COURSE NUMBER: MBA 296.3

COURSE TITLE: The Business Of Sports

UNITS OF CREDIT: 2.0

INSTRUCTOR: Sandy Alderson

E-MAIL ADDRESS: alderson@haas.berkeley.edu

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION: http://bspace.berkeley.edu

MEETING DAY/TIME: Mondays, 4:00 – 6:00 PM

PREREQUISITES: None.

CLASS FORMAT: The class format will be a combination of cases, lectures and guest speakers.

REQUIRED READINGS: Course readings will include cases, readings from the SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily, and other selected articles. There will not be a textbook for the course.

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: The final grade will be based on three elements: class participation, 4-5 page paper, and team project.

ABSTRACT OF COURSE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES: The sports business is a world wide industry with annual revenues of well over $200 billion in the United States alone. This course will examine the sports industry in all of its aspects, including marketing, finance, merchandising, labor relations, broadcasting, venue and event management, and real estate development. We will study these aspects of the sports business from the standpoint of professional team and individual sports, collegiate athletics, the Olympics, sports agencies, sponsors and other sectors. The course will emphasize case studies and in-depth analysis of current issues facing the industry. Local and national guest speakers will participate with the class in discussions to provide their unique perspective on the industry. The objective of the course is to familiarize students with the sports business, to introduce them to industry issues and leaders, and to apply general business concepts within the context of professional and amateur sports.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: Sandy Alderson has held executive positions with Major League Baseball and two Major League clubs. From 1981 through 1998, he held positions as General Counsel, General Manager and President of the Oakland Athletics. Sandy was the Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations in the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball from 1998 to 2005 and, from 2005 until the team was sold in March, 2009, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Padres. Sandy continues as a member of Major League Baseball’s International Committee and is chair of the MLB Playing Rules Committee.

Sandy is a lecturer on the faculty of the Haas School of Business and is a member of the Haas Board. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. His wife, Linda, holds an MBA from Haas.