The mission of the Sports Business in the Lewis College of Business is to educate undergraduate and graduate students to 
become reflective, principled, knowledgeable, and creative learners who will succeed in the global sport, tourism, and hospitality management community in the 21st century. We have a long and proud history of outstanding achievements across an array of academic fields related to the management of the sport and leisure industry. We maintain a strong network of alumni who work in all levels of the sport and leisure industry, giving our students access to a vast network of connections. Marshall has alumni working in the NCAA, PGA, NBA, NFL, NASCAR, National Sports Association, U.S. Olympic Committee, Community and University Recreation, High School Sports, Youth Sports Programs, and more.
The sports business industry in the US was valued at more than 70 billion U.S. dollars in 2018 and continues to grow. It is expected to reach 83 billion U.S. dollars by 2023. The sports and leisure industry is a major provider of high-dollar entertainment, which makes the industry very business oriented. Due to the economic magnitude of the sports industry, the demand for higher educated sports managers is at an all-time high. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of sports and entertainment managers is growing much faster than the average increase for all occupations. A larger population will continue to participate in organized and spectator sports for recreation and entertainment. Job growth will also be driven by the increasing number of retirees who are expected to participate in more leisure activities. Additionally, the future expansion of new professional teams and leagues as well as college athletic programs will create additional openings for sports administrative staff. The opportunities are endless. Our undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Marshall University will provide the diverse knowledge and skill set needed in all areas that will optimize your chance for future employment in the sport management field.
Dr. Jennifer Mak, PhD, RFSA
Professor and Director of Sports Business
Director of the Analytics Center for STHM
Department of Marketing, MIS, and Entrepreneurship
Lewis College of Business
Brad D. Smith Schools of Business