Delivered in partnership with the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, the MBA in Sports Management combines MBA rigour with Global Institute of Sport’s industry-embedded approach. Based in Toronto’s world-class sports ecosystem, the program provides real industry access, applied learning and the global network needed to progress a career in sport.
Course Information
Attendance:
On-campus in TorontoStart Dates:
SeptemberDuration:
1 yearOverview
Delivered in partnership with the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, the MBA in Sports Management is designed for professionals seeking real access to the global sports industry.
Based in the heart of Toronto’s sports and entertainment ecosystem, the program combines the academic rigour of a Lazaridis MBA with Global Institute of Sport’s industry-embedded approach. You’ll learn through live projects, direct industry exposure and immersive environments within professional sport venues, graduating with the skills, experience and global network to advance your career in sport.
Teaching Location
GIS Toronto is located in the heart of Canada’s professional sports and business hub, offering an immersive learning environment beyond a traditional campus. Delivered in partnership with the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, classes take place at iconic venues such as BMO Field – placing learning directly inside the industry.
Modules
As part of the MBA in Sports Management in Toronto, you’ll complete the Sports Management concentration by choosing a minimum of three courses from the options below, alongside the core modules listed. Course offerings vary by term. This concentration is only available to students enrolled in the Full-Time MBA in Sports Management at the Toronto location.
Develop core consulting skills for the global sports industry including project management, stakeholder engagement, and performance measurement. This course prepares you to deliver ethical, culturally aware, and high impact consulting solutions across diverse markets.
Explore what drives high performance in sports clubs and organizations. Focus areas include leadership, cultrue, talent management, and strategic planning to build environments that support sustained success on and off the field.
Explore how sports organizations build and sustain meaningful relationships with fans across live events, digital platforms, and global communities. Learn to design inclusive data-informed engagement strategies that drive loyalty, reputation, and long-term value.
Examine how strong brands and stategic sponsorships create impact in the sports industry. You will learn how to build authentic partnerships, activate sponsorships, measure return on investment, and manage brand reputation in a global context.
Learn how effective communication and media strategy shape brand reputation in sport. You will build skills in media relations, crisis communication, and strategic storytelling to manage public perception under pressure.
Gain firsthand exposure to the global sports industry through immersive learning and industry engagement. Students will connect with international sports leaders, explore emerging trends, and develop professional skills through live cases and global summits held in Toronto.
Learn how to use data and analytical tools to make smarter business decisions and solve problems across every area of management.
Explore how organizations set direction, lead change and coordinate across business functions using essential management tools.
Learn how to analyze markets, understand customer needs, and design strategies that create value across the organization.
Gain a solid grounding in corporate finance—valuation, investment, financing decisions and managing risk—knowledge every leader needs.
Understand how people and organizations interact, and build the skills to lead teams and drive change effectively.
Study the processes that drive efficient operations, from product design to quality management, and learn how to optimize systems that support organizational performance.
Build the accounting knowledge to interpret financial reports, evaluate performance and apply insights to both short- and long-term decisions.
Brad Guzan
GIS student
Atlanta United goalkeeper
- A four-year or three-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a university or college.
- Minimum of a B standing or a second-class honours in the final year of the undergraduate program (the equivalent of 10 courses). Additional courses that are completed after the requirements for the bachelor’s degree have been met will be calculated into the final year GPA. To be considered for admission, the re-calculated GPA must be at least a B.
Applicants must demonstrate strong quantitative skills, supported by one or more of the following, as outlined in the statement of intent:
- Work experience (2+ years) in a role requiring quantitative knowledge and application.
- Successful completion (minimum B+) of a demanding quantitative course at a Canadian university or college within the last five years is required and will be evaluated by the admissions committee.
- For Laurier students, this includes BU205: Introduction to Applied Statistics or BU255: Managerial Statistics.
- GMAT Focus (score of 525 or higher) or GRE equivalent.
- CFA Level I pass.
- Two years of full-time work experience and/or six co-op work terms are required for the part-time program (Waterloo). Work experience is not required for the full-time program (Waterloo and Toronto), or full-time with co-op program (Waterloo). The co-op option is for applicants with fewer than two years of combined full-time and/or co-op experience.
- A statement of intent, resume, and three reference forms.
- Applicants whose language of instruction was other than English during their undergraduate degree must supply evidence of proficiency in English prior to admission:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A minimum score of 100 (with minimum skills scores of 21 in each of the four skills sets); or
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or its equivalent: A minimum score of seven (7).
Note: Eligible applicants with a Canadian BBA or BComm (minimum B average in final two years), or those holding a CPA, CFA, PEng or PMP designation, may request core course exclusions at the time of application. This request should be included in the statement of intent.
- Application portal opens: October of each year
- International Application deadline: March 30
- Domestic Application deadline: July 15
Career Prospects
Our students and alumni are leading the way for the future of the sports industry, working at leading names including Premier League clubs, national governing bodies and internationally acclaimed organisations.
Each course at GIS has been designed with the global sports industry in mind to ensure each student gains the skills required to give them every opportunity for success. Across the industry, GIS students and graduates are leading the way in a variety of sectors including coaching, business, media, marketing and events.
99 %
of our postgraduate graduates are either employed or in full-time study
79 %
are working or studying in sport
Fees
2025/26 Full-Time Tuition Fees