MS in Sport Management
Master of Science in Sport Management
Learn the Business of Sport at One of the World's Leading Programs
Sport is one of the world's fastest-growing industries, creating strong demand for professionals with expertise in business, analytics, marketing and sponsorship. For more than 30 years, the George Washington University School of Business has prepared students to lead the sport business. Consistently ranked among the world's top sport management programs, GW's Master of Science in Sport Management (MSSM) combines the rigor of an AACSB-accredited business school with unparalleled access to the organizations shaping the global sport industry.
Located in Washington, D.C., students are immersed in one of the nation's most influential sports markets while building careers across professional sports, collegiate athletics, analytics, sponsorship, marketing, media, event management and athlete representation. Through industry-connected faculty, experiential learning and a network of more than 500 alumni, students graduate ready to make an immediate impact.
First Things First: What Is a Master of Science in Sport Management?
A Master of Science in Sport Management (MSSM) is a graduate degree that prepares students for business and leadership roles across the sport industry: professional teams and leagues, international governing bodies, agencies, media companies, brands and universities.
At the George Washington University (GW), that means a business-school curriculum covering not just sport-specific expertise, but analytics, sponsorship, marketing, law, media, communications and event management—a full toolkit that today's employers demand. The curriculum is reinforced through real-world consulting projects and experiential learning opportunities with organizations across the sport industry, helping students apply classroom concepts to professional challenges.
Why GW Sport Management?
- Ranked top-five global sport management program (SportBusiness)
- More than 30 years preparing sport industry leaders
- 500+ alumni across every sector of the sport industry
- AACSB-accredited business school
- Evening classes designed for working professionals and internships
- Olympic experiential learning since 1992
- Washington, D.C.—steps away from professional teams, leagues and agencies
MSSM Program at a Glance
Total Credits: 36
Commitment: Full-Time or Part-Time
Location: In-Person, Evening Classes to Accommodate Working Professionals & Internships
Length of Program: 2 years (full-time) or 2.5 years (part-time)
What You'll Learn
GW's MS in Sport Management combines business fundamentals with specialized expertise across every aspect of the sport industry. Students build skills in finance, strategy, marketing and analytics while exploring sport law, media, communications, sponsorship, event management and athlete representation.
Curriculum
The curriculum emphasizes practical application from day one. Students analyze real business challenges, complete consulting projects and interpret data to inform strategic decisions. Along the way, they learn to conduct research, analyze global sport markets, manage public relations and media, navigate legal and organizational challenges, and make ethical business decisions.
Because the sport industry changes quickly, the curriculum evolves with it. When Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) transformed collegiate athletics, GW introduced one of the nation's first courses dedicated to the topic. Students operate class-run agencies, serve as agents of record for GW student-athletes and negotiate real NIL opportunities, resulting in a portfolio of practical experience, not just classroom knowledge.
- Core Courses
- Sport Finance and Economics
- Sport Marketing and Sponsorship
- Sport Analytics and Data
- Sport Law
- Sport Media and Communications
- Sport and Event Facility Management
- Event and Facility Management
- Collegiate Athletic Management
- Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)
- Research Methods and Applied Projects
- Experiential Learning
- Capstone
Three Career Tracks
Students work with faculty to identify the courses and experiences that best match their career goals and professional background. Three tracks guide that process:
Analytics Track
For students targeting data, salary cap analysis, business intelligence and performance analytics roles across teams, leagues and agencies. The business school foundation gives GW analytics students a commercial edge that pure data science programs do not offer. For students interested in sports analytics, GW's business school grounding provides depth in commercial strategy and organizational decision-making that standalone MS in sports analytics programs do not offer.
Sponsorship, Communications and Marketing Track
For students focused on brand partnerships, athlete representation, communications, agency work and commercial strategy. The sport marketing class, taken in the first semester, asks students to build a real sponsorship proposal pairing an organization with a brand. For many, it is the project that paves the way to a fulfilling career in any aspect of sport marketing.
Events and Facilities Track
For students pursuing careers in operations, venue management, event production and international sporting events. The SINC Conference, the Sport Philanthropy Summit and the Olympic program are each closely connected to this track, giving GW students a direct pipeline to event roles before they graduate.
Maximize Your ROI: Customize Your Degree Path
- The 4+1 Program: Earn Your Bachelor’s and Master’s in Five Years
Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in an eligible GW school have the opportunity to accelerate the path to earning a Master's in Sport Management.
- Dual Degree Opportunity: MBA + MSSM
Double your impact with GW’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Sport Management (MSSM) dual degree. This forward-thinking program combines business strategy and project leadership through a dynamic mix of coursework and hands-on experiences, preparing you to lead with purpose in today’s complex, project-driven world.
By allowing select credits to count toward both degrees, students complete 18 fewer credit hours—saving time and cost compared to pursuing each degree separately.
- Graduate Certificates: Build Specialized Expertise
Tailor your degree plan to your professional goals by adding a graduate certificate that builds specialized expertise alongside your core business education.
Choose from the following 12-credit graduate certificates or explore all certificate options:
Business Analytics
Foundational courses train students to harness “Big Data." Learn descriptive, predictive and prescriptive methodologies and become fluent in the language of data-driven decision making.
Marketing & Brand Management
Learn to design a cohesive brand identity, manage the customer experience, analyze brand performance, and differentiate communication strategies local and global markets.
Global Management
Learn to lead organizations across international borders, including topics of marketing, global supply chain, human resources, operations, and consulting roles.
Quantitative Business Foundations
Build the analytical expertise needed to drive strategy in any industry and gain a strong foundation in core business disciplines.
What Makes GW's
MSSM Different?
The GW MS in Sport Management is distinguished by something few programs can replicate: decades of relationships across every corner of the sport industry. Faculty are internationally recognized scholars and industry practitioners whose professional networks become opportunities for students through internships, consulting projects, site visits and career mentorship.
Experiential learning is woven throughout the program. Students organize major industry conferences, travel to league headquarters, participate in Olympic and international study experiences and work with real organizations on real business challenges.
The combination of business-school rigor, global industry access and a powerful alumni network has helped more than 500 graduates build careers with professional teams, leagues, agencies, brands and governing bodies around the world.
Washington, D.C.: The Sports Capital
GW students benefit from studying in one of the nation's premier sports markets, with unmatched access to professional teams, leagues, governing bodies and sport business organizations.
Washington, D.C., is home to teams from every major U.S. professional sports league, a new Major League Volleyball franchise and a year-round calendar of high-profile events, including the NFL Draft, NCAA regionals and the Frozen Four. Just minutes from campus are the NFL Players Association headquarters, leading agencies such as Octagon and Genesco, organizations that define the sport industry in America, and sports teams including the Commanders, Nationals, Wizards, Mystics, Capitals, D.C. United and Spirit.
That proximity translates into opportunity. GW students gain hands-on experience through internships, consulting projects and event operations, with recent experiences including the Super Bowl, FIFA Club World Cup and the National Sports Forum Case Cup—an event won multiple times by GW students.
This is one of maybe five cities with teams in five major leagues. I would never have had these opportunities elsewhere.
Pablo Dragnic Toha (MSSM '26), Corporate Partnerships Intern, D.C. United
Experiential Learning: Out in the Field
Every student completes a required experiential learning placement, working inside a real sport organization: professional teams, international events and more. Students have been placed with the Washington Nationals, Monumental Sports, D.C. United and international tournaments abroad. Multiple students have converted placements into full-time roles.
The research methods class takes this further: students spend a full semester working directly with a sport organization and presenting findings to senior executives. That is how one recent graduate spent five months inside Monumental's business intelligence team before applying for and landing a job there.
Only at GW: The Olympic Program
Since 1992, GW has offered students the opportunity to attend and work the Olympic Games, an experiential program unique to this region. Students work alongside International Olympic Committee staff in real operational roles, including event management, access control, hospitality and logistics. Twenty-eight students traveled to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics. For some students, their first class was in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Los Angeles 2028 is already in the planning.
When students go out into the job market, these projects often become their strongest conversation starters. Being able to say, ‘I worked with Bermuda’ or ‘I worked with Ketchikan, Alaska’ gives them real-world experience that stands out on a resume.
Seleni Matus, Adjunct Professor of Tourism & Director, International Institute of Tourism Studies (IITS)
The NYC Career Trek
Each fall, 20 to 25 students travel to New York City for two days of exclusive visits with executives at the league offices of the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS, along with leading organizations such as Excel Sports Management, Madison Square Garden Sports (MSG), The Team (Wasserman), Fanatics and Bleacher Report. These experiences are made possible through GW's extensive alumni network with senior roles at each, giving students direct access to senior industry leaders and hiring decision-makers.
The relationships built over decades often create unforgettable moments. On one recent visit, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stopped by unexpectedly to speak with the group, an example of the access and opportunities made possible through the program's longstanding connections across the sport industry.
Students in my class were blown away. Having the NHL Commissioner walk into our meeting and ask if he can speak to the students, they could never have imagined that.
Meredith Geisler, Teaching Instructor, GW MSSM
The SINC Conference and Sport Philanthropy Summit
The annual Sport Industry Networking and Career (SINC) Conference gives students the opportunity to plan and execute one of the region's premier sport industry networking events. Managed entirely by MSSM students, the conference brings more than 100 sport industry professionals to campus, giving students hands-on experience in event planning, logistics, programming and professional engagement.
Students also participate in the Sport Philanthropy Summit, which connects them with athlete foundations, community relations departments and sport nonprofit organizations. The event provides valuable insight into careers at the intersection of sport and social impact while expanding students' professional networks.
Small Cohort. Big Connections.
Designed with working professionals in mind, GW's evening class schedule allows students to pursue internships and full-time careers while earning their degree. The program's intentionally small cohort creates a collaborative learning environment where students take core courses together, build lasting professional relationships and share experiences both inside and outside the classroom—including opportunities to travel to major international sporting events.
Students come from a wide range of backgrounds, including career changers, former collegiate athletes, recent graduates, experienced professionals returning to school and international students. The program's close-knit size also means students receive personalized mentorship from renowned faculty who know them by name and are deeply invested in their academic and professional success.
It's a tight-knit group. We take the same classes, do group projects, hang out after. If you're looking for that graduate school experience, it's really good.
Samir Rahman (MSSM '26), Intern at Monumental Sports & Entertainment and the Washington Commanders
Career Support That Starts on Day One
Career development begins before classes even start. Faculty connect incoming students with professional networks, industry opportunities and the broader GW sport community, helping them build relationships from the moment they join the program. Backed by decades of connections across Washington, D.C.'s teams, agencies and sport organizations, students regularly secure internships and full-time positions with employers such as Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the Washington Commanders, the Washington Nationals and D.C. United.
In addition to faculty mentorship and alumni connections, students have access to the F. David Fowler Career Center, which offers dedicated career coaching, résumé and interview preparation, networking resources and employer engagement opportunities for all GW School of Business students.
Nobody works harder for their students than Professor Delpy Neirotti. Employers reach out to us specifically because of how she trains her students. That reputation is unsurpassed."
Meredith Geisler, Teaching Instructor, GW MSSM
The GW Green Sports Scorecard
The GW Green Sports Scorecard is a sustainability assessment tool created by GW Sport Management Faculty Director Lisa Delpy Neirotti to help sport organizations measure and improve their environmental impact. Read more and take the Green Sports Scorecard assessment.
Career Outcomes
A Growing Industry With Real Demand
A Master in Sport Management from GW prepares graduates for careers across the global sport industry, including analytics, sponsorship, brand partnerships, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), athlete representation, agency work, event and facility management, media and collegiate athletics.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, entertainment and sports occupations are projected to generate nearly 100,000 job openings annually through 2034, with median wages exceeding the national average. For graduates entering analytics, sponsorship and marketing roles, salaries typically range from $70,000 to $95,000, with senior and executive positions well above that threshold.
As organizations invest more heavily in data, technology and fan engagement, sports analytics is projected to continue its rapid growth. Those trends align closely with the strengths of GW's Master of Science in Sport Management program, where analytics and sponsorship are among the top career paths for graduates.
Where Our Alumni Are Leading
More than 500 GW Sport Management alumni are building careers across every sector of the global sport industry, shaping the future of sports worldwide at leading organizations. The program's impact can be seen at every level of the industry. Three of the four professionals in the NFL Players Association's salary cap division are GW alumni. Graduates also serve in leadership roles across professional sports, including as vice president of marketing for the Washington Wizards, assistant general manager of the Washington Mystics, and senior leaders at YETI and Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One.
For current students, this global alumni network is more than a list of names—it's a community of mentors, internship supervisors, hiring managers and industry leaders who help open doors throughout the sport industry.
Teams and Leagues
- NBA / WNBA
- NFL / NFL Players Association
- NHL
- MLB
- MLS / NWSL
- NCAA
- PGA
- WWE
- UFC
- Washington Capitals / Commanders / Nationals
- D.C. United
- Boston Celtics
- Chicago Bulls / Cubs
- LA Lakers / Dodgers
- New York Yankees
- Red Bull Racing F1
- Universities: Athletic departments nationwide
Agencies
- AEG
- CAA Sports
- Endeavor
- Excel Management
- Genesco
- GenG
- IMG
- Madison Square Garden Sports
- Octagon
- The Team (Wasserman)
International
- International Olympic & Paralympic Committees
- FIFA
Media and Brands
- ESPN
- NBC Sports
- Bleacher Report
- EA Sports
- Twitch
- Monumental Sports & Entertainment
- Adidas
- Nike
- Under Armour
- Fanatics
Career Support
Dedicated Career Center
The GW Business F. David Fowler Career Center provides exclusive access to employer connections, recruiting opportunities and career resources, including professional development workshops on technical skills, presentations and salary negotiation.
Personalized Career Coaching
Experienced career coaches with a proven track record of supporting successful career outcomes and advancement help you build an effective job search strategy while providing resume reviews and mock interviews.
Mentorship Opportunities
Participate in the Careers360 program to connect with industry mentors in consulting, finance or marketing.
Global Alumni Network
With more than 60,000 alumni spanning 260+ organizations, Fortune 500 companies, startups, and nonprofits around the world, you’ll gain access to mentorship, connections and career opportunities that open doors and accelerate your impact.
Admissions
Admission to GW's MS in Sport Management program is competitive, with limited enrollment to support two collaborative, cohort-based learning experience annually (fall and spring).
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is encouraged. Candidates seeking financial assistance and international students requiring visas are especially encouraged to apply early.
Our admissions team is here to guide you through the process and answer any questions along the way. Learn more about application requirements and next steps on our How to Apply page.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is encouraged. The admissions committee takes a holistic approach, considering academic performance, professional experience and achievements, and letters of recommendation.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Current résumé
- Statement of Purpose: In no more than 500 words, describe how this program fits into your professional life and your career objectives. What will the MSF program enable you to do?
- One letter of recommendation from a professional and/or academic reference
- Application fee (non-refundable)
- Completed online application form
No GRE or GMAT is required. However, applicants who feel their test scores strengthen their candidacy are welcome to submit them.
Applicants who require a visa to study in the United States must also fulfill additional requirements in order to be considered for admission to a graduate program at the School of Business.
The GW Master of Science in Sport Management welcomes students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. Whether you're a recent graduate, former student-athlete, career changer or working professional looking to advance your career, the program is designed to help you succeed in the business of sports.
Students have earned undergraduate degrees in business, communications, sport management, marketing, sociology, economics, supply chain management, kinesiology and many other fields. No specific major is required—curiosity, commitment and a passion for the sport industry matter most.
The program also attracts international students seeking to study in Washington, D.C., where GW's connections to organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA provide a global perspective on the sport industry.
We look for people who have high energy and are willing to work. We open a lot of doors here—to teams, to agencies, to international organizations, to experiences most people only dream about. The students who walk through those doors ready to engage are the ones who build careers that exceed their own expectations.
-Lisa Delpy Neirotti, Faculty Director, GW MSSM
The MS in Sport Management program admits cohorts in the fall and spring semesters.
Application Deadlines
Candidates seeking financial assistance and international students requiring visas are encouraged to apply early. Only completed applications, with all required materials, will be considered for admission.
- Spring 2026 - Closed
- Summer 2026 - Closed
- Fall 2026 - Rolling. Based upon seat availability.
Please note:
- Admissions for the following programs is offered only for the fall semester: Global MBA, Master of Accountancy in Accounting Analytics, M.S. in Business Analytics
- The M.S. in AI for Business is accepting Spring 2027 applications for the Enterprise (Business) and Systems & Deployment tracks only. The AI Analytics track will open for Fall 2027.
- Summer admission deadlines apply only to the Online Master's in Human Resources Management and Online MS in Management.
- Admission to all other programs is offered for the fall and spring semesters only.
- Doctoral and executive education programs may have different admissions deadlines.
Tuition, Fees & Funding
Tuition: Tuition is determined on a per-credit basis, which may very each semester depending on the number of courses you take. The base tuition for this 36-credit sport management master's degree is ~$75,000. Students should also plan for university fees, books, and living expenses. Since rates are reviewed and updated annually, prospective students are encouraged to check the official GW tuition and fees page for the most current cost information.
Financial Aid: Many of GW’s MSSM students receive merit-based awards, based on academic background and performance, to offset tuition costs and expenses. Additional options include graduate assistantships, employer sponsorship, and federal financial aid.
CONTACT US
Meet Your GW School of Business Team
Behind every step of your graduate student journey is a team ready to help. Connect with faculty, admissions and advising to get the answers and guidance you need.
Admissions Team
business
gwu [dot] edu (subject: MS%20in%20Sport%20Management%20admissions) (Email Admissions Team)
Faculty Director
Academic Advisor
- MSSM Faculty Spotlight
GW's Master of Science in Sport Management faculty bring both academic expertise and extensive industry experience to the classroom. As leaders in sport management, they integrate current challenges, professional insights and real-world perspectives into every course, helping students connect theory with practice. The faculty are actively shaping the future of the sport industry through influential research, consulting, professional leadership and partnerships with leading organizations.
Lisa Delpy Neirotti, Ph.D. | Faculty Director, Associate Professor
Professor Lisa Delpy Neirotti is one of the world's leading scholars in sport management, internationally recognized for her work in sport tourism, event management and Olympic studies. Having attended every Olympic Games since 1994, she has built an extensive network spanning the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIFA, professional sports leagues and organizations across the global sport industry. Her research—including the nationally recognized GW Green Sports Scorecard, which helps sport organizations evaluate and strengthen their environmental sustainability efforts—has influenced industry practices, while her professional connections create meaningful experiential learning opportunities that give students hands-on experience with real organizations and projects.Meredith Geisler | Teaching Instructor
With more than 40 years of experience as a sports publicist and media director for major international sporting events, Meredith Geisler brings decades of industry expertise to the classroom. She teaches the Sport Communications, NIL, Event Facilities Management and Collegiate Athletics Management courses, equipping students with the practical skills to represent athletes, manage brand narratives and navigate the rapidly evolving business of sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Master of Science in Sport Management?
An MS in Sport Management—also called a master's degree in sport management or a sport management master's—prepares students for business and operational roles across the sport industry. At GW, that means a business-school curriculum covering analytics, sponsorship, marketing, law, media, communications and event management, taught through real projects with real organizations.
- What makes GW's MSSM one of the best sport management graduate programs?
GW's Master of Science in Sport Management, one of the longest-running programs of its kind, stands apart because it approaches sport as a business. Housed in the GW School of Business since 1993—among the first sport management programs in the country to be embedded within a business school rather than kinesiology or continuing education—the program prepares students to lead through the lenses of management, strategy, finance, analytics and marketing, rather than focusing solely on the operational side of sport.
That business-first approach is reinforced by the School of Business's AACSB accreditation, a distinction held by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide. This prestigious accreditation signals to employers that graduates have earned their degree from a globally recognized institution with rigorous academic standards.
Combined with more than three decades of industry partnerships, a global network of 500+ alumni and experiential learning opportunities connected to the Olympic Games, the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup, the National Sports Forum Case Cup and other premier events, students graduate with the business expertise, professional network and hands-on experience to compete for leadership roles across the global sport industry. Students can further customize their degree with graduate certificates in areas such as business analytics, international business and quantitative foundations for additional differentiation in competitive markets.
- What is unique about studying sport management at GW in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C., gives GW students direct access to every major professional league, a dense network of sport agencies and organizations, and a calendar of marquee events that serve as real professional experiences. D.C. is one of only a handful of cities with teams across five major leagues, and GW students are embedded in that ecosystem from their first semester.
- Are there prerequisites for the MS in Sport Management?
No specific prerequisites. Students come from business, communications, sport, marketing, sociology, supply chain, economics and kinesiology. Commitment and energy matter more than undergraduate fields.
- How long does the GW MSSM take to complete?
Students starting in the fall graduate in the spring of their second year, typically 18 months of full-time study. Evening classes allow students to work or intern simultaneously. The program manager maps out each student's schedule from day one.
- What career paths does a sport management master's degree open?
A Master of Science in Sport Management from GW prepares graduates for careers across the global sport industry, including analytics, sponsorship, brand partnerships, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), athlete representation, agency work, event and facility management, media, and collegiate athletics.
- Is GW's MS in Sport Management available online?
GW's MSSM is a full-time, in-person program based in Washington, D.C. Evening classes are designed to give students maximum flexibility, allowing them to work or intern during the day while completing their degree, but the program is not offered online. For students who need flexibility alongside real professional access, the evening structure and D.C. location provide more hands-on opportunity than any online sport management master's program can replicate.
- Can students go to the Olympics or Super Bowl through the program?
Yes. GW has sent students to work the Olympic Games since 1992, and students are hired by the NFL for Super Bowl operational roles. Twenty-eight students went to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Learn More
Attend an Info Session
Info sessions and open houses, offered in-person and online, are your chance to explore what makes our programs stand out. Connect directly with our faculty and staff to learn about the MSSM program, career outcomes, study abroad options, the admissions process and more.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Join a program where business school rigor meets unparalleled access to the sport industry. Turn your passion for sports into a career with a program that combines business expertise, hands-on experience and connections across the global sport industry. Your next inning in the business of sports starts at GW.
Latest MSSM News & Research
GW Business Students Reflect on Attending Milan Olympics
February 27, 2026
GW Business Continues to Excel in National and Global Rankings
October 30, 2025
How GW Alumni Are Building Their Careers in Sports
September 11, 2025