MS in Management: Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports Concentration
Join the women’s sports movement
Become a part of history with the first graduate program dedicated to women's professional sports management.
The concentration in Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports Management offers a unique opportunity to engage in the women’s sports movement. The program provides a solid foundation in business and leadership, focusing on strategy and innovation tailored to the women’s sports industry. You will emerge ready to enter this dynamic industry.
The concentration is offered as part of Simmons' Master of Science in Management program.
Why study women’s sports?
As women’s sports gain unprecedented attention and valuations, there is a rising demand for leaders who understand the unique aspects of the professional women’s sports industry. You will gain expertise in revenue-generation models and the innovation needed to drive growth.
Rooted in core sports management principles, the program will prepare you to thrive in women’s sports and the larger professional sports industry, opening doors to careers in major leagues including the PWHL, NWSL, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and NFL.
A multi-billion dollar opportunity
The women’s sports market is poised for substantial growth, opening up exciting opportunities for business leaders ready to harness this momentum.
According to a McKinsey & Company report, women’s sports could generate at least $2.5 billion in value for rights holders in the US by 2030. This represents a 250% increase from the $1 billion generated in 2024.
Women’s sports in the Boston region
Our region offers several advantages in the women's sports field:
- Boston is at the hub of professional sports, including new and emerging women’s sports leagues and teams.
- New England is home to some of the biggest sports apparel brands in the country.
- Boston is at the intersection of innovation and entrepreneurship in women’s sports.
What can you do with a business degree in women’s sports?
With an MSM focused on women’s sports, you can lead teams, grow brands, and create opportunities that elevate this field. Whether managing operations or launching your own venture, you’ll play an important role in shaping the future of women’s sports.
Helping to lead this new concentration is Justine Pouravelis, a 15-time Emmy Award-winning sports media executive with nearly two decades of experience across professional sports and media, alongside a team of industry leaders.
Simmons’ concentration in Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports Management was developed with input from an Advisory Board comprised of leading executives from organizations such as the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Boston Red Sox, Bleacher Report, the NWSL’s North Carolina Courage Ownership Group, the Miami Heat, Draft Kings, and the KLUTCH Sports Group. Our curriculum aims to equip students with real-life skills to impact women’s sports organizations.
Have questions about the MSM program?
Christina Ramey, Director of Graduate Programs, is here to help.
Get clear, personalized answers about admissions, the curriculum, and how Simmons can support your goals.
Upcoming Information Sessions
Boston is a sports city through and through, and this program builds on that energy while extending our legacy of advancing women-centered leadership in key industries.
Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, President of Simmons University
All MSM students complete 34 credits, including a 9 credit core.
Core Courses (9 credits)
| MSMG407 | Accounting and Finance for Managers | 3 |
| MSMG411 | Economic Analysis for Managers | 3 |
| MSMG442 | Project Management | 3 |
Electives (25 Credits)
MSM students complete 25 elective credits chosen from approved program offerings, including the following courses:
| MSMG425 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| MSMG440 | Creativity Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MSMG450 | Digital Marketing Innovation | 3 |
| MSMG470 | Negotiations, Power and Decision Making In Organizations | 3 |
| MSMG522 | Business, Government, and the Global Economy | 3 |
Students in the Master of Science in Management (MSM) program may choose to focus their studies by pursuing a degree concentration aligned with their professional interests and career goals. Concentrations are designed to prepare students for leadership roles in specific industries through specialized coursework. Students who choose to concentrate their studies must complete the core courses required of all MSM students as well as a sequence of courses required to earn the degree concentration.
Nonprofit Management Concentration
MSM students pursuing this concentration will complete 25 credits of coursework that combines business foundations with advanced nonprofit strategy and leadership.
Required Courses (12 credits)
| MSMG430 | Leading and Managing an Effective Non-Profit Organization | 3 |
| MSMG431 | Financial & Accounting for Non-Profit | 3 |
| MSMG432 | Philanthropy and Fundraising in the Nonprofit Sector | 3 |
| MSMG522 | Business, Government, and the Global Economy | 3 |
Electives (13 credits)
Students complete 13 elective credits chosen from approved program offerings, including the following courses:
| MSMG425 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| MSMG440 | Creativity Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MSMG450 | Digital Marketing Innovation | 3 |
| MSMG470 | Negotiations, Power and Decision Making In Organizations | 3 |
Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports Concentration
MSM students pursuing this concentration complete the following foundational course as well as 22 elective credits chosen from approved program offerings:
| MSMG460 | Foundations of Women's Sports Management | 3 |
Support the growth and development of the first graduate program dedicated to women's professional sports management.
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The Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports Concentration in the News
Making History in Women's Pro Baseball
Beth Greenwood knows what it means to make history. This August, she'll take the field as a catcher for the Boston Hunters in the Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL), helping launch the first US professional women's baseball league in more than 70 years.
Simmons Leads the Way in Women’s Sports Management
Simmons Reunion 2026 featured a panel discussion about the first-ever Master of Science in Management: Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports concentration, with Professor of Practice Justine Pouravelis, Director of Athletics & Recreation Erica Schuling ’13MS, ’18MEd, and Simmons athlete and finance major Lauren Krupnikoff ’27.
Communications Alumna Finds Her Place in the Sports Industry
Laura Doran ’09 has made her career in sports. Now a member of the Advisory Board for the business and leadership in women’s sports concentration, Doran shares how Simmons can prepare students to enter this growing field.
Industry Leaders Discuss Women’s Sports Era
The Simmons School of Management (SOM) recently held a virtual panel to discuss the rise of women’s sports and new career pathways in the industry. Attended by prospective graduate students, the panel included four industry leaders in the business of women’s sports and was moderated by media executive and Professor of Practice Justine Pouravelis.
SOM Faculty Member Discusses Surge in Women’s Sports
Justine Pouravelis, media executive and professor of the practice at the School of Management (SOM), recently joined a distinguished panel at the AD Club Women’s Leadership Forum held at Gillette Stadium.
New Master’s Degree Focuses on Business of Women’s Sports
A new graduate program builds on Simmons’ historic excellence in women-centered management education and leadership.
Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports Advisory Board
Advisory Board Members
Katie Arkins
Bleacher Report VP, Head of Programming Strategy Bleacher Report + B/R W Sports
Marcell Bhangoo
Red Sox Senior VP, Partnerships and Alumni Relations
Terri Cooper
Simmons University Senior Advisor, Board Member and Investor
Kassia Davis
Founder, KADA; Owner & Executive Chair, P.F. Flyers; Trustee, New Balance Foundation
Lorrie-Ann (LA) Diaz
Miami Heat Vice President, Business Communications + Social Responsibility
Laura Doran ’09
Former San Diego Wave NWSL Teamworks Customer Success Manager, Professional Sports at Teamworks
Jen Flynn
PWHL, SVP Business Affairs & General Counsel
Venessa Hutchinson
Klutch Sports Group, Senior Director, Football Coaches & Executives
Meg Montgomery
Draft Kings, Senior Director Head of Central Integrated Marketing
Susie Piotrkwoski
Vice President, ESPN W
Sara Toussaint
NC Courage/ NWSL/ TM Women's Football Co-CEO TMJ Women’s Football; Co-Owner NC Courage; Co-Owner Querétaro FC
Jennifer Williams
Managing Principal, Practice Leader, Perkins&Will
Our Faculty
Justine Pouravelis
Professor of Practice
Astrid Sheil
Dean, School of Management
Zinnia Mukherjee
Professor
Erin DeCurtis
Associate Teaching Professor and Diane K. Trust Professor in Leadership Development and Associate Dean for Undergraduates and Faculty, SOM
Niloufer Sohrabji
Professor and Program Director for Economics
Masato Aoki
Associate Professor
Edward Vieira
Professor
Mansfield Holmes
Associate Professor of Practice
Yulong Li
Associate Professor
Michelle Brown-Droese
Adjunct Faculty
Bryant McBride
Adjunct Faculty
Laural Logan-Fain
Adjunct Faculty
Caroline Fitzgerald
Adjunct Faculty