Prepare for the ‘Big Leagues’ as a Sports Industry Leader

Get ready for work to become play as you embark on an exciting and fulfilling career in the dynamic world of sports. At UNE, our Sport Leadership and Management (SLAM) major is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to thrive in the $500 billion global sports industry. Whether your passion lies in professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic competitions, or specialized areas such as events, sales, or venue management, this comprehensive program will provide you with a solid foundation and a competitive edge.

A group of students sit in the crowd of a lecture
Two students wearing Sea Dogs polo navy shirts stand in front of Hadlock Field

Worldwide Sports Opportunities Await

Launch your sports career with national and global opportunities while studying from a beautiful coastal Maine location. Our program connects you with industry-leading faculty and staff, offering unparalleled access to major and minor league sports franchises, sports management firms, and exciting sports events. This opens the door to numerous fun and rewarding internships and industry contacts. Situated on the scenic Maine coast, our campus also provides easy access to surfing, biking, hiking, skiing, and more.

Note: This program was formerly know as Sport and Recreation Management.

Why UNE for Sport Leadership and Management Degree

With UNE, you’ll form a strong foundation in sports management from our team of seasoned professionals. Combined with our strong relationships with professional sports programs across the country and our close proximity to a variety of incredible recreational areas, you’ll have a leg up when you're looking for your dream job in sports. 

  • UNE is ranked #1 in Maine for graduates getting a job — Zippia
  • Work alongside accomplished faculty with industry experience
  • Hands-on learning opportunities with professional sports franchises
  • Local internship opportunities with sports teams like the Portland Sea Dogs and Maine Mariners
  • Engage in industry-related projects with tangible outcomes 
  • Connect with sports industry professionals and expand your network
  • Fully integrated Business minor for a competitive edge in the job market
  • Guest speakers from industry insiders
  • In-class engagement and visits to premier sports sites

UNE helps two students land dream internships

Title
No. 1 minor league sports market in the U.S.
Source
Sports Business Journal
Year
2024
Brandon Narciso

Brandon Narciso ’21

Business Administration, Sport Leadership and Management

With the sport management degree, I get an automatic minor in Business Administration, so I am learning sports management and business at the same time. They work together really well. It’s everything that I want to do.

UNE is really helping me on my path. Last semester, I took a sport marketing class, and we had a project where we had to create a new promotional concept for the Portland Seadogs baseball team, which is an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. I jumped right into the opportunity … I couldn’t imagine a better way to get my foot in the door than saying that I helped to create a promotional campaign for a minor league team. I came up with an idea that we pitched to the Seadogs marketing and sales director who had come down for our class presentations. He picked my project as one that he wanted to see progress further, so then, as a whole class, we worked on my idea and then pitched the final project to him again, and he loved it.

By that time, I had already applied to be an intern for the Seadogs, and my professor really encouraged me. [Eventually], I got a call saying that they would like me to be an intern for the upcoming season. I’m so thankful to my professors and to UNE for allowing me to have these types of unique opportunities.

Welcoming Community

Originally, I thought I would go to a school in Massachusetts, but after visiting UNE a few times, it just felt like home to me. The more I came here, the more I fell in love with it and realized that it checked off all the boxes for what I want for myself in the future. If you feel an instinct of comfort, then this is the place for you. It was definitely that way for me. I think it’s important to embrace that feeling and explore the opportunities that are here.

I made instant connections with people here at UNE. Right away, I gelled a lot with the people around me. When I decided to come here, I committed fully to it, and I made some really great friendships. I’ve met people from California, Texas, Florida, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and beyond. All over the country. It’s really cool to hear everyone’s different stories and learn about their diverse backgrounds.

With the sport management degree, I get an automatic minor in Business Administration, so I am learning sports management and business at the same time. They work together really well. It’s everything that I want to do.

Business Administration, Sport Leadership and Management

What Will You Study? Sport Leadership and Management Degree Curriculum Overview

B.S. in Sport Leadership and Management Courses

If you’re passionate about sports and management, our curriculum is built on a strong foundation and real-world relationships to set you up for a terrific career.

The following are some examples of the exciting courses that we offer:

  • Sport Marketing
  • Sport and Recreation Finance
  • Sport Venue Planning and Management
  • Leadership
  • Athletic and Sport Administration
  • Sport and Society

For more information see the Academic Catalog.

Alumni Story: Working in professional golf

Career Paths for Sport Leadership and Management Majors

At UNE, you’ll combine a solid business foundation with knowledge of the underlying theory, latest technology, and best practices of the sports industry across its many segments. Not only will you develop the skills to be an effective leader, but you’ll also be prepared to make a difference in the lives of those you serve through sports programming.

Our graduates have pursued many exciting professions, including:

  • Athletic Director
  • Professional Sports Sales
  • Coach
  • Game Day Manager
  • Director of Sports Partnerships
  • Sport Event Manager
  • Business Owner
  • Sport Information Director
  • Operations Manager

Career Advising for B.S. in Sport Leadership and Management Students

Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.

UNE Center for Sport and Business Innovation

The Center for Sport and Business Innovation equips our graduates with a competitive edge in professional sports, preparing you to lead effectively in the workforce. The center promotes research, hosts events, and creates revenue-generating programs in the sports marketplace. By bridging theory and practice, it prepares you to be a future leader for the business of sports, offering hands-on experience and connections with industry experts.

Experiential Learning in the B.S. in Sport Leadership and Management Program

As a UNE student in Sport Leadership and Management, experiential learning is critical to your professional development. In addition to your internships, you’ll also interact with sports industry professionals through in-class experiences.

For more information about the Sport Leadership and Management major program, contact the Program Director, Dr. Kiernan Gordon, at kgordon6@smxjjl.com or (207) 602-2605.

UNE Sport Leadership and Management Program Interns in Action

U N E student looks out over a track field

Internship Experiences (Minimum 6 Credits Required)

Each UNE Sport Leadership and Management major is required to complete at least 240 contact hours at approved internship sites, beginning as early as the summer after their freshman year. 

Internships allow our students to gain pre-professional experience and enhance their knowledge and skills in one of the many sports industry segments.

Common internship experiences include one or more of the following “hands-on” activities:

  • Customer interaction and personnel supervision
  • Observation and participation in program planning and leadership
  • Research current activities and future trends in the industry
  • Participation in management meetings and communications
  • A capstone experience, such as marketing plan development, special event promotion, or a professional presentation in a sports leadership discipline

Affiliated Internship Sites in Sport Leadership and Management

UNE Sport Leadership and Management students have completed internships with the following partners, working on sports marketing, sports event planning, athletic administration, coaching, sports information, and sport venue management.

Global Education for Sport Leadership and Management Majors

See the World

Sport and recreation often bring people together — and coming together means learning about our differences. Our Global Education Programs offer many brief travel courses in a wide range of locations, such as Mexico, Kenya, Italy, and Ireland, that expose you to new ways of thinking and introduce you to other cultures and customs. If you’re looking for a longer cultural immersion experience, we offer semester-long programs in SpainFranceIceland, and at our own international campus in Morocco.

Interested in studying abroad? Make a plan with your advisor.

Bachelor of Science in Sport Leadership and Management FAQ

For more information contact Program Director Kiernan Gordon at kgordon6@smxjjl.com.