The Online MSL in Sports Law and Negotiation is a 24-unit, part-time degree designed for professionals who want to build specialized legal, business and negotiation expertise for careers in the sports industry. Delivered 100% online, the program combines foundational legal principles with practical coursework focused on sports, media and entertainment transactions.
Students develop the skills needed to negotiate and structure deals involving athletes, teams, leagues, sponsors and media partners. Coursework explores the legal frameworks, regulatory considerations and business dynamics that shape the sports industry, while emphasizing contract analysis, risk assessment, stakeholder management and strategic negotiation. Through real-world scenarios and applied learning, students gain experience evaluating complex transactions and navigating high-stakes decision-making environments.
Graduates are prepared to analyze sports-related agreements, advise stakeholders on contractual and regulatory considerations, and apply structured negotiation strategies across a wide range of sports and entertainment settings.
Earn your Master of Studies in Law in Sports Law and Negotiation online. Request information now.
Licensing/Credentialing Information
The Online MSL in Sports Law and Negotiation is designed for career advancement and professional development in the sports industry. It is not intended to prepare students for legal practice or eligibility for a U.S. bar examination.
Due to online learning regulations, USC Gould is currently unable to admit students from select U.S. states and territories. Please contact msl@law.usc.edu for more information.
Degree Outcomes
Through the Online MSL in Sports Law and Negotiation, you will be positioned to:
- Understand core legal principles, regulatory frameworks and business concepts that govern sports, media and entertainment transactions.
- Analyze contracts, agreements, and deal structures to identify risks, assess stakeholder interests and evaluate alignment with strategic objectives.
- Apply structured negotiation frameworks and legal-business reasoning to real-world sports and entertainment scenarios, advising stakeholders on regulatory, contractual and commercial considerations.
- Communicate legal and business analyses clearly while navigating ethical and compliance challenges in complex, high-stakes environments
Career Options
Graduates of the MSL in Sports Law and Negotiation program are prepared for legal-adjacent roles across professional and collegiate athletics, entertainment and related industries:
- Sports Agent and Athlete Representation
- Team and League Operations
- Contract Management
- Sports Business and Marketing
- Intellectual Property and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Consulting
- Compliance and Dispute Resolution
Hybrid Learning Option
The USC Gould School of Law also offers a Hybrid MSL in Sports Law and Negotiation, providing the flexibility to take courses online and weekly evening classes at USC’s University Park Campus. Learn more today.
