MBA in Sports Management
Professionals who wish to work in the dynamic field of sports require an increasingly specialized, sports-related skill set. They require a good working knowledge of sports and business. This curriculum prepares students to meet the specific challenges of this profession through courses in sports marketing and management, and financial management as applied to sport and sponsorship. These are combined with fundamental business courses such as accounting, human resources and strategy to give graduates a solid understanding of a successful business environment.
Program Structure
The MBA in Sports Management (90 ECTS) is a one-year, three-term degree. Students complete five to six course modules per term which are combined with seminars, company visits, guest speaker sessions and case studies among others. In order to graduate, students must complete a management research methods module and a dissertation. This program is also available as a two-year, six-term, part-time degree.
(18 CH | 23 ECTS)
Management Skills
Show detailsThis course introduces the concepts of effective management in organizational settings. It covers a broad range of management functions, including organizational processes such as planning, organizing, leading and controlling. The course also considers the relationship between an individual and an organization, as well as that between the organization and the society in which it operates.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Organizational Behavior
Show detailsAn analysis of organizational behavior in the context of contemporary business, both locally and globally, is presented during this course. Students will review factors affecting the behavior of individuals and groups within organizations and how organizations affect their internal culture and respond to their environments. The course will be broadly divided into three parts: (a) individuals in organizations, (b) group or team processes, and (c) organizational processes. Students will also be asked to consider current challenges for managers, such as the impact of today's rapidly changing socio-cultural environment, globalization, evolving technology and shifting employment relationships.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Managerial Accounting
Show detailsAn understanding of financial and management accounting fundamentals for managers, stockholders, financial analysts and creditors and other professionals. The first part of the course focuses on financial accounting by understanding how economic events like operating activities, corporate investments and financing transactions are recorded in financial statements (i.e., income statements, balance sheets and statements of cash flow). The second part provides both a framework and the essential tools for analyzing financial statements. The third part examines management accounting from the perspective of a decision-maker to help students develop a framework for understanding managerial reports.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Marketing
Show detailsThis course dissects the marketing management process and focuses on creating and capturing customer value. The methods for discovering unmet customer needs and wants are also examined, along with methods for identifying market segments and target groups and how to successfully communicate a product’s value proposition.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Quantitative Business Methods
Show detailsThis course introduces the essential quantitative methods for analyzing business situations, making business decisions and finding optimal data-based management solutions. Students will explore the most important theories and practical applications of quantitative mathematical modeling for decision making. Students will acquire a greater comprehension of the importance of the business analytical approach, particularly when dealing with complex contexts, thus minimizing risk and uncertainty.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Seminar: Negotiation
Show detailsNegotiation skills are necessary for joint decision-making. Effective negotiation creates maximum value in the deal-making process. Differences are the basis for negotiation; there is no need for negotiation without them. This practical seminar looks at the theory and research on negotiation in different scenarios and then puts learning into practice. The course helps students build and strengthen their negotiation skills by developing an analytical understanding of negotiations and conflict management.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Seminar: Business Law
Show detailsThis course introduces international business law, investment treaties and provides a general overview of the different methods of dispute settlement. It combines theory, practical exercises and class discussions. No previous knowledge of international business law is necessary, as the objective is to give students an understanding of how the law and its mechanisms influence and affect international business operations.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Seminar: Crafting Your Future
Show detailsThis two-part personal and professional development program prepares MBA students for becoming next generation leaders. Each session involves different learning methods, spanning both theoretical and experiential learning, and includes self-assessment tools, self-awareness techniques, role-playing, peer-interviewing, journaling, meditation and goal-setting, among others. Students will find their purpose and meaning during their EU journey, hone their emotional and social intelligence skills, and determine their career anchors and occupational types.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
(21 CH | 27 ECTS)
Finance
Show detailsThis course covers the key principles of finance. Students learn to analyze and create alternative investment projects and to prepare corresponding budgets. Topics include the managerial approach to financial analysis, budgeting, planning and control, the management of working capital, long-term assets and long-term financing.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Human Resources Management
Show detailsThis course analyses the micro-functions of human resources management and explores its importance in developing, motivating and retaining employees. Students will learn about recruitment and talent acquisition, training, mentoring and promotion, appraisal, fair compensation, conflict resolution and legal issues. Throughout the course students are encouraged to consider the moral and ethical dimensions of HRM decisions, which can affect stakeholders and the organization’s reputation.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Global Economics
Show detailsThis course examines basic economic principles used in managerial situations. Topics include: global interdependence and the benefits of trade; market forces of supply and demand; supply, demand and government policies; measuring a nation’s income and cost of living; production and growth; savings, investment and the financial systems; unemployment; the monetary system; and money and inflation. Students learn to apply this knowledge when making economic decisions in a global business context. Students should have basic knowledge of economic terminology.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Strategic Management
Show detailsThe strategic positioning of an organization is instrumental to its success. Having a clear vision and mission that runs throughout the organization is key to both internal and external branding. To optimize the overall performance of a firm or a business unit within a firm, students learn to identify and analyze the drivers of performance and identify external changes that may affect optimal results. This course reviews the main concepts, methods and tools used in formulating strategies and implementing processes.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Management Information Systems
Show detailsThis course provides an overview of the functions and cost of technology. Students explore how companies make the most of their investment for managing data and for communicating both internally and externally at a time when companies’ IT budgets are continually increasing.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Seminar: Communication Skills
Show detailsThis seminar focuses on effective oral and written communication in a business setting. Emphasis is placed key principles that will enhance communication and effectiveness, as well as the development of skills and attitudes appropriate for business communication, especially in public speaking.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Seminar: Career Planning
Show detailsThis seminar helps students better understand, analyze and identify future career paths. The knowledge and experience acquired during the MBA course inevitably changes the individual’s profile in the market. Reassessing that profile, preparing a new CV and perfecting a networking presentation are essential when planning for the future. The changing business environment requires a more innovative approach to job seeking, and this seminar offers practical support for finding employment after graduating.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Seminar: Crafting Your Future
Show detailsThis two-part personal and professional development program prepares MBA students for becoming next generation leaders. Each session involves different learning methods, spanning both theoretical and experiential learning, and includes self-assessment tools, self-awareness techniques, role-playing, peer-interviewing, journaling, meditation and goal-setting, among others. Students will find their purpose and meaning during their EU journey, hone their emotional and social intelligence skills, and determine their career anchors and occupational types.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Business Strategy Simulation
Show detailsThe effective manager must understand a wide range of technical and social relationships and be able to integrate them within the cost, performance and time constraints of her/his area of responsibility. A computer-based management simulation (CAPSTONE Business Simulation) is created, which allows the student to test alternative actions of an operating business in a competitive environment without incurring costs or the risk of implementing them in a real setting. The simulation is played over several time periods.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
(15 CH | 20 ECTS)
Sports Marketing Management
Show detailsSports marketing can make a significant contribution to the success of sports performers, teams, organizations, events and related industries. Students will learn how to interact and connect with different audiences through broadcasting, branding, print and digital campaigns, as well as analyzing consumer behavior. This course examines the world of sports as a business and will focus on attracting the ultimate customer - sports fans - in an increasingly competitive, fragmented and global environment. Students will study current market opportunities and challenges facing the sports entertainment industry and examine trends that may impact the future of sports and its various audiences.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Financial Management Applications to Sport
Show detailsAlthough sport management in education often focuses on motivation and fundraising, it is important to remember that a club is not a company, and financial reporting requirements are different in the sports industry. This course provides students with a practical background of the principles of financial management and financial statements for the purposes of planning, administering, reporting and evaluating the financial performance of sport-related entities.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Sports Sponsorship
Show detailsThis course introduces the principles of sports sponsorship, then illustrates and teaches how to apply the concepts to real situations. Students learn about the issue of sponsorship by critically examining various sports sponsorship responsibilities, including planning, processing, sales strategizing, activating and evaluating. It provides an overview of the different methods through which brands can integrate their message and identity with sports sponsorship. It also examines what sports sponsorship is today in the context of global marketing, and how media have adopted technological advances for the sports marketing mix. Models of sponsorship and specific data research on consumerism will be used to showcase best marketing practices for brands to communicate through the sporting industry.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Sports Management Issues
Show detailsThis course provides an analysis of effective management strategies and the body of knowledge associated with pursuing a career in sport management. It introduces the student to sport management career opportunities and to sport principles as they apply to management, leadership style, communication, motivation and entrepreneurship.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Crafting Unique Sports Events
Show detailsThis course provides students with an understanding of the complexity involved in bidding for and staging major sports events, in a way that will achieve lasting benefits for the organizers, host communities and event owners. To ensure success, bids for major sporting events must effectively integrate several processes including defining a vision and goals, preparing the technical bid, bid operations, planning and implementing event and legacy operations. The content builds on current state-of-the art planning and management frameworks used by bid committees and organizing committees.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Dissertation
Show detailsThis comprises:
EUDRES - Research Methods:
This module provides students with the essential research skills for their dissertation.
DISSEM - Dissertation Seminar
DISMBA - Dissertation:
Students demonstrate the skills acquired throughout their MBA in a final research project, with the support of the MBA dissertation advisor.
15 CH | 20 ECTS
Learning Outcomes
Students gain the knowledge necessary to become successful sports managers, through case study research, company visits and routine networking with industry professionals. In addition to the managerial training they receive in a classroom setting students will also:
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of the overall world of sports management and what it entails.
- Apply major management principles to sports businesses.
- Understand the complexity of bidding for and staging major sports events.
- Apply theory and concepts to real life situations.