from the familiar North American sports models. Professional sports leagues including international sports federations (FIFA, FIBA, IHHF etc.), British Premier League (BPL), La Liga, etc., KBL, KHL will be studied.

With the rapid and drastic changes to college sports, his course is designed to provide students with the most up to date information on collegiate sports business. Key topics include Name, Image & Likeness (NIL), Title IX, sponsorships, gender equity, ADA, emerging sports, eligibility, and in-depth analysis of critical compliance issues impacting sport administrators.

The course is designed to provide students with the requisite skills necessary to succeed in the sports agency sector. A focus will be on ethical standards to develop relationships with perspective professional athletes, conduct all matters lawfully, and with the best interest of the athlete and his or her family in mind. Students will also be exposed to topical case studies throughout the course and develop an understanding of the licensing process for agents in North American professional sports.

In recent years, the sports industry has seen a major shift in how it deals with major social issues including gender equality, diversity, politics, human resource issues in the workplace, mental health, etc. This course will take a deep dive into a broad range of these issues, and the impact they have on the sports business industry. Students will gain a deep understanding of these issues with the goal of preparing them to better handle these types of challenges in their respective sports business careers.

Esports have become an omnipresent force in sports & entertainment business and thus, deserves in-depth study. In this course students will be exposed to the business side of this new sports category including a deep dive into structure & delivery models, revenue models, marketing, leagues, teams, facilities, and international considerations.