About

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Wharton Sports Business Initiative?

The Wharton Sports Business Initiative (WSBI) forges a partnership among top level sports business leaders, Wharton faculty and students to generate and disseminate knowledge about the sports industry through educational programs, strategic corporate partnerships, high-level student consulting assignments, forums, and research.

Please note that WSBI is not a sport management program and is not a degree granting program, nor are there any plans for it to become one in the future. For programs that do offer that degree please visit the North American Society for Sport Management website.

The Wharton Sports Business Initiative enhances the School's curriculum, providing research and training future leaders to shape the business of sports. A key aspect of our mission is to be a premier player in the sports business industry by attracting and educating students who will develop and demonstrate advanced business skills and a rich understanding of industry dynamics. This will prepare our students to provide sports business employers' career value commensurate with MBAs in other fields. Again, please be aware that WSBI is not a sport management program.

2. How many sports industry related courses are offered at Wharton?

Please be aware that WSBI is not a sport management program. There are only two sport-specific MBA courses – a Sport Business Management course (which focuses primarily on North American sports) and a Sports Marketing course. There is no guarantee that these courses will be offered every term. Similarly, there are only two undergraduate sports-related courses.

3. Does Wharton offer a sport management degree?

No. WSBI is not a sport management program and is not a degree granting program, nor are there any plans for it to become one in the future.

4. Are MBA students involved in the Wharton Sports Business Initiative?

Yes. The Wharton Sports Business Initiative enhances the School's MBA curriculum, providing research and training future leaders to shape the business of sports. A key aspect of our mission is to be a premier player in the sports business industry by attracting and educating students who will develop and demonstrate advanced business skills and a rich understanding of industry dynamics. This will lead them to provide sports business employers' career value commensurate with MBAs in other fields. This is accomplished by engaging MBA students in high-level student consulting assignments with sports organizations and Wharton faculty, holding student-focused educational and career-related programs, and including students in research projects when appropriate.

5. Are undergraduate students involved in the Wharton Sports Business Initiative?

Yes, albeit on a very limited basis. There is, on occasion, an opportunity for select undergraduate students to engage in research on behalf of Wharton faculty, and to engage in student consulting assignments with sports organizations and Wharton faculty. WSBI also works with the Undergraduate Sports Business Club in helping to arrange student-focused educational and career-related programs. Please note that there are only two Wharton undergraduate courses that focuse on the sports industry. While there are a number of different aspects of WSBI, undergraduate student involvement is a very small part of it and most certainly not a dominant reason to choose Penn.