Online Bachelor of Arts in Business – Sports Business

Are you ready to turn your enthusiasm and passion for sports into a career? Arizona State University’s Bachelor of Arts in business with a concentration in sports business prepares you for an evolving career in the field of sports. You’ll take coursework with a focus on the business and management side of the sports industry to learn how to work with leagues, collegiate athletics, media, venues, retailers and more.

Learn more

Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 05/16/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 40

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 120

Degree questions, answered.

Have questions about the Business – Sports Business (BA)? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!

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What is sports business?

Sports business spans principles of accounting, marketing and finance in sports and recreation. Professionals in sports business must understand how to approach revenue generation and fan engagement, while working with athletics, leagues, teams and more. The field explores how business, media and sports interact for mutual benefits and profitability.

There isn’t another online sports business degree concentration in the nation that’s housed within a business school as prominent or nationally ranked as the W. P. Carey School of Business. As a student, you’ll receive a world-class business education through the lens of sports. You’ll also work with professors who serve as consultants to many prominent sports entities, while being sought out as experts in their fields by the Arizona Republic, Sports Business Journal and other leading industry publications.

Transferable skills for sports management and other careers in business

 

Whether you’re already working in the sports industry or you’d like to better understand the role of business in sports, this program may help you reach your professional goals. You’ll gain expertise on best practices for marketing, analytics, revenue generation and more. You’ll also develop theoretical and practical skills that’ll apply directly to the sports industry and almost any business context, such as: 

  • Critical thinking.
  • Organization
  • Perseverance.
  • Persuasion.
  • Problem solving.
  • Teamwork.
  • Verbal and written communication.

Understand the business of sports

 

As sports evolve to maintain relevance in the increasingly fragmented world of business and entertainment, the sports industry must approach revenue generation and fan engagement from an unexplored lens. This bachelor’s in business with a sports business concentration exposes you to business, marketing and sports management principles that apply to a competitive and changing landscape. 

From consumer behavior to strategic business processes, this program provides you with a well-rounded skill set to work in the industry. You’ll complete coursework that’ll teach you how to interact with a variety of stakeholders in the expanding domain of sports. These stakeholders may include sports leagues, teams, mega-events, collegiate athletics, media, sponsorship, retailers and venues, among others that support and facilitate sports-related activities.

Will my diploma say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”

Sports business courses

You’ll take courses on business principles and theories that apply to the sports industry. Coursework may include communication in business, mathematics for business analysis, marketing performance, fan behavior, sports marketing and media. You’ll explore what it means to be a consumer in the business of sports and what marketers need to know to design, evaluate and implement effective marketing strategies for fans. Courses may include:


COM 100: Introduction to Human Communication (SOBE OR SB)


COM 230: Small Group Communication (SOBE OR SB)


COM 225: Public Speaking (CIVI OR L)


MKT 311: Sports Business


MKT 421: Fan Behavior and Sports Marketing


MCO 465: Sports and Media


ACC 231: Uses of Accounting Information I


ACC 241: Uses of Accounting Information II


The jobs in sports you can get with a business degree

Sports business is a constantly evolving career field. A business degree with a concentration in sports business prepares you for a wide range of jobs in the sports industry. Whether you’re interested in advertising and creative or outreach and youth sports, you’ll have the opportunity to turn your passion for sports into a suitable career path. Career examples include, but aren’t limited to:

Advertising Sales Representative


Growth: -7.2 %
Salary: $58,450

Fitness and Wellness Coordinator


Growth: 4.3 %
Salary: $56,090

General Manager (GM)


Growth: 4.2 %
Salary: $98,100

Market Research Analyst


Growth: 13.4 %
Salary: $68,230

Marketing Associate


Growth: 1.9 %
Salary: $127,830

Marketing Manager


Growth: 6.6 %
Salary: $140,040

Public Relations Manager (PR Manager)


Growth: 5.9 %
Salary: $129,430

Public Relations Specialist


Growth: 6.1 %
Salary: $67,440

Sales Manager


Growth: 4.0 %
Salary: $130,600

Earn your degree with faculty in the sports industry

Faculty at the W. P. Carey School of Business are passionate about innovative research and impact. Our school fosters an environment of global thinking, with a cohort of award-winning faculty from six continents around the globe and a student body which represents more than 100 countries. Faculty accolades include:

  • National Academy of Sciences members.
  • Nobel laureate.
  • Renowned journal publications.
  • Speakers at national conferences.

Earn your degree with faculty in the sports industry

Faculty at the W. P. Carey School of Business are passionate about innovative research and impact. Our school fosters an environment of global thinking, with a cohort of award-winning faculty from six continents around the globe and a student body which represents more than 100 countries. Faculty accolades include:

  • National Academy of Sciences members.
  • Nobel laureate.
  • Renowned journal publications.
  • Speakers at national conferences.

How to apply

General admission requirements

First year additional requirements

Transfer additional requirements

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.

*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.

*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.

Earn a sports business degree concentration from business experts

The W. P. Carey School of Business is one of the top business schools in the country. Our AACSB-accredited business school is committed to delivering excellent quality and great value. Our peer-reviewed U.S. News & World Report rankings reflect our commitment to academics, groundbreaking research and positive student outcomes. 

#3


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#3


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#3


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Top 5


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Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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