M.B.A. in Business Administration

Program Highlights

Graduates of this program have moved on to managerial positions in sports, including sports association management, clubs, managers of sports departments in local authorities, community centers, and more. In addition to "formal" management positions, program graduates can establish ventures in the hot trending fields of sports tech and social and business sports entrepreneurship.

Ono Academic College is the only academic institution in Israel where you can study for a master's degree in business administration (MBA) specializing in sports management, with the approval of the Israeli Council for Higher Education.

All our specialized lecturers have rich practical and academic experience. Moreover, they are in daily contact with diverse sports organizations such as the Olympic Committee, sports associations, sports centers, sports clubs, technological and social ventures, and more.

Overview

The degree provides students with knowledge, tools, and experience to help them progress into sports management roles or establish an enterprise or business in the field. During your studies, you will get to know the domestic and international sports industry and the unique form of organization – both in terms of the structure and the budgetary sources available to a sports manager. In addition, you will learn how the business development of sports organizations can be promoted, including the possibility of initiating startups in the field during your studies. You will also receive tools for building a learning routine and organizational improvement processes for the development of athletes and coaches.

The sports industry is characterized by emotional complexity, dynamism, and achievements. To successfully deal with these aspects, you will acquire tools in sports psychology, leadership, crisis management, and adapted management for the communities surrounding the sports organization. Other unique features of the sports industry that you will learn about are sports law, event management, and sports facilities. For your final project, you can choose from three options: practicum in a sports organization, writing a business plan for an actual sports venture, or organizational-strategic analysis in a sports organization.

Among the subjects of study:

Organizational development in sports
SportsTech & Sports Analytics
The sports industry in Israel
Marketing and business development in sports
Tools in the Psychology of Sport
Leadership and management of communities in sports
Sports law, events, and facilities management
Value creation and marketing strategy
Business strategy
Aspects of the organization management
The basics of financial management
Managing business negotiations
Entrepreneurship and business innovation
Positive leadership in management
Financial Statements Analysis
Public and corporate governance
Game theory and risk management
Business law and financial enforcement
Labor Law and Managers Ethics

To download the program brochure, for the 2023-2024 academic year, with the full list of courses (not including the core courses) – click here

To download the information booklet for the 2023-2024 academic year, an MBA master’s degree that includes the core courses – click here

Practicum

Practical experience in sports organizations close to senior managers; an opportunity for in-field learning to occur and for expanding connections in the field of sports. The places where the practicum is carried out are diverse and include large sports organizations such as leading clubs (Maccabi Tel Aviv multi-sport, Maccabi Haifa Football, Hapoel Jerusalem Football, etc.), sports departments in local authorities, the umbrella organizations of Israeli sports (the Olympic and Paralympic Committee), sports associations ( The Athletics Association, the Football Association) and more.

I Believe

Dr. Niv Nachlieli Head of the MBA program specializing in sports

We have developed a diverse and in-depth curriculum that aligns with leading programs abroad and has an applied orientation to produce a change in the field. In this sense, it is not your average curriculum but an important step in improving the quality of sports in Israel. In addition to this, sports are a great platform to learn about management and leadership. And for sports enthusiasts who want to develop in management and leadership, this is a great opportunity for enriching and experiential studies.

Our Program Graduates Speak

"As the manager of the largest women's sports branch in Israel, the specialization in sports management at Ono gave me a broader and deeper understanding of the world of sports management and tools to deal with important challenges in budgeting and marketing, sports tech, and more. In addition, I got to know a lot of people from various positions in the field of sports who contributed to my knowledge and learning."

Karin Eines

Former CEO of Mamanet - Netball Mothers' League

"The specialization in sports management gave me practical tools to use in various platforms as the CEO of a basketball club. The professional tours were amazing and enriching in content, human richness, and experience. The lecturers are always open to helping, sharing, and connecting people and organizations."

Afik Nissim

CEO of Maccabi Rehovot basketball club
Former Israeli Team basketball player

"I'm so glad I chose Ono. For a long time, I've been looking for a master's degree that combines the management of sports organizations and the wider context. The material is practical and relevant to the situations I deal with in my professional life every day."