UF Sport Management (SPM) doctoral program
Where Leadership Meets Performance
Shape the Future of Sport With a Ph.D. in Sport Management
At the University of Florida, Sport Management doctoral students study how sports impact individuals, communities, and society. Working with faculty, they explore the social, psychological, and economic factors that drive participation, consumption, and organizational practices.
Our students conduct innovative research, present at national and international conferences, and publish in journals preparing them for leadership roles in academia, professional sport organizations, and policy-making that shape the future of sport.
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We’d love to help you take the next step toward your future. Fill out the form below to receive more information and guidance on applying to the Sport Management (SPM) doctoral program at UF. We’re excited to connect with you and support you on this important step in your academic journey.
Why Choose the Sport Management (SPM) Ph.D. at the University of Florida?
When you join the SPM doctoral program, you’ll be trained for research in:
- Sport consumer behavior
- Sport event management
- Athlete development
- Sport for development
Our students present their work at national and international conferences, including the North American Society for Sport Management, the European Society for Sport Management, and the Sport Marketing Association.
They also publish in high-profile journals, like the Journal of Sport Management and the International Review for the Sociology of Sport.
We ensure that our exemplary graduates are imminently qualified to transition to positions in academia or industry.
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What You’ll Experience in the SPM Ph.D. Program
$124.3K
in 2025
Including funds from external sources
3.75 Papers
published in 2025
With an average Impact Factor of 3.29
Large, Vibrant
Ph.D. Program
Work alongside
15 Ph.D. students
in 2025
Research Intensive
Lab Environment
You will join a Research 1 University.
Funding
to Support Ph.D. Students
Our program leverages funding to pay for tuition and stipends.
Align With Faculty Advisor
Research Interests
Learn, grow, and innovate with our world-class faculty.
Career Outcomes & Opportunities In Sport Management
Graduates of the University of Florida SPM doctoral program are set up for future success. Regardless of whether you want to remain within academia or make the transition into the private sector, your experience in this program will make you an attractive hire with the highest level of professionalism and expertise.
Our program attracts self-motivated, intellectually curious individuals with a growth mindset and a strong commitment to integrity. Like our world-class faculty, our ideal candidates thrive on challenge, are eager to learn, and are determined to make an impact in the field of sport management. They are researchers and educators in the making; innovators and problem solvers who are ready to apply critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity to both academic and real-world challenges.
Graduates from our program enter their careers with the skills, insights, and experience to drive transformational change. They gain expertise in cutting-edge research methods, develop a strategic perspective, and are prepared to adapt in an evolving global sport landscape. Through hands-on research, teaching experiences, and mentorship from faculty, our students emerge as leaders and thought innovators, equipped to contribute meaningfully to the academic, professional, and applied domains of sport management.
Our graduates consistently leverage the program’s world-class faculty, research opportunities, and professional connections to achieve career advancement and distinction. Our goal is that you won’t just learn here, you’ll grow, innovate, and lead.
Typical Backgrounds
Candidates aligned for success in our program typically are completing or have completed undergraduate or master’s studies in fields such as:
- Sport Consumer Behavior
- Sport Event Management
- Athlete Development
- Sport for Development
What We Look For
We seek candidates with a strong foundation in research. Ideal applicants have experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at academic conferences, completing a master’s thesis, or contributing to research labs or projects. Prior professional experience is welcome, and a demonstrated interest in sport is essential. Teaching experience is preferred, and a strong interest in pedagogy is required. Our program is designed to cultivate these skills, preparing students to make meaningful contributions to sport management research and education.
Meet the Faculty
The Sport Management department is housed in the College of Health & Human Performance. We collaborate as an academic community to enrich lives, influence healthy living, and enhance human performance. Since the college was founded in 1946, our faculty have consistently been at the forefront of important and emerging health-related issues.
Yonghwan Chang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Sport Management
Dan Connaughton, Ed.D.
Professor, Department of Sport Management
Molly Harry, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Management
Jasamine Hill, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Management
Gidon Jakar, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Management
Kyriaki Kaplanidou, Ph.D.
Chair, Professor, Department of Sport Management
Yong Jae Ko, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Sport Management
Christopher M. McLeod, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator; Department of Sport Management
Scott Nestler, Ph.D.
Professor of Practice, Department of Sport Management
Christine Wegner, Ph.D.
Instructional Associate Professor, Director of the Institute for Coaching Excellence; Department of Sport Management
The University of Florida
The University of Florida stands among the nation’s top-ranked institutions, recognized by Forbes as the #4 public university. Our commitment to academic excellence is reflected in a 17:1 faculty-to-student ratio, ensuring personalized mentorship from distinguished faculty. With a 97.3% retention rate, UF fosters a dynamic learning environment in a sunny and vibrant location in the U.S., where students thrive both academically and personally. Our graduates emerge as leaders across diverse fields, prepared for success on a global scale. We unite artists and engineers, physicians and philosophers, entrepreneurs and educators. We distill practical solutions from pure science and apply the lessons of history to contemporary problems. We embrace a diversity of experiences and ideas as the core of our strength.
At UF, we’re feeding communities, healing coastlines, exploring space, curing diseases, powering cities, building industries, and imagining wonders.
UF is among the nation’s leaders in technology transfer, turning discoveries into companies, products and jobs.
Come join us — let’s see where we can go together.
Ready To Learn More?
We’ll Guide You Through the Process
We are excited for you to take the first steps in applying for our program. Filling out this form will supply you with step-by-step instructions on how to apply. Note, filling out this form is not an application. We’re excited to connext and learn more about you!