The School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan invites applications for a tenure-line faculty position in sport finance at the rank of assistant professor, associate professor, or professor. We seek dynamic and innovative scholars whose work is anchored in this area. Successful candidates will join a vibrant and collaborative faculty dedicated to excellence in research, teaching, and service.
The primary responsibilities for this position include conducting high-quality, impactful research in sport finance and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. The role entails advising and mentoring students across all academic levels and securing external funding to support research initiatives as appropriate. Additionally, selected candidates will collaborate with faculty across disciplines within the School of Kinesiology and other units at the University of Michigan, help develop and implement the sport management curriculum, and engage in service activities within the university, professional organizations, and the broader community. Tenure-track faculty typically carry a 45% (Research) - 45% (Teaching) - 10% (Service) load.
We are seeking candidates with expertise in finance applied to sport or sport business contexts. Specific areas of research may include, but are not limited to, the following: revenue optimization and consumer ticket pricing; franchise valuation and private equity; media rights, sponsorships, and licensing; gaming and betting; league design and competitive balance; venue financing and public finance of stadiums; risk management; and the economic impacts of sport across professional, collegiate, and major sporting event contexts.
The University of Michigan is a leading public university and one of the world’s preeminent research institutions. The School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan is one of 19 independent academic units and one of seven health science schools and colleges within the University of Michigan. In Fall 2023, the National Academy of Kinesiology ranked the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan as the #1 Kinesiology program in the US. The school is led by Dean John Cairney and has 72 faculty members, including tenure-line, clinical-line, part-time, and full-time lecturers, as well as approximately 1,449 undergraduate students and 166 graduate students. The school is home to some of the country’s top academic programs focusing on movement science, applied exercise science, athletic training, and sport management.
In winter 2021, the school moved into a newly renovated, state-of-the-art academic and research building (Kinesiology Building) in the heart of the University of Michigan’s main campus. The $120M renovation project expands the School of Kinesiology’s research, classroom, and office space to approximately 189,000 gross sq. ft. The research space includes a 9,800 sq. ft. biomechanics research suite, a 9,000 sq. ft. wet lab research suite, a 5,000 sq. ft. neuro research center, a 1,700 sq. ft. vivarium, and a 3,500 sq. ft. clinical testing suite and exercise research center. Additionally, new faculty members will have access to the University of Michigan's state-of-the-art core computing and laboratory facilities.
Sport Management at the University of Michigan is recognized as a top program in the country. Niche rated the University of Michigan as the number two public college for sport management in the U.S.
The Sport Management program has 24 faculty, including 11 tenure-line faculty, 7 clinical faculty, and 6 lecturers. The breadth of faculty research is reflected in the following centers: the Center for Race & Ethnicity in Sport, the Center for Sport Marketing Research, the Center for Sports Venues & Real Estate Development, the Michigan Center for Sport & Social Responsibility, and the Center for Sport & Sustainability.
Sport Management has 593 undergraduate and 52 graduate students. The School offers the following degrees in Sport Management: Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy. The program prepares students for careers in the global sport industry with a curriculum that explores the management of the sport enterprise (from organizational, marketing, financial, economic, environmental sustainability, legal, urban planning, and sociocultural perspectives).
Sport Management students at the University of Michigan have the valuable opportunity to lead and participate in student-run campus organizations, including the Michigan Sport Business Conference, the premier undergraduate-run sport business conference in the U.S.
Upon graduation, many of our students will begin careers at sport organizations and corporate businesses, while others will pursue postgraduate studies in business, law, accounting, and urban planning. Our graduates work in the front offices of the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS; with professional sports teams like the Detroit Red Wings, New York Mets, and Milwaukee Bucks; within agencies like Creative Artists Agency and Endeavor; and with industry-leading organizations like ESPN, the NCAA, The New York Times, Nike, and many more.
The Sport Management program has an administrative structure that includes a program chair and an associate program chair. The program maintains an external Advisory Board to develop and nurture connections with leaders in the sport industry. The Advisory Board contributes to our vision of achieving excellence in sport business education.
A doctoral degree in Sport Management, Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field is required. Candidates should demonstrate their contributions to a positive workplace culture aligned with our school’s core values.
Assistant professor candidates should exhibit promise, trajectory, and/or achievements suitable for junior faculty at a major research university. At the assistant professor rank, candidates should have evidence of:
At the associate and full professor ranks, candidates should exceed the expectations outlined at the assistant rank. In addition to those requirements, candidates should have:
Interested candidates should submit the following materials electronically through Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/194359. The search committee will review applications as they are received. For best consideration, please apply by Friday, November 20, 2026. If the application deadline is extended, additional applications may be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.
The materials below should be consolidated into one (1) PDF document before uploading to Interfolio.
Nominations, applications, and expressions of interest will be held in confidence, and references will be contacted only with the candidate’s permission.
Should you need support related to the Interfolio system, please visit this link or contact Interfolio at help@interfolio.com or (877) 997-8807, 9am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.
For questions about the position, please contact the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Brian McCullough at brianpmc@umich.edu.
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities."
