Hoping to attract students who want to work at the intersection of sports and business in a city with professional football and basketball teams and a burgeoning sports gambling industry, the University of New Orleans is set to add a new sports business concentration to its Masters of Business Administration program. 

There appears to be few comparable degree programs offered at higher ed institutions across New Orleans.

“Greater New Orleans has a robust college and professional sports scene with abundant employment opportunities,” said Pam Kennett-Hensel, dean of UNO’s College of Business Administration. “The MBA with a concentration in sport business provides students with a solid business foundation while utilizing electives to gain industry-specific knowledge.”

There are currently 300 students enrolled in UNO’s College of Business Administration, 150 of whom are pursuing an MBA. 

Kennet-Hensel said MBA students pursuing the sports concentration will take nine hours worth of electives that include local guest speakers in the industry.

The concertation will involve three courses: sport marketing; sport industry sponsorship; and fundraising and sport leadership and management, which will be taught in the fall by Tim Duncan, the university’s vice president for athletics and recreation. 

“I cannot wait to utilize my decade of experience in sports marketing in the private sector and 16 years in intercollegiate athletics to help educate the next generation of sports business leaders here at the University of New Orleans,” Duncan said.

The degree would be useful for students who want to work in management positions for semi-professional or professional sports teams.

Tulane University will offer a sports business concentation for undergraduate students beginning in Spring 2024 at its Freeman School of Business, according to Keith Brennan, a Tulane University spokesperson.