Arizona State vs Ohio State for sports management: which is better for a career in sports management?

Ohio State has the edge for sports management if your priority is career preparation through a more established sports business ecosystem. Its sport industry program is housed in a university with one of the biggest and most commercially visible athletic departments in the country, and Columbus gives you access to internships and networking tied to major college athletics, pro sports, events, sponsorship, and venue operations.

One concrete difference is program focus and industry exposure. Ohio State’s sport industry setup is closely connected to the business side of sports, and students benefit from being around a massive Big Ten operation that functions almost like a live case study in marketing, media, fan engagement, fundraising, compliance, and event management. That scale matters because sports management is a field where seeing how large organizations run can translate directly into internships and first jobs.

Another differentiator is location and professional access. Columbus is a strong city for internships during the school year, not just in athletics but in corporate partnerships, agencies, media, and live events. Arizona State also offers real advantages here, especially with Phoenix’s pro sports market and the broader sports business presence in the region, so it is not lacking in opportunity.

A third difference is how each school is perceived within college athletics circles. Ohio State’s brand in sports is exceptionally visible, and that can help with alumni connections and name recognition when you are trying to get interviews in athletic departments or related roles. Arizona State is still a credible option, particularly if you are interested in the Southwest sports market, but for overall value and the breadth of career-building opportunities, Ohio State comes out ahead.