SNU is Ready to Answer the Demand in the Sports Industry with Sports Management Degree

MASMA Student intern for the OKC Dodgers

SNU is Ready to Answer the Demand in the Sports Industry with Sports Management Degree

BETHANY, OK – SNU’s College of Professional and Graduate Studies is ready to answer a growing nationwide demand for jobs in the sports industry with its Master’s degree program in the field of Sports Management and Administration. Applications for prospective students are open for the next online cohort, set to begin coursework on March 31, 2021.

 The sports industry has been one of the hardest-hit sectors in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From youth to college to the professional levels, sports leagues across the nation were shut down or faced heavy restrictions that cut operational budgets. Post-COVID-19, the sports industry is expected to make a significant comeback that includes projections of growth and job opportunities across the spectrum. SNU’s Master of Arts in Sports Management and Administration (MASMA) prepares students for careers in all levels of sport management, including recreational, interscholastic, amateur, collegiate, and professional.

“As fans return to the stands following the pandemic, the sports industry is projecting an $83 billion market recovery by 2023,” said SNU’s Chair of Graduate and Professional Studies in Kinesiology, Dr. Sylvia M. Goodman. “To get there, the industry needs people prepared for a variety of job and career opportunities.”

MASMA students engage top-notch coursework from leaders in the field, in addition to valuable networking opportunities with organizations like the Detroit Pistons and the Toronto Blue Jays. The program is designed for busy adult students, with classes taking place one night a week or completely online and the ability to study one subject at a time. Upon completion of the 20-month program, graduates will have a firm understanding of social issues, communications, management, law, and more as they apply to athletics.

Ryan Vanlow, director of corporate partnerships for the Oklahoma City Dodgers baseball team, agrees that demand for positions in this field will be high in the coming years. “While it’s hard to predict exactly where the biggest areas of potential hiring growth will be moving forward,” he said, “we can be assured that as sports across the landscape begin to ramp back up, there will be an increase in demand for any role directly responsible for generating revenue, including sponsorships and ticket sales.”

In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 7 percent growth in the sports industry. Examples of jobs in this field include:

  • Sports marketing (projecting a 6 percent growth with an average salary of $140,000)
  • Sports agent (projecting a 5 percent growth and an average salary between $97,000 to $110,000)
  • Sports facility manager (projecting a 7 percent growth and an average salary between $50,000-$125,000)
  • Athletic directors for high schools, colleges, and universities (projecting a 4 percent growth and an average salary of $95,000 per year)
  • Coaching positions at both university and professional levels (projecting the sharpest bump with a 12 percent increase and starting salaries averaging $44,000)

To learn more about this degree program and to begin the application process, visit SNU’s Sport Management and Administration program page, as well as the university’s guide on “What to Expect from Online Adult Education.”

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