Master of Science in Sports Business

The Master of Science in Sports Business (MSSB) program is designed to cultivate top-tier, well-rounded sports managers across key disciplines such as marketing, sales, finance, operations, analytics, law, and personnel management. Developed in collaboration with top executives from leading sports organizations—including the San Jose Sharks, San Jose Earthquakes, San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Nike, CrossFit, Bay FC, Bay Clubs, Elevate, and SportFive—this industry-driven program provides unparalleled professional advancement, relevant knowledge, insights and networks within the sports sector.

Ideal for student-athletes, undergraduates passionate about a career in sports, early-career sports professionals,  sports entrepreneurs, administrators etc, the elite program prepares participants for roles in sports franchises, leagues, team organizations, fitness firms, collegiate athletic departments, and sporting goods companies. Located in the Bay Area, home to seven major league sports teams, this prestigious program offers a unique opportunity to develop essential leadership and management skills in the heart of the sports industry that generates $7 billion in sports revenue annually.

The MSSB program is a 38-unit, five-quarter, interdisciplinary, cohort-based program that builds credits toward a dual-degree MBA at the Leavey School of Business. Students benefit from practitioner-led experiential workshops, action learning, career coaching, networking opportunities, and mentorship from top industry executives. Taught by award-winning faculty and distinguished sports professionals, the program culminates in a practical, industry-based capstone project or thesis, ensuring real-world application of knowledge.

Admissions

For admission information, refer to Chapter 2.

Program Outline

The MSSB curriculum consists of 38 units across 11 core courses (34 units), one experiential learning capstone (2 units), and 10 workshops (2 units). Students should plan to spend a minimum of 2 hours per unit each week on coursework outside of class. For example, a 2-unit course requires about 4 hours of study per week, while a 4-unit course requires about 8 hours.

Students should also know that this program is a cohort based program, which means short-term leaves of absence aren’t allowed. If a student needs to take a leave, they would need to formally withdraw from the program and rejoin with the next available cohort to resume where they left off.

For additional academic information policies,  refer to Chapter 5.

For course descriptions and prerequisites for core and electives, refer to Chapter 8.

Curriculum Clusters

1. Core Business Knowledge (5 courses)

These courses equip students with essential business knowledge and skills, including data-driven decision-making, leadership & management, marketing strategy, financial acumen, and analytical aptitude & techniques preparing students with competencies for navigating complex business environments and driving strategic success.

  • ISBA 3000        Statistics & Descriptive Analytics (2 units)
  • MGMT 3000        Leading People in Organizations (4 units)
  • MKTG 3000        Marketing is Everything (4 units)
  • FNCE 3000        Financial Management (4 units)
  • ISBA 3200        Predictive & Business Analytics (4 units)

2. Core Sports Knowledge (6 courses) 

These courses provide students with a deep understanding of the business of sports, equipping them with the skills to drive revenue, optimize operations, leverage data analytics, and navigate legal and managerial challenges. By mastering these core courses, students will be equipped to make strategic decisions, enhance fan engagement, and contribute to the success of sports organizations in an increasingly competitive and data-driven environment.

  • MKTG XXXX        Sports Marketing (4 units)*
  • MKTG XXXX        Sports Sales & Revenue (2 units)*
  • ISBA XXXX        Sports Operations (2 units)*
  • ISBA XXXX        Sports Analytics (2 units)*
  • MGMT XXXX        Sports Management & Leadership (2 units)*
  • MGMT XXXX        Sports Law & Personnel Management (4 units)*

*Course titles are subject to change

3. Experiential Learning (2 units)

Students gain hands-on experience by completing a Capstone project, Thesis, or Internship, each designed to bridge academic learning with real-world application. The Capstone project allows students to tackle a practical industry challenge, applying their knowledge to develop strategic solutions. The Thesis provides an opportunity for in-depth research on a key sports business topic, enhancing analytical and problem-solving skills. The Internship offers direct industry experience, enabling students to build professional networks and gain insights into daily operations within sports organizations. Each option, worth two units, ensures students graduate with practical expertise, ready to excel in the sports business industry.

  • IDIS 3201A        Capstone (2 units)*
    or
  • IDIS 3201B        Thesis (2 units)*
    or
  • IDIS 3201C        Internship (2 units)*

*Course titles are subject to change

4. Industry Workshops (2 units)

  • IDIS 3202        Contemporary Topics in Sport Business (2 units)*

*Course titles are subject to change

This course provides students with hands-on learning through specialized sessions on contemporary and emerging topics in the sports industry, such as ethics, crisis management, media, entertainment, sports entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies. All workshops require mandatory attendance and will take place two to three times per quarter, with each session lasting around four hours. Designed to enhance practical knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, these workshops prepare students for real-world challenges in the sports business. They will be interactive sessions that enable students to engage with experts, deepen their industry understanding, and develop the strategic insights needed to succeed in a rapidly changing sports environment.