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    Sports Business Institute
    In-person Program

    Sports Business Institute

    by Wake Forest University

    An immersive introduction to sports-industry operations through workshops, executive discussions, facility tours and career exploration.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Sports Business Institute at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Current Grades 9-12

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

    Cost

    $3,500

    Duration

    Sunday-Friday, overnight

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

    Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Save program
    Business & Economics
    Accommodation: Campus residence hall
    Meals: All meals provided
    Certificate / Outcome: Certificate of Completion
    Academic leader: Ted Tseng

    Sports Business Institute summary

    This on-campus institute explores how collegiate and professional sports organizations operate, with a focus on business rather than athletic performance.

    Students examine sales, sponsorships, marketing, media, community relations and athletics administration through workshops, discussions, speakers and facility tours.

    It suits students curious about careers behind the scenes in sports, especially those who want broad exposure before choosing a narrower business or marketing pathway.

    What is Sports Business Institute?

    The Sports Business Institute is part of Wake Forest University's Summer Immersion Program. It introduces students to the business principles behind collegiate and professional sports, including sales, sponsorships, administration, media and community relations.

    The experience combines classroom workshops with executive discussions, career panels and tours of sports facilities. Students explore how teams and organizations operate while learning about roles in management, sales, partnerships and sports operations.

    Why Succeed highlights Sports Business Institute

    • The curriculum looks beyond fandom to examine the commercial and administrative systems that power sports organizations.

    • Students hear from industry executives, NCAA Division I coaches and athletics administrators.

    • Facility tours and negotiation workshops connect business concepts with real sports environments.

    • The institute distinguishes sports business operations from the narrower sports-marketing pathway.

    • Residential campus life adds structured independence, peer interaction and supervised evening activities.

    Who is Sports Business Institute for?

    Best for

    Students new to sports business who want to explore sales, sponsorship, administration, media and operations before choosing a specialist pathway.

    Not ideal if

    You want sports coaching, athletic training or a narrowly focused marketing program with a major final campaign.

    Is Sports Business Institute worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for a student who wants an intensive first look at commercial and administrative careers in sports. The combination of industry speakers, business workshops and facility tours offers more context than classroom study alone.

    The main limitation is breadth: a single residential week can introduce many functions but cannot develop deep expertise in each one. Families should also weigh the tuition and travel costs against the student's level of interest and the non-credit outcome.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,500; includes All meals during the on-campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Certificate of Completion after participation.

    Accommodation

    Campus residence hall

    Meals

    All meals provided

    Provider details

    Review the Wake Forest University provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    Sunday-Friday, overnight; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Sports Business Institute need?

    Effort level

    Moderate.

    Best started

    Six to eight weeks before applications open on 1 November.

    Main challenge

    Explaining a genuine interest in sports business rather than sports fandom alone.

    Typical preparation

    • Identify two or three sports-business roles you want to investigate.

    • Draft the two application essays and ask an educator for a recommendation early.

    • Gather GPA information and financial documents if requesting need-based support.

    • Plan travel, dietary needs and residential arrangements after acceptance.

    Useful if

    You can connect your interests to business functions or career questions.

    What do students do on Sports Business Institute?

    Students move between business-focused workshops, discussions with sports professionals, career exploration and visits to athletics facilities.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Learn how sales, sponsorships, promotions and administration support sports organizations.

    2. 2

      Discuss the industry with executives, NCAA Division I coaches and administrators.

    3. 3

      Explore media, communications, community relations and current sports-business issues.

    4. 4

      Take part in group activities, negotiation workshops and career panels.

    5. 5

      Tour professional or collegiate sports facilities, subject to the year's schedule.

    Sports Business Institute dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Applications are considered until programs fill.

    Reference date

    June 2026 session

    14-19 June 2026

    Latest verified Sports Business Institute cycle.

    Reference date

    July 2026 session

    12-17 July 2026

    Latest verified Sports Business Institute cycle.

    Reference date

    Applications open

    1 November 2026

    Opening date for the summer 2027 application cycle.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Current students in US Grades 9-12 or equivalent

    • Good academic standing required

    • No school suspensions or disciplinary record

    • Fluent English participation required

    • Home-schooled students may apply

    • Applicants from all geographic locations accepted

    • International students may apply without a TOEFL score

    How much does Sports Business Institute cost?

    Tuition

    $3,500 — Published for the 2026 on-campus institute.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable and due with the application.
    • Enrollment deposit: $550 — Nonrefundable after a seat is secured.
    • Scholarships: Need-based — Limited funding is requested through the general application.

    What's included

    All meals during the on-campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Certificate of Completion after participation

    How to apply to Sports Business Institute

    1. 1

      Create an account in the Wake Forest Pre-College application portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the online application with two essays and a self-reported GPA.

    3. 3

      Provide the contact details of a teacher, counselor or administrator for one recommendation.

    4. 4

      Pay the $60 nonrefundable application fee when submitting.

    5. 5

      Complete the scholarship section and upload W-2 information if requesting need-based support.

    6. 6

      After acceptance, select an available institute week and submit the $550 deposit.

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    What does Sports Business Institute cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Sales and promotions

    Explore how sports organizations attract supporters and drive commercial activity.

    Sponsorships

    Examine partnership deals and the role of corporate sponsors in sports.

    Media and communications

    Consider broadcasting, media relations and communications within the sports industry.

    Athletics administration

    Learn how collegiate athletics departments and professional organizations operate.

    Current industry issues

    Discuss topics such as conference realignment and name, image and likeness.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Sports Business Institute?

    A typical day during the program.

    8:00 9:30 a.m.

    Breakfast, a morning meeting and the program introduction begin the day.

    9:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

    Workshops and speakers cover sports business, careers and broadcasting.

    1:00 4:30 p.m.

    Students join a facility tour, group discussion and current-issues sessions.

    5:30 10:30 p.m.

    Dinner, supervised activities, free time and residence-hall routines follow.

    Who teaches on Sports Business Institute?

    Academic leader Ted Tseng is Wake Forest School of Business's Director of Development and has more than 13 years of professional sports experience. Students also engage with sports-industry executives, NCAA Division I coaches and athletics administrators.

    Tseng's background includes franchise operations, sales and partnerships in professional sports.

    Where do students stay on Sports Business Institute?

    Residential plan

    • Residence halls: All participants must stay in an assigned campus residence hall.
    • Campus dining: All meals are provided, with dietary restrictions considered.
    • Overnight support: Professional staff and student-engagement staff live in the residence hall.
    • Evening activities: Staff lead activities such as basketball, karaoke, Spikeball and volleyball.

    Non-residential plan

    • Day-student option: No day option is offered; campus residence is required.

    Roommates are assigned randomly unless a request is granted; requests are not guaranteed.

    What happens after Sports Business Institute?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Develop clearer awareness of sports management, sales and operations careers.

    Build industry knowledge through executive and administrator perspectives.

    Use the experience to decide between broad sports business and specialist marketing study.

    Reflect on the program in future resumes or college applications.

    Participation does not provide academic credit or preferential Wake Forest admission.

    Where does Sports Business Institute take place?

    The institute takes place on Wake Forest University's Reynolda Campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Students live in campus residence halls, use university dining and visit athletics facilities as part of the residential experience.

    Paid airport shuttles may be available from Piedmont Triad International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

    Sports Business Institute FAQs

    Current students in US Grades 9-12 or the equivalent may apply. Students must be in good academic standing and have no school suspensions.

    The institute covers sales, marketing, branding, promotions, sponsorships, media, communications, community relations, collegiate athletics administration and current sports-business issues.

    Students submit two essays, a self-reported GPA, one recommendation from an educator or school administrator and a $60 nonrefundable fee. Transcripts and test scores are not required.

    Yes. The institute is residential, and all participants must live in an assigned Wake Forest residence hall for the program week.

    A typical day includes workshops, speakers, group discussions and facility visits, followed by dinner, supervised evening activities and free time.

    The institute does not award secondary-school or college credit. Students who complete the program receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

    Yes. All meals are provided during the on-campus stay, and students can submit dietary restrictions after acceptance and registration.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Wake Forest Pre-College Programs Applications
    • Sports Business Institute vs. Sports Marketing Institute
    • Wake Forest Pre-College Campus
    • Summer Immersion Program Dates | Wake Forest Pre-College
    • FAQ | Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
    • Apply - Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
    • Wake Forest Sports Business Institute Pre-College Program

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Program format checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Dates verified

    • Tuition checked

    • Application process reviewed

    • Residential details checked

    • Faculty background reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.