The Department of Kinesiology and Health at the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences  has named SC&I Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Communication, Mark Beal Interim Director of The Rutgers University Global Sports Business Master’s Degree Program.

An industry-specific degree program, the curriculum immerses graduate students into the continuously evolving global sports business industry and prepares them to lead in careers across all sectors of the sports industry.

Beal, who will continue teaching at SC&I in addition to serving in this new role, has taught the sports marketing and sponsorship course in the Global Sports graduate program since 2018.

“Having launched in 2016, the Rutgers Global Sports Business graduate program is still in its infancy,” Beal said. “In a short time, it has attracted sports business leaders to serve as professors, and in 2021, SportBusiness ranked the program in the top-20 sports management programs in the United States. My goal is to take the baton from the previous executive director, Mike Finkelstein, who launched the program in 2016, and continued to transform and innovate it. With more than 150 graduates of the program, I would like to fully leverage their connection to the program and their impressive experience across sports leagues, teams, properties, agencies, and sponsors for the benefit of current and future students.”

The one-year curriculum offers 12 courses, four courses in each of three semesters, which cover sports finance, sports law, sports administration, sports facilities, sports media, and more.

“Having launched in 2016, the Rutgers Global Sports Business graduate program is still in its infancy,” Beal said. “In a short time, it has attracted sports business leaders to serve as professors, and in 2021, SportBusiness ranked the program in the top-20 sports management programs in the United States"

“This is a very exciting time for the sports business industry worldwide,” Beal said. “Gen Z and Gen Alpha represent the next generation of potential fans who are a priority for the industry. Women's sports, including the WNBA and National Women's Soccer League, are experiencing unprecedented growth and corporate sponsor support. College athletics with the introduction of name, image, and likeness and conference realignment is entering a new and exciting chapter. Media rights including the NBA's recent $76 billion 11-year agreements with multiple media companies will deliver more sports content to more viewers via more platforms than ever before. Globally, major events like the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup are attracting worldwide audiences and unifying citizens around the globe. We want to offer current and future students of the Rutgers Global Sports Business graduate program a transformational sports business learning experience that will empower them to transition successfully to a career in sports.”

Several SC&I Communication majors have already earned this degree, and they took classes with Beal while they were in the program. They include Austin Lloyd COM'21, Ryan Rose COM'17, Cat Espinal COM'17, and Kelsey Cuje COM'14.

“I taught Austin, Ryan and Cat when they were undergraduate communication majors, so it was enjoyable to collaborate with them again as graduate students with a focus on sports business,” Beal said.

"With more than 150 graduates of the program, I would like to fully leverage their connection to the program and their impressive experience across sports leagues, teams, properties, agencies, and sponsors for the benefit of current and future students.”

"Professor Beal consistently goes above and beyond to provide an impactful experience for students. Whether it's bringing in industry expert guest speakers or scheduling immersive site visits with local teams, leagues and agencies. He is an expert at making course curriculum both engaging and rewarding, where students leave the room feeling energized about what they've learned," said Ryan Rose COM'17, an account manager, brand marketing for Allied Sports. "Professor Beal's efforts continue at the personal level beyond the classroom, where he has become a mentor to me as well as countless other students he's been connected with, assisting with networking, career advice and so much more. Professor Finkelstein has built GSB into a leading program and I can't wait to see where Professor Beal takes it from here. The program is in amazing hands!" 

Prior to joining SC&I full time as a faculty member in 2019, Beal was a partner of Taylor Public Relations in New York City, where he served as a public relations practitioner and marketer for 30 years. Beal has led the strategic development and execution of award-winning public relations campaigns for Fortune 500 corporations, and his campaigns have leveraged some of the world’s most popular sports and entertainment properties including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl Halftime Show, Academy Awards, and The Rolling Stones.

Beal, an expert on Gen Z, is the author of several books about Gen Z, including “Win The Job & Thrive In A Multigenerational Workplace”; “ZEO: Introducing Gen Z, The New Generation of Leaders”; and “Gen Z Graduates To Adulthood.”

Learn more about the Communication Department at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.