Careers in Sports: Building the Next Generation of Sports Partnership Leaders with Professor Scott Gwartz

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With countless career paths, operations, marketing, analytics, community relations, ticketing, it can be hard to know where to start. One fast-growing, high-impact avenue continues to stand out: corporate partnerships.

At the University of San Francisco’s MS in Sport Management program, students have the opportunity to learn this essential discipline directly from one of the industry’s most accomplished practitioners - Scott Gwartz, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for UCLA Athletics and the Rose Bowl (JMI Sports). His elective course, Corporate Partnerships, provides a rare inside look at how sport organizations generate revenue, deepen fan engagement, and strengthen their brands through strategic sponsorships.

This is more than a class. It’s real-world insight into one of the most influential roles in the business of sports.

A Faculty Expert Who Has Worked at the Highest Levels of Sports

Professor Gwartz brings over two decades of partnership leadership from some of the world’s most recognizable sport organizations – the Los Angeles Lakers, the LA Clippers, the LA Dodgers, Fox Sports, UCLA/Rose Bowl Stadium, and World Team Tennis. His portfolio spans multi-million-dollar partnership deals, global brand integrations, arena development, and the activation of fan experiences seen by millions.

Professor Gwartz introduces students to the strategies, negotiations, and decision-making processes that drive revenue for both collegiate and professional sports organizations. His blend of hands-on knowledge and industry insight helps students understand not just what partnership professionals do, but why their work is essential to every team’s success.

Why Corporate Partnerships Are a Powerful Career Path

Corporate partnerships sit at the intersection of revenue generation, marketing strategy, brand storytelling, and fan engagement. For students interested in a dynamic, relationship-driven role with measurable impact, this field offers unique advantages:

• A Central Role in Organizational Success - Partnership revenue enables teams to invest in facilities, technology, fan experiences, and player development.
• Rapid Skill Development - Students learn negotiation, sales strategy, client management, and creative problem-solving, skills applicable across the entire sports and entertainment industry.
• Career Mobility Across College and Pro Sports - Because partnership functions exist everywhere, from niche sports to global franchises, students have flexibility in where and how they pursue their career.
• Meaningful Relationship Building - Partnership roles rely on developing long-term trust with clients, brands, and internal stakeholders, opening doors for leadership opportunities.

Professor Gwartz often notes that some of his most valuable professional relationships took years to build. This long-term relationship mindset becomes a cornerstone for students seeking sustainable and rewarding sport careers.

Inside the Classroom of Corporate Partnerships

Professor Gwartz’s course mirrors the structure of a professional partnerships department. Students learn to, identify and evaluate partnership prospects, create sponsorship proposals, activate partnerships across platforms, assess ROI and value, and differentiate between college and pro partnership models.

Assignments are intentionally hands-on and experiential. For example, students conduct sponsorship audits, build client decks, develop term sheets, and ultimately present a full partnership proposal as their final project.

Throughout the semester, guest speakers from organizations such as the LA Clippers, Anaheim Ducks, AEG, and Playfly Sports provide additional industry insight, helping students build their network and understand the expectations of real partnership teams. Through this class, students gain industry relevant experience, a deep understanding of sponsorship strategy, and portfolio-ready work samples. For many, this course becomes the gateway to internships, full-time roles, and long-term career growth in sales, partnership activation, brand strategy, or revenue operations.

The MS in Sport Management program at USF continues to connect students with industry practitioners who not only teach, but mentor, guide, and inspire. Professor Gwartz exemplifies this model. His extensive professional background, combined with a passion for teaching, makes him an invaluable resource for students ready to build a meaningful career in sports.