Sports Enterprise Management | Milgard School of Business

Global Sports Reaches Top 10; Now at $2.3 Trillion and Growing

The size of the sports industry has been an uncertainty until emeritus professors of the University of Oregon completed the research to settle the score. Sports has topped $2.3 Trillion, making it the 9th largest industry in the world. Pharma/ Healthcare is just behind Sports at #10. Oil and Gas is #1.

The Best-Howard Sports Industry Model segments the industry into Fan Engagement, Sports Products and Sports Participation, the largest of the three. Fan Engagement may be the fastest growing based on more countries legalizing sports betting. The research also named the top 50 Sport Cities in the world, and surprisingly only two cities from the US were in the top 12. The definition of a “top city” was derived from Professional Teams, Population and Purchasing Power. Seattle/Tacoma was #40. Tokyo is #1. “Our students will benefit from the great work of Professors Best and Howard,” said Stan Emert, Executive Director of the Sports Enterprise Management program at UW Tacoma, Milgard School of Business. “Not only is the Sports Industry integral in our global culture, but it is now recognized as one of the largest financial engines in the world.”

At least one Sports Enterprise Management course is offered each quarter at the Milgard School. In Winter 2023, the course offering will be Revenue Generation, Tuesdays/Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 PM at Cheney Stadium.

Milgard School of Business - Sports Enterprise Management

Industry Professionals Enhance SEM Curriculum:

Aaron Artman, president, Tacoma Rainiers, SEM Advisory Board member
Alex Caravan, VP, business operations, Driveline Baseball
Alisha Alavanis, president, Seattle Storm
Ashley Schutt, Director of Baseball Operations and Merchandise, Tacoma Rainiers
Becca Stout, Community Relations, Seattle Seahawks
Ben Oliver, Starfire
Bob Whitsitt, former Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trailblazer president, SEM Executive in Residence
Brian Coombe, CFO, Tacoma Rainiers
Brian Jones, president, Seattle Seawolves
Brock Huard, former NFL player, football national broadcaster
Caitlan Calnan, Director of Group Sales and Event Markering, Tacoma Rainiers
Casey Catherwood, former Creative Director, Tacoma Rainiers
Chris Kennedy, Seattle Mariners
Dean Burke, Tacoma Travel and Tourism/Sports Commission
Devon Schuler, Seattle Sea Dragons, UWT SEM graduate
Eric Grubman, former Executive VP, NFL
Frank Colarusso, former sports executive
Gary Jones, Anth3M, Talent Management Reinvented
Gee Scott, KIRO radio personality, College sports recruiting expert
Holden Markoff, Sports Agent/Representative
Jen Cohen, UW Athletic Director
Jen Mueller, Sportscaster, businessperson, SEM Advisory Board member
Jon Guidoux, Owner, University Place CrossFit
Jon Spoelstra, retired NBA executive
Kate Yeager, Esports game designer
Kelli Masters, NFL Agent
Marcus Trufant, Trufant Foundation, former NFL star
Matt Chelap, Octagon Media
Megan Mead, VP of Marketing, Tacoma Rainiers
Mike Shields and Aaron Hill, authors, We Are GU (Gonzaga University Kennel Club founder)
Patrick Barthe, Director of Esports Partnerships, Atomic
Phil Haywood, Director of Stadium Operations, Tacoma Rainiers
Shaina Wiel, Minority Women in Sports Management
Shane Santman, VP of Sales, Tacoma Rainiers
Shannon Drayer, sports reporter
Talisa Rhea, General Manager, Seattle Storm
Tim O’Hollaren, Senior Director of Ticket Sales, Tacoma Rainiers
Tom Butler, ProBattle League, Esports
Tommy Farris, Olympic Hiking Company
Tony Horton, Fitness guru, founder P-90X

Fall Quarter Key to Sports Management

Essentials in Sports Enterprise Management (5)
TBGEN 370
The entry class for the minor in Sports Enterprise Management is an overview of the fast-growing, fast-paced global sports industry.

Structure of the Sports Industry: from community recreational to global professional competition
Fan Engagement: Events, Media, Entertainment
Sports Products: Sportswear, Athleisure, Fitness, Health and Wellness, Nutrition
Participation: Indoor and outdoor, Fitness gyms at home and away, adventure sports
Global and Local: Top Sports countries and cities

This is a HYBRID class, with sessions in person on campus and at Cheney Stadium, live Zoom, and asynchronous.

View T-BGEN370 on My Plan

The Business of Sports

The University of Washington Tacoma Sports Enterprise Management program is all about the business of sports. This new Milgard School of Business program covers the $1 trillion global sports industry. It was kicked off by a partnership between the University and the Tacoma Rainiers.

The Pacific Northwest is home to most major professional sports, top college and university sports, Olympic programs, and youth sports. It is also the place of some of the world’s most popular outdoor sports such as snow skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, hiking, biking, mountaineering, sailing, fishing, and spelunking – all in the shadow of Mt. Rainier. There are championship golf courses, motor sports on land and water and a thriving Esports industry.

In addition to the curriculum offered to complete the Minor in Sports Enterprise Management, the Milgard School of Business supplements the student experience with speakers from the industry. Internships are offered, too, so that the students can gain practical experience in the vibrant sports community. More information on the Minor and the nearly 40 electives offered can be found here.

The Minor in Sports Enterprise Management is open to all UW Tacoma students, regardless of major.

Most of the classes to complete the Minor are taught at Cheney Stadium, the home of the Tacoma Rainiers with free parking for students. Conveniently located just a few miles from the University campus.

Sports Enterprise Management Capstone Class Addresses Sports Biggest Issues

Student teams spent the 2022 Spring quarter in TBGEN 485 researching and writing. The quarter ended with oral presentations on their topics with the goal of persuading decision-makers of their positions. Throughout the quarter students honed their skills by presenting on individual articles they used in their supportive white paper.

Six student teams gave convincing presentations at Cheney Stadium explaining and advocating on the following issues:

Wearable technologies: Athletes and privacy
Blood doping in amateur athletics
Should the NCAA be abolished?
Reversing the decline in youth sports participation
NBA’s G League – its future
Sports gambling: On Becoming Legal

The issues proved to be not limited to sports, but instead relate to culture. From electronics to the playground, Sports Enterprise Management students went beyond the field, pitch, course and court, and into the fabric of society. Such is the nature of sports. . . and culture.

Sports Enterprise Management - Spring 2022

Kelli Masters, a leading NFL agent who emphasizes her ethical approach, is surrounded by Sports Enterprise Management students at the Cheney Stadium classroom.

Rainiers Support Tacoma

Tacoma Rainiers Support Tacoma - Aaron Artman interivew

Aaron Artman Loves Tacoma

Sports Enterprise Management Newsletters

Keep up with the latest happenings from the Sports Enterprise Management program of the Milgard School of Business.

SEM NEWSLETTER

WELCOME BOB WHITSITT - EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE

Bob Whitsitt - SEM Executive in Residence, Milgard School of Business

Bob Whitsitt - Executive in Residence

Bob Whitsitt has been called the “most influential figure in Northwest professional sports” by Washington CEO Magazine and “one of professional sports’ sharpest executives” by the Seattle Times.

Now, Bob has become the Executive in Residence for Sports Enterprise Management at the Milgard School of Business, University of Washington Tacoma.

Bob’s rise to the top of the field of professional sports began when he was promoted to assistant general manager of the Indiana Pacers only three years after joining the club as an intern. In 1982, he joined the Kansas City Kings as vice president of marketing. Two years later, he oversaw the team’s successful move to Sacramento. In 1986, he became the president and general manager of the Seattle Supersonics.

In 17 seasons as an NBA President and General Manager, “Trader Bob” built teams that made the playoffs 16 times. As president of the Seattle Seahawks from 1997 through the beginning of 2005, he negotiated the acquisition of the team for Paul Allen and led a successful statewide referendum that secured $300 million in public funding for the Seahawk’s new football & soccer stadium and exhibition center. During his tenure with the Seahawks, Bob built a team that made its first three playoff appearances in nearly a decade, won two division championships, and played in Super Bowl XL. He has also served as president of a diverse range of companies, including the Oregon Arena Corporation, Rose City Radio, Action Sports Media, and more.

Today, Whitsitt serves as chief sports advisor to ownership of the NHL’s Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle and is applying his wide-ranging skills and expertise, his flair for spotting talent, his industry-wide network of relationships, and his proven record of success, to the art of helping people in a wide range of industries achieve their business goals.

Women in Esports

Women in Esports Panel
In the first of a series on the growing field of Esports, attorney Yan Perng, producer Kate Yeager and Professor Zoe Barsness discuss Women in Esports. Women gamers rock, but what can be done for women to be treated with respect in Esports? Or will they continue to be objects, facing constant harassment? Hosted by UWT's Stan Emert, Executive Director, Sports Enterprise Management.

What students say about the Sports Enterprise Management Minor

Isabella

Isabela Vercillo - Sports Enterprise Management

Isabela Vercillo, BA Politics, Philosophy, and Economics specialization Economics, 2022 "Sports Enterprise Management classes helped me in many ways. I highly recommend everyone get the minor. The classes have the unique ability to teach students how to analytically think and to back up their idea with facts. It also teaches students how to give presentations in a persuasive manner. All of these are key skills that many employers find desirable. The minor also allows students the unique opportunity to network which can lead to possible job opportunities or mentorship."

James

James Sweeney, B.A. in History, 2023 "If you're a student at UWT and aren't taking advantage of the Sports Enterprise Management program, you're missing out. Whether you're looking to get your foot in the door in or around professional sports or are just looking to become more well-rounded in whatever career you're pursuing, this program will help you do that. The opportunities and networking possibilities in SEM are second to none. I believe the SEM minor is the best our school has to offer, regardless of your major. Enroll and see for yourself, you won't be sorry."

Salese

Selese Clark - Sports Enterprise Management

Salese Clark, Business Administration focusing Marketing Management, Graduated 2023 “The Sports Enterprise Management class enhanced who I am now. Although I wasn’t too sure about Sports at first, I became more interested in discovering different aspects of the diverse sports industry with the help of Stan Emert. Networking, Public speaking, and writing persuasive sports papers improved my business skills, so will you!”

Armando

Armando Alvarez, BA in Communications and minor in SEM, 2023 "The SEM minor exposed me to different people in the sports industry that a first generation student like myself would have never have gotten to meet."

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