Scoring scholarships for sports marketing can help athletic fans pursue this unique media-oriented business major more affordably.
Sports marketing degrees teach the strategies used by athletes, teams, and sports leagues to successfully run promotional campaigns. Forbes predicts that the sports industry in North America will exceed $75 billion in the coming years. Sports marketing graduates will find their skills in demand. Marketing management will spark faster-than-average job growth by 9 percent through 2024 for 18,200 new jobs across industries. Sports marketing majors can claim diverse titles like:
- brand manager
- sports agent
- event coordinator
- account director
- marketing representative
- public relations manager.
Whether you’re pitching for a career with the MLB or racing toward a position with NASCAR, these 20 sports marketing scholarships are a slam dunk.
1. Anna C. Klune Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 3rd
The American Marketing Association-Connecticut Chapter partners with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to bestow the Anna G. Klune Memorial Scholarship. The award is for $1,000 to $1,500 per year. It’s intended for Connecticut residents pursuing an MBA. It must be an an accredited U.S. business school for marketing or similar majors, including sports marketing. Selection is based on:
- students’ academic merit
- leadership record
- entrepreneurial spirit
- financial need
- nominating letter.
Contact
Anna C. Klune Memorial Scholarship
324 Kings Landing
Windsor, CT 06085
(860) 324-3272
amaconnecticut@gmail.com
2. Athnet Sports Recruiting Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
Athnet Sports Recruiting is an online database with 35,000+ NCAA and NAIA coaches. It offers a $1,000 scholarship to support graduating high school seniors or current undergrads who’ve played interscholastic varsity sports. Athletes can use funding to earn sports-related degrees, such as sports marketing, at any accredited U.S. higher education institution. To enter, write an original 400-500 word essay about the life lessons you’ve learned on the field or court.
Contact
Athnet Sports Recruiting Scholarship
1205 W. Clark Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(800) 974-2171
info@athleticscholarships.net
3. Bill and Natalie McLaughlin Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
At Neumann University, the Bill and Natalie McLaughlin Scholarship awards at least $1,000 yearly. Eligible are undergrads matriculated full-time in the Division of Business and Information Management. They must be interested in studying abroad in Ireland. Eligible recipients must:
- study business or related majors like sports marketing
- excel with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- exhibit dedication to Catholic Franciscan values
- perform volunteer service
Preference is given to members of the Neumann Knights’ 21 athletic teams.
Contact
Bill and Natalie McLaughlin Scholarship
One Neumann Drive
Aston, PA 19014
(610) 558-5616
finaid@neumann.edu
4. Bob Lovell Marketing Scholar Program
Deadline: June 30th
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation honors the company’s former VP of Marketing who retired in 2003. It awards one-time $1,000 scholarships through the Bob Lovell Marketing Scholar Program. Qualified entrants must be rising juniors, seniors, or graduate students. They must be at accredited U.S. universities. They must have completed 9+ credits of marketing-related courses, including sports marketing. Online applications are evaluated on:
- scholastic merit
- professional experience
- passion
- communication skills
- marketing insight.
Contact
Bob Lovell Marketing Scholar Program
P.O. Box 442
Atlanta, GA 30301
(800) 306-2653
ewardwilliams@coca-cola.com
5. David J. Stern Sports Scholarship Fund
Deadline: May 1st
The David J. Stern Sports Scholarship is named for the NBA’s 4th Commissioner from 1984 to 2014. It’s administered by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. It distributes $10,000 per year for $30,000 total. Eligible African American students must:
- be accepted at a four-year HBCU
- enroll full-time with 12+ credits
- select sports-related majors like sports marketing
- maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
- agree to intern at the NBA league office.
Contact
David J. Stern Sports Scholarship Fund
901 F Street NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 507-4851
info@tmcf.org
6. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: June 15th or November 15th
Biannually, the Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Foundation presents several $1,000 scholarships. They’re for the undergrad and post-grad women pursuing media-related majors like:
- marketing
- public relations
- communications
Their goal should be to enter the sports and entertainment industry. Interested ladies must:
- be U.S. citizens or green card holders
- finish at least their freshman year
- attend a four-year college full-time with a 2.75 GPA or better
- have documented financial need.
Contact
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Foundation Scholarships
4616 W. Sahara Avenue Suite 150
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 778-8622
contact@tfmjf.org
7. George C. Matteson, Jr. Scholarship
Deadline: March 15th
Since 1989, the Promotional Products Education Foundationhas granted over $1.56 million through its marketing programs. These include the George C. Matteson, Jr. Scholarship. It’s a $1,000 scholarship. It assists the legal dependents of full-time employees or owners of businesses devoted to marketing promotional products in diverse industries, including sports. Eligible incoming freshmen must:
- enroll full-time at four-year accredited colleges
- carry a minimum B average
- display interest in marketing.
Contact
George C. Matteson, Jr. Scholarship
3125 Skyway Circle N.
Irving, TX 75038
(972) 258-3097
sarab@ppai.org
8. Hispanic Communicators DFW Scholarships
Deadline: March 11th
The Hispanic Communicators Dallas-Fort Worth Scholarships are valued at $2,000. They’re granted annually to Latino/a college students who are majoring in:
- journalism
- marketing
- public relations
- communications
This could be in the sports arena or beyond. North Texas residents from Palo Pinto to Hunt County must:
- register full-time at accredited U.S. colleges
- maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA overall
- provide three marketing work samples
- submit a 250-word essay about issues facing the Hispanic community.
Contact
Hispanic Communicators DFW Scholarships
P.O. Box 224731
Dallas, TX 75222
(469) 213-0257
president@dfwhispanic.org
9. Jim McKay Graduate Scholarship Program
Deadline: January 13th
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) offers the Jim McKay Graduate Scholarship Program. It award $10,000 in the sports journalist’s legacy. Eligible to apply are college seniors who are entering master’s programs to further their achievement in:
- sports communication
- public relations
- marketing
- media
Other eligibility criteria includes:
- competing on NCAA athletic teams
- presenting a minimum 3.5 GPA
- displaying McKay’s high level of integrity and honest
- being endorsed by a coach.
Contact
Jim McKay Graduate Scholarship Program
700 W. Washington Street
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, IN 46206
(317) 917-6683
lthomas@ncaa.org
10. John McLendon Memorial Minority Scholarship
Deadline: April 29th
The Fiesta Bowl and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics offer the $10,000 John McLendon Memorial Minority Scholarship. It’s for senior-level college undergrads. They must intend to earn master’s degrees in athletic administration or sports management and marketing. Qualified nominees must:
- hold full-time status
- carry a 3.0 GPA or greater
- classify as ethnic minorities under the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- demonstrate involvement in collegiate athletics.
Contact
John McLendon Memorial Minority Scholarship
24651 Detroit Road
Westlake, OH 44145
(440) 892-4000
bvecchione@nacda.com
11. Kathryn Dooley Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
ClearEdge Marketing is a Chicago-based, WBENC-certified outsourced marketing firm. It offers the Kathryn Dooley Memorial Scholarship to remember a beloved colleague who lost her battle with leukemia in 2010. For the $1,000, graduating seniors at Kathy’s Bedford High School in Massachusetts must share her passion for:
- sports
- marketing
- communications
Accepted applicants will:
- be admitted at four-year U.S. universities
- show mastery of the art of writing
- have ambition for collegiate success.
Contact
Kathryn Dooley Memorial Scholarship
415 N. LaSalle Street Suite 202
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 731-3149
lvickrey@clearedgemarketing.com
12. Mike Buoncristiano Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
Marketing EDGE funds nine potential scholarships for sports marketing ranging from $1,000 to $7,000 each. These include the Mike Buoncristiano Memorial Scholarship. It’s named after the Direct Marketing Club of New York’s past President. College students who have participated in an EDGE program and declared marketing-related majors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher can apply.
Also consider the Don Kuhn Memorial Scholarship and Lester Wunderman Scholarship Fund.
Contact
Mike Buoncristiano Memorial Scholarship
1333 Broadway, Suite 301
New York, NY 10018
(212) 790-1512
admin@marketingEDGE.org
13. OVAC Scholastic Sports Marketing Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
The Ohio Valley Athletic Conference endows the Scholastic Sports Marketing Scholarship. It gifts $500 to support graduating student-athletes who’ve participated in at least one varsity sport. Qualified applicants must:
- attend a member school in Ohio or West Virginia
- maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA
- score at least 20 on the ACT or 950 on the SAT
- be accepted at accredited two- or four-year business schools
- show great character in sports leadership.
Contact
OVAC Scholastic Sports Marketing Scholarship
64962 Breezy Point Lane
Bellaire, OH 43906
(740) 391-2930
tom@ovac.org
14. Padgett Communications Scholarship Contest
Deadline: April 1st
Padgett Communications is a Tampa-based audience response systems provider. It hosts an annual contest for a $1,000 college scholarship. Interested entrants must attend U.S. undergraduate schools with a major in:
- business
- marketing
- communications
- management
- related fields like sports marketing
They must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Online submissions must include an original, 1,000-1,500 word essay sharing students’ ideas for improving B2C communication in today’s digital world.
Contact
Padgett Communications Scholarship Contest
5401 W. Kennedy Blvd. Suite 250
Tampa, FL 33609
(888) 233-4724
lynn@pcipro.com
15. Robert F. Collins Sport Media Scholarship
Deadline: February 16th
The College of Education & Human Development at Bowling Green State University offers the $500 Robert F. Collins Sport Media Scholarship. It honors the award-winning columnist for The Rocky Mountain News. Eligible sophomores or juniors must be enrolled full-time in the COSMA-accredited Sport Management program. They must have a clear passion for media careers, including marketing and advertising. Priority is given to active Maxwell Media Watch contributors.
Contact
Robert F. Collins Sport Media Scholarship
117 Gertrude Eppler Complex
Bowling Green, OH 43403
(419) 372-7234
slangen@bgsu.edu
16. Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: April 1st
The Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarships help financially bolster Middle Tennessee residents who are in actively pursuing business degrees, including marketing and sports marketing majors. The scholarships range from $3,000 to $15,000 per year, Students must have a permanent address in the 40 qualifying counties from Franklin to Robertson and Maury. Other criteria require:
- holding a high school diploma or GED
- studying at a four-year, nonprofit college full-time
- carrying a 2.5 GPA or better.
Contact
Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarships
4117 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 103255
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 777-3748
Tara@ScarlettFoundation.org
17. Sports Marketing Association Research Grants
Deadline: June 15th
The Sports Marketing Association allocates $3,000 yearly for three grants. They’re designed to support master’s or Ph.D. students who are expanding knowledge on sports marketing via collaborative research. Being an active SMA member and affiliated with an accredited U.S. institution is required. For consideration, please submit:
- a maximum 3,000-word research proposal with a cover letter
- IRB approval
- list of faculty references
- estimated budget.
Contact
Sports Marketing Association Research Grants
1972 Clark Avenue
Alliance, OH, 44601
(330) 829-8207
smaoffice@mountunion.edu
18. Stadium Managers Association Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
The Stadium Managers Association Scholarship grants $3,000 annually to U.S. college students who’ve declared majors that affect the stadium management industry. These include:
- sports marketing
- sports management
- facility management
- event planning
Appropriate applicants will:
- hold 60+ non-remedial college credits
- study full-time at accredited institutions
- provide a resume of stadium-related work experience
- participate in noteworthy volunteer service
- attach three reference letters.
Contact
Stadium Managers Association Scholarship
6919 Vista Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 282-8192
sunni@stadiummanagers.org
19. Thunderbird Community Sports Scholarship
Deadline: March 15th
Washington State’s Kent Community Foundation partners with the Thunderbird Community Sports Foundation. They pledge a $1,500 scholarship to freshmen starting sports-related studies at the associate or bachelor’s level. Acceptable majors include:
- sports management
- sports marketing
- parks administration
- athletic training
- coaching
- physical education
Qualified recipients must:
- live in the South Puget Sound area
- have good standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA
- demonstrate financial need.
Contact
Thunderbird Community Sports Scholarship
P.O. Box 5493
Kent, WA, 98064
(206) 786-1546
Info@KentCF.com
20. Willie Brown Endowed Scholarship Fund
Deadline: July 15th
At Illinois State University, the Willie Brown Endowed Scholarship Fund provides a one-time $2,000 award. It’s for African Americans or non-traditional students with majors in the AACSB-accredited College of Business, such as marketing and sports management. Suitable applicants must:
- attain sophomore or higher status
- reach a minimum 2.75 GPA overall
- participate in civic engagement beyond B.S. requirements
- submit a 500-word essay about their professional goals in business endeavors.
Contact
Willie Brown Endowed Scholarship Fund
Campus Box 5500
Normal, Il 61790
(309) 438-8865
scholarshipfinder@IllinoisState.edu
Creating a game plan to afford at least four years in higher education is essential. Sports marketing degrees come with an average annual tuition price of $9,410 at public in-state and $32,410 at private colleges. Although sports marketing managers claim a high mean salary of $140,660 according to the BLS, upfront costs can sideline your training. Therefore, finding money-saving scholarships, fellowships, and grants is key to reach the goal line as an athletic brand ambassador. Overcome any tuition hurdles by including these 20 scholarships for sports marketing in your financial aid search.
See also:
- 10 Best Deals on Online MBA and Online Master’s in Marketing Degrees
- 20 Best Deals: Small Colleges for Athletic Types
- 50 Fittest College Towns in America