15 Sports Management Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student, summer programs can be a worthwhile way to explore the field in great detail. These programs can enhance your professional profiles and resumes, improving your employability odds. Summer programs can also provide you with practical, hands-on experience in a field of your choice, allowing you to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. Beyond resume building and skill acquisition, they offer opportunities for mentorship from established industry leaders, exposure to real-world challenges in sports business, and the chance to develop technical skills.
What are sports management programs? What will I do as a high school student?
Sports management programs, especially pre-college or high school offerings from top organizations and universities, present a solid, often non-prohibitively expensive option for high school students interested in the business of sports. You explore essential business principles, like marketing, finance, public relations, and event management, and apply them directly to the sports industry. You will gain early insight into career pathways within the multibillion-dollar sports industry, moving beyond popular perceptions to understand the business infrastructure supporting professional and collegiate athletics. They also provide industry exposure and connections through guest lectures by sports professionals, behind-the-scenes tours of professional facilities, and networking opportunities with alumni and peers.
To help you get started, we've carefully narrowed down a list of 15 sports management summer programs for high school students.
1. The National Student Leadership Conference Sports Management Program
Location: Columbia University, New York, or Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: Columbia: $4,595; Duke: $4,395; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; 10:1 student-staff ratio
Dates: Columbia: June 12 –20, June 24 – July 2 | Duke: July 6 – 14, July 18 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: You must have completed at least one year of high school and be between the ages of 14 and 18
Through the NSLC's immersive nine-day residential program, you will dive into the business of professional sports, combining academic learning with leadership development workshops and professional networking. You will attend daily lectures, participate in interactive simulations, and embark on field trips to major sporting venues like Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, the Fuqua School of Business, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The curriculum covers topics such as negotiation strategies, advertising principles, public relations fundamentals, management frameworks, sponsorship deal structures, and leadership skills. You will develop self-awareness and professional interaction skills through workshops focusing on personality styles and communication approaches. The program also offers resume-building support, interview preparation workshops, and public speaking coaching.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships is a highly selective virtual program that matches ambitious high school students with early-stage companies across diverse industries, frequently including sports-related ventures. You will engage in rigorous, project-based learning experiences, contributing to company operations from a remote setting. The program requires a commitment of 10–20 hours weekly, structured to allow you to continue your academic responsibilities. You will work directly with a sports management startup executive or manager who provides weekly guidance, project feedback, and professional mentorship throughout the program. Beyond company-specific project work, you will receive coaching from dedicated Ladder Coaches who support your development and connect you to the broader Ladder community.
3. Wharton Global Youth Program – Sports Business Academy
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $4,799; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 10 – 11 with a strong academic background
The Wharton Sports Business Academy, sponsored by the Wharton Global Youth Program, offers you a three-week intensive online program delivered by faculty from the University of Pennsylvania. You will engage in a curriculum that combines faculty lectures, case study discussions, analysis of current sports industry events, and guest speaker sessions from practicing professionals. Topics covered include industry history, revenue generation models, franchise ownership, union dynamics, media strategy, marketing, and sponsorship. Your capstone project will require your team to research an emerging professional sports league, conduct a SWOT analysis, and develop strategic recommendations presented to instructors and peers. Upon successful completion, you will earn a formal Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
4. Lumiere Education Research Scholar Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 1:1 mentor-to-student ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with demonstrated high academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers rigorous independent research opportunities, covering a range of academic subjects, including various sports-related fields. It pairs you with a PhD-level mentor in your chosen area who guides you throughout the program. Through this structured mentorship, you will develop independent research papers that meet academic standards, potentially suitable for publication in peer-reviewed outlets or presentation at academic conferences. This program specifically appeals to you if you are pursuing sports management with academic rigor. You may also be eligible for a UCSD Extended Studies credit at the end.
5. UCLA Anderson School of Management – Summer Discovery’s Sports Management Courses
Location: UCLA's Westwood campus, Los Angeles, California
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $9,599; Commuter: $4,699; limited scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; typically, 20 – 30 students
Dates: Four 3-week courses between June 28 and August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Domestic or international high school students in grades 9 through 12
The UCLA Anderson School of Management provides you with access to its business curriculum through the High School Summer Discovery program, featuring specialized sports business courses. The program immerses you in the Los Angeles entertainment ecosystem while you learn sports business fundamentals, combining classroom instruction on business frameworks with case study analysis and meetings with industry professionals. You will also participate in behind-the-scenes site visits to Los Angeles's premier sports and entertainment venues, gaining invaluable real-world exposure. The program culminates with final team projects where you develop and present innovative solutions to current sports industry business problems.
6. Syracuse University Sport Management Summer Program
Location: Syracuse University campus (residential) or Online
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $2,395; Commuter: $1,908; discounts and scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, small cohort sizes
Dates: Session I: July 6 – 11; Session II: July 20 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: You must be a rising high school sophomore, junior, senior, or a recent high school graduate
Syracuse University's Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics offers you both residential and online sport management summer programs designed to introduce you to career opportunities in sports. The curriculum covers the broad scope of the sports industry, organizational structures within amateur and professional settings, and the managerial processes and functions essential for sports professionals. You will analyze actual sport management case studies, addressing real industry challenges and developing your critical thinking skills. Upon successful completion, you will receive a formal Certificate of Completion and a Syracuse University noncredit transcript, which is valuable for college applications.
7. Suffolk University Sawyer Business School Sports Management Summer Program
Location: Suffolk's downtown Boston campus
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, small cohort sizes
Dates: July 7 – 24
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who have a GPA of 2.7 or higher
Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School offers you a three-week residential summer program. The curriculum combines lectures, interactive workshops, group discussions, and marketing simulations. You will also benefit from guest speaker presentations from active athletics administrators and seasoned sports business professionals. Potential field trip sites include major sports organizations such as Fenway Sports Group, the Boston Sports Museum, and innovative companies like Converse and New Balance, providing direct exposure to sports organizations and businesses. The program culminates with your final presentations about your experience and learning outcomes, contributing to your college application portfolios.
8. NYU School of Professional Studies - Introduction to Sports Management
Location: NYU Washington Square campus, New York City, N.Y.
Cost/Stipend: Estimated Residential: $11,206; Estimated Commuter: $6,006 (Includes all listed fees and tuition for a 3-credit course); need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Six weeks between early July and mid-August
Application Deadline: Typically, June
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th-grade high school students who have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
The NYU School of Professional Studies' Introduction to Sports Management program, offered through the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport, is a six-week, college-credit course that introduces rising high school juniors and seniors to the business side of athletics. You delve into key topics such as sports finance, marketing, media, event management, and the socio-cultural impact of sport. Through this immersive experience, you engage in hands-on activities, which often include case study analysis of real sports leagues, field trips to professional venues (like Madison Square Garden), and networking with industry guest speakers. The program's unique feature is earning three college credits while learning from Tisch Institute faculty, giving you a head start on your academic career.
9. McCormack Sport Management & Leadership Academy at UMass Amherst
Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst or Online
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $3,907; Commuter: $2,262; Online: $1,925; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: In-person: July 13 – 26; Online: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and seniors
The University of Massachusetts Amherst Sport Management and Leadership Academy, administered through the nation's top-ranked sport management program, provides you with two weeks of intensive summer preparation in practical sport business applications. You will learn to integrate management frameworks into strategic decision-making within sports contexts. Specialized topics include the evolution of sport and digital media, dynamics of sport marketing and sales, diversity and inclusion initiatives within sport organizations, player performance analytics and data-driven decision making, and athlete representation and endorsement management. As a participant, you will develop professional presentations on specialized areas of interest, creating portfolio documentation suitable for college applications and early career networking.
10. South Burlington Dolphins Sports Management Internship
Location: South Burlington, Vermont
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; likely very small cohort sizes
Dates: Typically, June – July
Application Deadline: Typically, early June
Eligibility: All high school students
The South Burlington Dolphins, a long-standing Vermont-based youth football organization, provides you with sports management internships. You can choose internship specializations, which include equipment operations, game-day logistics, and fundraising. Alternatively, you can opt for the media track, focusing on marketing, social media, and content production. Additional options span broadcasting, student management, summer camp counseling, and sports officiating. As an athlete management and media intern, you can focus your efforts on specific aspects, including promotions, public address announcements, game management, video content production, and digital media programming. You will work under the direct supervision of coaching and administration staff.
11. Roc Nation Sports Management Academy at Long Island University
Location: Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York
Cost/Stipend: $850 (tuition) + $550 (housing); a $300 discount on tuition is available if applying for more than one week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, small student-to-professor ratio
Dates: July 7 – 11; July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-17
The Sports Management Academy at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports, and Entertainment at Long Island University offers high school students an opportunity to engage with the sports management business. The Academy operates an experiential learning model that provides opportunities to explore what it’s like to manage the lifecycle of athlete management, including signing an athlete, negotiating deals, managing venues, or running an athletic program. In addition to attending major sporting events, the academy provides you with an opportunity to study with industry leaders and professional athletes, learning how to translate your passion for sports into a flourishing career. You’ll also have an opportunity to engage with the fast-growing global eSports industry in LIU’s eSports facility.
12. Georgetown University Sports Industry Management Academy
Location: Washington, D.C. (residential and commuter options)
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $6,465; Commuter: $5,075; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; limited cohort sizes
Dates: July 7 – 19
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with at least a 2.0 GPA
Located in Washington, D.C., this program offers you proximity to professional teams, national sports media companies, and sports business organizations headquartered in the nation's capital, enriching your learning experience. The curriculum addresses diverse career options expanding throughout the sports industry, foundational business principles applicable to sports contexts, and real-world case studies drawn from contemporary sports management challenges. You will gain an understanding of the industry's scope and the various pathways available for future professionals. This program is ideal if you seek an immersive experience in a major metropolitan area with strong ties to both professional sports and policy.
13. Maryville University – Rawlings Sport Business Management Summer Institute
Location: Maryville University, Town and Country, Missouri (St. Louis area)
Cost/Stipend: $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort sizes
Dates: June 9 – 14
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior year of high school in August
The Rawlings Sport Business Management Summer Institute at Maryville University is an intensive program designed to give high school students a realistic, hands-on look into the business side of sports. It covers core topics like corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, marketing, venue management, and professional team operations. You engage in key activities such as developing a comprehensive sports business plan, participating in networking sessions with executives, and taking behind-the-scenes tours of major sports venues like Busch Stadium (home of the St. Louis Cardinals). The program's unique feature is its strong experiential focus and the opportunity to learn directly from over 30 industry professionals, allowing students to develop crucial skills in leadership, strategic decision-making, financial analysis, and communication.
14. Wake Forest University Summer Immersion Program - Sports Business Institute
Location: Winston-Salem, NC – Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus
Cost/Stipend: $3,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 13:1 student‑to‑teacher ratio
Dates: June 14 – 19; July 12 – 17
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current 9th – 12th grade students in good academic standing and with no school suspensions
The Wake Forest University Sports Business Institute offers high school students an intensive, one-week residential experience focused on the multi-billion-dollar sports industry. Key topics covered include Sales, Marketing, Branding, Promotions, Sponsorships, Media and Communications, and Collegiate Athletics Administration. You participate in engaging activities like touring professional and college sports facilities (e.g., the Wake Forest Athletics facilities), speaking with NCAA Division I Coaches and Administrators, and networking with leading sports industry executives. Through these hands-on experiences, you learn industry knowledge, networking, and team-building skills, helping you explore diverse career paths in both collegiate and professional athletics.
15. Northwestern Pre-College Online Program - Business of Sports: Beyond the Field
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple two-to-four week sessions offered year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
The Northwestern Pre-College Online Program offers the "Business of Sports: Beyond the Field" course, which is a flexible, 100% online program focusing on the professional and analytical side of athletics. This unique feature allows you to learn the fundamentals of the sports front office from anywhere. Key topics covered include Scouting and Analytics, Revenue Generation, Media Rights, and the business of League Ownership and Expansion. You analyze real-world sports data, create a full business plan for an expansion franchise, and participate in case study discussions on team operations. Ultimately, you develop strong analytical, business modeling, and strategic thinking skills crucial for a career in the multi-billion-dollar sports industry.