School of Business

VCU Center for Sport Leadership is ranked 8th worldwide and 6th in North America in the 2024 SportBusiness Postgraduate Course Rankings. It is the second consecutive year the CSL has been in the global Top 10.  The Center for Sport Leadership also has the top ranked alumni network in the world among graduate sports management programs.

“We are thrilled and share this honor with everyone connected to our program,” said Dr. Carrie LeCrom, Executive Director of the Center for Sport Leadership. “It is an honor to be ranked in the top 10 globally and domestically but to have the number one alumni network in the world is incredible.”

The Center for Sport Leadership is celebrating is 25^th Anniversary this year and just held an alumni reunion in August with more than 125 graduates attending. “This alumni network ranking is validation of our commitment to students and alumni. We are dedicated to creating an impactful learning experience during their time on campus. It is equally important we stay engaged and support them beyond graduation as they advance in their careers.”

CSL also ranked 2^nd in North America in Career Advancement, Professional Advocacy and Job Support.

This is the 13^th year SportBusiness has conducted the definitive rankings for sport business and sports management programs worldwide. The publication received a record number of entries for consideration. The methodology of the rankings is based on several factors: graduates employed within three months of graduation; work placement; male/female ratio; domestic/international student ratio; and average salary after three years of graduation. There is also a student satisfaction component, which is based on a survey filled out by a program’s alumni that graduated in 2021.

The Center for Sport Leadership at VCU was established in 1999, developed with the idea of creating an innovative, practical learning environment that would prepare students interested in the sport industry for a successful career in the business.

Modeled after the highly successful BrandCenter, VCU's nationally ranked graduate advertising program, the Center for Sport Leadership launched as a non-traditional sport leadership graduate program that focuses on experiential learning through hands-on experiences. With full support from the university, the administration understood the unique aspects of the sport industry and placed a high value on practical experience and networking opportunities.

Five years ago, the Center for Sport Leadership joined VCU’s School of Business, strengthening its commitment to teaching the business of sport.

The Center for Sport Leadership at VCU has more than 800 alumni working in all areas of the sport industry including the NFL, NBA, MLB, USGA, and more than 50 Division 1 college athletic departments across the country.

Review the full rankings at postgraduaterankings.com

2024 SportBusiness Postgraduate Course Rankings Summary

World                           #8

North America              #6

                                                World               North America

Curriculum                               #7                    #5

Job Support                              #3                    #2

Extra Curriculars                       #6                    #5

Alumni Network                       #1                    #1

Industry Network                      #6                    #5

ROI                                          #5                    #4

DEI                                          #6                    #5

Career Advancement                 #4                    #2

Skill Frequency                         #5                    #4

Skill Applicability                     #2                    #1

Professional Advocacy              #3                    #2