UWSP introduces Midwest’s only AACSB-accredited Sport Business Major
Image by UW-Stevens Point
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point launched its new sports business major in fall 2026, welcoming 55 first-year students to the program.
The Midwest’s only sports business major from an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited business school at a public university was introduced at UWSP at the start of the 2026 fall semester. The program opened with 55 first-year students and 80 students enrolled overall.
Assistant Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Head of the Sentry School of Business and Economics and Professor of Economics
“We’re the only sport accredited sport business program in Wisconsin, and really the only one in the Upper Midwest. So, it’s a big selling point,” said Kevin Neumann, assistant dean of the College of Professional Studies.
Other universities, including the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, offer sports management majors that focus on managing sports teams and preparing students for careers in the field. UWSP’s sports business program distinguishes itself through its focus on the business side of sports.
Image by UW-Stevens Point
Sports management stems from kinesiology and health and leads to professions in coaching, team management, and sport agencies. Sports business is similar but differs in its focus. marketing, data analytics, event promotion and merchandising. The program focuses on supporting sports organizations through business operations rather than directly managing athletes and teams.
Neumann said, “We are much broader in terms of the breadth of the curriculum. And then we go deeper in particular areas, particularly marketing, data analytics and the management side. We can really promise, at the end of the day, you will have an AACSB business degree.”
This allows students to have an AACSB-accredited degree. This means they can pivot out of the sports realm in further careers, unlike sports management, that limits you career fields around managing sports.
The major requires 78 credits, with 57 credits focused on sport-related classes, including sports marketing, sports finance, data analytics for sports, event promotion and sports sponsorships.
For more information, you can find the major at Sport Business on https://www.uwsp.edu/.
Abigail Holmes
News Reporter
aholm452@uwsp.edu
