Sports Business Academy

Sponsored by the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative (WSABI), the Wharton Sports Business Academy (WSBA) is a three-week summer program that provides an opportunity for ambitious rising high school juniors and seniors to study sports business leadership with the Wharton School. This program teaches students about leagues, media, innovation and emerging platforms, marketing, labor issues, and social impact/responsibility as they learn from leaders in the sports business world. 

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Overview

Sponsored by the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative (WSABI), The Sports Business Academy examines various academic disciplines as they apply to the sports industry with an overview of the business and legal aspects of various intercollegiate, Olympic, and professional sports enterprises. Students ultimately gain insight into the leadership, management, and increasingly global nature of the sports business. Through academic lectures, guest speakers, and engaging activities, WSBA students have the opportunity to test their potential as future sports business leaders. 

Each summer, Sports Business Academy students: 

  • Attend lectures and presentations from outstanding Wharton faculty and guest speakers such as sports agents, broadcast network executives, league and team executives, and brand marketers 
  • Are introduced to core business disciplines such as management, law, negotiation, marketing, and leadership as they intersect with the sports industry 
  • Discover career opportunities available in the business of sports 
  • Virtually visit relevant sports businesses and meet with industry leaders in order to explore the qualities essential to leading a successful sports organization 
  • Develop and enhance leadership skills through collaborative teamwork in a small team of talented and diverse students working on a business plan for a new sports-focused business 

All participants who successfully complete the program will earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion. 

Schedule

Course Meeting Times 

Daily participation and engagement are required Monday through Friday. Each day will include some mixture of live, online class sessions; facilitated, small group discussions; collaborative group work; guest speakers; and independent work, completed within the Wharton Online Learning Platform.   

Live Session Schedule  

Monday-Friday, tentatively 10:00AM-3:330PM Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4); daily specifics may vary, but students may use the following draft schedule as a preliminary guideline:  

  • 10:00am-10:30am – Current events discussion 
  • 10:30am-11:00am – Live Lecture 
  • 11:00am-11:15am – Break 
  • 11:15am-11:30am – (Asynchronous) Reading or video 
  • 11:30am-11:45am – Live Review and Group Discussion  
  • 11:45am-12:30pm – Live Lecture 
  • 12:30pm-1:30pm – Lunch Break; Optional Office Hours/Coffee Chat available 
  • 1:30pm-2:30pm – Live Guest Speaker 
  • 2:40pm-3:20pm – Small Group work 
  • 3:20pm-3:30pm – Live Large Group Discussion and Daily Wrap Up 

Session topics may include:  

  • Sports law  
  • Sports, Society and Culture  
  • Sports, Science and Medicine  
  • Professional sports franchises  
  • The business of television/streaming  
  • Collective bargaining and negotiation  
  • Innovation/emerging platforms  
  • Media, social media and content  
  • Social/responsibility impact  
  • Youth sports  

Technical Requirements  

In order to fully participate in this course, you will need a computer that meets minimum system requirements for both Canvas LMS and Zoom Videoconferencing. A camera and microphone are required. Refer to the following links: 

All programming originates from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (Eastern Daylight Time)  

 

Eligibility

Eligibility 

High school students currently enrolled in grades 10-11 with a strong academic background and interest in sports, business and management. International applicants are welcome. 

Admission 

Admission to the Sports Business Academy is selective. Selections are based on a record of academic excellence, demonstrated leadership, and a genuine interest in sports industry. Interested students are encouraged to submit an application by the priority deadline. 

Please note that participation in the Sports Business Academy program does not guarantee admission into Penn. 

Instructional Team

Program Leader: TBA

Teaching Assistants 

Teaching Assistants consist of both undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Pennsylvania. TAs facilitate small-group discussions, ensure student understanding, assist with final project development, and hold office hours to answer student questions and share their Penn and Wharton experiences. 

Dates

  • Jul 7 - Jul 25, 2025

Location

Online

Request Info

Application Deadlines

Priority deadline:

 

April 2, 2025

 

Final deadline:

 

May 1, 2025

Additional Info

Contact

For more information, please contact whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu or call +1.516.414.5555.

“I have always wanted to pursue a career in Sports Business, and this course not only furthered my interest but offered me the connections and experience for it as well.” - 2021 participant