Simmons University has launched a new Master of Science in Management (MSM) and a groundbreaking concentration in Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports — the first graduate degree in the nation dedicated to the business of women’s professional sports.
Developed with input from an Advisory Board of executives — including those from the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Boston Red Sox, Bleacher Report, NWSL’s North Carolina Courage Ownership Group, the Miami Heat, Draft Kings, and the KLUTCH Sports Group — the MSM program prepares students to lead in one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide. Women’s sports are projected to reach $2.35 billion in global revenue by 2025 — a 240% increase since 2022. Courses such as “Financing the Future of Women’s Sports” and “Disruptive Entrepreneurship in Women’s Sports” reflect the dynamic growth of the industry.
“The rise of women’s sports is transforming the global sports landscape — and Simmons is proud to lead in preparing graduates to capitalize on this growth and shape the business strategies that will define the next era of the industry,” said Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, President of Simmons University. “Boston is a sports city through and through, and this program builds on that energy while extending our legacy of advancing women-centered leadership in key industries.”
Helping to lead the new concentration is Justine Pouravelis, a 15-time Emmy Award-winning sports media executive with nearly two decades of experience across professional sports and media. Pouravelis, who has worked with the Red Sox, Bruins, and PWHL Boston Fleet and was recently inducted into the New Agenda-Northeast Women’s Hall of Fame, brings firsthand expertise in both the business and storytelling power of women’s athletics.
“Having spent nearly two decades in sports and media, I’ve seen firsthand how women’s sports have evolved from the margins to the main stage,” said Pouravelis. “This program is launching at exactly the right time. Our students will engage directly with industry leaders, analyze real-world challenges and graduate ready to drive growth in one of the most exciting sectors in business today.”
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