Business of Sports: A Look Behind the Game
Exploring a career in sports means looking beyond what happens on the field. This course focuses on how professional sports organizations operate as businesses, examining finance, media, infrastructure, and strategic decision-making across major North American leagues. By working through real franchise scenarios, you will evaluate how roles in management, marketing, analytics, or operations align with your career goals. Gain this essential industry perspective in a flexible format that fits your schedule.
Program Dates
Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 18 and up
College Credit Course Fees
$3,995
Enrichment Course Fees
$1,895
What's the Difference Between Our College Credit and Enrichment Courses?
Both enrichment and college credit–bearing options feature engaging online lessons and instructional support. College credit–bearing courses include additional coursework and offer the opportunity to earn academic credit upon successful completion. Some course content overlaps across both options, so students are encouraged to choose the format that best aligns with their academic or professional goals.
College Credit Courses$3,995
Length of Course: Multi-length course options
Instruction & Activities: 128 hours
Grading: Letter grade
On Your Own Schedule: ✔️
Academic Support: ✔️
Final Project: ✔️
College Credit Hours: ✔️
Certificate of Completion: Georgetown Transcript
Enrichment Courses$1,895
Length of Course: 1-, 2-, or 4-weeks
Instruction & Activities: 20-30 hours
Grading: Pass/Fail
On Your Own Schedule: ✔️
Academic Support: ✔️
Final Project: ✔️
College Credit Hours:❌
Certificate of Completion:✔️
Understand How Business Decisions Shape The Sports Industry
The Sports Industry As A Business
Understand how professional sports leagues operate as complex business enterprises within American society. Explore franchise ownership structures and the various business functions that support major athletic organizations.
Valuing Teams And Franchises
Determine how revenue models and media contracts drive the market value of professional sports teams. Study the financial logic behind franchise scarcity and prestige to understand high investor interest.
Stadiums, Arenas, And Infrastructure Decisions
Analyze the financial and strategic implications of building or relocating professional sports stadiums. Review various construction costs and ownership models to understand how venues impact franchise operations.
Media, Marketing, And League Visibility
Discover how teams and leagues generate significant revenue and visibility through diverse media and marketing channels. Examine the role of broadcast agreements and digital platforms in shaping modern strategy.
Innovation And Industry Change
Explore how innovation and shifting audience behaviors influence future opportunities across the global sports landscape. Study the growth of women’s sports and esports to understand these emerging markets.
Applying Sports Business Concepts To Careers
Demonstrate your understanding of core business concepts by evaluating a specific sports franchise through a final project. Discover how these analytical skills support future careers in management, media, and league administration.
What You Gain From This Experience
- Insight into how professional sports organizations operate behind the scenes as business enterprises.
- Understanding of how financial, media, and strategic decisions influence franchise valuation and competitiveness.
- Exposure to career paths across sports management, marketing, media, analytics, operations, and league offices.
- Experience applying sports business concepts through a Final Capstone Project focused on executive decision-making.
- A Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University upon successful completion of the course.
What Sets This Program Apart
A Capstone Project With Real-World Relevance
- Develop a strategic memo and presentation evaluating a professional sports franchise and its business position.
- Practice analyzing valuation, marketing, media, or operational decisions similar to those faced by sports executives and consultants.
Instructional Guidance And Mentorship
- Receive feedback from course mentors as you refine analysis, recommendations, and presentations.
- Strengthen strategic and analytical thinking through guided review of written and presentation-based work.
Flexible Learning With Clear Expectations
- Engage with online coursework designed to support steady progress alongside academic or professional responsibilities.
- Complete assignments and the Final Capstone Project on a predictable timeline that supports independent planning.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
Course Designed by Georgetown University Faculty
Salvatore Galatioto
President, Galatioto Sports Partners
Mr. Galatioto is President of Galatioto Sports Partners, a top firm in the sports finance and advisory business. He has overseen engagements in more than 100 transactions in the major U.S. professional leagues as a financial advisor, arranger, and agent. Clients include the Boston Red Sox, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Cubs, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and many other high-profile franchises.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.
Answers to Your Questions HereScholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.