Seattle pro sports teams partner with Seattle U to diversify sports, entertainment management

Seven Seattle professional sports teams and entertainment companies have joined forces with Seattle University in an effort to diversify leadership in the sports and entertainment industry.

The Seattle Kraken, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Storm, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Seahawks, Oak View Group and Climate Pledge Arena have partnered with Seattle U on its Sports and Entertainment MBA program (MBA SEM), which launched Thursday.

The Seattle sports teams and entertainment companies will advise on the curriculum of the new graduate program, offer fellowships to students and extend job opportunities upon the completion of the program.

The Kraken, Seattle’s incoming NHL franchise, and the Mariners are listed as founding partners of the agreement with Seattle U.

“We’ve designed a sports MBA with an authentic experiential immersion curriculum, where students benefit from real-world projects, and close contact with various levels of organizational leadership,” said MBA SEM program director Maylon Hanold in a statement. “We will equip our students with the leadership skills and business acumen sought after by employers and prepare them for the workplace by creating a highly diverse and inclusive community.”

According to a press release, the curriculum of the MBA SEM program will focus on: 1) Venue management and operation 2) Venue sustainability for sports organizations and music/entertainment tours and 3) Diversity, equity and inclusion and anti-racism in sports, entertainment in sports and venue management.

There will also be diversity, equity and inclusion professional development opportunities for Seattle U faculty, and the creation of a BIPOC-led advisory group including students, faculty and team partners.

“We know that BIPOC and female leadership is lacking in our industry and with this program we have an exceptional opportunity to address this and instigate change,” said Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke in a statement.  “It is unprecedented to see so many organizations come together around one cause and we look forward to welcoming the inaugural class and seeing this program grow into a model around the world.”

Applications for the new Seattle U MBA program will be accepted through May 15, 2021, at seattleu.edu/business/mba-sport-entertainment.