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.
Spring Quarter Topics Analyze Industry
Seminar in Sports Enterprise Management (5)
TBGEN 485
The capstone for the minor in Sports Enterprise Management is a deep dive into the most difficult issues in the global sports industry today. Spring 2023 has students reviewing issues such as: Making sports for youths affordable; Starting an intercollegiate athletic program at branch campuses; Value that brands gain from sports; Impact of disparate disciplinary off-the-field penalties in the NFL; Future of NIL; Creating a women’s softball league like the WNBA.
Fall 2023’s class is Essentials of Sports Enterprise Management (5) TBGEN 370.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Cheney Stadium, free parking near the front gate.
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.
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
Sports Enterprise Management Newsletters
Keep up with the latest happenings from the Sports Enterprise Management program of the Milgard School of Business.
WELCOME BOB WHITSITT - EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE
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.
