Sport Business Management

Sport business is also big business. What do sportspersons’ contracts include? Why are image rights so important and lucrative? How are multi-million-pound football transfers structured and executed? How do stadium naming rights work? These are all a part of a day’s work in the exciting world of a manager in sports business.

The exciting and evolving global sports market is estimated to be worth over £400bn and is growing at a significant rate year on year. Over the past decade, there has been a huge increase of career opportunities in the sport sector that require graduates with the skills, attributes and experience to thrive in such a dynamic industry. From organisation executives to agents and commercial managers, this is an industry for business-minded people with a passion for sport.

This course is designed to explore topics around digital innovation in sports business such as social media representation, modern marketing and online opportunities, events management and delivery, crisis management and sportsperson care and representation such as being a manager or agent looking after any and all needs from contract negotiations to advising on PR and media responsibilities.

Employability and entrepreneurship are at the core of this course and these transferable skills will give you a solid foundation from which to build your career. Placements, project fieldwork and workshops will prepare you to hit the ground running the second you graduate.

What's covered in this course?

The course has a clear focus on preparing you for a career in sport business by providing a strong understanding of media handling and sponsorship alongside care and representation of athletes.

The course covers a variety of skills required to become a professional in Sport Business Management including technology and digital innovation, marketing, events, venue management, operations, player care and representation, sport tourism, sport media, and crisis and risk management.

Professional Placement Year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.