Sports business spans principles of accounting, marketing and finance in sports and recreation. Professionals in sports business must understand how to approach revenue generation and fan engagement, while working with athletics, leagues, teams and more. The field explores how business, media and sports interact for mutual benefits and profitability.
There isn’t another online sports business degree concentration in the nation that’s housed within a business school as prominent or nationally ranked as the W. P. Carey School of Business. As a student, you’ll receive a world-class business education through the lens of sports. You’ll also work with professors who serve as consultants to many prominent sports entities, while being sought out as experts in their fields by the Arizona Republic, Sports Business Journal and other leading industry publications.
Transferable skills for sports management and other careers in business
Whether you’re already working in the sports industry or you’d like to better understand the role of business in sports, this program may help you reach your professional goals. You’ll gain expertise on best practices for marketing, analytics, revenue generation and more. You’ll also develop theoretical and practical skills that’ll apply directly to the sports industry and almost any business context, such as:
- Critical thinking.
- Organization
- Perseverance.
- Persuasion.
- Problem solving.
- Teamwork.
- Verbal and written communication.
Understand the business of sports
As sports evolve to maintain relevance in the increasingly fragmented world of business and entertainment, the sports industry must approach revenue generation and fan engagement from an unexplored lens. This bachelor’s in business with a sports business concentration exposes you to business, marketing and sports management principles that apply to a competitive and changing landscape.
From consumer behavior to strategic business processes, this program provides you with a well-rounded skill set to work in the industry. You’ll complete coursework that’ll teach you how to interact with a variety of stakeholders in the expanding domain of sports. These stakeholders may include sports leagues, teams, mega-events, collegiate athletics, media, sponsorship, retailers and venues, among others that support and facilitate sports-related activities.

Are you ready to turn your enthusiasm and passion for sports into a career? Arizona State University’s Bachelor of Arts in business with a concentration in sports business prepares you for an evolving career in the field of sports. You’ll take coursework with a focus on the business and management side of the sports industry to learn how to work with leagues, collegiate athletics, media, venues, retailers and more.
You’ll take courses on business principles and theories that apply to the sports industry. Coursework may include communication in business, mathematics for business analysis, marketing performance, fan behavior, sports marketing and media. You’ll explore what it means to be a consumer in the business of sports and what marketers need to know to design, evaluate and implement effective marketing strategies for fans. Courses may include:
The W. P. Carey School of Business faculty is passionate about innovative research and impact. Our school fosters an environment of global thinking, with a cohort of award-winning faculty from six continents around the globe and a student body that represents more than 100 countries. Faculty accolades include:
- National Academy of Sciences members.
- Renowned journal publications.
- Speakers at national conferences.
The W. P. Carey School of Business is one of the top business schools in the country. Our AACSB-accredited business school is committed to delivering excellent quality and value. Our U.S. News & World Report rankings reflect our commitment to academics, groundbreaking research and positive student outcomes.
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All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year | Transfer | International | Readmission
Some programs may have additional requirements for admission.
First-year applicants who meet the requirements for ASU first-year student admission are eligible for direct admission to the W. P. Carey School of Business Bachelor of Arts in sports business program. To be admitted to ASU, you must be a high school graduate and meet one of the following criteria:
- An SAT Reasoning score of 1120* (March 2016 and after) or 1040* (prior to March 2016) for residents.
- An SAT Reasoning score of 1180* (March 2016 and after) or 1110* (prior to March 2016) for non-residents.
- ACT 22 (24 non-residents).*
- A high school class ranking in the top 25%.
- An overall, unweighted high school GPA of 3.00 in competency courses defined by ASU (4.00 = “A”).
*ASU and W. P. Carey don’t require the writing portion of these tests.
If you’re a transfer student applying to the W. P. Carey School of Business Bachelor of Arts in sports business program, you’re eligible for direct admission if you have met the following requirements:
- ASU transfer student admission requirements.
- 3.00 cumulative ASU GPA (if you have attended ASU).
- 3.00 cumulative transfer GPA (if you have attended another institution).
- Minimum grade requirements must be met for all critical tracking courses taken (applicable only if student falls under critical tracking requirements).
An ASU academic integrity violation may preclude a student from entering or changing W. P. Carey academic programs.
Are you interested in challenging yourself academically by adding honors to your studies? Join Barrett, The Honors College to elevate your undergraduate experience and enhance your degree.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”