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Esports Business Management

Developed by Southern Methodist University

The esports industry is taking off around the world, and this rapidly growing industry offers enormous potential for individuals with the right skills. The SMU Esports Business Management Certificate program gives you a comprehensive understanding of the esports industry, and you will learn the nuances of revenue streams, sponsorships and fan engagement. Build the skills to initiate, plan, and execute live esports events. With curriculum in sports management and business topics, coursework is academically rigorous and industry-driven. You will learn from professionals working at the forefront of the business of competitive multiplayer gaming.
Self-Paced
26 Skills
Online
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Is this program for you?

1
You're ready to dive into the explosive growth of the esports industry.
2
You want to turn your passion for gaming into a lucrative career.
3
You're eager to learn from the best and make your mark in esports management.

Supported Careers

Get ready to excel in these roles after taking this program

  • Esports Manager
  • Esports Events Coordinator
  • Esports Marketing Specialist
  • Esports Community Manager
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Includes

26 skills developed
Hands-on projects to apply learnings
Project visibility to hiring managers
Lifetime access to course materials
Real feedback from moderators
Insights into your skill gaps
Portfolio artifacts to keep forever

Skills Developed

Some of the exciting skills you will develop through the experience

  • Professional Online Communication
  • Esports Business Development
  • Esports Content Creation
  • Business Strategy

About the skill experiences

Unlock the Map

Get the full layout of the esports world. Meet the MVPs—game developers, tournament organizers, teams, players, sponsors, and fans.

Boost Your Bank

Develop killer strategies to maximize revenue, including monetizing digital platforms and scoring brand partnerships.

Create Killer Content

Discover what content gets esports fans hyped—live streams, highlights, and behind-the-scenes action.

Fan Engagement

Enhance fan engagement with interactive experiences, loyalty programs, and personalized content.

Craft the Ultimate Tourney

Design tournaments that cater to all skill levels and game types.

Build Your Dream Team

Learn about the structures of esports teams and the roles within them.

Become visible to Hiring Managers with Headlamp

This course lets you build portfolio artifacts alongside our expert instructors. Headlamp shares your portfolio with Hiring Managers looking for your new skill.
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How Headlamp Works
    Master a most-wanted skill
    Dive into a skill that’s at the top of every Employer’s list. Headlamp makes learning easy with interactive modules and 100% human-support.
    Build a portfolio
    Stand out by documenting your journey through any program. We’ll help you craft a portfolio alongside our expert instructors.
    Get matched with Employers
    Headlamp showcases your portfolio to eager Employers, making entry into the job market as smooth as possible.

About the Skill Experience Developers:

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Donald Boyce

Donald Boyce has held executive roles in gaming and esports with top teams including Team Liquid, TSM and Cloud9 over the last ten years. He currently is the Head of Business Development at G2 Esports. He has helped more than 40 brands activate in esports, built programs to encourage more direct monetization of fans, and managed more than $200 million in gaming and esports brand partnerships. He also co-founded a short-form content studio called Storyline that works with teams and game publishers/developers to create social content for their channels.

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David Chen

David Chen is the President and Founder of GTIF Capital and the North American Collegiate League (NACL), and is partnered with several major businesses in the Esports and Technology sectors. As President of the NACL, David created a strategic partnership with Fosun to bring Wolves Esports into the NACL. David has worked with Planters Peanuts on their recent Super Bowl commercial with Kai Green. He has also worked with FaZe Clan members Apex and Adapt, Charlie Sheen and Aaron Rodriguez. David sits on several boards including Mediabundance as the Head of Esports and FaZe Clan.

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Josh Gabay

Josh Gabay is a Partnerships Associate at Pixly, a digital influencer agency for brands, and the Founder of Jox Digital, an online newsletter dedicated to sharing stories and video game knowledge by casual gamers. Prior to his current works, Josh worked as Esports Manager at Abacus3, an esports startup ranging from event production to sponsorship activations, as well as co-founded the esports and casual gaming organization called Duke Gaming at his alma mater Duke University.

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Danny Martin

Danny Martin is a visionary and thought-leader in the esports industry. As the Co-founder of Esposure Inc., he has aided in the professional development of students, interns, and post-graduates. These students have received esports scholarships and employment from acclaimed universities and esports organizations like Central Methodist University, Complexity Gaming, Pacers Gaming, and Mavs Gaming. Furthermore, he has provided opportunities for many esports players to play with professional franchises.

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Jaden Shaw

Jaden Shaw is the Director and Co-Founder of College CoD, the premier destination for Call of Duty competition at the collegiate level, as well as ticketing operations coordinator of the Overwatch League’s Washington Justice. Jaden has over four years of experience working in esports in a variety of different positions. Jaden also founded the collegiate esports program at Liberty University. Here, he grew a group of five people into an officially recognized campus organization of more than 120 students competing in over 10 different esports titles.