Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Study Sports Management in New York

New York is home to iconic sports franchises like the Yankees, Mets, Jets, Giants, and Bills. Even collegiate sports in New York are household names, like the Syracuse Orange. Given its rich history with sports, studying to become a sports management professional in the Empire State makes a lot of sense.

Another advantage of studying sports management in New York is the number of programs you can choose from. Whether you need to start your education with a bachelor’s degree or expand your skill set by pursuing a graduate degree, you will find option after option in New York.

Of course, with choice comes the difficulty of making a decision. That’s where this guide comes in! Below, you can explore the popular options in New York for getting your sports management education.

Accredited Sports Management Programs in New York - Best Sports Management Degrees in New York Online

Sports Management Programs in New York

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering sports management programs in New York:

  • New York University
  • St. John’s University
  • Columbia University
  • Long Island University
  • Full Sail University
  • Purdue Global
  • American Public University
  • Grand Canyon University

New York University

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

The Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from New York University is a comprehensive undergraduate program that prepares you for entry-level positions in sports-focused organizations. The program specifically focuses on the modern sports experience, including digital media, fan engagement, and the globalization of sports.

You must complete 128 credits to graduate. In most cases, you need four years to finish the degree requirements. However, taking an extra class each semester can cut your timeline to graduation by a full semester. Alternatively, you can attend part-time if necessary and take 4.5-6 years to finish your degree.

The first order of business is to complete the general education requirements. This part of the curriculum, which includes studies in writing, math, social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities, accounts for 60 credits. Each category of study requires you to take multiple classes. For example, the writing component includes a Writing Workshop, Writing as Exploration, and Writing as Critical Theory. Meanwhile, the natural sciences component requires you to take either Environment and Society or Environmental Systems Science.

Forty of the credits needed to graduate fall within the sports management major. Some of these classes focus on business-related principles, like financial management, accounting, leadership, and public relations. Many of the courses, though, provide detailed studies in specific aspects of sports management.

For example, one of the first specialized courses you will take is Introduction to Sports Management. This three-credit class explores the history of recreation and sports and examines the economic aspects of sports on the overall economy. You will also analyze the various forces that have impacted the growth of sports in the U.S. as well as its impact on business.

As another example, an Organizations in Sports course leads you on an examination of the various organizations, political entities, and businesses that affect the sports industry. You will discuss topics like government regulations, business life cycles, and common industry practices. You will also get an introduction to professional sports leagues, sports agencies, and Olympic governing bodies.

Additional studies explore topics like the following:

  • Sports Law
  • Revenue Generation in Spots
  • Ethical Issues in Sports
  • Applied Research
  • Foundations in Sports Entrepreneurship

A large portion of the curriculum consists of free electives. You are required to complete 28 elective credits, which you can choose from a wide range of options. Legal Skills, Sports Media Strategies, and the Sociology of Sport are just three examples. You can also choose from classes like Foundations in Sports Analytics, Global Professional League Governance, and Consumer Behavior.

One of the most crucial aspects of this program is the internship. This field-based experience allows you to work in a sports management environment with a mentor who will guide your development as a budding professional. You must complete at least 300 hours of supervised work experience, during which time you will hone your skills, expand your knowledge, and make important connections with professionals in the sports industry.

The admissions requirements for first-year students are as follows:

  • Be a current high school student, a high school graduate, or have a high school equivalency.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you have earned credit.
  • Submit a Self-Reported Academic Record.

St. John’s University

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

St. John’s University offers a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management that equips you with the knowledge and skills to be an effective manager in recreational, collegiate, amateur, and professional settings. The curriculum is broad-based and rigorous, and explores topics like event management, business management, media relations, and marketing, to name a few.

This program isn’t just focused on sports management, though. If you choose, you can add a minor in business to expand your skills. Likewise, you can add a minor in sports coaching if you envision a future on the sidelines. There is even an option to minor in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in Sports that educates you on the changing landscape of revenue sharing with collegiate athletes.

Since this is an undergraduate program, you must first complete the general education coursework required of all students regardless of major. As noted earlier, these introductory-level courses provide training in fields like the humanities, communications, natural sciences, math, and social sciences. You must complete multiple classes in these and other required fields.

However, you do have some leeway regarding what classes you use to count towards the requirements for each field. For example, you might take Introduction to Psychology to fulfill part of the humanities requirement. Alternatively, you might take Microeconomics, Sociological Principles, or Anthropology.

This program also requires you to complete 36 credits of major-area requirements. These classes examine essential topics in sports management, such as:

  • Principles of Sports Management
  • Managerial Aspects of Sports Management
  • Legal Aspects of Sports Management
  • Seminar in Sports Administration
  • Stadium and Arena Management

The core portion of the curriculum also includes coursework in Sports Communications, the Economics of Sports, and Sports Marketing. You will also take a Current Issues in Sports class that takes a look at the modern sports landscape. For example, you might analyze how NIL has changed the way collegiate teams identify, recruit, and retain athletes.

Another aspect of this curriculum is elective sports management credits. You must take two electives, which you can choose from a wide range of options. For example, you might take Sports Analytics, Social Media in Sports, or Sports Risk Management. Alternatively, you could take Sports Psychology, Sports History, or Strategic Sports Management. You have the freedom to choose the classes that align with your goals to best prepare yourself for your future career.

In addition to your training in sports management, you must also complete 18 credits of general business courses and 12 credits of general electives. These classes provide a strong foundation in business law, economics, management, accounting, and marketing that will help you develop into a well-rounded business professional.

Lastly, you’re required to complete a three-credit internship, during which you must amass at least 135 contact hours in a sports management setting. This work experience allows you to acquire hands-on training while being mentored by an experienced sports industry professional. You are responsible for identifying and pursuing your internship placement, though the university does offer support throughout the process.

This program offers another advantage—a dual-degree option. If you intend to get your master’s degree, you can apply to St. John’s Fast Track Program, which allows you to use some of your credits for your undergraduate and graduate studies. Doing so saves you time and money and allows you to get an advanced education that will qualify you for more job opportunities upon graduation.

You can apply to St. John’s online at any time. You must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:

  • Be a current high school student, a high school graduate, or have a high school equivalency.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you have earned credit.
  • Provide ACT or SAT scores. Alternatively, you can pursue the test-optional track. Doing so involves submitting the following materials, each of which is strongly recommended:
    • A personal essay
    • Letters of recommendation
    • A resume

Columbia University

Master of Science in Sports Management

The full-time Master of Science in Sports Management from Columbia University is a 36-credit program that takes about 16 months to complete. During your time at NYU’s New York City campus, you will take cutting-edge classes and participate in a market-influenced curriculum that prepares you to pursue advanced positions in the sports and entertainment industry.

The curriculum includes a broad range of required courses. On the one hand, you will take introductory classes like Foundations of Sports Management, which introduces you to critical topics in the sports business workplace and examines the history and development of sports management. On the other hand, you will take Leadership in Sports, which analyzes modern leadership theories and their practical application in sports settings.

There are two other core courses you must take: Sports Accounting and Finance and Sports Marketing. The former provides insights into the financial skills necessary to be successful in this industry. You will examine micro and macro-level finance concerns, acquire essential financial skills, and learn how to apply accounting principles in sports organizations. Meanwhile, the latter course explores essential topics in marketing for the 21st century, including promotional issues, meaning rights, media management, and digital advertising, to name a few.

You are also required to take Sports Law and Ethics. This class analyzes the complexities of the sports industry from an ethical and legal standpoint. You will discuss public policy, government oversight, and modern legal issues facing sports management personnel. You will also discuss Alternative Dispute Resolutions and how mediation, arbitration, and litigation might be used to settle sports-related disputes.

There is an analytics component to this program, too. You must take at least one analytics-focused class to gain an appreciation for how analytics can be used to improve the performance of sports organizations as well as the product that’s on the field. Some of the courses you can choose from to fulfill this requirement include the following:

  • Baseball Analytics
  • Soccer Analytics
  • Basketball Analytics
  • Business Intelligence in Sports
  • Sports Revenue Strategies and Analysis

Furthermore, you must choose 15 credits of elective classes. Much like the analytics component discussed above, you are given broad choices for completing this requirement. For example, if you’re interested in global sports issues, you might take International Sports Management as one of your electives. As another example, if digital sports media is of interest to you, you might take Sports Business Communications and Public Relations or Sports Media.

The final aspect of this program is an experiential sports project. You have three options: an internship, an independent study project, or a supervised research project.

The internship option is an excellent choice if you don’t already have experience working in the sports industry. As an intern, you will get a first-hand look at the day-to-day operations of a sports or entertainment organization, and you will participate in those operations for an extended period of time. In addition to working in a supervised setting, the internship is a valuable experience for networking.

If you choose the independent study option, you will complete academic research on a topic of your choice. The topic must have significant merit as an academic pursuit, and you must get faculty approval before beginning your research. You can choose to present your findings in whatever manner you see fit, be that an academic paper, a professional presentation, a case study analysis, or something in between.

The final experiential option is a supervised research project. Like independent study, the research project involves detailed academic research on an approved topic. You are free to pursue research in any sports-related area that interests you. Likewise, you can work with applicable partners (e.g., mentors, organizations) and within specific specialties (e.g., collegiate sports, women’s sports) as you see fit.

The admissions requirements are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Submit transcripts from every college or university you have attended.
  • Submit a statement of academic purpose.
  • Submit a supplemental essay.
  • Provide two letters of recommendation from professional or academic references.
  • Submit a current resume.
  • Submit a video essay.
  • Participate in an admissions interview if required.

Long Island University

Master of Science in Sports Management

Long Island University’s Master of Science in Sports Management provides you with opportunities to learn innovative approaches to managing modern sports organizations while also giving you access to renowned faculty members with real-world experience in this industry. The program’s curriculum is rigorous and experiential, meaning you will learn valuable knowledge and skills in the classroom while also being able to apply your learning in hands-on situations.

One of the most important features of this program is its flexibility. You can enroll in a standard, flexible, or accelerated track to align your studies with your specific needs. For example, if a traditional on-campus program doesn’t fit into your schedule, you can enroll in a hybrid option that allows you to complete most of your coursework online with occasional face-to-face meetings with your professors and classmates.

Whatever format you enroll in, this degree requires you to complete 30 credits of graduate study. Provided you study full-time, you can complete these requirements in just three academic terms.

The first term in this program offers studies in the following areas:

  • Strategic Sports Management
  • Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports
  • Sports Operations and Facilities Management
  • Sports Marketing Promotions and Sales

As you can see, this collection of classes gives you comprehensive training in some of the most important aspects of managing a sports-related business. You will learn how to develop strategic plans for growth, address critical legal and ethical issues, and devise strategies for managing sports facilities and enhancing the fan experience. Likewise, you will explore modern approaches for marketing sports experiences and attracting both fans and sponsors.

The program’s second term focuses on other crucial aspects of sports management. For example, you will take Leadership in Sports Management to develop your leadership skills and acquire the ability to manage small and large teams of professionals. As another example, you will deepen your understanding of the monetary aspect of sports management by taking Sports Finance. The other two courses you will take this semester—Alternative and Global Sports and eSports, Sports Better, and Fantasy Sports—examine cutting-edge aspects of the sports industry.

The final term includes one class—Sports Analytics—which examines how data collection, analysis, and interpretation can improve the functioning of sports organizations. You will also complete a Capstone in Sports Management, a summative project in which you analyze a critical issue in sports and use the knowledge and skills you have learned in the program to develop strategic solutions to the identified problem.

Throughout your time in this program, you will have access to sports professionals and organizations that enhance your learning and your ability to translate your learning into action. For example, the program has an illustrious list of guest speakers, from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to Michael Rubin, the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers to Bernadette McGlade, the commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Furthermore, you will have access to some of the most iconic sports teams and venues in the nation, including the Brooklyn Nets, The New York Rangers, Citi Field, and Madison Square Garden, to name a few. There are also three dozen NCAA Division I athletic teams in the Long Island region where you can gain relevant work experience.

The admission requirements are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended.
  • Submit any relevant materials as required by the program (e.g., a resume or curriculum vitae, an admissions essay, letters of recommendation, etc.).

How Much Can You Earn With a Sports Management Degree in New York?

As of January 2026, sports management professionals in New York earn an average annual salary of approximately $160,000. More experienced professionals in New York earn well over $200,000 per year.

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