This fall, University of North Texas students can start an online Master of Business Administration degree in sports entertainment management thanks to a partnership with the Dallas Cowboys.

UNT and the Cowboys created the 36-credit-hour degree, which will offer six specialization courses: sports in the global marketplace, corporate partnerships, analytics, event operations, talent management and consultancy, according to a Feb. 6 news release.

The UNT board of regents approved the degree at a Nov. 15, 2019, meeting.

“We’ve been fortunate to be involved in a number of different businesses, both directly and indirectly involved in the sport entertainment industry,” said Jerry Jones Jr., chief sales and marketing officer of the Cowboys, in the release. “Through key partnerships, such as our relationship with the University of North Texas, we have found ways to grow the reach of the Dallas Cowboys across a variety of these industries.”

Students will have the opportunity to participate in three on-site boot camps at the Cowboys’ World Corporate Headquarters and Training Facility at The Star in Frisco, per the release.


UNT currently offers an MBA Sport, Entertainment and Event Management program and a Bachelor of Business Administration Sport Management Track in Business Integrated Studies at UNT’s Frisco campus in Hall Park. The new online MBA will specifically help professionals looking to grow in their respective industries, per the release.

“The Dallas Cowboys are standing at the top of the sports business world,” UNT Director of Sports Management Bob Heere said in the release. “It’s one thing for business students, especially those interested in sports and entertainment, to have access to a professional team, but our students are learning best practices from the individuals responsible for moving the needle forward in the Cowboys organization.”

Students interested in fall enrollment must apply for admission by the June 20 deadline.