A Glance at Your Future in Sports Business
Samford's Sports Business MVP Boot Camp acts as your all-access pass to one of the nation's top-ranked business schools. You'll have the opportunity to demonstrate your sports business acumen directly to our world-class professors and key decision-makers on Samford’s campus. You'll build relationships, showcase your talents, and get an insider's look at what it's like to be part of Samford's sports business program for four years. Don't just dream about your future in sports business – start building it now by applying.
What you’ll experience
Immersive Learning
Venue Tours
3 Strand Sports Case Cup Competition
Networking Opportunities
Christian Values in Business
Fast-Track Preview
Real-World Strategy Development
Faculty Interaction
Collaborative Environment
Career Insights
Personal Growth
Admissions Edge
What topics will be covered?
Athlete Representation and Sports Agency
- Contract negotiation techniques
- Athlete brand development and management
- Endorsement deal structuring
- Career planning and post-career transitions
- Legal and ethical considerations in athlete representation
- Media relations and crisis management
- Financial planning for athletes
- Navigating league rules and regulations
Sports Analytics
- Data-driven decision making in sports
- Player performance metrics and evaluation
- Game strategy and tactics analysis
- Injury prediction and prevention models
- Fan engagement analytics
- Fantasy sports and predictive modeling
- Salary cap management and roster optimization
- Use of AI and machine learning in sports
Sports Marketing
- Brand management for teams and athletes
- Social media marketing strategies in sports
- Sponsorship acquisition and activation
- Fan experience and engagement techniques
- Digital marketing in the sports industry
- Sports event marketing and promotion
- Content creation and storytelling in sports
- Market research and consumer behavior in sports
Who can apply?
The Sports Business MVP Boot Camp is designed for ambitious students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the dynamic world of sports business.
Prerequisites
- High school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a strong interest in sports business
- Recent high school graduates planning to study business or sports management in college
- Transfer students considering Samford's sports business programs (under the age of 21)
Ideal Candidates
- A passion for sports and a keen interest in the business side of the industry
- Strong academic performance, particularly in business-related subjects
- Leadership potential and teamwork skills
- Extracurricular involvement in sports, business, or community service activities
- A desire to integrate Christian values with business practices
No prior experience in sports business is required, but applicants should be prepared for an intensive, challenging, and rewarding experience. We encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, as diversity enhances the learning experience for everyone involved.
Note: Admission to the boot camp is competitive, and participation does not guarantee admission to Samford University or its sports business programs. However, strong performance in the boot camp will be viewed favorably in future applications to Samford's programs.
Who will teach the program?
Eugene Lee
The camp will be taught by long-time NFL agent Eugene T. Lee who was featured in the ESPN documentary “The Dotted Line” and has appeared on FOX News, FOX Business, CNN, CNBC, and Bloomberg as an industry expert on NFL player contracts, the salary cap, and athlete branding. Over the course of his storied career, Mr. Lee has represented over two hundred NFL players including Top 50 draft picks, All-Pro selections, and Pro Bowl participants. Mr. Lee currently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame and Boston College where he teaches his “Inside The NFL” and “The Business of the NFL” classes to undergraduate and graduate students alike.
Darin W. White
Darin W. White, is the executive director for Samford University's Center for Sports Analytics and Margaret Gage Bush Distinguished Professor. He also serves as chair of the Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing Department and is the founding coordinator of the sports marketing and analytics program in Samford's Brock School of Business.
Stephen Hill
Stephen Hill is an Associate Professor of Data Analytics in the Brock School of Business at Samford University. He teaches courses in Advanced Data Analytics and Sports Analytics and serves as Coordinator for the Data Analytics program. His research interest focuses primarily on sports analytics but also includes applications of analytics tools and techniques across a wide range of areas. He is also interested in conducting research related to the improvement of analytics education. He has published in journals such as the Journal of Business Analytics, Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education and others.
Application & admission
The Samford Sports Business MVP Boot Camp application opens annually on January 15th for the following summer. To apply, students must create an account on our application portal and submit a completed application. To be considered for the Boot Camp, students must meet all eligibility requirements and submit all required application components.
Eligibility
- Current high school students in grades 9 to 12, or recent high school graduates planning to study business or sports management in college, or transfer students considering Samford's sports business programs (under the age of 21)
- A clean academic and disciplinary record.
- A strong academic background combined with a genuine passion for sports business.
- Open to students from all geographic locations. All programs are conducted in English. Students must be fluent in English to fully participate.
Application Components
- A self-reported GPA (official transcript not required at this stage).
- A brief video introduction explaining your interest in sports business (2 minutes limit).
- Completion of application at this LINK.
Need-based Scholarships
Total cost of attendance is $2,950. Limited need-based scholarship funding is available for the Samford Sports Biz MVP Boot Camp. To be considered for a scholarship, students must complete the scholarship section of the general application. Information from the previous year's tax returns is required. We advise students to apply early, as scholarship funding is often depleted by March.
Admissions Decisions
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis starting in January. Early application is recommended, as the program has limited capacity and may fill up quickly. To secure a spot in the Boot Camp, students must complete the registration form and submit a $500 refundable deposit. You will be notified within 2 weeks of your status.
Important Dates
- January 15: Application opens
- February 1: First round of admissions decisions begin
- April 15: Application deadline (or when program reaches capacity)
- July 13-18: Samford Sports Business MVP Boot Camp
Apply early to increase your chances of acceptance and to be considered for need-based scholarships. We look forward to receiving your application!
Have questions? Want to learn more? Don't hesitate to reach out - we're here to help you take your first step toward a career in sports business.
Marshal Smith, Camp Director and Assistant Director, Sports Industry Program
Phone: (205) 726-2128
Email: msmith60@samford.edu
