ATHENS, OH – Ohio University has once again cemented its position at the pinnacle of sports business education, with both its dual Master of Business Administration/Master of Sports Administration (MBA/MSA) and Online Master of Sports Administration (OMSA) programs earning the top spot in the 2025 SportBusiness Postgraduate Course Rankings. This dual recognition from the international sports business intelligence service, SportBusiness, highlights the university's enduring commitment to excellence and its profound influence on shaping the future leaders of the global sports industry.
A Legacy of Leadership and Consistent Excellence
The latest ranking marks a significant milestone for Ohio University's Department of Sports Administration. The dual MBA/MSA program, a consistent powerhouse in the rankings, made a notable leap from its third-place standing in 2024 to reclaim the coveted No. 1 position. Meanwhile, the Online Master of Sports Administration program proudly debuted at the top of the newly introduced online category, a testament to its innovative approach to flexible, high-quality education for working professionals.
The Master of Sports Administration program at Ohio University holds a distinguished place in history, having been founded in 1966. This makes it the oldest sports management program in the world, and this academic year proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary. Over nearly six decades, the program has consistently been recognized for its academic rigor and industry relevance. Since SportBusiness began its postgraduate course rankings in 2012, Ohio University's MBA/MSA program has been ranked in the top three globally every single year, achieving the No. 1 spot an impressive nine times, including 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, and now 2025.
Driving Factors Behind Global Recognition
The SportBusiness rankings are compiled based on a comprehensive evaluation process that includes two key surveys: one completed by course leaders and another by alumni who graduated three years prior to the publication. For the 2025 rankings, this included alumni from the Class of 2022. Each program receives a score out of 100, calculated as a weighted average of both surveys.
Ohio University's programs excelled across multiple metrics. The dual MBA/MSA program achieved an overall score of 88.88 out of 100. A standout achievement was its perfect score of 100/100 for its Alumni Network, which was the highest among the top five programs globally. The program also earned an exceptional 99.20/100 for Extracurricular Initiatives. The OMSA program garnered an overall score of 84.10/100, earning full marks in both the Employment and Peer Review categories.
Dr. Lamar Reams, Chair of the Department of Sports Administration, emphasized the critical role of the program's extensive alumni network in its sustained success.
"Being the oldest sport management program in the world, we naturally have a large alumni base that is extremely well accomplished at the highest level of sport. Having such a strong base like that provides our students with excellent opportunities for networking, jobs, projects, practical experience and engagement with the program,"Reams stated. He further credited the "very well accomplished faculty and support from our partners and the University" for positioning the program as a consistent top-ranked entity.
Kelley Walton, Director of the Online Master of Sport Administration Program, echoed similar sentiments regarding the OMSA program's achievement.
"This achievement reflects a powerful combination of factors—our commitment to delivering a high-quality sport business education, immersive residency and experience opportunities, an engaged alumni network and a community of exceptional students,"Walton remarked, celebrating the OMSA program's 15th year of online graduate education.
Gary Bernstein, Director of the Master of Sports Administration program, attributed the prestigious No. 1 ranking to the collective dedication of everyone involved.
"Being named the No. 1 Sports Administration postgraduate program by the 2025 SportsBusiness Course Rankings is a testament to the dedication of our students, alumni, faculty, and industry partners,"Bernstein affirmed, highlighting the program's role in setting the standard for excellence.
A Curriculum Designed for Real-World Impact
The dual MBA/MSA program is a full-time, two-year offering housed within Ohio University's College of Business. It is meticulously designed to prepare students for leadership positions across the increasingly complex sports, facility, and entertainment industries. The curriculum adopts a problem-based learning style, seamlessly integrating rigorous classroom instruction with invaluable real-world experiential learning. This approach ensures that students develop essential skills in communication, collaboration, and teamwork, which are crucial for success in the dynamic sports business landscape.
Students benefit from extensive experiential opportunities, including class projects, a capstone course in New York City, and numerous internship placements at major sports events and organizations. Past students have gained practical experience at high-profile events such as the Super Bowl, the Orange Bowl, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the NCAA Soccer Championships. These hands-on experiences, often facilitated by the program's vast alumni network, provide unparalleled exposure and networking opportunities.
The OMSA program, tailored for working sport professionals, offers flexibility without compromising quality. It incorporates several residency and experience options, ensuring that online students also have ample opportunities to connect with faculty, alumni, and their peers, fostering a strong sense of community and professional development.
With a world-class alumni network comprising over 1,900 professionals in every sector of sports business, Ohio University's programs boast an impressive statistic: more than 85% of their graduates are employed in key positions within intercollegiate athletics, professional sports, public assembly facilities, sports media, and entertainment industries. This continued success underscores Ohio University's unwavering commitment to preparing the next generation of global sports leaders.
