SMWW & Concordia University Irvine | On-Campus MBA in Sports Business

Concordia University Irvine - Wikipedia

Move Where Sports Business Lives

Earn your MBA at night. Build your sports resume by day.

SMWW is selecting five qualified students who are ready to relocate to Southern California, begin Concordia University Irvine's on-campus MBA in Sports Business, and use their days to pursue meaningful sports industry experience.

Attend evening classes on CUI's Irvine campus while building your network, supporting approved sportsbusiness projects, pursuing internships and volunteer opportunities, and learning how the industry works from the inside

Application is due: January 4, 2027 | Classes Start: January 11, 2027

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MBA units

18-24

Approximate months

Evening

On-campus courses

Concordia University Irvine

On-campus MBA in Sports Business
Evening courses in Irvine, California
40-unit graduate business program
Approximately 18-24 months
No GMAT required
Qualified students may pursue partnership-based internship opportunities

Sports Management Worldwide

Career mentorship from Dr. Lynn Lashbrook
Approved SMWW agency and scouting projects
Athlete research and recruiting experience
Guidance pursuing internships and volunteer work
Access to sports-industry events and networking
Application and relocation support

TALK WITH AN SMWW SPORTS CAREER ADVISOR

School at Night. Sports Business by Day.

NIGHT

Earn the MBA

Attend in-person evening courses at CUI
Build a foundation in management, accounting, marketing, finance and leadership
Study the specialized issues facing professional and college sports businesses
Learn with faculty and classmates in a cohort environment

DAY

Build the Resume

Pursue internships, work and volunteer opportunities
Participate in approved SMWW projects
Support athlete research, recruiting and scouting
Attend sports-industry events
Network repeatedly and in person

The location becomes part of the career strategy. Access must still be earned through preparation, effort and professional follow-through.

The Southern California Sports Market

Southern California gives aspiring sports professionals access to teams, college athletic departments, venues, agencies, NIL firms, sports-marketing businesses, entertainment organizations and major events across Los Angeles, Orange County and the surrounding region.

100+ Sports teams and organizations

40+ College athletic programs

LA28 Olympic and Paralympic preparation

Regional Examples:

Teams and Leagues

Additional Career Targets

College athletic departments
Honda Center, OCVIBE and major venues
Sports agencies and representation firms
NIL, marketing and media companies
Organizations supporting the Los Angeles 2028 Games

What Could Your Days Look Like?

SMWW Agency Projects

Contribute to approved athlete-research, recruiting, marketing and business-development projects.

Internships

Pursue opportunities with teams, venues, agencies, athletic departments and sports businesses.

Networking

Build professional relationships by showing up, asking informed questions and following up.

Scouting and Research

Support prospect research, evaluation preparation and other approved sports-personnel work.

Sports Events

Seek volunteer and work opportunities where the industry gathers.

Career Mentorship

Receive guidance on career direction, professional presentation and opportunity pursuit.

Network Where the Industry Gathers

SMWW career conferences and sports-industry events help students meet professionals, ask better questions and begin career conversations.

SMWW and Industry Events

Coachella Valley Invitational
MLB Winter Meetings
NBA Summer League
NFL Scouting Combine
NHL Draft
SMWW Career Conferences

Why It Matters

Show up in person
Learn how the business operates
Meet professionals across different roles
Practice introducing yourself and discussing your goals
Build relationships over repeated interactions

Show up. Ask questions. Build relationships.

Why Concordia University Irvine Matters

Concordia University Irvine's sports and entertainment partnerships place students closer to the Orange County industry ecosystem. Concordia is the official education partner of the Anaheim Ducks and a founding and official education partner of OCVIBE.

The partnerships are designed to create academic, career and internship opportunities connected to the Honda Center and OCVIBE environment.

Anaheim Ducks

Official education partnership Anaheim Ducks - Wikipedia

Honda Center

Sports and entertainment ecosystem

Honda Center Anaheim Zone

OCVIBE

Founding and education partnership

About | The new heart of Orange County

Qualified CUI students may apply for applicable internship opportunities. Admission, internship selection, employment and placement are not guaranteed.

Program Snapshot

Degree: Master of Business Administration: Sports Business
Units: 40
Duration: Approximately 18-24 months
Approx. Tuition: $40,800*
Location: Concordia University Irvine - Irvine, California
Format: In person, on campus
Schedule: Evening courses
GMAT: No GMAT required
Campaign Start: October 26, 2026 - confirm with CUI before publishing
Tuition: Currently $1,020 per unit; 40 units equals approximately $40,800 before fees and books
Application Fee: $50 domestic / $150 international; confirm whether an SMWW fee waiver will apply

*Tuition, fees, books and program details are subject to change and should be confirmed with CUI before the page goes live.

Curriculum Overview

Business Foundation

Management
Accounting and financial reporting
Marketing strategy
Finance
Business leadership

Sports Business

Sales and revenue generation
Sports media and public relations
Fiscal management
Sports law
Sports marketing
Data analytics
Collegiate sports business
Social issues or brand management

Students complete a sports-business capstone focused on a business plan, entrepreneurial concept, funding proposal, new product or organizational opportunity.

Program Leaders and Mentors

Dr. Lynn Lashbrook

NFL Agent, President and Founder of Sports Management Worldwide
Provides selected students with sports-career mentorship
Guides approved agency, athlete-research, recruiting and scouting projects
Helps students understand how to pursue industry opportunities professionally

Karl Hoenecke

Dean, School of Business and Economics, Concordia University Irvine
Represents CUI academic leadership
Explains the MBA, curriculum, admissions and university resources
Connects students to the CUI learning environment and program support

Why Move to California?

Career Advantages

Career density: more teams, venues and organizations to target
In-person network: relationships grow when students repeatedly show up
Major-event access: conferences, games, tournaments and industry gatherings
LA28 momentum: long-term sports-business activity around the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Lifestyle and Relocation

Irvine and Orange County location
Access to the Southern California coastline and entertainment market
A setting that can support both education and industry activity
Relocation, housing and living costs must be planned realistically

The strongest return on relocation comes from using the location aggressively - not simply living near the industry.

Graduate With More Than a Credential

MBA - Business foundation

Experience - projects and internships

Network - people who know your work

Proof -stories and references

Career - a stronger case

Education matters most when students turn what they learn into evidence that they can contribute to the industry.

Who Is This Opportunity Built For?

You have earned - or will soon earn - a bachelor's degree.
You are prepared to relocate to Southern California.
You want an in-person MBA rather than a fully online degree.
You are willing to pursue career experience actively during the day.
You understand that access and networking require consistent effort.
You are serious about turning education into a sports-business career.

This is not the right opportunity for someone who needs a fully remote program, cannot relocate, or expects admission, employment or an internship to be guaranteed.

Military & Veteran Student Support

Continue Your Mission. Build Your Future in Sports.

Concordia University Irvine proudly supports active-duty service members, veterans, and military families as they pursue their educational and professional goals. With military education benefits, dedicated resources, and a supportive campus community, Concordia helps military-connected students take the next step toward their future.

Military Education Benefits

Eligible students may have access to:

Post-9/11 GI Bill®
VA Work Study
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31)

Tuition and Funding Pathways

Tuition and Financial Aid

Approximately $40,800 in tuition at the current posted rate
Additional costs may include fees, books, housing, transportation and living expenses
Financial aid, loans and payment options may be available to qualified students
Final cost and eligibility must be confirmed directly with CUI

Veteran and International Pathways

GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits may be available to qualified students
Veterans should confirm individual eligibility with CUI and the Department of Veterans Affairs
International applicants should confirm admissions, I-20, visa, CPT and OPT requirements with CUI
Employment authorization is not guaranteed by program enrollment

Admissions and Next Steps

Application Information

Completed graduate application
Official transcript showing a conferred bachelor's degree
Minimum GPA expectation of approximately 2.75
Current resume or CV
Two current letters of recommendation
Statement of intent
No GMAT required

Recommended Next Steps

Tell SMWW you are interested
Speak with an SMWW sports career advisor
Complete the CUI graduate application
If admitted and selected, complete enrollment and relocation planning

The campaign materials reference a possible SMWW application-fee waiver. Confirm the final waiver process and wording with CUI before publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MBA online?

No. This opportunity is built around CUI's on-campus MBA in Sports Business, with evening courses in Irvine, California.

How long does the program take?

The 40-unit program is generally completed in approximately 18-24 months, depending on course sequence and individual circumstances.

When does the campaign cohort begin?

The campaign materials reference October 26, 2026. CUI should confirm the final start-date wording before publication.

Is the GMAT required?

No. CUI does not require the GMAT, although an existing score may be considered.

How much does the program cost?

At the currently posted rate of $1,020 per unit, 40 units equal approximately $40,800 in tuition before fees, books, housing and other expenses.

What do the five spots mean?

SMWW is selecting five students for its current career-support opportunity. It does not mean the CUI program has only five total seats, and SMWW selection does not equal CUI admission.

Is an internship guaranteed?

No. Qualified students may apply for applicable opportunities, but selection, employment and placement are not guaranteed.

Can international students apply?

Yes, subject to CUI admissions and immigration requirements. Students must confirm all I-20, visa, CPT and OPT details directly with CUI.

Is housing included?

No. Housing, moving expenses, transportation and normal living expenses are separate from tuition.

Take the First Step Toward One of the Five Spots

Start by getting the facts, discussing your goals and determining whether the opportunity makes sense for you.

Tell SMWW you are interested.
Speak with a sports career advisor.
Apply to Concordia University Irvine.
Build your enrollment and relocation plan.

Request More Info

Questions for Concordia University Irvine?

Contact CUI directly about the MBA, admissions, tuition, financial aid or international-student requirements.

CONTACT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IRVINE