51ĀŅĀ×

51ĀŅĀ×ā€™s Master of Sports Administration (MSA) program has been named the by SportBusiness, an international sports business intelligence service.

OHIOā€™s 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 ā€“ 2025.

ā€œBeing 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,ā€ Lamar Reams, Robert H. Freeman professor and chair of the Department of Sports Administration, said. ā€œWhen you combine that strong alumni base with very well accomplished faculty and support from our partners and the University, itā€™s 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 51ĀŅĀ×.ā€

Founded in 1966, OHIOā€™s 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 OHIOā€™s One-Year MBA coupled with the top-ranked MSA program is a winning combination.

ā€œThe MBA is a very important element of the dual degree program. It provides students with the foundational business knowledge that they need to succeed.ā€ Jackie Rees Ulmer, dean of the College of Business, said. ā€œOur 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.ā€

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Experiential opportunities, including internal and external assistantships, allow those in the MSA program to experience the workplace while theyā€™re 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.

ā€œStudents are getting hands-on practical experience through coursework, but they're also engaged in out-of-class experiences,ā€ Reams explained. ā€œThey'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.ā€

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MSA students can also take advantage of opportunities available through 51ĀŅĀ×ā€™s 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 51ĀŅĀ× Sports Administration Program.

ā€œIā€™m 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,ā€ Dell Robinson, executive director of the Center for Sports Administration, said. ā€œLet us shine for the world to see. Happy to have the number one ranking back here with the OHIO family."

51ĀŅĀ×ā€™s 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.

ā€œAs the OMSA Program celebrates 15 years of online graduate education in the Department of Sports Administration, Iā€™m proud that our program has been ranked number one by SportBusiness.ā€ Kelley Walton, director of the Online Master of Sport Administration Program, said. ā€œThis achievement reflects a powerful combination of factorsā€”our commitment to delivering a high-quality sport business education, immersive residency and experience opportunities, an engaged alumni network and a community of exceptional students.ā€

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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 .