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The Manhattan Sports Business Academy (MSA) – an eight-week sports business management course which will be held in New York City over the next summer – has been recently launched by the vernacular School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. This is the first new business academy in the United States to focus on sports since the creation of the MBA in the sports industry. According to the school, the objective of the course is to develop professionals “who can manage athletes, coaches and professional athletes at all levels.”
- There are several notable alumni of the Manhattan Sports Business Academy which have received interviews on the college shows as well as featured prominently on the school website. These include Dean Smith, John Wooden, Richard Lapchick, John Raveloff, Scott Hamilton, Liza Minelli, Nick Littlemore, and BrianPrice. They are all considered experts in their own fields and have all received their MBA degrees from the institution.
- Dean Smith is a former college basketball star and current commentator for the MSG network. John Wooden coached the UCLA team which won the national championship in 1988. Richard Lapchick was an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks for two seasons. He currently serves as an assistant for the Los Angeles Lakers. John Raveloff is a three-time NBA all-star and is one of the most successful finishers in the lottery history of the game.
- Liza Minelli is a fashion consultant and agent and is one of the students who completed the course in the Manhattan Sports Business Academy. She previously worked in communications for New York City and also did marketing for several high-end department stores in New York City. She was also a motivational speaker and has been involved with the youth and sports industry for many years. Brian Price is a businessman and an agent who serves as a general manager for several high-profile companies in New York City as well as an owner of the New York Giants. Each of these men has achieved vast success in the sports industry and is a great example of what can be accomplished if a person is willing to put in the time and effort into an exciting and growing field such as the sports business.
- The course curriculum at Manhattan Sports Business Academy is designed to offer students an extensive introduction to the business side of the sports industry in New York City. Students will be introduced to several business concepts including marketing, endorsements, television/media sales, and public relations. They will also learn how to develop and manage relationships both domestically and internationally. Other topics that will be covered are how to find sports franchise opportunities, how to finance sports investments, how to run a profitable sports agency, and much more. Students will be able to choose from four different degree programs in business that are designed to give students everything they need to know about the world of sports. All degree programs will also give students the opportunity to participate in the academy’s internship program, which allows them to put their theories into practice while they are earning their degree and putting their knowledge to work.
In addition to the well-rounded curriculum that is taught at Manhattan Sports Business Academy, students are provided with real-world experience through internships and summer assignments. This hands-on learning environment allows students to become experts in their chosen sports business. Internships will allow students to gain firsthand experience and learn valuable business skills, which they can then apply to their future careers. Summer assignments will also allow students to network and to develop professional relationships with business owners, agents, sports leagues, and other individuals who may be in need of their services. Classes at this academy are taught by industry veterans who have been in the sports industry for many years and are considered industry leaders in their respective fields.
