sport analytics phd

Sports Analytics

Degrees offered, graduate certificate, sports analytics, graduate certificate.

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Departmental Contact

A&s portfolio 4 staff (statistics).

[email protected] 573-882-6376 146 Middlebush Hall

Director of Graduate Study

[email protected] 573-882-6376 146 Middlebush Hall

[email protected] 573-882-7879 134D Middlebush Hall

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone : Yes

Total Credit Hours : 12

Certificate description : The Certificate Program in Sports Analytics at Mizzou offers a unique opportunity for students to learn statistical methods and computational tools to perform analyses for sports. The program will help to prepare students for career opportunities in the exciting and growing industry of sports analytics.

Certificate web site : https://stat.missouri.edu/undergrad/sports-statistics

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

Required Application Materials

For the graduate school.

For the Graduate Certificate Program

How to Break Into a Career in Sports Analytics

Student & Alumni Stories Analytics

Data-driven decision making is a vital aspect of virtually all business, and the sports industry is no exception. Below, we discuss what sports analytics is, what a career in the field involves, and explore how one Northeastern alumnus broke into a career in sports analytics.

What is Sports Analytics?

Sports analytics is a field that applies data analysis techniques to analyze various components of the sports industry, such as player performance, business performance, recruitment, and more. The learnings from these analyses are then used to make informed decisions that enhance the performance of a particular team or sports organization. Now more than ever, sports teams are leveraging skilled sports data analysts to create a competitive advantage both on and off the field.

Sports Analytics Careers

According to data from ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for jobs in sports analytics is approximately $93,092 per year; however, this number can vary based on a variety of factors such as location, level of education, and experience.

Those who have an interest in sports and possess an analytical mindset have the unique ability to turn both of these passions into an exciting and rewarding career. Just like the practice that goes into becoming a professional athlete, aspiring sports data analysts should practice and develop their skills in order to be successful in this role.

One of the best ways to gain and refine the skills needed for a sports analytics career is to develop your knowledge of data analytics. For example, Northeastern’s Master of Professional Studies in Analytics prepares students to identify and communicate data-driven insights for informed decision making in a wide range of fields.

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Breaking Into Analytics: How Jordan Sperber Turned His Hobby Into a Career

Northeastern takes great pride in hearing about our graduates using the skills they acquired in class in their day-to-day life. Jordan Sperber took his love of sports and interest in analytics and turned it into a full-time career. Below, Jordan shares his journey.

An Interest in Data Analytics

I first became interested in data analytics after reading the book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game early on in high school. The book covered the story of how the Oakland A’s used analytics to find undervalued MLB players. After reading that, I continued reading about sports analytics on the internet and started doing some of my own research. At that time, I took my first statistics class in high school and applied a lot of what I was learning to sports.

The Start of a Sports Analytics Career

I started my blog, The Hoop Vision, as a junior in high school. I put it aside for most of my senior year but then brought it back in college in full force. The blog is centered around college basketball analytics. I write blog posts heavily focused on data and film to analyze college basketball teams, players, and trends. In the last few years, I shifted to doing the same type of analysis but in the form of a newsletter instead of on the blog. Through the newsletter, I’ve been able to network with more people in the college basketball world.

The blog has been a major source of success in my career. Early on in college, I had two Division 1 basketball coaches reach out to me after reading my blog. I stayed in touch with both coaches and even did some consulting while I was still an undergrad. Upon graduation, those coaches gave me my first two jobs in the industry. I started as a graduate assistant at the University of Nevada and then moved on to New Mexico State as a video coordinator. In both cases, the blog enabled me to get my name out there and put myself in a position to get future jobs.

A Day in the Life of a Sports Data Analyst

The college basketball world is very seasonal. So from November to March our focus is on how to win games and get better as a team. From a data analytics perspective, that means using data to evaluate our team as a whole and all of our individual players. We also analyze our opponents and put together more effective game plans and scouting reports.

Out of season, we use data analytics very heavily in recruiting. Not only do we evaluate potential new players to decide if we want to add them to our roster, but we also use analytics as a major selling point to land them. That means I put together presentations on how we will use data to take the recruit’s (and our team’s) game to the next level.

Skills for Success in a Sports Analytics Career

I have really built off of the R programming portion of [Northeastern’s analytics program] for use on a daily basis. Those skills have helped me to automate more of my workflow and do things more efficiently. Furthermore, I am still using Tableau for some data visualization and SQL for database work. Both of which were covered during my time at Northeastern.

I would advise those aspiring to work in sports analytics to build upon their technical skills. For a quick solution, a short-term program like Northeastern’s Graduate Certificate in Analytics is a great way to jump-start those skills. For people looking to get into sports data, in particular, starting a blog (or even just a Twitter account) is a great way to network and get your name out. The sports industry is extremely competitive, but also an exciting industry. High-level technical skills in conjunction with good networking are necessary to advance in the field.

Follow Jordan on Twitter at @ hoopvision68 .

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Sports Analytics Degrees

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Sports analytics is a concept of using various data points in production, performance, and sales to gain an advantage over the competition and maximize potential revenue. Collegiate teams and professional organizations in the world of sports are gaining further advantages through big data innovation. Sports analytics positions are growing on a constant basis, reviewing data received in various aspects of the organization. They also give their input on how to put a successful roster together, and optimize revenue with better services and products to fans and customers and adding cost-cutting methods in the budget.

Are there online sports analytics programs?

Yes , there are multiple options for sport analytics degrees online. The most common degree within sports analytics that is 100% online is the Master of Sport analytics degree. Consider a featured online sport analytics program currently taking applications.

Sports Data Analytics Degree Programs

What is sports analytics.

As more information becomes available, teams are looking to gain an advantage in any aspect to attract more fans to their games and bring in further talent with a higher budget. Analytical positions are valuable by creating data structures and algorithms that sort this information, and then analysts will determine the best course of action to managerial roles in the front office.

When looking at degrees to gain higher education in sports analytics, there are no specific disciplines to choose from in this category. This specialized education can be found in degrees that focus on business, data science, and sports management. There are electives that students can choose from to customize their degree and focus on analytical skills and the application of these concepts into sports organizations.

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Review of top online Master's Degrees in Sports Analytics, Updated for 2023

There are limited opportunities for students to pursue an emphasis in sports analytics completely online. In some cases, there are courses that will be available both on-campus and online, but the bulk of the program must be completed on campus. A hybrid format that combines both versions of courses may also be available if the institution allows it.

When reviewing analytical programs, prospective students should review if they have gone through the regional accreditation process. This ensures that the curriculum has been verified by an established association and students will receive proper education in sports analytics. For example, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits universities in 19 different states in the North and Central portions of the country.

American University Masters in Sports Analytics and Management

One of the online programs students can consider in sports analytics is the Master of Science in Sports Analytics and Management. This is a 30 credit-hour program that requires approximately 20 months to complete. Students will learn how to discover trends in sports topics over social media, evaluate and decide proper data to analyze that makes the biggest impact, and improve brand awareness for the organization being represented.

This is an exclusive online program, meaning that students can pursue this program in a virtual environment only. Students that live in proximity to the campus can partake in optional face-to-face meetings, but these are not required. The curriculum does not require students to have a background in sports, but they should have foundational understanding of computer science and data science.

Nine courses are required in the curriculum, such as Innovation Through New Technologies, Project Cost-Benefit Analysis, and an Evaluation of Quantitative Methods. Some courses will focus on strategic management and consultation topics within the sports analytics field. One elective is chosen by the student for customization, including expanding on qualitative methods, health care, and evaluation theories.

Prospective students should have a Bachelor’s degree with high academic marks prior to applying. Submission items needed include a professional resume, statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and a transcript of previous education. There will also be a phone interview conducted with the program advisor.

As an alternative, students can consider the graduate certification of this discipline. While the program still takes over a year to complete, this is geared toward working professionals that can take four courses on a part-time basis to get their expertise in sports analytics. It is possible to take the Data-Driven Decision Making course on-campus, and completing this certification will count as credit toward the Master’s degree if the student chooses to pursue the full program.

Northwestern University Online Masters in Sports Administration

The online-exclusive Sports Analytics specialization can be pursued with the Master of Arts in Sports Administration. This optional opportunity gives students the techniques required to analyze player and team information that will be helpful to those in management positions. 11 total courses represent the curriculum, including three elective options and a capstone or thesis project culminating the program.

Seven courses in the base curriculum consist of Sports Research Methods, Sports Marketing, and Legal and Ethical Issues. These traditional concepts will help eventual professionals get the analysis techniques needed to make proper decisions and how this can impact various parts of an organization, such as marketing and public relations.

Various electives gives students the opportunity to specialize the degree to specific sports professions. For example, NCAA Compliance will provide case studies to see the rules and regulations in action for college athletics. Digital Media in Sports looks at the impact new technology has had in distribution of products to fans, social media communication, and fantasy sports value.

In the application process, the statement of purpose should detail why the individual is a perfect candidate for the program and what their career goals are. Multiple letters of recommendation are needed, with one source emphasizing academic accomplishment. Official transcripts should be submitted from all educational background where applicable.

Temple University Masters in Sport Business

The School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management offers a Master of Science in Sport Business with a concentration in Sport Analytics. This is a specialization that gives students the ability to use quantitative analysis and prediction techniques in order to make top-level organizational decisions. Courses are offered conveniently in the evening and students enter an internship opportunity 100 percent of the time.

Courses required in the Sport Analytics concentration will explore foundational concepts in looking at player performance and pricing, and how to apply various tools to basic concepts in the analytical process. Afterwards, more advanced skills will be explored in these processes that impact managerial decisions. Finally, an independent portfolio is the capstone project that demonstrates what was learned in these courses.

While this concentration emphasizes the analytical aspect of sport management, there are other concentrations that are focused on the marketing and event management aspects of the organization. This gives students the ability to fully customize their experience to prepare themselves for specific positions in a front office.

In order to be considered for the program, applicants should hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores should be at or above the 50th percentile. Other requirements in the process include the submission of two letters of recommendation, personal statement, and current resume.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Masters in Data Science with Sports Analytics Track

The School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI offer a Master of Science in Applied Data Science with a Sports Analytics concentration. 10 courses are required to satisfy curriculum requirements, which includes six required courses with the remainder being elective options. Some of these courses are available online, but the majority of them are only offered on the Indianapolis campus.

Four terms are needed to complete the program, including a summer term that features one course. Three courses are taken in the fall and spring semesters, with one of those terms taken in consecutive years. Students are administered into the program in either the fall and spring semester, and they cannot begin their pursuit in the summer.

In order to be administered into the program, students should already hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and have completed prerequisites in calculus and matrix algebra. GRE scores must be submitted, along with a personal statement of up to 750 words on why the student chose this program, graduate transcripts, updated resume, and three letters of recommendation.

The Sports Analytics specialization combines resources with the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management for an enhanced experience. Students taking the program in the Indianapolis location have the benefit of working with local professional and collegiate teams. It is also the location of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) headquarters.

Columbia University Masters in Sports Management

An option of full-time or part-time enrollment is available when considering the Master of Science in Sports Management through the School of Professional Studies. Students capable of committing to a full-time education can complete the program in as little as one year. Those looking toward the part-time route will require between two to four years depending on course load and work obligations.

36 total credit hours are needed to complete the degree, and both formats can only be completed at the Columbia campus in New York City. The curriculum requires an internship or an independent study over a topic approved by a program advisor. There are numerous sports topics to consider when pursuing this program, including analytics, business intelligence, event management, and ethical and legal issues.

There is a Sports Analytics concentration available, and some of these courses are available in both an on-campus and online format: Fundamentals of Sports Analytics, Soccer Analytics, and Applied Business Intelligence in Sports. These online opportunities are limited as the vast majority of courses must be completed on-campus, but there is some flexibility for students to complete particular course work.

In addition to an online application with fee, prospective students should submit transcripts showing evidence of a completed Bachelor’s degree, resume, two letters of recommendation, and essays for a personal statement and situational analysis. GRE or GMAT scores are required for applicants that have recently graduated in the last three years. New students are admitted into the fall only for full-time enrollment, and a spring option is available for part-time enrollment.

Sample Courses in Sports Analytics

Research methods.

Students will discover many different research methods when looking at player information, team spending, marketing budgets, and more. They will use regression methods to determine any outliers or trends in the information, or qualitative analysis that subjectively explains the data they are analyzing. In some cases, there may be separate courses that will explore programming languages to create and implement these research processes.

Data Visualization

One of the most important abilities in data analysis is being able to translate data into consumable information for managers and executives that make decisions for the organization. These courses will explore the best charts and graphs that best represent the story an analysis wants to tell. Topics often include how to make this information clear and persuasive, and what decisions can be made to improve any trends or maximize profits.

Sports Marketing

A common course in the sports analytics and sports management discipline that gives an overview of concepts in how to market merchandise and event tourism in stadiums and arenas. Topics include how to implement sponsorship deals, how to organize various activities at an event center, and the observation of consumer behavior through previous activity.

Legal and Ethical Issues

With many rules and regulations in place for organizations and colleges to follow, it is imperative to know these in the analytical process. Teams must not exploit athletes or put them in dangerous positions by following injury protocol when they are hurt in the activity. At the collegiate level, there are numerous recruiting rules and regulations set in order to minimize unfair advantages for different institutions.

Financial Management

It is important for a team to manage their expenses wisely to attract top talent to their organization, be it experienced players or top executives in the front office. These courses will focus on the business of sports analytics and how they can be utilized to develop the budget. Students will learn to work with any salary cap restrictions or costs required to improve facilities.

Career Opportunities in Sports Analytics

Various aspects of sports analytics can lead to jobs in analyzing player and team performance, organizing venue events, and implementing coaching and management strategies. According to employment information from ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for sports analytics positions is estimated at $93,110 annually. This figure jumps to over $136,000 within the top 25 percent of the industry.

Athletic Director

This director position at a university or high school system has the highest responsibility in maintaining the athletic department. Typical duties include hiring the coaching staff of various sports within the program, work out scheduling needs and connect with other schools, and help promote games and events to improve resources that the program can offer. A Master’s degree is often held by athletic directors.

Public Relations Manager

An image of an organization is developed by marketing and public relations, and management is imperative to keeping the company at a competitive advantage. Duties for this management role include authorizing the distribution of press releases and creating a team that is able to market the goods and services offered by the organization. They often work with these teams to review and select advertising and promotional campaigns that will help the company thrive.

Event Coordinator

Sports analytics is not limited to just organizations within a professional league. There are stadiums and arenas that must bring in revenue to continue maintenance and pay for various licensing fees. Venues are often shared and hosts various activities, or there may be multiple sports teams that play in one location, and coordinators will set up these unique events to avoid conflict and maximize profit.

Organizations and Associations in Sports Analytics

Data science has entered into sports, one of the most profitable industries in the entire world. While the concept of statistics and attempting to gain an advantage through them has been around for a long time, the use of analytical methods is continuing to evolve. A number of professional teams from Major League Baseball and the National Football League are looking for experts that can bolster their chances to win a title.

One of the most popular teams that have been open on their use of statistics is the Houston Astros, who won their first World Series ring in franchise history back in 2017. The Chicago Blackhawks were able to find undervalued players and bring them onto their team since 2009. Not limited to just teams, the leagues themselves can review consumer data to expand outreach and market their products more thoroughly.

There is an increased effort at providing exposure of sports analytics at various education levels, from middle school to collegiate status. The Sports Analytics Club Program (SACP) is a nonprofit organization based in Delaware with an idea to enhance these topics in sports journalism and sports science. Many high schools in the northeastern portion of the United States have adopted sports analytics clubs, and participating institutions include Johns Hopkins University, University of Virginia, and UCLA.

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Sports Analytics Degrees

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Like any area of analysis, sports analytics can be summarized by the collection of relevant, historical, statistics that pertain to a specific sport, team, game, or upcoming event. Through the collection and analysis of these data points, players, coaches and other staff are better informed to facilitate decision making both during and prior to sporting events. The information collected by analysts could also be beneficial to betting agencies and broadcast teams.

Are There Online Sports Analytics Programs?

Yes , there are a number of online sport analytics degrees. There are many options out there to round out a student's readiness for the sports analytics world, though some of them require a dual focus. However, there are very few programs specifically called Sports Analytics , so choosing the right university and program that is right for you is of utmost importance with regards to preparing for a world in the arena of data as it relate to sports and athletic performance. Sometimes there are degree programs that are focused on sport data analytics.

What is Sports Analytics?

There are two key types of sports analytics — those that are on-field and off-field. On-field analytics deals with improving the on-field performance of teams and players. It digs into the aspects of game tactics and player health and fitness. Off-field analytics deals with the business side of things like helping a sport organization surface insights that would help increase ticket sales, move merchandise, or improve fan engagement, etc. The bottom line of both aspects, is as usual, the bottom line of profit.

In Depth Review of 6 Top Online Sports Analytics Programs

American university - online m.s. in sports analytics and management.

American University prides itself on delivering curriculum that is timely and up-to-date with the latest trends, technology, and news within the predictive data sports landscape. The programming at American is divided into four components which comprise what they call the "Professional Studies Experience." Like many of the programs on this list, you work in a cohort of students that begin and progress through at the same time to foster a collaborative environment and make connections outside the classroom. The four components at American are Core, Electives, Field/Professional, and Capstone. Because AU specifically focuses on coursework that is leading-edge, experiential in learning and that includes hands-on study, they are confident in this program's ability to address employers' needs. Students graduate well-prepared to take a seat at the table with their acquired knowledge and skills that can immediately be applied to real-world situations.

Click for more information on the American University Online Master’s in Sports Analytics and Management program, which is 100% online and taking applications for 2023.

Arizona State University - Online BS in Sports Business, BS in Business Data Analytics, and MS in Business Analytics

With analytics degrees at the graduate level and the option to pair a sports business bachelors, ASU provides a competitive array of programming. The BS in business data analytics is a 120 credit hour program comprised of 41 courses that extend for just under 8 weeks a piece. For an online program, this track has a high threshold for admissions with freshmen requiring either a 25 ACT score or 1160 SAT score, a class ranking within the top 8% of students as well as a GPA above 3.4. At the graduate level, students will encounter courses in data mining, decision modeling, and data-driven quality management.

Click for more information on the Arizona State University Online Bachelor of Arts in Business - Sports Business program, which is 100% online and taking applications for 2023.

Maryville University - BS in Sport Management with Concentration in Sport Data Analytics and MS in Business Data Analytics

This online program is uniquely positioned to prepare its graduates for a career in Sports Analytics with a specific concentration in it. On the pricey end of the tuition spectrum, however, this program comes in at $500 a credit, requiring 128 hours for graduation. Another program-specific detail to Maryville is that the coursework has a built-in partnership with both Rawlings and Game Face, giving students access to real-world experience and corporate level connections in the industry.

University of Mississippi - Online MS in Sport Analytics

Ole Miss ' program is an accelerated, one year, online degree program with two emphasis areas – Sport Performance or Sport Business. The online MSSA program is designed to enhance knowledge, skills, and competencies in data acquisition, management, analysis, visualization and interpretation for improving sport performance and sport business. Coursework has a strong emphasis on practical skills in analytics, focusing on measurement and statistical modeling and big data analytics in the sports arena. The program combines academic, practical, and research-based skills to allow students to develop in their selected area. At just $466 per hour and 30 hours of credit to completion, it's one of the more affordable options available at such a recognizable school.

Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis - Online Accelerated B.S/M.S and M.S in Applied Data Science with Concentration in Sports Analytics

There are a few key things that make this program so unique. Beyond a "traditional" online masters degree with a concentration in the sports analytics field, IUPUI also offers an accelerated B.S./M.S. program to earn both your undergraduate and graduate degrees back-to-back and in less time than is typically possible. In addition, while the program itself is online, IUPUI is situated in Indianapolis, the city widely considered the Capitol of Amateur Sports. While it boasts 10 professional sports teams, the city is home to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations. Faculty within this program not only practice in one of the sports analytics hotbeds, they are a combination of masterminds from IU’s Schools of Physical Education, Tourism Management and Informatics and Computing drawing a unique mix of resources for students within this program.

California University of Pennsylvania- Online M.S. in Sport Management with Concentration in Strategic Sport Analysis

Because Cal U 's Strategic Sport Analysis concentration falls under a business-forward graduate degree, it primarily focuses on the business and management issues essential to the sports industry. The program touts three key takeaways that students will graduate with the ability to do including analyze the structure of sports teams and determine their potential (or lack thereof) for future success, strategically manage a club or organization using data analysis, and develop a framework to assist in implementing new strategies as well as handling change management. A unique aspect to this degree program is that it requires a 12 credit mentorship program that can take place at the organization of the student's choosing, including a current employer for those students working through the program while maintaining full-time employment.

View more featured 100% online sports degree programs that are taking applications for 2023.

8 Common Sports Analytics Course Curriculum

Intro to business data analytics.

Overview of analytics within a business context including concepts of strategy and operations; overview of concepts like data modeling, the model lifecycle, data mining, Key Performance Indicator metrics, ERP, in-database/memory, data stream, etc.

Intro to Sport Business Data Analytics

This course familiarizes students with the major underpinnings of the sport data analytics space. Often considered an ancillary competency in the analytics space, students learn the importance of soft skills in the analytics industry, like effective communication, framing complex problems correctly, and accurately gauging the success of a solution to a key business problem. Common data manipulation tasks in Microsoft Excel are also learned through real-world sports industry case studies.

Business Data Mining

Building predictive analytics (e.g., SEMMA, KDD), exposure to logistic regression, machine learning and decision tree methods. understanding lift factors, ROC curves, hands-on use of mining software, and business case studies.

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

This is an introduction to design and data collection procedures. Students will learn about the nature and application of qualitative research in sports business, how to conceptualize qualitative research and to formulate problem statements and research questions, how to design a qualitative research study and about qualitative data collection procedures-observation, interviews, focus group interviews, and collection and use of documents.

Measurement and Evaluation in Sport

This course presents the foundations for making reliable and valid judgments about matters of scientific concern in sport areas. Basic knowledge of measurement and evaluation for designing the various test settings and conducting the evidence-based practice will be covered, and approaches will be presented that enable you to make sound decisions based on empirical data in sport.

Communication and Data Visualization in Sport

Data Visualization aims to improve comprehension, memory, inference, and decision-making as it refers to issues in sport analytics. This course introduces techniques, algorithms and tools for creating effective data visualizations based on principles and techniques from graphic design, visual art, perceptual psychology and cognitive science. Emphasis is placed on the identification of patterns, trends, and differences among data sets. Students will be able to understand the fundamentals of communication and alignment around concepts required for effective data visualization. Students will be able to select and use techniques, algorithms and tools for creating visualization of real-world data. Students will become proficiency in creating static and interactive visualization for data from a variety of disciplines. Students will be able to use data visualization to support decision-making and critical thinking.

Big Data Analytics and Data Management

The explosion of social media and the computerization of every aspect of social and economic activity resulted in creation of large volumes of mostly unstructured data: web logs, videos, speech recordings, photographs, e-mails, Tweets, and similar. In a parallel development, computers keep getting ever more powerful and storage ever cheaper. Today, we have the ability to reliably and cheaply store huge volumes of data, efficiently analyze them, and extract business and socially relevant information.

The key objective of this course is to familiarize the students with most important information technologies used in manipulating, storing, and analyzing big data. We will examine the basic tools for statistical analysis, R and Python, and several machine learning algorithms. The emphasis of the course will be on mastering Spark 2.0 which emerged as the most important big data processing framework. Other topics include: Spark ML (Machine Learning) API and Spark Streaming which allows analysis of data in flight, i.e. in near real time, NoSQL storage solutions exemplified by Cassandra for their critical features, memory resident databases (VoltDB, SciDB) and graph databases (Ne4J).

Students gain the ability to initiate and design highly scalable systems that can accept, store, and analyze large volumes of unstructured data in batch mode and/or real time. Most lectures will be presented using Python examples. Some lectures will use Java and R.

Predictive Analytics in Sport

Advancements in technology and sports have led to the creation of models that can compute probabilities of sports win/loss prospects as well as analyze the performances of individual players. In this course, students compute simple statistics of a prior game, then use correlation to detect statistical relationships between different metrics. The science of rating and ranking is covered in detail, and regression models will be used for estimating a metric from several predictor variables. Predictive models will then be used to compute win/loss probabilities. Topics include: metrics used for team and player evaluation, Sabermetrics , models for win/loss probabilities, regression techniques, player and team performance report generation.

Top 3 Sports Analytics Career Paths

Collegiate or professional team or business analyst.

Statistics have become such a vital part of any sports program because they help teams make sense of collected data and apply it to practical scenarios to increase performance and, ultimately, lead to successful results. Player statistics can be used to make informed decisions about level of performance, game strategies and recruitment options. Off the field, sports analytics can be used to analyze data about such factors as fan-engagement, ticket sales and concession sales in order to make the business run more efficiently and profitably.

Broadcast or Media Analysis

Sports media companies such as ESPN, Fox Sports or Sports Illustrated are increasingly using sports analytics to enhance their sports reporting. While fans will likely be turned off by a strict discussion of statistics, sports analytics can be used to put sporting events and outcomes into perspective and give fans a greater context to appreciate athlete performance or game outcomes. For example, if a team comes from behind to win a game it is exciting, but it is even more interesting if you know that the probability of that outcome was 0.1%. Sports analytics can be used to improve reporting on sports events and engage fans as well as increase entertainment value.

Fitness or Sports Tech. Analysis

Specifically: wearable technology. It has quickly become essential to the world of sport and it requires sports analysis professionals to develop and advance these products. Wearable technologies collect an enormous amount of data. Sports analytics also plays an important role in the development of training technology such as simulators and virtual reality devices for athletes. Sports analysts with exercise science or kinesiology backgrounds may also find work in human performance labs. These labs use specific athlete training data to fine tune performance and increase training efficiency.

SPOR T ANALYTICS

About the Sport Analytics Concentration

The Master of Science in Sport Business’s concentration in Sport Analytics produces managers and future executives who understand the potential of data-driven decision making in the sport industry.

The Sport Analytics concentration prepares students to comprehend and apply analytical methods to issues confronting decision makers in sport organizations.

This concentration is for:

Career Outlook

The growing global sport analytic market is the perfect industry to transition into if you are someone who loves sports and analyzing numbers. The demand for analytical models and statistical evidence by professional sports teams is rapidly growing in order to make the absolute best in-game decisions as well as reach optimal player performance levels.

Careers in Sport Analytics

Internships & employment opportunities.

Our students have received internships and full-time employment in companies such as:

Career Outlook: Sample Job Titles

Alumni Testimonial

“The Sport Business Master’s Program at Temple gave me the baseline knowledge in the sports industry that I had not received in undergrad, connected me with industry leaders that opened my mind to new opportunities, and instilled the confidence that I could be successful in any venture in the analytics industry that I wanted to take on.”

—Jake Scott Specialist, Data & Evaluation with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation Master of Science in Sport Business, Class of 2019

Sport Analytics Courses

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Sports Analytics (MSBA-SA)

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Focus your Business Analytics education through a Sports lens.

The Sports Analytics concentration of the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) allows you to gain the essential skills and knowledge to become a fundamental conduit between the data teams and decision-makers in management. The MSBA-SA concentration of the MBSA STEM-designated degree program is designed for new graduates and professionals with less than two years of work experience.

Duration 10 months

Format & Location Full time on the Notre Dame campus

Start Date June

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What you’ll learn.

Earning the MSBA degree with a Sports Analytics concentration requires a full year of course work, starting with a summer session. There are two 7-week modules per semester and a 1-week interterm. This includes:

Analytics Core with a Sports Focus

In addition to the business analytics core, experience courses on acquiring sports data, analytic techniques for athletic performance, as well as on both front-office and athlete-focused marketing concerns.

student wearing a play like a champion today hat at a packed football game

Works with Your Schedule

MSBA-SA students who are also student athletes can expect to build their Sports Analytics toolkit without sacrificing their passion for the game. Classes will meet from Monday through Thursday. The earliest start time of classes is 9:30 a.m., and the latest end time is 1:45 p.m.

Gain Experience with Real-World Analytics

The program culminates with a hands-on capstone project where you and your team will partner with a corporate sponsor on a real-world analytics project where you'll have the opportunity to put your knowledge and skills to work.

Career Development

Our commitment to you is to help you acquire the skills and confidence necessary to launch a career in an in-demand field. We provide a full range of opportunities that allow you to customize your individual career development for success.

The Career Services team is composed of an exceptional group of career coaches that are dedicated to helping you obtain a career that aligns with your values and strengths. You will have the opportunity to meet with a coach as often as you would like as you tailor your individual career strategy.

As part of your overall MSBA experience, you will complete a one-credit career development course called Bridge to Success. This interactive class will help you explore all of the career opportunities and teach you how to uncover your signature strengths and key experiences, build your personal brand and negotiate a final offer.

Notre Dame’s global alumni network features more than 270 alumni clubs and is consistently rated one of the most responsive in the world.

Student Life

Notre Dame’s Master of Science in Business Analytics is a one-year program designed for recent graduates who want to jump start their career in Big Data. In between, you’ll be a true part of the Notre Dame family. From football games and concerts to world-class speakers and community service, your life will extend far beyond the classroom. As a Notre Dame MSBA-SA student, you can:

MSBA Sports Analytics Prerequisites Most students have strong business or quantitative backgrounds. All applicants must have completed or be able to complete an undergraduate statistics course in preparation for the program.

Tuition & Aid

Tuition for the 2023-2024 MSBA Sports Analytics Program is $63,500.

Merit-based fellowships are available to all qualified candidates, regardless of citizenship. These are determined by the Admissions Committee at the same time your application is being evaluated. To apply, simply check the appropriate box on the application form. No additional application is required.

Top 10 Ph.D Programs in Sport Management

Sports-Management-Degree-Guide-Top Programs

Earning a Ph.D in Sports Management is a great way to stand out in this competitive field. Jobs for sport management professionals with their Ph.D exist in facility management, sports marketing, sports law, or education. Earning a sports management Ph.D is a natural progression for students who already have a career in athletics and business and are looking for professional advancement. Sports minded professionals will find advanced education and training in sport management very rewarding.

Methodology

To identify the top 10 best sports management Ph.D programs, we started with a search on College Navigator to find out which schools offered these programs in an online format. We also consulted NASSM, the North American Society for Sport Management, which keeps a list of universities offering Ph.D Sport Management programs in the U.S. We compared student to faculty ratios, average graduate tuition rates, graduation rates, and accreditations using College Navigator. While graduation rates are provided only for first time undergraduate students, we felt this was still important to consider for our list an indicator of the level of support students receive while earning their degree. To be considered for our list, schools must hold regional accreditation, feature hands on training and internship or field experiences, and have a curriculum taught by doctorate level faculty. Where there are ties, we favored the school with the lower graduate tuition rate. From our list, we created a rating system as seen below to select our top 10 doctorate programs in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio

Average Graduate Tuition Rate

Overall Graduation Rate

Below are 10 schools that offer the best sports management PhD degree programs. Students learn advanced skills and benefit from professional training in sport management.

Ranking the Top 10 PhD Programs in Sports Management

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#10 – University of Northern Colorado-Greeley, Colorado

Ph.d. in sport and exercise science: sport administration.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $10,867/year in-state and $19,620/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 52 percent Points: 4 As one of the first Ph.D. programs in sport management in the country, the University of Northern Colorado has trained some of the top industry experts. UNCO values independent research and encourages students to work with a faculty advisor to pursue individual research interests. Courses cover areas like consumer behavior, marketing, research, public relations, facility management, and finance. Through this comprehensive curriculum, students in this top sports management PhD program will be prepared to work in academia or research, or be successful as a top level sport administrator.

#9 – University of Connecticut-Storrs, Connecticut

Ph.d. in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $16,300/year in-state and $38,212/year out-of-state Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education Overall Graduation Rate: 84 percent Points: 4 The top sport management Ph.D. program at the University of Connecticut is a concentration within the Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy Program (LLEP). Students experience a mix of classroom, research and field experiences lead by expert level faculty with experience in the sport industry. Courses cover Organizational Theory in Sport, Organizational Behavior in Sport, and Research in Sport Management. Students can gain additional experience and training by applying for a limited number of assistantships within the department or in the Division of Athletics.

#8 – University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Massachusetts

Phd in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $14,014/year in-state and $29,529/year out-of-state Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education Overall Graduation Rate: 82 percent Points: 4 At the intersection of sport and business lies the top Doctorate in Sport Management from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This full-time, four-year residential program prepares students for a successful career in academia. Areas of study include sport marketing, sport law, sport finance, sport sociology, and sport economics. Students complete 48 credits of coursework, pass a qualifying and comprehensive exam, and teach for three years at Isenberg. During the last years in the program, students will research and complete a dissertation.

#7 – The Ohio State University-Columbus, Ohio

Phd in kinesiology, sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1 Average Net Price: $11,560/year in-state and $35,144/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 86 percent Points: 4 The College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University features a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a focus in sport management. This customized program includes one-on-one mentoring from faculty, contributing to the field through individual research, and engaging in unique professional development opportunities. Coursework covers areas like sports marketing, sport organization theory, business of college sport, and research methods.

#6 – University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan

Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $23,890/year in-state and $48,204/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 93 percent Points: 5 The School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan features a Doctorate in Sport Management designed for educators, researchers, and sport management professionals. Students in this top sport management doctorate program contribute original research to the field through a dissertation project. To help offset the cost of tuition, UM offers financial assistance in the form of assistantships (both research and teaching) and fellowship opportunities. Sports management degree coursework covers areas like financial management for the sport industry, managing a professional sport franchise, and strategic management.

#5 – Florida State University-Tallahassee, Florida

Phd sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $9,684/year in-state and $24,116/year out-of-state Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Overall Graduation Rate: 83 percent Points: 5 The College of Education at Florida State University offers a top Ph.D. in Sport Management focused on four theme areas which include Legal and Policy Issues in Sport, Management in Sport, Sport Marketing, and Sport Media and Culture Studies. Students complete a seminar series, being immersed in current trends and research in each of the theme areas of the program. The curriculum includes extensive training in research, preparing students to become an active researcher. Students also gain valuable instructional experience by shadowing a faculty member to learn to teach undergraduate sport management courses.

#4 – Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Sport management ph.d..

Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $9,132/year Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Overall Graduation Rate: 68 percent Points: 5 The School of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University features an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Sport Management which allows students to tailor the program to meet their professional interests. Students complete core courses, independent studies, and elective courses that cover a wide variety of sport management related concepts and issues. Faculty serve as mentors to help students reach their full potential in both research and academia.

#3 – Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana

Sport management doctoral program.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $9,501/year in-state and $31,932/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 79 percent Points: 5 The Doctorate in Sports Management program at Indiana University was designed to meet the demand for an increase in professors and researchers in the field. Students have the opportunity to explore individual areas of interest within sport management through elective coursework and seminars. Admission to the program is highly competitive. Future students should have a solid background and interest in research.

#2 – University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Arkansas

Doctor of philosophy program in health, sport and exercise science, with a concentration in recreation and sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $7,752/year in-state and $21,032/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 66 percent Points: 5 Students with a passion for both recreation and sport management should explore the top Ph.D. in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas. The program features a concentration in Recreation and Sport Management that prepares students for careers in education, management, and research. This top sport management doctoral program is rich with experiential learning. Students complete independent research projects, internship experiences, conduct presentations, and publish their work in professional journals. To complete their degree, students must pass both oral and written examinations, a thesis, and a dissertation.

#1 – Texas A&M University-College Station, Texas

Ph.d. in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $6,677/year in-state and $18,700/year out-of-state Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Overall Graduation Rate: 82 percent Points: 5 Texas A&M University offers our top choice for a Ph.D. in Sport Management. The Department of Health and Kinesiology has offered a leading sport management Ph.D. program for over 30 years. The curriculum follows four primary areas including scholarship of sport management, scholarship of theoretical specializations, methods of inquiry, and teaching and career preparation. Faculty are industry experts with experience working in marketing, finance, diversity, sport development, legal issues in sport, and leadership. Opportunities for professional development are available through the Center for Sport Management Research and Education and the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport.

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