Sports Management (Business Administration Concentration)
SPORTS MANAGEMENT IS A CONCENTRATION IN CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE’S BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAM.
Turn Your Passion for Sports into a Career with a Business Administration Degree and a Sports Management Concentration
The Sports Management concentration within Central Penn College’s Business Administration bachelor’s degree program combines a strong business foundation with specialized knowledge of one of the world’s most exciting industries. While you’ll develop expertise in sports marketing, event management, leadership, sponsorships, and athletic operations, you’ll also graduate with a respected Business Administration degree from a college that has been educating business leaders since 1881.
Sports is more than competition—it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry powered by business professionals who manage teams, events, facilities, sponsorships, marketing campaigns, and fan experiences. Behind every professional franchise, collegiate athletic department, sporting event, and recreation program are leaders who understand how to build organizations, engage audiences, and drive success.
Whether your goal is to work in professional sports, college athletics, sports marketing, event management, recreation, or athletic administration, the Sports Management concentration provides the business knowledge and leadership skills needed to succeed in a fast-paced and rewarding industry.
What is Sports Management?
Sports Management is the business side of the sports industry. Sports management professionals oversee the operations, marketing, finances, events, facilities, and personnel that help sports organizations succeed.
Sports management combines business principles with a passion for athletics. Professionals in the field may work for professional sports teams, collegiate athletic departments, sports marketing agencies, recreation programs, sports facilities, event organizations, and governing bodies.
The Sports Management concentration at Central Penn College prepares students to understand both the business and operational aspects of the sports industry while earning a Business Administration bachelor’s degree.
Why Choose Sports Management?
If you love sports and enjoy leadership, communication, and business strategy, Sports Management can be an exciting career path.
The sports industry continues to grow through professional leagues, collegiate athletics, youth sports, esports, sports tourism, sponsorships, media rights, and event management. Organizations need talented professionals who can manage operations, build brands, engage fans, and support athletes.
At Central Penn College, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of:
- Sports industry operations
- Sports marketing and promotions
- Event and facility management
- Leadership and team management
- Sponsorship and partnership development
- Sports communications and media relations
- Athletic administration
- Business strategy within sports organizations
Most importantly, you’ll graduate with a broad Business Administration degree, providing flexibility to pursue leadership opportunities both inside and outside the sports industry.
What You Will Learn
The Sports Management concentration is designed to prepare students for leadership and management roles throughout the sports industry.
Sports Industry Fundamentals
Develop a broad understanding of the business structure of professional, collegiate, amateur, recreational, and youth sports organizations.
Sports Marketing and Promotions
Learn how sports organizations build brands, engage fans, attract sponsors, and promote events through strategic marketing campaigns.
Event and Facility Management
Explore the planning, coordination, and execution of sporting events while learning how sports venues and facilities operate efficiently and safely.
Leadership and Organizational Management
Build the communication, leadership, and management skills necessary to lead teams, coordinate personnel, and support organizational success.
Sponsorship and Revenue Generation
Understand how sports organizations generate revenue through sponsorships, partnerships, ticket sales, merchandising, media rights, and fundraising.
Sports Communications
Learn how sports organizations communicate with fans, athletes, media outlets, sponsors, and stakeholders to build strong relationships and enhance brand reputation.
Through this concentration, students gain practical business knowledge while developing the leadership, communication, and organizational skills needed to thrive in sports-related careers.
What Can You Do with a Sports Management Degree?
A Sports Management degree can prepare graduates for a wide range of careers within the sports and recreation industries.
Potential career paths include:
- Sports Marketing Manager
- Athletic Director
- Sports Information Director
- Event Coordinator
- Sponsorship Coordinator
- Team Operations Manager
- Athletic Recruiter
- Sports Sales Representative
- Community Relations Coordinator
- Recreation Program Manager
- Facility Operations Manager
- Sports Business Development Specialist
Because Central Penn College’s Sports Management concentration is part of a Business Administration bachelor’s degree, graduates also gain valuable business skills that can support careers in management, marketing, operations, and leadership across many industries.
Is a Sports Management Concentration Worth It?
Yes. A Sports Management concentration can be an excellent choice for students who are passionate about sports and interested in the business side of the industry.
Sports organizations need professionals who can manage operations, generate revenue, build partnerships, coordinate events, and create memorable fan experiences. The skills learned through a Sports Management concentration are valuable not only in sports organizations but also in business, marketing, and event management roles.
A Sports Management concentration helps students develop skills in:
- Leadership and team management
- Sports marketing and promotions
- Event planning and execution
- Communication and public relations
- Business operations
- Strategic planning
- Revenue generation
- Relationship building
Because this concentration is paired with Central Penn College’s Business Administration bachelor’s degree, graduates benefit from a versatile educational foundation that can support long-term career growth and flexibility.
Who Should Study Sports Management?
Sports Management is ideal for students who are passionate about athletics and interested in the business side of sports organizations. It is a strong choice for individuals who enjoy leadership, teamwork, communication, event planning, and organizational management.
This concentration may be a strong fit for:
- Future sports industry professionals
- Student-athletes interested in sports careers
- Individuals passionate about athletics and business
- Future event managers and coordinators
- Students interested in sports marketing
- Individuals seeking leadership opportunities in sports organizations
Benefits of Sports Management
Turn Your Passion into a Profession
Sports Management allows students to combine their love of sports with practical business skills that lead to rewarding career opportunities.
Work in a Dynamic Industry
No two days are the same in sports. From game days and tournaments to sponsorship activations and community events, the sports industry offers exciting and fast-paced work environments.
Develop Leadership Skills
Sports organizations depend on leaders who can manage people, coordinate operations, solve problems, and make strategic decisions.
Build Valuable Professional Networks
The sports industry is built on relationships. Students gain skills that help them connect with athletes, coaches, sponsors, media professionals, and business leaders.
Career Versatility
Sports Management graduates can work in professional sports, collegiate athletics, youth sports organizations, recreation programs, event management companies, sports marketing agencies, and more.
Strong Business Foundation
Unlike highly specialized sports programs, Central Penn College’s Sports Management concentration is part of a Business Administration degree, providing both sports-specific expertise and broad business knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Management
What is Sports Management?
Sports Management is the business and operational side of the sports industry. Professionals in sports management oversee areas such as marketing, event management, sponsorships, operations, facilities, communications, and organizational leadership.
What can you do with a Sports Management degree?
A Sports Management degree can prepare graduates for careers in sports marketing, athletic administration, event management, team operations, sponsorship sales, sports communications, facility management, and recreation leadership.
Is Sports Management a good career?
Yes. Sports Management can be an excellent career choice for individuals who are passionate about sports and enjoy leadership, communication, business strategy, and organizational management.
Why is Sports Management important?
Sports Management is important because successful sports organizations require strong leadership, strategic planning, effective marketing, and efficient operations to serve athletes, fans, sponsors, and communities.
What skills do Sports Management professionals need?
Successful sports management professionals often possess leadership, communication, problem-solving, organizational, marketing, sales, and relationship-building skills.
Why study Sports Management at Central Penn College?
Central Penn College’s Sports Management concentration combines specialized sports industry knowledge with the broad business foundation of a Business Administration bachelor’s degree. Students gain practical leadership, marketing, operations, and management skills while earning a degree from a college that has been educating business leaders since 1881.
Earn Your Business Administration Degree with a Sports Management Concentration
If you’re passionate about sports and want to build a career behind the scenes of the games, teams, and organizations that inspire millions of fans, Central Penn College’s Sports Management concentration can help you get there.
As part of our Business Administration bachelor’s degree program, you’ll gain the knowledge, practical skills, and professional confidence needed to pursue careers in athletic administration, sports marketing, event management, team operations, and sports business leadership while earning a degree from a college that has been educating business leaders since 1881.
Study business. Lead teams. Build a career in the business of sports.
Program offered
On-ground, online, hybrid
In the news
Courses
General Issues in Sports Management
Sports Ethics and Leadership
Advanced Sports Management
Sports Coaching
Principles of Marketing
Public Relations
Careers you can pursue
- Athletic director
- Athletic trainer
- Coach
- Contract negotiator
- Event coordinator
- Public relations manager
- Sports agent
- Sports psychologist
- Corporate wellness coach and more.
You will succeed if you are...
- Competitive
- Athletic-minded
- Natural leader
- Team player
89.5% of our graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation.
* Based on graduates whom we have information during a one-year period from 2023-24. It should be noted that 97.9% of graduates were employed in some capcity or continuing their education.
