Master in Sport Business Specialization in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship — Online

The Master in Sport Business Online has two specializations, one in sport management and another in sport marketing and sponsorship, providing a comprehensive understanding of the sports business industry from different perspectives. By offering both specializations, students have the flexibility to tailor their education to their career goals and interests, and they can develop a broad range of skills that are applicable to various roles in the sports business industry.

Sport marketing and sponsorship specialize in the commercial aspects of sports organizations. It provides the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and market sports organizations and their products and services.

Roberto Iglesias Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Pitch Management - Johan Cruyff Institute

“Scheduling assignments around my personal life helped me strike a balance. The program’s lack of strict schedules allowed me to manage my time effectively.”

Roberto Iglesias Pitch Management Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Basic information

Qualification

Certificate for the Master in Sport Business from Johan Cruyff Institute, issued by using blockchain technology to guarantee the authenticity and integrity of the certificate.

Modality
Online
Start date
March 2, 2027
Credits
60 ECTS
Program language
English
Price
€ 8,950.-
Payment methods

Payment by installments available

Special conditions

Discount for alumni and members of partner entities

Enrollment

Registration open until the start of the program

The program may be subject to change.
The institution reserves the right to cancel the edition of the program if it does not meet the minimum number of students.


5 keys to motivate you

Personal and professional growth

The investment you make for a few months will have a lasting impact on your career and is an experience for life.

Networking

A full program of online seminars with industry experts is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional network.

Job opportunities

We compile for you a list of job offers from around the world in the field of sports and send them to you on a weekly basis.

The nearest online program

You study from anywhere in the world, but you are always in contact with your teachers, professionals and classmates, so your learning experience is very engaging.

Study trip

If you want to go further, the program offers you the possibility of a trip where you will continue your studies while living an unforgettable experience. Not included in the price.

Objectives

13 objectives to go further

13 objectives to go further

The main objective of the Master in Sport Business Online is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the sports industry and the skills needed to succeed in this field. The program is designed to prepare you for a variety of roles within the sports industry, including key areas such as management, marketing, sponsorship and event management.

Just get going, you have a future to conquer and now you can follow the path where your vocation for sport and your career expectations in marketing, management, sponsorship and event management converge.

These are the keys to a program designed to launch your professional project, during which you learn to:

  1. Develop a strategic and global perspective of the sports industry and apply business principles to enhance decision-making in the field.
  2. Foster an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative culture in sport organizations to create new market opportunities.
  3. Apply innovative practices in sport marketing to effectively execute marketing strategies and sponsorships.
  4. Identify key factors to lead professional teams and achieve optimal results.
  5. Interpret financial statements and create financial strategies for new products and businesses in sports organizations.
  6. Optimize sport facility and event management.
  7. Understand the operating environment of sport organizations, functional areas, and analytical tools.
  8. Analyze and implement marketing and sponsorship strategies and launch and position new products.
  9. Make decisions regarding product, price, distribution, and communication components.
  10. Utilize qualitative and quantitative analysis and diagnostic tools for sports market research.
  11. Understand and assess the role of digital communities and social media in sport organizations.
  12. Utilize technological tools to exploit business resources through sport marketing.
  13. Identify new trends within the industry and learn how to plan and measure the overall success of your strategy in different areas such as marketing, sponsorship and fan engagement.

Study plan

20 Modules 60 ECTS

The Master in Sport Business Online is composed of an introductory module, mandatory modules and elective modules. The mandatory modules are divided into foundation modules (Core) and specialization modules (Advanced), linked to this specific program.

Within the elective modules you will have to choose between different group of modules to create your own specialization.

Mandatory modules

39 ECTS

Mandatory Core

24 ECTS

  1. Strategic Management in Sport Organizations

    6 ECTS

    Introduction to the strategic management
    Elements of the internal analysis
    Tools for work team management
    Elements of the external analysis
    Tools for the external analysis
    Diagnosis
    Strategy formulation
    Competitive strategies and their evolution
    The Balanced Scorecard
    Customer focused strategy
    From strategy to execution
    Innovation in strategy
  2. Financial Management in Sport Organizations

    6 ECTS

    Economic-financial management of sport organizations
    • Finance and sport management
    • Interpretation of financial reports
    • Analysis of financial statements
    Investment & Financing mechanisms
    • Financial planning
    • Project investment and assessment
    • Financing
  3. Sports Marketing

    6 ECTS

    Introduction to sport marketing
    Marketing strategies adapted to sports environment
    Branding in sport
    Digital marketing strategies and their integration in sports companies and organizations
    Social media as a marketing tool
    Communication and content planning
    Market analysis and research
  4. Master's Degree Final Project

    6 ECTS

Mandatory Advanced

15 ECTS

  1. Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Sport Organizations

    3 ECTS

    Innovation: What are we referring to?
    • Definition of innovation
    • Why is innovation generated?
    • When does it occur and why does it cost so much?
    • Type of innovation
    Innovation Strategies
    • Innovation Context: barriers and incentives
    • Ten types of innovation
    • Blue Ocean Strategy
    Innovative Business Models
    • What is a business model?
    • Osterwalder CANVAS
    • Front-end blocks
    • Back-end blocks
    • Lean Canvas
    • 6-Tell
    Organization of Innovation
    • Innovative people
    • Innovative teams
    • Organisation
    • Processes
    • Indicators
    Innovation and the Customer
    • Job to be done
    • Pains and gains
    • Design thinking
    Open Innovation
    • Open Innovation
    • Key elements in innovation
    • Type of open innovation
    • Determinants of the success and failure of open innovation
    • Lean startup
    • Who are entrepreneurs?
    • Why has the lean startup model come about?
    • Lean Startup: Build, Measure, Learn
  2. Sport Sponsorship: Strategy

    6 ECTS

    The sponsorship marketplace
    • Defining Sponsorship & Evolution of sponsorship
    • Sponsorship Business
    • Key stakeholders and their role in sponsorship
    • Types of sponsorship; traditional vs. tailormade
    • Segmentation and targeting the audience, consumers or fans
    The sponsorship toolbox
    • Analyzing the sponsorship assets; tangible vs. intangible
    • Creating sponsorship packages and programs
    • Maximizing sponsorship assets: price vs. value
    • Selling and negotiating sponsorship fees
    Managing and activating sponsorship
    • Roles and responsibilities for activation
    • Concepts and themes for sponsors and rights holders
    • Activation strategies; from idea to execution
    • Feeding the fans; content, engagement and storytelling
  3. Sport Sponsorship: Activation and Measurement

    6 ECTS

    TYPES OF SPONSORSHIP
    • Sporting
    • Cultural
    • CSR
    • Personality
    • Others
    OBJECTIVES OF A SPONSORING COMPANY
    • Marketing
    • Communication
    • Sales
    • CSR
    OBJECTIVES AND PLANS FOR ATTRACTING SPONSORSHIP (ENTITY)
    • Economic/financial
    • Marketing and visibility
    • Media partners
    • Utilities
    SPONSORSHIP TYPES AND CONTRACTS
    • Different models (towards digitalization)
    • Types of contract
    MEASURING SPONSORSHIP
    • ROI
    • ROO

Elective modules

21 ECTS

Elective Core

12 ECTS

Choose #

  1. Fan Engagement

    3 ECTS

    Introduction to Fan Engagement
    Key Concepts of Fan Engagement
    Understanding the Fan
    Fan Engagement Strategy
    Best practices of Fan Engagement
    Actual & Future Trends of Fan Engagement
  2. Sport Media

    3 ECTS

    Introduction
    Sport content in media
    Analysis of the different media companies
    Globalization of sport
    Sport consumer
    Audience research and advertising market
    Audiovisual consumption and digital migration
    Management of broadcast rights
  3. eSports

    3 ECTS

    The eSports industry
    Differential aspects of Sports Management regarding eSports Management
    A Digital Business. Digital Manager
    Legal aspects of eSports
    Digital business models
    The technological paradigm of a digital native industry
  4. Digital Marketing in Sport

    3 ECTS

    The digital revolution and its impact on the sports industry.
    Digital strategy. Much more than just marketing.
    Contents and platforms. The power of social networks to create fan engagement.
    From content generation to monetisation
    Designing a Digital Marketing Plan
    How do we implement our Plan?
  5. Data Analytics in Sport

    3 ECTS

    Data in sport vs other industries
    Fan engagement data & analytics
    Performance analytics
    The role of IoT in sport
    Machine learning & AI in sport to predict/prevent outcome (match results, injuries)
    Blockchain potential cases and uses in sport (athletes sport passport, medical records, smart contracts)
    Build your own analytics
  6. Sustainability in Sport

    3 ECTS

    Introduction. What makes football & sport so unique; its key features
    Sport and Identity. How sport is being used as a tool to affirm cultural identity and seek international recognition
    Sport and Politics. The linkages between Sport and Politics in the twentieth century till these days
    Sport and Diplomacy. Diplomacy through sport and mega sporting events
    Sport for Development and peace. Explore the “grassroot” dimension of “sport for good” and its possible impact on the lives of people and communities
    Sport and Sustainability. The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Elective Advanced

9 ECTS

Choose #

  1. People Management in Sport

    3 ECTS

    THE ANNUAL HUMAN RESOURCES CYCLE
    • Global vision of human resources management
    • Key processes in people management
    • Key human resources indicators
    ORGANIZATION
    • Organisation of a sports entity
    • Organisational charts and types of reporting
    • Job description manual
    • Hiring sports and non-sports professionals
    • Sizing workforces
    DEVELOPMENT. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
    • The performance evaluation process
    • How to give employees effective feedback
    • How to correctly analyse and use the information obtained
    PROJECT MANAGEMENT & TALENT IDENTIFICATION
    • What is project management and why is it important
    • Types of projects
    • Tools for managing and documenting a project
    • Identification of internal talent and critical positions
    • Training plans
    • Career plans
    COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS & INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
    • Fixed pay. What it is and how it is determined
    • Variable pay. Bonus models and their calculation
    • Emotional salary. What it is and how it impacts the company
    • Internal communication objectives
    • Elements involved in internal communication
    • Internal communication and the work environment
    HUMAN RESOURCES STRATEGIC PLAN
    • How to make a strategic human resources plan
    • Human resources policies
  2. Leadership in Sport Organizations

    3 ECTS

    LEADERSHIP: A DEFINITION
    • A brief history of leadership
    • Leadership versus management
    • Leadership traits
    • Johan Cruyff and leadership
    • Communication and teamwork
    • Management styles and leadership
    LEADERSHIP STYLES
    • Introduction to leadership styles
    • Transactional versus transformational leadership
    • Situational leadership
    PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS
    • Core values
    • Energy management
    • Time management
    THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP: ‘GETTING THINGS DONE’
    • The concept of ‘followers’
    • How the brain works
    • Group versus individual
    LEADING A TEAM
    • Team stages
    • Team roles
    CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
    • Resistance
    • Conflict management strategies
  3. Sport Law

    3 ECTS

    Organization of sports entities
    Hiring of professional athletes, practical aspects
    FIFA transfers, solidarity, training minors and intermediaries in the world of football
    Disciplinary procedures, ethics and good governance
    Doping procedures
    Alternative dispute resolution systems before the federations and arbitration tribunals
  4. Sport Tourism

    3 ECTS

    PRINCIPLES AND STRUCTURE OF SPORTS TOURISM
    • Concept and definitions
    • Evolution of Tourism, Sports, and Sports Tourism
    • Types of Sports Tourism and Value Chain
    • Key stakeholders
    • Sports Tourism Figures and Demand profile
    DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS TOURISM & SPORTS TOURISM MARKETING
    • Public and Private Investment in sports tourism
    • Planning, Management and Governement in sports tourism destinations
    • Specialization of Sports Private Sector in sports tourism (clubs, facilities, accommodation, sport event organizers,..)
    • Design of Sports tourism products
    • Marketing and Communication strategies for sports tourism products
    • Marketing and Communication tools and channels
    • Best practices
    COMMERCIALIZATION OF SPORTS TOURISM
    • Commercialization strategies for different sports tourism products
    • Distribution channels and best practices
    ECONOMIC IMPACT AND EXPERIENCES IN SPORTS TOURISM
    • Moto GP vs F1: Sportainment, Economic Impact of major sport events, Importance of sports experience agencies
    • Olympics Games – UEFA / FIFA: From sports to tourism and sports events, the bid process, the legacy and economic impact
    • Other cases
  5. Corporate Social Responsibility in Sport

    3 ECTS

    ORIGIN AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF CSR
    • Origin
    • Concepts linked to CSR
    • Definitions of CSR
    • Documents linked to CSR
    CSR AND STAKEHOLDERS IN THE WORLD OF SPORT
    • Characteristics of CSR in the world of sport
    • Origin of CSR in sport
    • Dialogue with stakeholders
    ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CSR
    • CSR management systems
    • CSR standards
    • CSR initiatives
    • Development of a CSR strategy
    CREATION OF CSR REPORTS
    • Type of reports
    • Preparation of reports
    PATRONAGE
    • Difference between sponsorship and patronage
    • Patronage tools
    • Foundations
    COMMUNICATIONS AND CORPORATE REPUTATION
    • Communications and accountability
    • Managing corporate reputation
    • Measurement indices of corporate reputation
  6. Sport Facility Management

    6 ECTS

    Urban planning of sports facilities
    • Sports facilities plans
    • Strategic thought in relation to the role sports facilities play in a local sports system
    • Functional aspects in the design of a sports facility
    Management models
    • Types and management models for sports facilities
    • Factors that affect the sports facilities feasibility
    • Types and management models for sports facilities from professional sport
    • Large sports infrastructures and their legacy
    Management plan of a sports facility
    • Management Control in a sports facility
    • Potential demand and activities offer analysis
    • Organizational structure of a sports facility
    • Management of human resources
    • Maintenance management
    • Communication and commercialization plan
    • Economic and financial study
  7. Sport Event Management

    6 ECTS

    Introduction
    Application
    Marketing, Sponsorship, TV & Media
    Project Management
    Logistics & Transport
    Security & Risk Management
    Venue Management & Spectator experience
    Accreditations: technology & digital transformation
    Volunteering – Ethics & CSR – Antidoping – Environment
    Business plan
    Finances – Ticketing
    Legacy

Pedagogical model

You are the protagonist

You are the protagonist

In the Master in Sport Business, you are immersed in an ecosystem designed to help you perform at your best, progressing alongside professionals from the sports industry with the continuous support of a dedicated program manager, experienced faculty who mentor and guide you, and an academic team that has carefully designed every aspect of the master’s program.

This is how you learn:

Learning by doing

You learn theoretical concepts and quickly put them into practice, while using the most innovative tools in sport marketing and sponsorship.

Challenging business cases

You are faced with solving real business problems, tackling challenges posed by companies in the sports industry.

You are at the center

We support you in your studies, but we are demanding. We guide you, but you are responsible for your learning process.

Career opportunities

Choose from multiple career paths

Our programs are constantly updated to meet the needs of companies and expand your range of career options. The latest trends in sport marketing are waiting for you.

This master’s degree offers you a balance between generalist and specialized knowledge, so it also opens doors in other areas:

Choose from multiple career paths

Advertising and branding

  • Advertising agencies and communication agencies.

Sports competition

  • Professional sports clubs and event management.

Direction and Management

  • Federations, sports associations, NGOs and foundations.

Sports consulting

  • Own business initiatives.

Sports Journalism

  • Media agencies and media outlets.

80% of the faculty at Johan Cruyff Institute are working professionals as well as professors.

The best network of collaborators
170 partnerships with companies
ALFA College
Escuela Nacional del Deporte
Fontys Economishe Hogeschool
FUAB
Hanzehogeschool Groningen
Girona FC

Participant profile

Is this your next step?

The Master in Sport Business from Johan Cruyff Institute is for you, if:

  • You’re an (ex-) athlete who is looking for a master’s degree in sport business to give your professional career a boost.
  • You’re working in the business or marketing environment and want to specialize in sport management or sport marketing and sponsorship.
  • You wish to complement your education with a master’s degree specializing in sport business.
  • You are a professional in the sports industry, with experience in the sector but without studies related to sports business and you want to improve and update your knowledge of the industry.
Tom Pedersen EuroHockey, Head of Strategy and Development - Johan Cruyff Institute

“One of the most important lessons I gained from the master’s degree was to reflect more deeply on the impact of sport. I am now more aware of this as a sports manager and custodian of the field.”

Tom Pedersen Head of Strategy and Development EuroHockey

Faculty

Learn from the best professionals

The Johan Cruyff Institute faculty is made up of professionals from the sports industry who know how to connect what they teach in the classroom with the situations they encounter in their day-to-day professional lives.

They do so through the analysis of practical cases, simulations, workshops, the creation of interdisciplinary working teams, and by bringing students closer to the practical realities of the industry.

Admission

How can I apply for the program?

If you are interested in joining this program, please complete the pre-registration form. Your application will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee, which will assess your personal and professional achievements, as well as your aspirations and motivation, in relation to the objectives of the programme. Within a maximum of 72 hours, one of our advisors will contact you to provide further information and guide you through the next steps.

Requirements

To take this master’s degree you must meet one of these three requirements:

  • Have a Bachelor’s degree, diploma or equivalent.
  • Have at least 3 years experience in the field of sport management.
  • Have developed a career as a professional athlete.

You can take the program in English or in Spanish (with some materials in English).

Qualification

If you successfully complete the different modules of the study program, you will receive the academic title of Master in Sport Business (specialization in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship) from Johan Cruyff Institute.

How can I apply for the program?

Enrollment process

The final selection of candidates for the program is made through a three-stage admission process:

  1. Pre-registration form

    To apply for admission to the program you must fill out a pre-registration form in which you tell us about your personal and professional achievements, so that we can get to know you.

  2. Admissions Committee

    The Admissions Committee of Johan Cruyff Institute studies your file and evaluates your application by examining your profile.

  3. Admission

    Within 72 hours, one of our advisors will contact you. If you have received a positive evaluation, he/she will provide you with all the information you need to enroll in the master’s program.

Start date
March 2, 2027

What our students and alumni say

Belén Morán Romero CSD - High Performance Athlete Support Program, PROAD Consultant - Johan Cruyff Institute

Belén Morán Romero

“Johan Cruyff Institute’s Blended Master is very well organized to make everything compatible. It has allowed me not only to follow the classes while competing in another part of the world, but also to get good grades. Competition and travel are no excuse for not taking a master’s degree. It’s a perfect program.”

CSD - High Performance Athlete Support Program

PROAD Consultant

Alumnus of the Master in Sports Business and Marketing

Ntsako Baloyi NXT LVL Sports, Founder & CEO - Johan Cruyff Institute

Ntsako Baloyi

“I would definitely recommend studying at Johan Cruyff Institute to anyone looking to start a career in the sports industry. Opportunities like this are rare, you gain exposure to all levels of the sector, from innovation and marketing to sponsorship and governance.”

Owen Delarue Benelux (Playtomic), Partner Success Specialist - Johan Cruyff Institute

Owen Delarue

“Tailored to the sector or interests of the students, the teachers present cases and examples related to the specific industry or sport that resonates with the majority of the students. Additionally, the program offers outstanding networking opportunities, fostering the development of lifelong friendships.”

Benelux (Playtomic)

Partner Success Specialist

Alumnus of the Master in Sports Business and Marketing

FAQs

What master’s degrees does Johan Cruyff Institute offer?

Johan Cruyff Institute offers specialized master's degrees in Sport Management, Sport Marketing and Sponsorship, Football Business, and Coaching. Each program combines advanced knowledge, strategic insight, and practical application to prepare students for leadership roles in the sports industry. Depending on the program and market, master's degrees are available in online, on-campus, or blended formats.

Why should I pursue a master’s degree at Johan Cruyff Institute?

Johan Cruyff Institute is an academic institution dedicated exclusively to the sports industry, created to educate the next generation of sports leaders. Our programs combine academic excellence with a hands-on methodology based on real-world challenges, faculty made up of leading industry professionals, and an international network of students, alumni, and sports organizations. Everything is inspired by Johan Cruyff's philosophy of learning by doing and leading with impact.

How do I know which master’s degree is right for me?

The best choice depends on your academic background, professional experience, career goals, and availability. Whether you're looking to accelerate your career, specialize in a particular field, or prepare for greater leadership responsibilities, our Admissions team can help you identify the master's degree that best matches your profile and aspirations.

Have a question about this program?

If there is anything you could not find on this page, send us your question and our admissions team will get back to you.

Contact us
All emails include an unsubscribe link. You may opt-out at any time. See our privacy policy.
I agree to the Privacy Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.