McCormack Graduate Program Named #1 in the World in Back-to-Back Years

The Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management, housed in the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has been named the world’s #1-ranked postgraduate sport management program by SportBusiness magazine for the second consecutive year in 2023.

With more than 50 years of thought leadership in sport management, the McCormack Department—which offers both a two-year MBA/MS in Sport Management dual degree and a one-year MS in Sport Management—retains the #1 overall global ranking from 2022.

“We are honored to be recognized as the #1-ranked post-graduate program in the world,” said Will Norton, director of graduate programs. “There is no stronger network in sports than the one we have tirelessly built here at UMass, and this ranking reflects our department’s pursuit of excellence in delivering innovative, best-in-class sport management education, conducting world-renowned research, and connecting industry to classroom to help prepare our students for successful and rewarding careers in the sports industry.”

“Our journey to back-to-back #1 rankings wouldn't have been possible without the tireless dedication of our outstanding faculty, led by our exceptional Graduate Program Director, Will Norton, and the guidance of our former Chair, Steve McKelvey,” said Dr. Nicole Melton, the McCormack department chair. “Their relentless pursuit of excellence sets the foundation for our success. Equally essential is the unwavering support of our dedicated alumni and the exceptional talent of our students. Together, they contribute immeasurably to our continued leadership in the sport industry.”

The SportBusiness Postgraduate Rankings report measures master’s-level sport management programs across 28 metrics, examining a range of quantitative and qualitative benchmarks. McCormack scored top marks across metrics such as industry placement, return on investment (ROI), and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The 2023 edition features a spotlight on Lauren Yung, a 2020 MBA/MS alumnus of the program who is currently the manager of commercial development and innovation for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Properties, helping build the business of the LA28 Games.

In addition to the global recognition, the surveys ranked McCormack as the top sport management postgraduate program in North America, and as graduates’ top choice. In addition, the program ranked #1 overall as voted by its peer institutions, and this “Peer Review” ranking is one McCormack has consistently placed #1 globally in for most of the last decade, illustrating its reputational consistency.

The publication also praised the McCormack Department’s interdepartmental research labs, which study rivalry, diversity, and inclusion in sport. The publication notes that graduate students get opportunities to work with these labs and collaborate with external organizations including the Wasserman agency and Japan’s Pacific League.