A Glance at Your Future in Sports Business
Samford's Sports Business MVP Boot Camp acts as your all-access pass to one of the nation's top-ranked business schools. You'll have the opportunity to demonstrate your sports business acumen directly to our world-class professors and key decision-makers on Samford’s campus. You'll build relationships, showcase your talents, and get an insider's look at what it's like to be part of Samford's sports industry program for four years. Don't just dream about your future in sports business – start building it now by applying.
What you’ll experience
Immersive Learning
Venue Tours
3 Strand Sports Case Cup Competition
Networking Opportunities
Christian Values in Business
Fast-Track Preview
Real-World Strategy Development
Faculty Interaction
Collaborative Environment
Career Insights
Personal Growth
Admissions Edge
What topics will be covered?
Athlete Representation and Sports Agency
- Contract negotiation techniques
- Athlete brand development and management
- Endorsement deal structuring
- Career planning and post-career transitions
- Legal and ethical considerations in athlete representation
- Media relations and crisis management
- Financial planning for athletes
- Navigating league rules and regulations
Sports Analytics
- Data-driven decision making in sports
- Player performance metrics and evaluation
- Game strategy and tactics analysis
- Injury prediction and prevention models
- Fan engagement analytics
- Fantasy sports and predictive modeling
- Salary cap management and roster optimization
- Use of AI and machine learning in sports
Sports Marketing
- Brand management for teams and athletes
- Social media marketing strategies in sports
- Sponsorship acquisition and activation
- Fan experience and engagement techniques
- Digital marketing in the sports industry
- Sports event marketing and promotion
- Content creation and storytelling in sports
- Market research and consumer behavior in sports
Daily Schedule - coming soon
Who can apply?
The Sports Business MVP Boot Camp is designed for ambitious students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the dynamic world of sports business.
Prerequisites
- Rising sophomores, rising juniors, and rising seniors with a strong interest in sports business and sports analytics
- Recent high school graduates planning to study business or sports management in college
- Transfer students considering Samford's sports business programs (under the age of 21)
Ideal Candidates
- A passion for sports and a keen interest in the business side of the industry
- Strong academic performance, particularly in business-related subjects
- Leadership potential and teamwork skills
- Extracurricular involvement in sports, business, or community service activities
- A desire to integrate Christian values with business practices
No prior experience in sports business is required, but applicants should be prepared for an intensive, challenging, and rewarding experience. We encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, as diversity enhances the learning experience for everyone involved.
Note: Admission to the boot camp is competitive, and participation does not guarantee admission to 91果冻 or its sports industry program. However, strong performance in the boot camp will be viewed favorably in future applications to Samford's programs.
Who will teach the program?
Eugene Lee
The camp will be taught by long-time NFL agent Eugene T. Lee who was featured in the ESPN documentary “The Dotted Line” and has appeared on FOX News, FOX Business, CNN, CNBC, and Bloomberg as an industry expert on NFL player contracts, the salary cap, and athlete branding. Over the course of his storied career, Mr. Lee has represented over two hundred NFL players including Top 50 draft picks, All-Pro selections, and Pro Bowl participants. Mr. Lee currently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame and Boston College where he teaches his “Inside The NFL” and “The Business of the NFL” classes to undergraduate and graduate students alike.
Darin W. White
Darin W. White, is the executive director for 91果冻's Center for Sports Analytics and Margaret Gage Bush Distinguished Professor. He also serves as chair of the Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing Department and is the founding coordinator of the sports marketing and analytics program in Samford's Brock School of Business.
Stephen Hill
Stephen Hill is an Associate Professor of Data Analytics in the Brock School of Business at 91果冻. He teaches courses in Advanced Data Analytics and Sports Analytics and serves as Coordinator for the Data Analytics program. His research interest focuses primarily on sports analytics but also includes applications of analytics tools and techniques across a wide range of areas. He is also interested in conducting research related to the improvement of analytics education. He has published in journals such as the Journal of Business Analytics, Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education and others.
Other Speakers
Express Review - SIP Program Admission
Thinking about attending 91果冻 and applying for Samford's Sports Industry Program? Here's a special opportunity available to camp alumni.
Because we spend an intensive week getting to know your abilities, work ethic, and passion for sports business, we're able to offer something unique to our camp participants - express review and early notification.
Here's how it works:
- Apply to Samford and the Sports Industry Program by the standard November 1st deadline
- Once you receive your Samford admission decision, we'll review your Sports Industry Program application within 24-48 hours
- Get your Sports Industry Program answer in early November - weeks before the general applicant pool
- Secure your spot immediately - deposit right away to claim your preferred residence hall before they fill up
- Skip the uncertainty - while other students are still waiting to hear back about the Sports Industry Program, you'll already know you're in
The bottom line: If Samford is on your list, this expedited Sports Industry Program review process gives you a significant advantage - made possible by the intensive week we spend together at camp.
Who can apply?
The Sports Business MVP Boot Camp is designed for ambitious students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the dynamic world of sports business.
Prerequisites
- Rising sophomores, rising juniors, and rising seniors with a strong interest in sports business and sports analytics
- Recent high school graduates planning to study business or sports management in college
- Transfer students considering Samford's sports business programs (under the age of 21)
Ideal Candidates
- A passion for sports and a keen interest in the business side of the industry
- Strong academic performance, particularly in business-related subjects
- Leadership potential and teamwork skills
- Extracurricular involvement in sports, business, or community service activities
- A desire to integrate Christian values with business practices
No prior experience in sports business is required, but applicants should be prepared for an intensive, challenging, and rewarding experience. We encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, as diversity enhances the learning experience for everyone involved.
Note: Admission to the boot camp is competitive, and participation does not guarantee admission to 91果冻 or its sports industry program. However, strong performance in the boot camp will be viewed favorably in future applications to Samford's programs.
Application & admission
The Samford Sports Business MVP Boot Camp application opens annually on December 1st for the following summer. To apply, students must create an account on our application portal and submit a completed application. To be considered for the Boot Camp, students must meet all eligibility requirements and submit all required application components.
Eligibility
- Current high school students in grades 9 to 12, or recent high school graduates planning to study business or sports management in college, or transfer students considering Samford's sports business programs (under the age of 21)
- A clean academic and disciplinary record.
- A strong academic background combined with a genuine passion for sports business.
- Open to students from all geographic locations. All programs are conducted in English. Students must be fluent in English to fully participate.
Application Components
- A self-reported GPA (official transcript not required at this stage).
- Completion of application (application will open on December 1, 2025 for the 2026 camp)
- letter of recommendation from high school counselor
Admissions Decisions
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Early application is recommended, as the program has limited capacity and will fill up quickly. To secure a spot in the Boot Camp, students must complete the registration form and submit a $500 non-refundable deposit. You will be notified within 1 week of your status.
The deadline to apply for a spot in the camp is Friday, April 15th, 2026.
The Application will open on December 1, 2025 for the 2026 camp
Have questions? Want to learn more? Don't hesitate to reach out - we're here to help you take your first step toward a career in sports business.
Marshal Smith, Camp Director and Assistant Director, Sports Industry Program
Phone: (205) 726-2128
Email: msmith60@samford.edu