Why Pursue a Sports Business MBA in Brock School of Business?
A recent survey of 2,000 sports industry executives revealed that earning a sports-oriented degree from a business school is the #1 piece of advice they would give aspiring students pursuing a career in the front office of a professional sports team.
The Brock School of Business sports business MBA prepares our graduates for jobs on the business side of the sports industry. Recent graduates have received employment offers at organizations such as the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, ESPN, Atlanta Hawks, and Atlanta Braves.
Advance Your Career in Sports — On Campus or Online
Alabama’s only AACSB accredited sports business program can be completed on campus in the evenings or online, giving you flexibility to meet your personal and professional obligations while preparing for a career in the sports industry.
Having a degree from an accredited business school is huge in this industry. Building a successful team on the field is intricately tied to success in the front office. My degree from the Brock School of Business, prepared me to handle critical activities for my organization and provides a strong foundation for any job on the business side of the sports world. Giovanni Hernandez, Samford University Alum, Manager, International Baseball Operations, MLB
Preferred Sports Internship Opportunities for Students
The Brock School of Business sports business MBA concentration offers a variety of ways to gain experience and insight into the industry. Students take a sports industry career preparation class in which they gain invaluable networking experience with industry executives.
The Sports Industry Program partners with sports organizations represented on our sports industry advisory board to offer paid internships to our top-performing students as part of the Preferred Sports Internship Program. Recent internships have included Nashville Predators, Adidas, Savannah Bananas, and Coca-Cola sports marketing..
Dubbed the “College Football Capital of the South,” Birmingham, Alabama, has been ranked by the Sports Business Journal as one of the top sports cities in America and is the perfect place to obtain a sports industry internship.
Industry Legends in the Classroom
Our Sports Business MBA program brings C-suite executives and top industry professionals directly into the classroom through live guest lectures every semester. Recent speakers have included senior executives from major league organizations such as the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Texas Rangers.
These classroom connections consistently translate into career opportunities—our students regularly secure competitive internships and full-time positions through relationships built with guest speakers. When industry leaders share their expertise in our classrooms, they're also identifying the next generation of sports business talent.
Alumni & Friends of the Program Network
The Brock School of Business sports industry network is extensive. We boast alumni at the industry's top sports businesses and organizations.
Sports Industry Advisory Board
The Sports IndustryAdvisory Board is a key asset to Brock School of Business’ sports business MBA. In addition to providing regular feedback about the curriculum, members of the board serve as mentors, connections to industry-related internships or jobs and help build relationships with organizations in the industry for class projects such as those recently completed by students for the NBA and Nike. Additionally, individuals on the board provide funds for students to travel for class projects and support the program by advancing its reputation in the industry. Altogether, the Sports Industry Advisory Board offers opportunities for students to gain a unique, educational experience in the business side of sports.
What Will I Learn?
The concentration presents a rigorous curriculum in areas such as sponsorship, licensing, international sports marketing, fan engagement, advertising, media rights, social media and sports analytics while paying close attention to industry trends. In addition, students can work on original sports industry research topics and publish their work on our sports industry research website visited each year by over 90,000 people.
Faith. Sports. Influence.
The sports business M.B.A. program seeks to deliver a superior sports business education imbued by a Christian worldview. We recognize that people who work in the world of sports have significant cultural influence. Given this fact, we seek to develop future sports industry executives that are committed to excellence personally and professionally, who share a common goal of using their platform to glorify God.
We utilize a variety of methods to achieve this goal including partnering with a variety of faith-based sports organizations around the globe. Sports business faculty members serve on the advisory board of the Daniel Summit and students in the program have the opportunity to run the social media accounts of the Daniel Summit. In the past, students have attended the annual conference with hundreds of sports business executives representing over 100 teams/organizations across NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA, MLS, MiLB, etc.
Experienced Instructors
Brock School of Business boasts an award-winning team of sports business faculty and prominent industry specialists. They are actively engaged in consulting with many of the top sports brands and teams in the world. In addition, they are active scholars and fantastic classroom instructors. They are regularly quoted in the media and are well respected throughout the sports industry.
Sports Business Journal
Students in the sports business M.B.A. concentration are required to read the Sports Business Journal (SBJ) while in the program. The SBJ provides the news, the networking, and the data to equip the most powerful executives in sports business to make more informed decisions, deals and partnerships. It truly is the “Wall Street Journal” of the sports industry.
Business of College Sports
The business side of college sports is primed for massive change in the next few years with NIL rights legislation, legalized sports gambling, growth of e-sports and expanded college athlete empowerment. The Brock School of Business sports business M.B.A. concentration includes a course on the business of college sports to prepare students for careers in college athletics. Birmingham is the perfect place to prepare for a career in college athletics since it is the headquarters of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and Gulf South Conference (GSC), and host city to many collegiate championship sporting events each year. As the number one market for college football for over 20 years, Birmingham truly is the heart of college sports.
Study Sports Analytics
“Samford University is the international thought leader in the emerging field of Sports Business Analytics.”–Tracy Teague, VP Nike Football and Baseball
Ever since the Oakland A’s Billy Beane used his “Moneyball” big data analytic approach to successfully compete against MLB big spenders, analytics across the world of sports has exploded. Teams are using analytics to improve the fan experience and team performance. From customized game day experiences for fans to optimal game strategy for teams, the world of sports is experiencing a major paradigm shift thanks to big data.
It is common for sports teams at the professional and college level to have two different sports analytics departments. One department focuses on business-oriented application of data and includes analytics for ticket pricing, sponsorship activation effectiveness, fan loyalty analysis, promotions, social media, fan engagement and operations management. The second department focuses on player and team performance and includes optimal lineup analysis, player scoring for recruiting and draft analysis, player salary optimization, simulation of games and analysis of game tactics.
Samford’s Center for Sports Analytics partners with Brock School of Business to offer rigorous sports analytics curricula for mathematically gifted and highly motived candidates paired with a real-world analytics internship in the sports industry. To support the sports analytics program, Brock School of Business recently opened the M. Chad Trull Data and Sports Analytics Lab to give students a dedicated facility on campus to complete sports analytics projects.
Students interested in preparing for a career in sport analytics must contact Dr. Darin White and plan to complete the sports business M.B.A. concentration and the Data Analytics MBA concentration.
Application Process
The Sports Industry Program in the Brock School of Business offers a rigorous Sports Business MBA curriculum paired with real-world sports business experiences, preparing you for a successful career in the highly competitive sports industry. Samford MBA applicants and current students can apply to join this exclusive program at any time. However, with enrollment capped at 20 students per class, early application is strongly encouraged.
Eligibility and Application Timeline
- While there's no strict deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
- Early application is highly recommended to secure your place in this limited-enrollment program.
Application Requirements
- Academic Excellence: Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Character References: Provide references that speak to your personal character and potential.
- Statement of Purpose: Clearly articulate your educational and career goals in sports business.
- Extracurricular Activities: Highlight experiences in the sports industry that demonstrate your potential for success.
Applicants should demonstrate high standards of scholarship, outstanding personal character, and serious educational aims. Your application will be carefully analyzed based on your academic records, character references, clarity of educational purpose and relevant extracurricular activities.
Program Investment
Students accepted into the Sports Business MBA program will be assessed a $250 Sports Industry Program Fee for each of their first two semesters of MBA coursework at Samford, regardless of which courses are taken during those semesters. After the first two semesters, no additional Sports Industry Program Fees will be charged, regardless of how long it takes to complete the MBA degree. This fee is non-refundable and will be charged even if a student later decides to drop the sports business concentration.
The Sports Industry Program Fee helps offset the cost of the extensive extracurricular sports industry experiences, exclusive networking opportunities, and comprehensive professional development activities that are unique to our program. These distinctive program elements contribute significantly to our graduates' exceptionally high placement rate in sports industry careers
Ready to Apply?
To request an application and begin your journey in the Brock School of Business Sports Industry Program, please email Marshal Smith, Assistant Director for the Sports Industry Program, at msmith60@samford.edu.
