Albers announces new minor: Personal Branding in Sport and Entertainment

Launching in fall 2024, the Personal Branding in Sport and Entertainment minor provides a 360 degree view of what is now a new and dynamic discipline. The 30-credit minor is open to all Seattle University undergraduate students.

The onset of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) has opened up new opportunities for collegiate athletes to profit from their personal brands. Leveraging a personal brand to maximize earnings requires not just smart curation and maintenance, but a strategy.

The minor is designed to equip students with the necessary tools to develop, manage, and promote individual brands within sports and entertainment. This degree acknowledges the significant role that personal branding plays in the modern media landscape, where athletes, entertainers, and other public figures become powerful influencers both on and off their respective platforms.

The minor includes courses in marketing, innovation, and data visualization, with a pioneering course on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). This course will empower student athletes, artists, and social media influencers with the vital knowledge of their legal and financial rights, preparing them to navigate and excel in their careers.

"Offering a minor in Personal Branding in Sport and Entertainment is both exciting and timely, providing our undergraduate students with essential skills in creating and managing their personal brand—a critical asset in today's job market," says Eva Sedgwick, Program Director of the MBA in Sport and Entertainment Management.

"In an era where social media platforms dominate personal and professional interactions, every student can benefit from a robust personal brand. This program aligns with the ethics and values of our Jesuit institution, ensuring that students develop their brands with integrity and purpose," she added.