Sports Economics (BUS 302)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the economics of sports, which includes budgeting and financing for professional teams, leagues,sports stadiums, and venues. The course will give students a basic understanding of the concepts and skills needed to evaluate the different intricacies of sports business along with special topics covered such as Esports, social media, and diversity, equity, and inclusion and how they impact the current sports market.
Emphasizing current sports related articles and case studies, students will develop an understanding of the intricacies and nuances of the sports business industry and why it is different. Students will combine the skills and knowledge in application in both the midterm and final projects. Guest speakers will also be brought into class to speak on behalf of real world experience and to offer advice for those looking to break into the sports industry.
The IPRO Sports Lab
The Sports Lab at Illinois Tech’s Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) Program is a two-course program designed to introduce students to the process of designing and developing new products from ideation to market launch. The program is designed for students interested in exploring the world of product development, particularly in the sports and entertainment industries. By the end of the program, students will have developed a range of products and solutions that showcase their creativity, technical skills, and understanding of the sports and entertainment landscape. They will be well-prepared to take on roles as product developers, designers, and entrepreneurs in these rapidly evolving industries.
The first part of the program (Intro Sports Lab I) is an introductory class that explores the various technologies that are currently transforming the sporting goods and sport entertainment industries. Students will learn about advanced athletic equipment, wearables, virtual and augmented reality, and data analytics, and work on developing their own product ideas that leverage emerging technologies to create new and exciting experiences for sports fans and athletes alike.
The second part of the program (Advanced Sports Lab II) is an advanced class that builds on the foundational knowledge gained in the introductory class. Students will take their product ideas and develop Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) through the product development process, from ideation and prototyping to user testing and market validation. They will work in teams to refine their product ideas, identify key features and functionalities, and build out a working prototype. At the end of the course, each team will pitch their MVP to a panel of industry experts, showcasing their product vision, market opportunity, and go-to-market strategy.