Master of Business Administration in Sport Management
Lead the Business Behind Sport.
Sport organizations operate at the intersection of business, entertainment, competition, community, and culture. Behind every team, athletic department, facility, event, and sport organization are leaders responsible for strategy, finances, marketing, people, partnerships, and organizational performance.
Waldorf University's online MBA in Sport Management combines advanced business education with specialized study in sport management, public finance and budgeting, leadership and coaching, sport marketing, and strategic management.
Designed for professionals interested in advancing within the business and organizational side of sport, the program develops the broader business perspective and specialized knowledge needed to understand how successful sport organizations operate and grow.
Designed for Sport Business Professionals
The flexible online format allows students to continue working while preparing for opportunities across professional and collegiate sports, athletic administration, sport marketing, facilities and events, recreation, and other sport-related organizations.
Program Highlights
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100% online format
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Flexible scheduling for working professionals
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36-credit curriculum
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Sport Management concentration
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Advanced business foundation combined with specialized sport management study
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Coursework in sport marketing, finance and budgeting, leadership, and strategic management
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No campus residency requirements
Why Pursue an MBA in Sport Management?
Sport may be the product, but successful sport organizations still have to operate as organizations.
They must attract audiences, manage finances, develop people, build partnerships, respond to changing consumer behavior, manage resources, and make strategic decisions in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Waldorf University's MBA in Sport Management combines graduate business study with specialized coursework that applies those capabilities within the sport environment.
Students may pursue this degree to:
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Develop a broader understanding of the business of sport
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Strengthen financial and budgeting capabilities
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Understand strategic marketing within sport organizations
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Develop leadership and coaching capabilities
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Examine emerging trends affecting the sport industry
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Build strategic management capabilities for greater organizational responsibility
For professionals who want to move beyond a specialized or operational role, the MBA provides a broader perspective on how finance, marketing, people, strategy, and leadership come together within sport organizations.
MBA in Sport Management vs. Traditional Master's in Sport Management: What's the Difference?
Both an MBA in Sport Management and a traditional master's degree in sport management can prepare professionals for careers within the sport industry, but the two degrees typically approach graduate study differently.
A traditional master's in sport management generally concentrates graduate study more extensively within the sport management discipline, while an MBA in Sport Management combines specialized sport management study with a broader graduate business foundation.
At Waldorf University, students complete 21 credits of core MBA coursework in accounting, human resources, leadership, marketing, research, economics, and finance, along with 15 credits of specialized Sport Management coursework in emerging trends, public finance and budgeting, leadership development and coaching, strategic sport marketing, and strategic sport management.
MBA in Sport Management |
Traditional Master's in Sport Management |
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Combines graduate business education with specialized sport management study |
Concentrates graduate study more extensively within sport management |
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Builds knowledge across finance, marketing, HR, economics, leadership, and organizational decision-making |
Typically emphasizes sport-specific knowledge, administration, and industry practices |
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Applies specialized coursework to sport marketing, budgeting, leadership, trends, and strategic management |
Provides more concentrated graduate study within the sport management discipline |
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May appeal to professionals seeking broader business or organizational leadership |
May appeal to professionals seeking greater specialization within sport management |
For professionals who want to understand not only the sport industry but also the broader business decisions that drive organizational performance, Waldorf University's MBA in Sport Management offers the business foundation of an MBA combined with focused study of sport management.
The Business of Sport Is Growing
Sport is more than competition and entertainment. It supports a broad ecosystem of events, facilities, tourism, recreation, partnerships, marketing, and community activity. Managing that ecosystem requires professionals who understand both the sport environment and the business decisions behind successful organizations.
Sport Business Reality |
What It Means for Organizations |
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U.S. sports tourism generated $274.5 billion in total economic impact and supported 1.6 million jobs. |
Sport events and organizations operate within a significant economic ecosystem involving facilities, tourism, partnerships, budgets, and community stakeholders. |
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Youth- and amateur-driven participatory sports tourism generated $149.1 billion in economic impact and supported more than 880,000 jobs in 2025. |
Youth, amateur, and community sport represent substantial economic activity requiring effective event, program, facility, and organizational management. |
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U.S. families spend more than $40 billion annually on children's sports activities. |
The scale of youth sport creates increasingly complex responsibilities involving programs, pricing, facilities, staffing, partnerships, access, and organizational growth. |
Sources: Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), 2026 State of the Industry Report; Aspen Institute Project Play, State of Play 2025.
Together, these trends demonstrate that sport is also a significant business enterprise—one that requires leaders capable of managing people, resources, marketing, partnerships, and organizational strategy.
The Waldorf Difference
The Power of AND
Professionals shouldn't have to choose between developing advanced business capabilities and building specialized knowledge of the sport industry.
Waldorf University's online MBA in Sport Management brings graduate business education and specialized sport management study together in a flexible format designed for working professionals.
Students examine the business principles that shape organizations while exploring how finance, marketing, leadership, and strategy apply within the distinctive environment of sport.
Understand Sport AND Understand the Business
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Build sport industry knowledge AND develop broader business perspective
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Understand sport marketing AND strengthen strategic decision-making
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Manage budgets and resources AND understand organizational finance
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Develop people AND strengthen leadership capabilities
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Advance your career AND continue working full-time
YOUR LIFE CONTINUES. YOUR EDUCATION DOES TOO.
Who Should Consider This Program?
Waldorf University's MBA in Sport Management is designed for professionals interested in combining a passion for sport with advanced business and leadership capabilities.
It may be particularly valuable for professionals working in or seeking opportunities across athletic administration, sport marketing, facilities and events, recreation, partnerships, operations, and other business functions within sport-related organizations.
For professionals seeking greater organizational responsibility, the combination of advanced business coursework and specialized sport management study can help develop the broader perspective needed to understand finances, people, marketing, strategy, and organizational performance within the sport industry.
Curriculum Designed for Sport Business Leadership
Successful sport management requires more than an understanding of athletics. Leaders must understand how organizations manage people, finances, marketing, resources, and strategy while responding to the distinctive opportunities and challenges of the sport industry.
Waldorf University's Sport Management concentration progresses from emerging trends in sport into public finance and budgeting, leadership development and coaching, strategic sport marketing, and strategic management.
Combined with the MBA business core, the curriculum helps students examine both how sport organizations operate and how effective business decisions support their long-term performance.
This program is available online only.
Master's Degree Requirements
- Completion of 36-credit hour curriculum
- Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA
- Grade of B or higher in all required courses and professional electives
| Prefix | Number | Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC | 5301 | Management Applications of Accounting | 3 |
| HRM | 5200 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| ORG | 5100 | Leadership Theory and Practice | 3 |
| MBA | 5501 | Advanced Marketing | 3 |
| MBA | 5652 | Research Methods | 3 |
| MBA | 6053 | Economics for Managers | 3 |
| MBA | 6081 | Corporate Finance | 3 |
| Total Major Requirement Credit Hours: | 21 | ||
| Prefix | Number | Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMT | 5200 | Emerging Trends in Sport Management | 3 |
| PA | 5305 | Public Finance and Budgeting | 3 |
| ORG | 6000 | Leadership Development and Coaching | 3 |
| SMT | 6400 | Strategic Marketing in Sport | 3 |
| SMT | 6800 | Strategic Management in Sport | 3 |
| Total Concentration Credit Hours: | 15 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 | ||
Ready to Lead the Business Behind Sport?
Develop the business perspective, leadership capabilities, and specialized sport management knowledge to help organizations compete, grow, and perform.
MBA in Sport Management Degree Requirements
Students must complete the 36-credit curriculum with a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA and earn a B or higher in all required courses and professional electives.
For complete admission requirements and application details, request information or speak with an admissions representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waldorf University's MBA in Sport Management fully online?
Yes. Waldorf University's MBA in Sport Management is offered 100% online, allowing students to pursue graduate study while continuing to manage their professional and personal responsibilities.
How many credits are required for the MBA in Sport Management?
The program consists of 36 total credit hours, including 21 credits of core MBA coursework and 15 credits in the Sport Management concentration.
What will I study in the Sport Management concentration?
Students study emerging trends in sport management, public finance and budgeting, leadership development and coaching, strategic marketing in sport, and strategic management in sport.
Do I need professional sport experience to pursue an MBA in Sport Management?
No. Professional experience in the sport industry is not required to pursue Waldorf University’s MBA in Sport Management. The program is designed for professionals from a variety of backgrounds who want to develop advanced business and leadership capabilities while building specialized knowledge of the sport industry.
What career areas can an MBA in Sport Management support?
Depending on professional experience and other qualifications, graduates may pursue opportunities across sport administration, athletic operations, sport marketing, facilities and events, partnerships, recreation, and other business and leadership functions within sport-related organizations.
Explore Related Programs
Turn Your Passion for Sport Into Business Leadership
Sport organizations need professionals who understand both the industry and the business principles behind long-term performance
Waldorf University's online MBA in Sport Management combines advanced business education with specialized study of sport marketing, finance, leadership, and strategy—giving professionals an opportunity to build capabilities for greater responsibility across the business of sport.