As someone who has spent several years teaching Sport Business Management, I often take time to appreciate how my work is so much more than just a job. For me, it’s a sector that allows me to collaborate with some amazing people, requires me to have a curious mind and challenges me to keep learning.

Sport is a love thing, and below are a few reasons I love what I do:

Blending my love for sports and business

From a young age, I’ve always had a deep passion for sports. Whether it was watching Hull City compete, volunteering as part of the business operations behind major sporting events or teaching children to swim, sports have always been an integral part of my life. Teaching allows me to combine this passion with my interest in the business side of the industry. Every day, I get to explore the intersection of sports, business strategy, management and marketing with my students, helping them understand the broader dynamics of this truly exciting and fast paced industry.

Watching students grow

One of the most satisfying aspects of teaching is witnessing the growth of my students. When they first start, many are passionate about sports but aren’t quite sure how that passion translates into a career. As the course progresses, I see students gain confidence as they apply business concepts to real-world sports scenarios, analyse case studies, and develop their own ideas for sports marketing campaigns or event management plans. Helping students make that transition from theoretical understanding to practical application is incredibly fulfilling. Their success becomes my success.

My students are passionate, ambitious and eager to make their mark on the world of sports. I take pride in helping them develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in this competitive field. Whether they go on to work in team management, sports marketing, event coordination or another area, I know that I have played a role in their journey, and that is a deeply rewarding feeling.

Real-world application

Sport Business Management is one of the few disciplines where classroom discussions are deeply tied to what is happening in the world around us. Every day brings new developments in the sports world, from high-profile sponsorship deals and groundbreaking media rights contracts to ethical dilemmas in sports governance. Being able to discuss current events like the business impact of the FIFA World Cup or the Olympics gives my students a unique, real-time learning experience. It keeps the subject matter fresh and exciting, and it ensures that I am always learning alongside them.

Preparing students for an evolving industry

The sports industry is constantly evolving, and preparing students to be leaders in such a dynamic environment is both a challenge and a privilege. I enjoy working on a programme that strives to equip students with not only the foundational business knowledge they need—such as financial management, marketing and organisational behaviour—but also the skills to adapt to new trends like digital marketing, data analytics, and sustainable practices in sports. It is rewarding to know that what I teach today will help them navigate the complexities of tomorrow's sports business landscape.

Teaching Sport Business Management is more than just imparting knowledge—it's about inspiring and empowering the next generation of sports business professionals. I love the energy, the creativity, and the constant evolution of the subject, and I am grateful to be part of a field that is not only exciting but also impactful. There is nothing quite like it, and I could not imagine teaching anything else.

Find out more about Leeds Trinity’s Sport Business Management courses by visiting the University website.

Vicky Hunter is Deputy Head of School of Sport and Wellbeing at Leeds Trinity University.