Best Online Master’s in Sports Management Programs of 2025

Are you eager to boost your sports management career without taking a break from work?

Maybe you have other obligations but still want to pursue a career that combines fulfilling work with your love of sports.

An online master’s in sports management program builds on the skills you gained in your bachelor’s program, more so if your bachelor’s degree was in a related field. And you’ll have the flexibility and convenience to study from home.

Once you graduate, you can pursue a variety of sports-related careers.

Read on to learn more about the best online master’s in sports management programs of the year, and find one that is a great fit for you.

As you research online sports management programs, consider factors like cost, financial aid, program length, application requirements, and potential careers you can pursue once you graduate. Doing so can ensure you find the best program for you.

Tuition and fees for a two-year online master’s in sports management program costs students an average of around $22,000 without financial aid. With financial aid, it’s closer to about $17,070.

These rates are based on NCES data for the 2019-2020 academic year. You can, however, see how much financial aid, including grants and scholarships, can reduce the cost.

To qualify for financial aid, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) both years you’re in school.

Online master’s in sports management programs typically take two years to complete, requiring around 30 credits to graduate. However, you should carefully research each program’s credit guidelines before applying to know what will be expected of you.

You can speed up the learning process by enrolling in an accelerated online master’s in sports management program.

The accelerated program at the University of Miami, for example, only takes 20 months to complete. And you can earn your master’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania within 13 months.

Once you earn your sports management master’s degree, you can pursue a variety of careers.

Some roles you may pursue include public relations manager, business development director, marketing director, athletic director, and player agent.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects entertainment and sports occupations to grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2023-2033, with nearly 109,000 job openings each year, on average.

To figure out whether an online master’s in sports management degree is worth it, consider your career goals, financial situation, learning style, and experience level.

The average starting salary for business master’s graduates in the class of 2023 was around $89,500, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

A major benefit to finishing an online master’s in sports management program is the specialized knowledge and skills you’ll gain in sports business from a convenient, remote environment.

There’s also the potential for career advancement — you can earn more money in high-level roles.

A master’s degree is, however, a significant time and financial investment. And the degree isn’t always required. Plus, as an online student, you’ll also have fewer opportunities to interact with your professors and classmates than you would in a traditional program.

Once you earn your master’s in sports management, you can pursue a doctoral degree in sports management. These terminal degrees provide leadership and business expertise with career opportunities in academia.

You’ll earn around 60 credits beyond your master’s degree, gaining a deep understanding of research methods and law in sports business management.

Specializations include human resource management in sports, leadership in sports, sports marketing, and sports governance and combatting corruption.

With a doctoral degree, you may decide to teach at the undergraduate or graduate level, do research focused on the sports industry, or lead a sports organization or management company.