IMG Academy and Sports Biz Boot Camp Launch New Sports Business Program for High School Students

BRADENTON, Fla. (Nov.4, 2026) – IMG Academy, the world-leading sports education brand, is partnering with Stephen Master, founder and executive director of Sports Biz Boot Camp and longtime adjunct professor at NYU Stern School of Business, to launch Sports Biz Boot Camp at IMG Academy in 2027. The new five-day program will introduce students in grades 9-12 to the business of sports through college-level curriculum, real-world case studies, projects, guest speakers, and experiential learning.

Five sessions are planned throughout 2027, including one in the spring and four during the summer. Designed for students with a genuine interest in the business side of sports, the co-ed program will combine classroom instruction with opportunities to apply what they learn to real-world business challenges.

The curriculum will be modeled after Master’s Sports Marketing & Media course at NYU Stern, drawing on more than 25 years of experience across the sports business industry and more than two decades teaching sports media, marketing, and analytics at the collegiate level. Master has held roles with the NBA, NFL, Octagon, and Nielsen, where he served as global head of sports media and grew the division to more than $100 million in revenue.

“At IMG Academy, we believe sports can create opportunities that extend well beyond competition, and bringing Sports Biz Boot Camp and Stephen Master to our world-class campus allows us to offer an experience that brings the business of sports to life,” said Chris Ciaccio, Chief Commercial Officer at IMG Academy. “By combining Stephen's industry expertise with the IMG Academy environment, we're giving students a unique opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, explore their interests and discover how their passion for sports can translate into future careers.”

Since joining NYU Stern as an adjunct professor in 2004, Master has taught thousands of students. At IMG Academy, students will explore sports marketing and branding, media, sponsorship and licensing, analytics, team and league management, and other areas of the industry through lectures, case studies, group activities, guest speakers, and a capstone research project.

“I’ve spent my career at the intersection of sports business and education, and this program brings those two passions together,” said Stephen Master, founder and executive director of Sports Biz Boot Camp. “Our goal is to give motivated high school students an authentic look at the business behind sports and, just as importantly, the opportunity to apply what they learn through real-world cases, projects, and conversations with industry professionals. IMG Academy provides an ideal environment to bring that experience to students from across the country.”

Through academic instruction, industry access, and hands-on learning, Sports Biz Boot Camp at IMG Academy will help students explore the business of sports beyond the playing field while gaining insight into potential academic and career pathways. Additional information about 2027 session dates, applications and program details will be available here.

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About IMG Academy
 

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via IMG Academy+, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via NCSA and SportsRecruits, providing unmatched college recruiting education and services to student-athletes and their families, club coaches, and event operators, and is the premier service for college coaches.

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.

About Sports Biz Boot Camp

Sports Biz Boot Camp is a premier college-preparatory program designed for motivated high school students who are passionate about the business of sports and aspire to pursue a degree in sports management or business.  The immersive bootcamp program offers a rigorous introduction to sports marketing, media, and insight into this high-growth industry.  Led by longtime NYU Stern Professor Stephen Master, the curriculum closely models the Sports Marketing & Media course he has taught at the NYU Stern School of Business for the last 20+ years.  The Sports Biz Boot Camp prepares high-performing students for college-level coursework and helps them gain a competitive edge in the college admissions process.  To learn more about the Sports Biz Boot Camp, visit: https://sportsbizbootcamp.com/