Online Sports Management MBA Degree Programs

The online sports management MBA degree is growing in popularity. It combines business management skills with the sports and entertainment management.

Sport management is concerned with the business aspect of sport. Sport management includes both the commercial side and the performance improvement element in sports. Most people in sports management have played competitive sports before joining the profession. The sports management degree provides a solid theoretical and practical educational foundation for dealing with the business, financial and marketing aspects of professional and college programs. For those who love sports but are not destined for a role on the playing field or court, this degree is another approach to making a living in their favored field. Degree requirements are becoming more common in sports so those with an MBA can expect an advantage when it comes to hiring. Still, Sports Management MBA holders will be entering a very competitive field. The ability to aggressively pursue goals in a focused way will be necessary on a personal as well as professional level.

Sports Management Education and Training

An MBA in sports management degree program with this emphasis will share many of the core courses and requirements of all MBA degrees. Expect to take core courses in statistics, finance and business structure. Career specific work will concentrate on sports specific issues such as contract negotiations between athletes and teams. Also expect to study marketing and human resource in a career specific context. Courses may include:

• Sport Budget and Finance
• Sport Law
• Psychology of Sport
• Administration of Sport Organizations
• Sport Governance and Ethics

Other areas of study in the sports management MBA degree program might cover fund-raising for college teams or facility management issues for those in charge of stadiums and playing centers and complexes. These programs might also include the chance to combine these interests with training in media production for those interested in public relations or broadcasting.

Sports Management Careers

Graduates with an MBA in sports management may enter a myriad of career paths. Being a players union representative or an agent for players are possibilities for those who prefer to work outside the team structure or who particularly enjoy negotiations.

Of course, negotiating for the team side as a general manager or business manager is a different way to use the same skills. Facilities management, public relations, marketing and dealing with the financial side of sports are also possible career paths for those with these degrees.

Jobs in the field cluster in certain geographic areas, especially major cities and job advancement may require switching employers. Successful job candidates often need to move frequently and at unexpected intervals. Those considering these degrees and care should evaluate their willingness and ability to be mobile given personal and family considerations.

General managers or those working under a general manager can expect a combination of salary with performance bonuses. Facility managers and those dealing with finance will most often work in a straight salary arrangement.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Outlook

Compensation arrangements can vary widely in the field. Agents are self-employed or own their own agencies and earn a percentage of the pay they secure for the players they represent. Those who enter marketing or fund-raising will find that compensation packages vary by employer. Jobs in the field are expected in to increase moderately over the next decade as professional management becomes the industry standard at many levels and in many areas of specialization.

Average annual earnings will also vary. Especially those who earn the degree with no prior experience can expect to earn $30,000 to $40,000 a year to begin with. Depending on job and employer type those with more experience may rise to the $100,000 range after ten or more years. Of course, sports management MBA degree holders who eventually become top managers for professional teams are compensated with salary and bonuses measured in millions of dollars.

Online sports management MBA degree programs and sports medicine degree programs