The Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business program blends the study of sports, law and business from a top-ranked law school led by world-class faculty with years of expertise in sports management, law and operations.
Next start date: August 17, 2026
Total credit hours: 36
Duration: 1-2 years
Delivery: part-time or full-time; on-campus
The Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is centrally located in vibrant downtown Phoenix. This unique program blends the study of sports, law and business from a nationally-ranked law school and is led by world-class faculty, starting with the program’s esteemed namesake: SLB Commissioner Emeritus Allan “Bud” Selig. Phoenix is home to four professional sports teams and is an annual host of some of the nation’s most important sporting events, like MLB Spring Training and the WM Phoenix Open. That buzz creates plenty of opportunities for students to learn and work with some of the best in a highly competitive field.
This 36-credit degree prepares students for a lifelong career in sports. It is the only law program in the U.S. that combines sports, law and business into one comprehensive degree program. With a foundation of legal knowledge and numerous networking opportunities, students in this program can propel themselves into a career in the industry. The MSLB program admits a cohort of students each fall and students can complete the degree in either one or two years. Graduates of this program will receive a Master of Sports Law and Business degree, not a Juris Doctor.
The concurrent degrees allow students to earn both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Sports Law and Business in just seven semesters. Students enrolled in this dual degree program will have the chance to become lawyers, along with all the benefits of the MSLB program, including access to renowned faculty members, networking opportunities and so much more.
Applicants for the concurrent program must apply to both separately, and must be accepted to both programs to enroll. MSLB classes begin in the second year of the dual program, so students may apply to the MSLB program before entering ASU Law or anytime during the first year of the program.
ASU Law is a highly ranked and respected public law school dedicated to educating the next generation of legal professionals. In honor of its namesake, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, public service is at its core, and is committed to advancing justice in the communities it serves. Learning from some of the nation’s foremost scholars and innovative legal instructors, ASU Law graduates are educated to become skilled and compassionate advocates and difference-makers.
– U.S. News and World Report, 2026
– Center for World University Rankings, 2024
Small class sizes and accessible faculty enhance classroom discussions and encourage the sharing of diverse perspectives.
Whether through one-of-a-kind events or engagement in student-led opportunities, ASU Law offers real-world opportunities that empower students to develop specialized skills in sports, law and business.
The Master of Sports Law and Business degree is comprised of 36 credits and can be completed in either one or two academic years based on the student’s preference. The 36 credits are divided between required courses (21 credits), electives (9-12 credits) and an internship or applied project (3-6 credits). Applied Sports Marketing will be offered during the Spring term. Click here to view a detailed description of the program curriculum.
The SLB program has proudly partnered with Sun Devil Athletics to offer admitted MSLB students the opportunity to work directly with ASU’s top-notch athletic program. Positions are awarded to those who have demonstrated excellence working in sports and a true understanding of the business of the industry. The number of positions available varies each year and is dependent on Sun Devil Athletics.
“From the moment I interviewed for the MSLB program and was accepted, (Assistant Dean) Aaron Hernandez believed in me. When I essentially took over the role of graduate assistant for social media, he backed me completely, trusting my vision and supporting everything I wanted to do with MSLB’s social media. Coming into a new space where I didn’t know anyone could have been overwhelming, but Aaron made the transition seamless. More importantly, he’s taught me to trust my ideas, believe in my voice and have confidence in what I bring to the table, regardless of outside opinions. That might sound simple, but it’s something I’ve had to work on and continuously work through.”
“My ‘aha’ moment came during my first year after participating in a negotiation competition at Tulane Law. Having to delve into the intricacies of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement for the first time truly opened my eyes to the strategic complexities of building a competitive roster. I was fascinated by the intersection of legal expertise and the business of sports. I knew then that I wanted to pursue a career as a salary cap professional in an NBA front office.”
The SLB program is home to an impressive roster of faculty and staff with decades of experience working in sports. Faculty members provide unique insight and experience to students and dedicate their time to make sure SLB students can successfully navigate careers of their own after graduation.
Aaron Hernandez
Executive Director; Assistant Dean, Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business Program
Kevin Omell
Director of Admissions, Students and Internal Operations, Allan "Bud" Selig Sports Law and Business Program
Commissioner Emeritus Allan H. "Bud" Selig
Sandra Day O'Connor Distinguished Professor of Sports in America
Joe Garagiola Jr.
Professor of Practice;
Senior Director of Special Projects, Diamondbacks
Ray Anderson
Professor of Practice
Glenn Wong
Distinguished Professor of Practice, Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business Program
Lon Babby
Faculty Associate; Former President of Basketball, Operations, Phoenix Suns
Stephanie Jarvis
Teaching Associate Professor; Principal SJarvis Consulting
Don E. Gibson
Professor of Practice;
CEO, Brandtheon
Michael Mokwa
Professor and Pat Tillman Foundation Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Marketing, W. P. Carey School of Business; Faculty Associate, Sports Law and Business Program
Christopher Lee
Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing, W. P. Carey School of Business; Owner and Consultant, ChristopherLee.com
Melissa Goldenberg
Faculty Associate; Senior Vice President and General Counsel,
Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury
Caleb Jay
Professor of Practice; General Counsel, Arizona Diamondbacks
Frank Jee
Clinical Associate Professor
Sonja Robinson
Faculty Associate
Marquita Armstead
Faculty Associate
Tony Defeo
Faculty Associate
Robert Yowell
Faculty Associate; President, Gemini Sports Group
Dan Burns
Associate Faculty; Executive Chairman, EXOS. General Partner, Sonoran Founders Fund
Mike Hackman
Faculty Associate
SLB graduates have gone on to secure positions in some of the top sports organizations or law firms around the country. The flexibility of the program allows students to pursue their passions, whether they hope to go into marketing, operations, compliance, player development, communications or a related field.
Career Services at ASU Law can help students identify goals, find employment opportunities and help students pursue their passions. The Career Services team offers hands-on interview preparation, resume reviews and the guidance job seekers need as they enter the workforce. That resource is available to students the moment they start their ASU Law journey and lasts long after graduation.
The Selig Sports Law and Business Program is a master’s program that is housed in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. Graduates of this program will receive a master’s degree, not a JD degree. Applicants apply directly to the SLB program and are not required to complete the law application or take the LSAT unless they plan to pursue a concurrent JD/MSLB degree.
The MSLB degree is designed for students to achieve any desired path in the sports following graduation. Alumni of the program have gone on to jobs in the sports industry in areas such as operations, marketing/branding, compliance/legal, sales, community relations, communications, business development, sponsorships, student athlete/player development and more.
The SLB program consists of 36 total credits and can be completed in either one year or two years, based on the preference of the student. 30% of the Fall 2025 cohort are on a two-year track, 60% are on a one-year track and 10% are on the concurrent degree track. Graduate assistants with Sun Devil Athletics are required to do the program in two years due to work commitments.
Yes, an internship is required as part of the SLB curriculum. It is the responsibility of the student to secure an internship, but the SLB department will assist as best as we can in finding an internship. If the internship is completed over the summer, the student will have to pay for the summer credits through ASU.
No, the SLB program is only available in-person with no online option.
To stay up to date on the Sports Law and Business Program, follow our social media accounts on Instagram (@SeligSLB) and on LinkedIn (Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business Program) If you have any additional questions, reach out to the program at [email protected].
Applicants must submit the SLB application, resume, personal statement, two reference contacts and an elevator pitch to apply for the SLB program. Visit the SLB admission page for full application requirements and our application timeline.
The three main factors the admissions committee considers are previous sports experience, academic performance and quality of your application materials. For reference, the median GPA for our Fall 2025 cohort was 3.63, and 100% of students in all cohorts ever admitted had previous sports experience, which includes volunteering, internships, jobs and student-athlete experience.
Yes, the Sports Law and Business Program is open to and welcomes international students.
Yes, it is $500 to confirm your seat.
The cost of this program can be found on the tuition and fees page. For more information about the program and tuition fees, please reach out to Eric Border at [email protected].
The SLB program does not currently offer scholarships. Although, outside of the program, Sun Devil Athletics offers graduate assistant positions, including a select few that are only offered to SLB students. You can read more about these positions here.