Applications
Rolling admissions
Online Program
Sports Business Academy
by Wharton Global Youth Program
Sports Business Academy explores how sports organizations earn revenue, build audiences, and make strategic decisions through industry discussions and a team capstone.
Last verified: 20 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
Get the full picture before you decide
See Succeed's assessment of the programme, who it may suit, the estimated total cost, what applying involves and what is still to confirm.
or let us know if .
What Succeed checks
We review public online program details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, learning format, scheduling, mentor model, outputs and application timing.
What Last verified means
Last verified is the latest date Succeed checked the public details shown on this page. Program dates, prices and availability can still change.
How official sources are used
Succeed uses official provider information where available, then rewrites it into a student-facing summary for comparison and planning.
Why some dates are reference dates
If the current cycle is not available, Succeed may show the latest verified cycle dates so you can understand typical timing.
Succeed is independent from this provider unless a partnership is clearly stated.
Sports Business Academy at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Current high school grades 10-11
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-17
Location / Region
Online
Cost
$4,799
Duration
3 weeks
Format
Online
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 programBusiness & EconomicsMedia StudiesEthics
Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday, 10:00-15:30 EDT; independent work
Mentor model: Penn TAs; project support; office hours
Assessment style: Team capstone and group presentation
Main deliverable / output: Emerging-league analysis and strategy recommendation
Certificate: Completion certificate and digital badge
Time-zone / scheduling model: Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-4
Latest verified cycle: 2026
Sports Business Academy summary
Wharton’s Sports Business Academy examines the decisions behind leagues, franchises, media rights, sponsorships, and player relations. It connects sports interests with business analysis.
Students learn through lectures, current events, case discussions, and guest speakers, then research an emerging league and present a team strategy recommendation.
It suits students who want to explain how the sports industry works and enjoy discussion, research, and collaboration.
What is Sports Business Academy?
Sports Business Academy is a Wharton Global Youth program sponsored by the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative. It examines how sports organizations operate, earn revenue, and adapt to changing audiences and technologies. Students explore franchise ownership, labor relations, media, marketing, and the economic and ethical questions surrounding the industry.
The online experience combines faculty lectures, case discussions, current events, and sports-business guest speakers. Penn teaching assistants support small-group learning and project development. A collaborative capstone asks students to research an emerging professional league, evaluate it through SWOT analysis, and present a strategy recommendation.
Why Succeed highlights Sports Business Academy
The emerging-league capstone turns sports interest into a concrete business-analysis task.
The curriculum connects revenue, media, labor relations, and ethics rather than treating sports management as one isolated topic.
Program leader Rob DiGisi combines Wharton teaching with experience in sports marketing and business development.
Penn teaching assistants offer discussion support, project help, and office hours.
Included Wharton Youth Network membership extends peer connections beyond the academic program.
Who is Sports Business Academy for?
Best for
Students curious about sports-industry careers who enjoy analyzing organizations, discussing current events, and developing recommendations with a team.
Not ideal if
You want athletic coaching or a self-paced course, since the program centers on business study and requires daily participation.
Is Sports Business Academy worth it?
Sports Business Academy can be worthwhile when a student wants to test a serious interest in the commercial side of sports. Its value comes from connecting industry teaching with a researched team recommendation. Students who engage actively can leave with a clearer understanding of sports organizations and a project they can discuss in later applications.
Families should weigh that focused experience against the program fee and substantial weekday commitment. Online delivery reduces travel planning, but the Eastern-time schedule still needs to fit the student’s day. Choose it for the learning and project experience; participation does not guarantee admission to Penn.
Sean
Founder, Succeed
Talk it through with Sean
Want to talk it through?
“I can help you compare the programmes you're considering, think through the practicalities and work out what makes sense for you.”
20 minutes · No obligation to enrol
A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$4,799; includes Full academic fees and instructional materials., Summer-long Wharton Youth Network membership., Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion., Digital badge credential..
Dates and time commitment
3 weeks; Monday-Friday, 10:00-15:30 EDT; independent work.
Provider details
Review the Wharton Global Youth Program provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
What the student gains
Potential output: The main output is a team capstone analyzing an emerging professional sports league.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.
Online support and safeguarding
Program leader Rob DiGisi teaches sports management at Wharton and has sports-marketing industry experience. Penn undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants facilitate discussions, help with final projects, and hold office hours.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Sports Business Academy need?
Effort level
High.
Best started
Begin six to eight weeks before the next priority deadline to coordinate two recommendations, academic records, and written responses.
Main challenge
Turning sports enthusiasm into a supported business argument while working effectively with teammates.
Typical preparation
Identify specific sports-business questions that interest you, such as media rights, sponsorships, or emerging leagues.
Prepare concrete examples of leadership outside the classroom for your application responses.
Contact two school recommenders early and organize your academic records.
Convert the tentative Eastern-time timetable to your local time and test your Canvas and Zoom setup before the session.
Useful if
You want to explore sports management as a study or career direction.
What do students do on Sports Business Academy?
You examine sports organizations through lectures, discussions, industry perspectives, and collaborative research. The capstone brings that work together in an emerging-league strategy presentation.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Build an understanding of leagues, teams, revenue models, ownership, and governance.
- 2
Discuss current events and cases involving fans, media, marketing, labor relations, and social impact.
- 3
Work with teammates to research an emerging professional sports league.
- 4
Evaluate the league’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
- 5
Develop a strategy recommendation and present your findings as a group.
Sports Business Academy dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Application deadline
18 March 2026
Final deadline for the 2026 reference cycle.
Programme dates
6-24 July 2026
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Reference date | |
Application deadline | 18 March 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 6-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Currently enrolled in high school grades 10-11.
Strong academic background.
Interest in sports, business, and management.
Demonstrated leadership considered during selection.
International applicants are welcome.
English proficiency verification unless exempt through English-medium schooling.
One application per program per application cycle.
How much does Sports Business Academy cost?
Program fee
$4,799 — 2026 fee.
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: $100 — Separate, non-refundable fee per application.
- Online scholarships: $500-$4,000 — Typical partial awards based on financial need and academic excellence.
- Philadelphia scholarships: Full funding possible — For eligible city residents attending Philadelphia public or charter high schools with financial need.
- Application fee waivers: Eligible applicants — Philadelphia public or charter school students and official partner nominees may qualify.
What's included
Full academic fees and instructional materials., Summer-long Wharton Youth Network membership., Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion., Digital badge credential.
How to apply to Sports Business Academy
- 1
Complete a separate Sports Business Academy application using your own contact information.
- 2
Upload your academic records in English, including current grade reports when required.
- 3
Write the sports-business interest response and leadership response, then list your three favorite sports.
- 4
Identify two school recommenders; their requests are sent after you submit your application.
- 5
Upload English proficiency scores if required and pay the application fee unless an approved waiver applies.
- 6
Select the Financial Aid box if you wish to complete the separate scholarship application.
- 7
Track your application in the Wharton Global Youth Application Portal and ensure all required materials arrive.
Next step with Succeed
Interested in this programme?
or let us know if .
Succeed replies first, usually within a working day
Learning format
Required Monday-Friday participation follows a tentative 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. EDT window, combining current-events discussions, lectures, a short asynchronous reading or video slot, guest speakers, small-group work, and a daily wrap-up. Canvas hosts course materials and independent assignments, Zoom supports live sessions, and students also complete required pre-work and assignments beyond live programming.
The draft timetable includes breaks and optional lunchtime office hours; daily specifics may vary.
Mentorship and feedback
Program leader Rob DiGisi teaches undergraduate and MBA sports management at Wharton.
His industry background includes senior roles with IMG and the NBA.
Penn undergraduate and graduate TAs facilitate small-group discussions.
TAs help students understand course concepts and develop final projects.
Office hours provide opportunities to ask questions and hear about Penn.
The draft lunch break offers optional office hours or coffee chats.
Time-zone considerations
- Programming uses Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-4.
- The tentative daily window is 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- Participation and engagement are required Monday through Friday.
- International applicants are welcome; convert the timetable to local time.
- Wharton Youth Network activities include live events and flexible participation.
Tech requirements
Use a computer meeting Canvas LMS and Zoom requirements.
Have reliable internet access.
Use a working camera and microphone.
Use a current supported browser; up-to-date Chrome is recommended.
Plan to use a computer because mobile access is not fully supported.
Assessment style
The program centers on a collaborative capstone and final group presentation, with successful completion also requiring attendance, participation, and required assignments.
- Research an emerging professional sports league.
- Apply SWOT analysis to the league’s business position.
- Develop and present a strategy recommendation.
- Complete required course modules and assignments.
- Participate fully in the program.
Portfolio / outputs
Main deliverable / output
The main output is a team capstone analyzing an emerging professional sports league.
SWOT analysis of the chosen professional league.
Business strategy recommendation.
Final group presentation.
Completion certificate and digital badge after successful completion.
Sports Business Academy FAQs
Students explore sports-industry structure, revenue models, franchise ownership, labor relations, fans, media, marketing, sponsorships, and emerging leagues. The program connects these topics through lectures, case discussions, guest speakers, and a team capstone.
Teams research an emerging professional sports league, conduct a SWOT analysis, develop a strategy recommendation, and present their findings in a final group presentation.
Participation is required Monday through Friday. The draft timetable runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and mixes live teaching, discussions, group work, asynchronous reading, and breaks; daily specifics may vary.
Program leader Rob DiGisi teaches sports management at Wharton and has sports-marketing industry experience. Penn undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants facilitate discussions, help with final projects, and hold office hours.
Students need a computer compatible with Canvas and Zoom, reliable internet, and a camera and microphone. Mobile devices are not fully supported.
Successful participants earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion, and the program fee includes a digital badge credential. Completion requires attendance, participation, and completion of required academic modules and assignments.
Need-based online-program scholarships typically provide partial awards of $500-$4,000 toward program fees. Additional scholarship pathways serve eligible Philadelphia school students, NEON students, and partner nominees; funding is limited and admission decisions are need-blind.
No. Participation in Sports Business Academy does not guarantee admission to the University of Pennsylvania.
Alternatives to Sports Business Academy
Compare a sports-focused option with broader business experiences to decide how specialized you want your learning to be.
Alternatives to Sports Business Academy
Sports leadership and management study in Durham
Business & Economics
26 Jul 2026
From $4395
14-18
Durham
In-person
Best for
Students comparing sports-business study with an in-person experience.
Online business internships
Business & Economics
Deadline: Not announced
From $2395
15-18
Online
Online
Best for
Students considering business beyond the sports industry.
Explore how Italian companies achieve global excellence
Business & Economics
Deadline: Not announced
From €5050
15-18
Milan
In-person
Best for
Students interested in company management and an in-person setting.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent 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.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Wharton Global Youth Program AI Policy
- The Online Experience
- Share What You Learned with Wharton Global Youth
- Wharton Youth Network
- Costs & Aid
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pre-baccalaureate Program FAQs
- Application Information
- Learning Sprint
- Location-based Programs
- Online Programs FAQ
- Application Information
- On Campus FAQs
- Application Information
- 2026 Application Essay Prompts
- Sports Business Academy
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 20 Oct 2026)
Program-specific eligibility reviewed
Reference-cycle dates checked
Named program fee verified
Scholarship pathways reviewed
Daily timetable reviewed
Certificate requirements checked
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.
Sports Business Academy
by Wharton Global Youth Program
Applications open
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
Get the full picture before you decide
Succeed's assessment, estimated total cost and what applying involves.
No account needed for the Guide or Compare.
Not ready to decide yet? Keep it for later.
Save this program
Keep dates visible
Compare similar programs
Keep recommendations organised