Why UMass Management PhD with Concentration in Sport Management?

"As program director, it is very rewarding to match students with faculty who
share their same passion and intellectual curiosity. The collaboration between
faculty advisor and PhD student quickly becomes a close working relationship
that often extends well beyond a candidate's time at UMass."

Dr. Neil Longley
Professor & PhD Coordinator for Sport Management
Isenberg School of Management


Elite Program, Unique Offering
We believe our program is unique in the world of sport and business. It is a place where tomorrow's leading academics can apply advanced business understanding to sport subject matter. By merging The University of Massachusetts (UMass) Sport Management Department, a leader in the field for 40 years, with the Isenberg School of Management, UMass can now simultaneously provide students with PhD-level training in sport and business management. Students receive a PhD in Management with a concentration in Sport Management, which enhances the value and marketability of our graduates as both researchers and educators. Past graduates have gone on to such academic institutions as the University of Iowa, University of Arizona, University of Toronto, Ithaca College, University of New Hampshire and the University of British Columbia, to name only a few.

Faculty Expertise
PhD students enjoy close working relationships with distinguished faculty in both the Sport Management Department and scholars within the broader Isenberg School of Management community. Follow the links below to view faculty profiles, areas of expertise, publication histories, research interests and accolades.

Sport Management Department faculty

Isenberg School of Management faculty

Sport Industry Growth
The sport industry has rapidly developed into a thriving $200 billion business, driving demand for sport business-trained professionals and pioneering academic research. An explosion of research, journals and programs creates an exceptional opportunity for aspiring academics with a passion for sport. In addition, there is a wealth of available sport-related data for scholarly research. Whether your interests lie in the unique characteristics of sport monopolies, or brand management as it relates to fan behavior, UMass can help you find your niche in this developing body of knowledge.

A Career in Academics
For talented individuals who love learning, ideas and choosing their own path, a flexible career in academics may be an excellent fit. Professors work with the best minds in both academia and industry, driving theory and practice through research and the instruction of tomorrow's leaders.