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

Gain a broad understanding of the main business concepts involved in managing sport organisations across the three main sectors: public, private and voluntary sectors. You will study the business landscape of sport, its growth, issues, challenges and how it has developed commercially. This module will also introduce you to a number of contemporary issues such as corruption scandals in sport, equality and diversity and the globalisation of sport.
Understand sport consumers in a variety of global contexts both. You will be introduced to the challenges sport marketers face when examining the sociological, psychological and situational factors that impact the sport consumer decision making process from an `active? and `passive? participant. You will explore diverse customer segments and the role of relationship management to ensure sport organisations can attract, engage and build loyalty to impact future consumption.
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.
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.
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.
Gain a broad understanding of the main business concepts involved in managing sport organisations across the three main sectors: public, private and voluntary sectors. You will study the business landscape of sport, its growth, issues, challenges and how it has developed commercially. This module will also introduce you to a number of contemporary issues such as corruption scandals in sport, equality and diversity and the globalisation of sport.
Understand sport consumers in a variety of global contexts both. You will be introduced to the challenges sport marketers face when examining the sociological, psychological and situational factors that impact the sport consumer decision making process from an `active? and `passive? participant. You will explore diverse customer segments and the role of relationship management to ensure sport organisations can attract, engage and build loyalty to impact future consumption.
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.
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.
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.

What you'll learn

This module will give you the opportunity to enhance your current and future development and employment prospects through an in-depth analysis of your current abilities. You will map these against your personal, academic and career aspirations to develop your professional reflective and reflexive skills and establish a series of on-going actions to positively impact upon your future performance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This module will give you the opportunity to enhance your current and future development and employment prospects through an in-depth analysis of your current abilities. You will map these against your personal, academic and career aspirations to develop your professional reflective and reflexive skills and establish a series of on-going actions to positively impact upon your future performance.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Option modules may include

Develop an understanding of the process, circumstances, considerations and barriers to enterprise planning and development within sport. This includes sports related commercial/public and voluntary organisations within a local, regional and national setting.
Study the key concepts supporting sports events and the operation of sport and leisure facilities. You will gain essential knowledge relating to the dynamic planning processes involved and the manager’s role in the organisation and delivery of a successful event and facility management.
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.
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.
You will complete an in-depth, critical examination of the complex field of sport communications. This module enables you to explore the different elements of marketing communication and issues of integration within the UK and international markets.
Understand the changing sport broadcast landscape and critically analyse the dilemmas of rights holders, the use of multi-digital and social media, as well as strategies to engage consumers. You will also consider the power and influence of sponsors, the issue of ambush marketing and major sport events, and the importance of brand management, analytics and tracking exposure and engagement across various platforms.
Develop an understanding of the process, circumstances, considerations and barriers to enterprise planning and development within sport. This includes sports related commercial/public and voluntary organisations within a local, regional and national setting.
Study the key concepts supporting sports events and the operation of sport and leisure facilities. You will gain essential knowledge relating to the dynamic planning processes involved and the manager’s role in the organisation and delivery of a successful event and facility management.
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.
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.
You will complete an in-depth, critical examination of the complex field of sport communications. This module enables you to explore the different elements of marketing communication and issues of integration within the UK and international markets.
Understand the changing sport broadcast landscape and critically analyse the dilemmas of rights holders, the use of multi-digital and social media, as well as strategies to engage consumers. You will also consider the power and influence of sponsors, the issue of ambush marketing and major sport events, and the importance of brand management, analytics and tracking exposure and engagement across various platforms.

What you'll learn

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.
Develop a deep understanding of how sport has become a global phenomenon. You will draw upon your existing knowledge and skills to unpick the historical, geopolitical, economic, technological, media, and ideological drivers to sport globalisation. You will learn how to make informed decisions when developing global strategies within sport business.
Engage in the negotiation, planning, implementation and evaluation of a major independent study relevant to your personal interests and course.
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.
Develop a deep understanding of how sport has become a global phenomenon. You will draw upon your existing knowledge and skills to unpick the historical, geopolitical, economic, technological, media, and ideological drivers to sport globalisation. You will learn how to make informed decisions when developing global strategies within sport business.
Engage in the negotiation, planning, implementation and evaluation of a major independent study relevant to your personal interests and course.

Option modules may include

Develop a critical understanding and awareness of contemporary sport branding issues and practices. You will study the role of brands, the concept of brand equity and the advantages of creating strong brands in sport, and you will explore the range of alternative branding strategies available to the sport's marketer, and the different approaches to measuring brand effectiveness.
Learn to plan, organise, market, deliver and critically evaluate a sport or leisure event. You will have the opportunity to engage and work with external partners in delivering events and be able to critically reflect on this.
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.
Study the strategic marketing planning process and critically evaluate a range of theoretical planning models and metrics. You will explore how to develop a marketing strategy for a sport/leisure organisation.
Explore the variety of digital analytics and metrics that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of sport marketing campaigns, and the metrics available to measure a range of different platforms including web, mobile, and social media like Facebook and Twitter.
Enhance your employability and future career prospects by undertaking a year’s paid placement between years 2 and 3. You will 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 will study the role of brands, the concept of brand equity and the advantages of creating strong brands in sport, and you will explore the range of alternative branding strategies available to the sport's marketer, and the different approaches to measuring brand effectiveness.
Learn to plan, organise, market, deliver and critically evaluate a sport or leisure event. You will have the opportunity to engage and work with external partners in delivering events and be able to critically reflect on this.
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.
Study the strategic marketing planning process and critically evaluate a range of theoretical planning models and metrics. You will explore how to develop a marketing strategy for a sport/leisure organisation.
Explore the variety of digital analytics and metrics that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of sport marketing campaigns, and the metrics available to measure a range of different platforms including web, mobile, and social media like Facebook and Twitter.
Enhance your employability and future career prospects by undertaking a year’s paid placement between years 2 and 3. You will 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.