What makes the University of Oregon's MS in Sports Product Management (SPM) program unique?
Sports Product Management is the only graduate program dedicated entirely to the business of creating sports and outdoor products. Students experience product creation through hands-on learning, industry collaboration, and real-world projects in the heart of one the world's leading sports product hubs.
Our program is set apart by:
- Specialized curriculum focused exclusively on sports and outdoor product creation
- Industry professionals who teach, mentor, and bring real-world experience into the classroom
- Hands-on product creation beginning in the first term through the SPM Innovation Lab
- Company-sponsored projects that connect classroom learning to industry challenges
- A Portland, Oregon location with access to hundreds of sports and outdoor companies
- A global network of more than 200 industry partners providing mentorship, projects, internships, and career connections
Whether your goal is to develop footwear, apparel, equipment, or outdoor products, the Sports Product Management program prepares you to lead the product creation process from concept to consumer.
What makes this program different from an MBA or sports management degree?
Unlike a traditional MBA or sports management program, the SPM program focuses specifically on the business of creating sports and outdoor products. Students learn the complete product creation process, from consumer research and product strategy to design, development, sourcing, merchandising, marketing, and launch.
Is this program right for me?
This program is designed for people who want careers creating sports and outdoor products, not managing sports teams or athletic events. Students come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds but share a passion for innovation, consumer products, and the sports and outdoor industry.
Do I need sports industry experience?
No. Previous experience in the sports industry is not required. Students enter the program from fields including business, engineering, marketing, design, retail, and exercise science. The curriculum is designed to help students build the specialized knowledge and industry connections needed for careers in sports product management.
Is a master's degree in Sports Product Management worth it?
This specialized master's degree provides students with the skills the industry is looking for, allowing graduates to stand out from the competition, accelerating careers by combining industry knowledge, hands-on product creation, leadership development, and professional industry connections in one immersive experience.
Hear what our alumni are saying:
Under Armour, Amsterdam
Nike, Beaverton
What jobs can I get after graduation?
Graduates work across the product creation process in such roles as product line manager, product developer, merchandiser, brand marketing manager, consumer insights specialist, sustainability manager, supply chain manager, and sourcing manager. Our alumni work at established global brands as well as emerging companies throughout the sports and outdoor industry.
Why do companies hire graduates from this program?
Employers value graduates who understand how products move from concept to consumer and can work across design, development, merchandising, marketing, sourcing, and manufacturing. SPM graduates gain practical experience solving real business challenges and working in cross-functional teams, skills that translate directly to product-focused careers. Graduates are prepared to:
- Think strategically and creatively
- Collaborate across disciplines
- Apply consumer insights to product decisions
- Navigate global product development
- Lead projects from concept to launch
Can this program help me work at Nike or other leading brands?
Yes. The program is designed to prepare students for careers across the sports and outdoor industry. Through company projects, industry mentors, networking events, internships, and an active alumni network, students build relationships with professionals from leading brands. Career outcomes depend on each student's experience, performance, and career goals.
What will I learn in the program?
Students gain experience across the entire product creation process, from understanding consumer needs to developing, sourcing, branding, and launching products into the marketplace.
- Consumer insights
- Product line management
- Product development
- Merchandising
- Branding
- Marketing strategy
- Sustainability
- Global sourcing
- Leadership
Will I build a professional portfolio?
Yes. Throughout the program, students complete hands-on projects that demonstrate their ability to solve product challenges and communicate ideas effectively. These projects can showcase skills in product development, research, innovation, and strategy for internships and future career opportunities.
What kinds of products will I create?
Students will create products spanning footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories. Depending on coursework and project focus, students will research consumer needs, develop product concepts, develop branding and marketing strategies, build technical documentation (tech packs), work with a factory overseas to create prototypes, and present taking their product to market.
The emphasis is on understanding the complete product creation process rather than mastering a single product category.
What is the SPM Innovation Lab?
The SPM Innovation Lab is the program's dedicated creative workspace where students gain practical experience developing sports and outdoor products. Equipped with specialized tools, software, and materials, the lab allows students to prototype ideas, experiment with product construction, and better understand how products are made.
How closely do students work with industry professionals?
Industry engagement is integrated throughout the program. Students learn from instructors with industry experience, participate in guest lectures, complete company-sponsored projects, receive mentorship, and visit leading brands and manufacturing partners to connect classroom learning with current industry practices.
95 percent of instructors come directly from the sports and outdoor product industry.
How much networking happens in the program?
Networking is woven throughout the student experience rather than limited to occasional events. Students regularly build relationships with faculty, alumni, mentors, classmates, and professionals from leading sports and outdoor brands. Networking opportunities include:
- Individual industry mentors
- Guest speakers
- Company visits
- Career workshops
- Alumni events
- Brand visits and travel experiences
Many alumni describe the professional network they built during the program as one of its greatest long-term benefits.
Why study in Portland, Oregon?
For many students, Portland becomes a place to build their network, test new products, embrace an active lifestyle, and launch their careers. The city is one of the world's leading hubs for the sports and outdoor product industry. It's home to more than 900 sports and outdoor companies—including Nike, adidas, Columbia Sportswear, KEEN, and On Running—as well as innovative startups, giving students unmatched access to industry professionals through networking events, internships, company visits, and real-world projects throughout the year.
Outside of the classroom, Portland offers a lifestyle and culture centered on wellness, creativity, and outdoor adventure that mirrors the values of the sports and outdoor industry and inspires the products our students create. It offers a vibrant local sports scene and is home to such professional teams as the Portland Trail Blazers, Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns, and Portland Fire. The city is less than two hours from the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Mountains, providing ample opportunities for hiking, skiing, mountain biking, trail running, and camping.
What does a typical week look like?
No two weeks are exactly alike. Students combine classroom learning with collaborative projects, hands-on product creation, industry engagement, and independent work. The pace is immersive and designed to mirror the collaborative nature of the sports product industry. A typical week may include:
- Interactive classes
- Innovation Lab sessions
- Team meetings
- Guest speakers from leading brands
- Product development work
- Industry mentor meetings
- Company or retail visits
Is this program better than learning on the job?
Learning on the job is valuable, but it often provides experience in one function or one company. The SPM program offers a broader understanding of the entire product creation process while connecting students with industry professionals across multiple disciplines. Students graduate with practical experience, industry connections, and a comprehensive view of how successful products are developed and brought to market. This specialized skillset allows graduates to stand out from the competition and hit the ground running when they get into the company.
Can I change careers through this program?
Yes. Many students use the program to transition from such fields as business, engineering, marketing, retail, design, and consumer products into careers in the sports and outdoor industry. The curriculum helps students apply their existing strengths while developing industry-specific expertise and professional connections.
How long is the program?
The program is an 18-month, full-time master's program beginning each fall. Students progress through the program as a cohort (40–50 students), completing an integrated curriculum that combines classroom learning, product creation, industry engagement, domestic and international trips, and a capstone experience.
How much does it cost, and are scholarships available?
Tuition is charged over five academic terms and includes access to courses, the Innovation Lab, company visits, and many hands-on learning opportunities. Scholarships and financial aid are available for eligible students.
Why is now a good time to build a career in sports product management?
The sports and outdoor industry continues to evolve through advances in sustainability, digital product creation, material innovation, artificial intelligence, and global consumer trends. Companies are looking for professionals who understand both the business and product creation sides of the industry and can lead cross-functional teams through change.