Unlock the secrets of the sports industry and learn how to innovate in a rapidly evolving landscape that connects fans to their favorite athletes and teams!
Instructor:
Course Description
Beyond the field, court, & pitch is the business of sport: connecting fans to the athletes, teams, and experiences they love. That business has gone through a massive transformation driven by emerging technologies like high quality video, sensors and analytics, new experiences for fans in the stadium and via subscription services, and the rise of social media and NIL opportunities for collegiate athletes. In addition, the landscape for North American sports is expanding, with the rise of soccer, surfing (the World Surf League) and other sports, as well as the increasing visibility of women’s leagues like the WNBA and NWSL, along with female athletes across a wide array of sports. In addition, Los Angeles is the home to two state of the art arenas (SoFi and Intuit) and will host the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
The Summer Discovery for High School Students: Sports Business Program will address key shifts in the industry and identify ways for students to innovate and lead in a number of job functions. Our two-week summer course provides our high school students with an overview of key business principles, major trends, and innovation across the sports industry. During their session, students will:
Students will also complete a final group presentation where they propose a solution to a sports-related challenge. Students participating in this course will leave with a deeper understanding of (and appreciation for!) the unique opportunities, challenges, and dynamics of the sports they follow.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course, students will be able to:
Note: Information is subject to change as instructors finalize course content and syllabi.
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Instructor Bio
Mark Francis, a native of Fredericton, NB, Canada, holds an MBA and M.A. in sports administration as well as a diploma in university teaching from the University of New Brunswick. He works as an instructor in sports management at UCLA’s Center for Managing Enterprise in Media, Entertainment & Sports (MEMES); an adjunct instructor in sports technology at Camosun College; and a sports management consultant for BaAM Productions in Los Angeles, overseeing the firm’s interests throughout the professional sports industry.
BaAM is a premier event production and management firm whose signature events include the NHL Winter Classic, MLB All-Star FanFest, 2014 NHL Coors Light Stadium Series, Pro Football Hall of Fame FanFest 2014 and the 2015 Pan American Games. A specialist in the area of fan experience and engagement, Francis has significant interests in social media marketing and ROI, brand management, marketing, business development, sports technology and law. He boasts a wealth of experience at all levels of sport, from academic, business, administrative and high-performance coaching perspectives, which enable him to speak from experience when it comes to his business relationships and teachings. Through his current and prior professional associations with numerous esteemed sports organizations, Francis has developed an extensive professional network throughout all levels of the sports industry, many of whom appear annually during his Sports Business program delivered through the Center for MEMES at UCLA Anderson School of Management.
A dedicated supporter of community involvement, Francis also serves as advisory board chair of the African Sports Business Association, and as volunteer head coach of the men’s hockey program at UCLA, where he was selected as one of two finalists for the PAC-8 Coach of the Year Award for 2012. Francis was also selected as head coach of the PAC-8 selects at the ACHA National Championships in Philadelphia in 2011 and 2013. He recently completed a two-year term serving as the executive director of the PAC-8 Men’s Hockey Conference.
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Course Syllabus
To view a sample syllabus, please contact your program specialist, or reach us at info@summerdiscovery.com or call +1 (516) 447-4907.
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Admissions Criteria
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Who should attend this course?
Aspiring sports management professionals, this is a start to your successful academic and professional career. This course will introduce you to fundamentals that will advance your understanding of this field and help you determine whether a professional track in sports management is right for you.
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Benefits of Attending this Course
• Successful Course Completion Certificate
• Letter of Recognition
• Capstone Project for Student Portfolio (where applicable)
Summer Discovery Certificate of Completion
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification of completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive