BA (Hons)

Sport Business Management

Teaching & Learning

Learn how to apply business and management principles to the sports business industry. The course will allow you to study the business of sport with a broad, analytical and multidisciplinary approach, and provides you with the opportunity to develop your professional career in this area.

The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study – the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.

What you'll learn

Explore the latest trends and challenges facing the sport business industry. You'll examine how these issues affect various aspects of sport business management. During your study, you'll learn about different stakeholders involved in the sport industry and how they influence the decision-making process. You'll critique case studies from various sport organisations, both domestic and international, to understand how these issues manifest themselves in practice and how they can be addressed. By the end of the module, you'll have developed an understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of the sport business industry. In addition, you'll be able to evaluate and propose solutions to existing contemporary issues.
This module provides an introduction to personal, professional and academic skill development. It focuses on developing core skills for a career in sport business management or sport marketing, such as creativity, enterprise, teamwork, communication, research and leadership. You will also begin the process of career planning.
Sport is one of society's major economic activities and knowledge of the role marketing plays in the sport business landscape has emerged as a valuable asset. On this module you will develop an understanding of the unique nature and application of sport marketing principles and processes to the sports industry, as it becomes ever an integral element in the landscape of sport business.
Develop the skills, knowledge, tools and techniques to effectively engage with the latest business innovations and new emerging technologies to create competitive advantage for sport organisations. You will will learn the foundation principles of digital marketing and recognise the key differences between traditional sport marketing and digital sport marketing.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles of sport business management. You'll learn how sport organisations are managed effectively, develop strategies for long-term success, and understand the unique challenges and opportunities of the sports industry. During this module, you'll explore topics such as leadership, financial management, marketing and sponsorship, human resource management, operations management, legal and ethical considerations. You'll also have opportunities to apply your learning through case studies and innovative assessment as well as attend guest lectures.
There is a clear need for sport business managers to have financial awareness and the skill set to analyse and interpret financial statements to inform evidenced-based decision making. This module will provide you with an applied knowledge and understanding of financial management principles in relation to the global sports industry.
Explore the latest trends and challenges facing the sport business industry. You'll examine how these issues affect various aspects of sport business management. During your study, you'll learn about different stakeholders involved in the sport industry and how they influence the decision-making process. You'll critique case studies from various sport organisations, both domestic and international, to understand how these issues manifest themselves in practice and how they can be addressed. By the end of the module, you'll have developed an understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of the sport business industry. In addition, you'll be able to evaluate and propose solutions to existing contemporary issues.
This module provides an introduction to personal, professional and academic skill development. It focuses on developing core skills for a career in sport business management or sport marketing, such as creativity, enterprise, teamwork, communication, research and leadership. You will also begin the process of career planning.
Sport is one of society's major economic activities and knowledge of the role marketing plays in the sport business landscape has emerged as a valuable asset. On this module you will develop an understanding of the unique nature and application of sport marketing principles and processes to the sports industry, as it becomes ever an integral element in the landscape of sport business.
Develop the skills, knowledge, tools and techniques to effectively engage with the latest business innovations and new emerging technologies to create competitive advantage for sport organisations. You will will learn the foundation principles of digital marketing and recognise the key differences between traditional sport marketing and digital sport marketing.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles of sport business management. You'll learn how sport organisations are managed effectively, develop strategies for long-term success, and understand the unique challenges and opportunities of the sports industry. During this module, you'll explore topics such as leadership, financial management, marketing and sponsorship, human resource management, operations management, legal and ethical considerations. You'll also have opportunities to apply your learning through case studies and innovative assessment as well as attend guest lectures.
There is a clear need for sport business managers to have financial awareness and the skill set to analyse and interpret financial statements to inform evidenced-based decision making. This module will provide you with an applied knowledge and understanding of financial management principles in relation to the global sports industry.

What you'll learn

Develop the applied knowledge of how economic principles apply to the sport industry through analysis of current contemporary issues such as athletes' salaries, valuating professional athletes and impacts of mega events.
Gain a holistic, contextualised and integrated approach to the management of people in sports organisations and apply your learning to real-life scenarios. You will learn about aspects of human resource management processes, recognising the need to manage and work with people equitably from both a legal and moral perspective, and you will apply leadership styles and theories to real-life scenarios.
This module will enhance your knowledge and skills, support the development of your professional profile, and create solid foundations for you to work towards achieving your career aspirations. It will enable you to enhance your employability through the development of context-specific and transferable skills. You'll be supported to audit, select, engage in, and complete work-based learning activities to help boost your career prospects.
Advance your skills in research and analysis to develop bespoke and creative research project delivering business or academic insight. You will gain the knowledge necessary to devise and conduct research that underpins and informs business decision making and strategies.
Study the fundamentals of strategic management within the sport business industry. You will focus on a variety of environmental analysis and management models, which aid businesses in developing a greater understanding of their operations and strategic direction including the measuring, monitoring and evaluation of this data to ensure long-term success. You will learn about scenario planning and the importance of change.
Develop the applied knowledge of how economic principles apply to the sport industry through analysis of current contemporary issues such as athletes' salaries, valuating professional athletes and impacts of mega events.
Gain a holistic, contextualised and integrated approach to the management of people in sports organisations and apply your learning to real-life scenarios. You will learn about aspects of human resource management processes, recognising the need to manage and work with people equitably from both a legal and moral perspective, and you will apply leadership styles and theories to real-life scenarios.
This module will enhance your knowledge and skills, support the development of your professional profile, and create solid foundations for you to work towards achieving your career aspirations. It will enable you to enhance your employability through the development of context-specific and transferable skills. You'll be supported to audit, select, engage in, and complete work-based learning activities to help boost your career prospects.
Advance your skills in research and analysis to develop bespoke and creative research project delivering business or academic insight. You will gain the knowledge necessary to devise and conduct research that underpins and informs business decision making and strategies.
Study the fundamentals of strategic management within the sport business industry. You will focus on a variety of environmental analysis and management models, which aid businesses in developing a greater understanding of their operations and strategic direction including the measuring, monitoring and evaluation of this data to ensure long-term success. You will learn about scenario planning and the importance of change.

Option modules may include

Sport fans and consumers are increasingly surrounded by media and marketing-related messages. This comes as a result of the digital and technological advancements transforming the way in which we interact with each other and sport organisations. This also creates marketing opportunities and challenges for organisations when trying to attract, engage, persuade, and influence consumption related outcomes. This module will enable you to gain an in-depth understanding of the marketing communications mix from both a theoretical and practical perspective. You'll explore how different forms of communications work together for a synergistic effect. You'll also be able to apply integrated marketing communications principles to evaluate and develop sport marketing campaigns.
Develop your understanding of relevant social science perspectives applied to contemporary soccer. You will learn to relate these critical approaches to important contemporary issues within the sport.
Study the key concepts supporting sports events. This module will provide essential knowledge relating to the dynamic planning processes involved. You'll study the manager’s role in the organisation and delivery of successful events. You'll also engage in experiential learning where you'll work with external partners to deliver industry insight. You'll achieve this as you undertake a portfolio of experiences at sports events.
Gain a critical insight into the growth and development of sport sponsorship in a global and local context. You will acquire knowledge into the sponsorship management processes from a rights owner and sponsors perspective in order to understand the relationship and relevance to strategic decision-making.
Enterprise and the development of new SME’s is a vital engine of sport business and economic growth. It is also a growing aspiration amongst students to launch business start-ups. This module will equip you with a greater understanding of the application of enterprise skills to increasing income. You'll develop knowledge of the process, circumstances, considerations and barriers to enterprise planning and development within sport.
This module will give you a broad understanding of the legal principles which arise in contemporary sport business. You'll be introduced to the relationship between sport and the law and get an overview of sports regulation and jurisprudence and its impact on sports delivery. The module will also introduce you to the judiciary systems in England and Wales and the role of European and international sport law. Ultimately, you'll draw together your knowledge gained from previous modules to gain an understanding of the role of law and case law in the sports environment.
Sport fans and consumers are increasingly surrounded by media and marketing-related messages. This comes as a result of the digital and technological advancements transforming the way in which we interact with each other and sport organisations. This also creates marketing opportunities and challenges for organisations when trying to attract, engage, persuade, and influence consumption related outcomes. This module will enable you to gain an in-depth understanding of the marketing communications mix from both a theoretical and practical perspective. You'll explore how different forms of communications work together for a synergistic effect. You'll also be able to apply integrated marketing communications principles to evaluate and develop sport marketing campaigns.
Develop your understanding of relevant social science perspectives applied to contemporary soccer. You will learn to relate these critical approaches to important contemporary issues within the sport.
Study the key concepts supporting sports events. This module will provide essential knowledge relating to the dynamic planning processes involved. You'll study the manager’s role in the organisation and delivery of successful events. You'll also engage in experiential learning where you'll work with external partners to deliver industry insight. You'll achieve this as you undertake a portfolio of experiences at sports events.
Gain a critical insight into the growth and development of sport sponsorship in a global and local context. You will acquire knowledge into the sponsorship management processes from a rights owner and sponsors perspective in order to understand the relationship and relevance to strategic decision-making.
Enterprise and the development of new SME’s is a vital engine of sport business and economic growth. It is also a growing aspiration amongst students to launch business start-ups. This module will equip you with a greater understanding of the application of enterprise skills to increasing income. You'll develop knowledge of the process, circumstances, considerations and barriers to enterprise planning and development within sport.
This module will give you a broad understanding of the legal principles which arise in contemporary sport business. You'll be introduced to the relationship between sport and the law and get an overview of sports regulation and jurisprudence and its impact on sports delivery. The module will also introduce you to the judiciary systems in England and Wales and the role of European and international sport law. Ultimately, you'll draw together your knowledge gained from previous modules to gain an understanding of the role of law and case law in the sports environment.

What you'll learn

Examine contemporary issues in sport governance across a variety of sport business contexts. Your studies will take a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on policy, law, sociology and relevant research, beginning with theories and models of governance. You will look at good governance in a range of business contexts and at regulatory oversight of governance in sport business, using appropriate cases or examples of good governance and failures as learning tools. You will critically examine areas such as corruption in sport, whistleblowing, international anti-doping governance.
Gain an in-depth understanding of how sport has become a global phenomenon. You'll draw upon your existing knowledge and skills to unpick the historical, geopolitical, economic, technological, media, and ideological drivers to sport globalisation. You'll learn how to make informed decisions when developing global strategies within sport business. You'll also begin to understand the response of global organisations to the features and influences of the sports business environment.
Undertake an extended and largely independent piece of work that demonstrates research skills, critical thinking, and an awareness of ethical methodological approaches to study. You'll be provided with a choice of project types that reflect the key knowledge, skills and attributes of graduate careers associated with your course. This could be in the form of a traditional dissertation, consultancy project or business or marketing plan. This module will help you to generate new knowledge that has practical value and will prepare you for a career in your desired field.
Learn to utilise business intelligence in evidence-based decision-making to create competitive advantage. You will analyse big data on customers, participants, fans, spectators and viewers and you will understand how to identify methods to improve efficiency and financial performance.
Examine contemporary issues in sport governance across a variety of sport business contexts. Your studies will take a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on policy, law, sociology and relevant research, beginning with theories and models of governance. You will look at good governance in a range of business contexts and at regulatory oversight of governance in sport business, using appropriate cases or examples of good governance and failures as learning tools. You will critically examine areas such as corruption in sport, whistleblowing, international anti-doping governance.
Gain an in-depth understanding of how sport has become a global phenomenon. You'll draw upon your existing knowledge and skills to unpick the historical, geopolitical, economic, technological, media, and ideological drivers to sport globalisation. You'll learn how to make informed decisions when developing global strategies within sport business. You'll also begin to understand the response of global organisations to the features and influences of the sports business environment.
Undertake an extended and largely independent piece of work that demonstrates research skills, critical thinking, and an awareness of ethical methodological approaches to study. You'll be provided with a choice of project types that reflect the key knowledge, skills and attributes of graduate careers associated with your course. This could be in the form of a traditional dissertation, consultancy project or business or marketing plan. This module will help you to generate new knowledge that has practical value and will prepare you for a career in your desired field.
Learn to utilise business intelligence in evidence-based decision-making to create competitive advantage. You will analyse big data on customers, participants, fans, spectators and viewers and you will understand how to identify methods to improve efficiency and financial performance.

Option modules may include

Develop a critical understanding and awareness of contemporary sport branding issues and practices. You'll study the role of brands, the concept of brand equity and the advantages of creating strong brands in sport. Additionally, you'll explore the range of alternative branding strategies available to the sport's marketer, and the different approaches to measuring brand effectiveness.
Develop an awareness of the concepts, theory, policy and practice associated with SPD. You will draw upon various concepts and theories (such as hegemony, post-colonial, change and action, leadership, project and programme management) to illuminate the complex power and processes inherent in the practices of SPD.
Gain theoretical and practical knowledge of project leadership and creativity concepts, theories, and techniques as applied to sport-related projects. Using project management tools and techniques, you'll learn how to effectively plan, execute, monitor and evaluate sport-related projects. You'll also be able to apply creative problem-solving techniques to address project challenges and opportunities. In addition, you'll develop effective communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills necessary for project success.
Enhance your employability and future career prospects by undertaking a year's paid placement between years 2 and 3. You'll have the opportunity to develop business contacts and professional networks, gain understanding of the jobs and career market and develop key employability and professional skills.
Develop a critical understanding and awareness of contemporary sport branding issues and practices. You'll study the role of brands, the concept of brand equity and the advantages of creating strong brands in sport. Additionally, you'll explore the range of alternative branding strategies available to the sport's marketer, and the different approaches to measuring brand effectiveness.
Develop an awareness of the concepts, theory, policy and practice associated with SPD. You will draw upon various concepts and theories (such as hegemony, post-colonial, change and action, leadership, project and programme management) to illuminate the complex power and processes inherent in the practices of SPD.
Gain theoretical and practical knowledge of project leadership and creativity concepts, theories, and techniques as applied to sport-related projects. Using project management tools and techniques, you'll learn how to effectively plan, execute, monitor and evaluate sport-related projects. You'll also be able to apply creative problem-solving techniques to address project challenges and opportunities. In addition, you'll develop effective communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills necessary for project success.
Enhance your employability and future career prospects by undertaking a year's paid placement between years 2 and 3. You'll have the opportunity to develop business contacts and professional networks, gain understanding of the jobs and career market and develop key employability and professional skills.

This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.

Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.