DAPHNE — The United States Sports University (USSU) recently announced the opening of applications for its new Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Sports Management program, which will officially launch in Fall 2025.

The newest program to be offered through the Cronan-Summitt School of Sport Business is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and specialized education that prepares them for leadership roles in the global sports industry.

The MBA in Sports Management offers a thorough curriculum that blends core business principles with specialized insights into the world of sports. The program aims to equip students with the strategic, operational and managerial skills necessary to excel in various sectors of the sports world, including professional, collegiate and international sports.

“The United States Sports University has been the gold standard in sports management for over 50 years,” USSU President Dr. Steve Condon said in an April 1 release. “This newly developed MBA capitalizes on the success of our alumni, current best practices in the industry, and top-tier faculty driven to student success.”

Graduates of the program will be well-positioned to assume high-level roles such as general managers, athletic directors, sports agents and executives in sports organizations globally.

The curriculum encompasses a broad range of subjects, including leadership, strategic planning, finance, economics and business analytics, along with targeted coursework in sports marketing, sponsorship, sports law, risk management, facility and event management and revenue generation within sports business.

“Our new MBA program represents a significant step forward for the Cronan-Summitt School of Sport Business,” said Dr. Brandon Spradley, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Cronan-Summitt School of Sport Business, in the release. “It embodies the leadership and excellence demonstrated by Joan Cronan and Pat Summitt throughout their careers. By combining business acumen with specialized sports management expertise, this program honors their legacy while empowering the next generation of sports industry leaders.”

The program will be taught by distinguished faculty with extensive academic and professional experience in business and sports management. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn and engage from industry experts, including Lee McElroy, a highly regarded leader in collegiate athletics with decades of experience in athletic administration.

Other faculty examples include notable sports leaders like China Jude and Ann Meyers Drysdale. Jude, a graduate of USSU, is currently President of Business Operations for the Detroit Pistons G-League team the Motor City Cruise and Drysdale is currently serving as a sports broadcaster for the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. Both guest lecturers are examples of master professionals students can only find under this program.

To accommodate working professionals, the MBA in Sports Management offers flexible online courses, ensuring students can balance their academic pursuits with their careers. The program also provides ample opportunities for networking with industry leaders, creating pathways for career advancement in the sports sector.

While the official program launch will occur in Fall 2025, students are invited to begin taking courses this summer, which will be directly applied to their MBA when the program officially commences.

Applications are now open, and USSU encourages early submissions to secure a place in this highly anticipated program. Admission deadlines and additional program details are available on the university’s website at ussa.edu.