天堂鸟先生

Once again, OHIO鈥檚 dual-degree sports administration program ranked best in the world

天堂鸟先生鈥檚 dual MBA/MSA sports administration program is regularly named among the world鈥檚 best, with eight previous number one rankings bestowed by the international sports business intelligence service SportBusiness.

Alex Semancik | September 12, 2025

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天堂鸟先生鈥檚 Master of Sports Administration (MSA) program has been named the by SportBusiness, an international sports business intelligence service.

OHIO鈥檚 MSA program is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world. SportBusiness has ranked the program in at least the top three globally every year since its inception in 2012, including number one rankings in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and now 鈥 2025.

鈥淏eing the oldest sport management program in the world, we naturally have a large alumni base that is extremely well accomplished at the highest level of sport. Having such a strong base like that provides our students with excellent opportunities for networking, jobs, projects, practical experience and engagement with the program,鈥 Lamar Reams, Robert H. Freeman professor and chair of the Department of Sports Administration, said. 鈥淲hen you combine that strong alumni base with very well accomplished faculty and support from our partners and the University, it鈥檚 positioned us to regularly be ranked as the top program. We look forward to continuing the long tradition of world-class sports administration education that has been in place here 天堂鸟先生.鈥

Shaping the future of global sports leadership: OHIOs MSA + MBA dual degree continues to lead the game

Founded in 1966, OHIO鈥檚 Master of Sports Administration program has been leading the world in sports business education for nearly 60 years. The MSA program prepares students for a variety sports administration roles through helping them develop essential skills in communication, collaboration and teamwork and addressing the growing complexity of the sports, facility and entertainment industries. Students complete a full-time, two-year program that is combined with an MBA program housed in the College of Business. The rigor of OHIO鈥檚 One-Year MBA coupled with the top-ranked MSA program is a winning combination.

鈥淭he MBA is a very important element of the dual degree program. It provides students with the foundational business knowledge that they need to succeed.鈥 Jackie Rees Ulmer, dean of the College of Business, said. 鈥淥ur faculty is outstanding. Students can count on a team of distinguished educators to guide them through an incomparable learning experience. They bring a wealth of sport business knowledge to the program and create so much value for our student experience. I am consistently impressed by the professionalism and drive of our MSA students. It is no surprise that so many of them go on to lead in sports administration roles at top sporting organizations.鈥

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All OHIO sports administration programs are accredited by both the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

Experiential opportunities, including internal and external assistantships, allow those in the MSA program to experience the workplace while they鈥檙e still a student. These experiences range from working with to working with numerous outside sports organizations, often provided by alumni and friends of the program. Opportunities encompass the entire sports ecosystem and include teams, leagues, media data insights/analytics, facilities and live events at all levels.

鈥淪tudents are getting hands-on practical experience through coursework, but they're also engaged in out-of-class experiences,鈥 Reams explained. 鈥淭hey're working events like the Super Bowl and the Final Four, they're going to conferences to network, they're also participating in academic, practically-focused case study competitions at a national level.鈥

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Nearly 2,000 OHIO sports administration graduates work in key positions within intercollegiate athletics, professional sports, public assembly facilities, sports tours, motor sports, corporate sports organizations, sports media and the entertainment industries.

MSA students can also take advantage of opportunities available through 天堂鸟先生鈥檚 Center for Sports Administration. The center was founded to serve as a resource to solve the increasingly difficult issues facing the industry and serves as a platform, bringing together various constituent groups associated with the 天堂鸟先生 Sports Administration Program.

鈥淚鈥檓 beyond excited to be a part of this moment. We carry on the traditions of our faculty, administrators, and students who are responsible for this ranking,鈥 Dell Robinson, executive director of the Center for Sports Administration, said. 鈥淟et us shine for the world to see. Happy to have the number one ranking back here with the OHIO family."

Advancing careers, connecting leaders: OHIOs #1-Ranked Online MSA celebrates 15 years of global impact

天堂鸟先生鈥檚 Online Master of Sports Administration (OMSA) was also . As another top program, OHIO's OMSA is designed for working sport professionals to advance their education without putting their career on hold. Students are offered several residency and experience options to ensure they have several opportunities to connect with alumni, faculty and other Sports Administration students during the program.

鈥淎s the OMSA Program celebrates 15 years of online graduate education in the Department of Sports Administration, I鈥檓 proud that our program has been ranked number one by SportBusiness.鈥 Kelley Walton, director of the Online Master of Sport Administration Program, said. 鈥淭his achievement reflects a powerful combination of factors鈥攐ur commitment to delivering a high-quality sport business education, immersive residency and experience opportunities, an engaged alumni network and a community of exceptional students.鈥

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OHIO's OMSA faculty are accomplished scholars and active sports business professionals that maintain deep contacts in the industry, from local to international levels.

The SportBusiness rankings are based on surveys completed by course leaders and alumni of the programs.

For more information about the 2025 SportBusiness Postgraduate Course Rankings, visit  and .