So You Want to Work in Sports?

The global sports industry, often estimated in the trillions of dollars, is among the most visible and influential sectors of the modern economy.

It operates as a complex ecosystem of competition, capital, and culture—from professional leagues and media rights to a college athletics system reshaped by name, image, and likeness (NIL), the transfer portal, and conference realignment.

This course provides a rigorous look at how that ecosystem functions.

We examine the structure of professional and amateur systems, trace the flow of revenue and decision-making power, and identify where meaningful career pathways emerge.

Students gain insight into hiring practices, skill differentiation, and the realities of navigating a competitive field.

Guest speakers, including league executives, recruiters, and industry leaders, offer candid perspectives on recruitment, advancement, and long-term success.

Designed for aspiring professionals and intellectually curious fans alike, the course equips students with a grounded understanding of the industry and a disciplined framework for pursuing opportunity within it.

Guest speakers include: Dave Doroghy , International sports business executive Al Guido , CEO of the San Francisco 49ers and CEO of Elevate Matt Levine , Sports business entrepreneur and industry pioneer Ted Robinson , Award-winning sports broadcaster and longtime voice of NBC Sports and the San Francisco 49ers Bill Schlough , CIO of the San Francisco Giants Jess Smith , President of the Golden State Valkyries Dave Stewart , Former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher and general manager Please note: The speaker list may be updated as additional participants are confirmed.