About
Our Mission
Sports Business Scholars is an exclusive program for select undergraduate students, offering targeted professional development opportunities to prepare for careers in the sports industry. All scholars participate in a mentorship program, where they are matched with a W. P. Carey Sports Advisory Board member or other sports industry executive as their mentor. Scholars also have access to the extensive alumni network of former Sports Business Scholars who have successful careers across all facets of the sports industry.
Meetings are held twice a month which include speaker meetings with local executives, site visits, workshops on personal branding and professional networking. Scholars are also paired up with an executive mentor in the sports business industry. For the 2025-2026 school year, we are planning to start off with New York for our fall outreach trip.
Leadership
Scholars run the organization end to end — committees, budgets, partnerships, and events — and graduate with a track record, not just a résumé line.
Professional Development
Case workshops and executive coaching designed to the standard of the teams, leagues, and agencies we place into.
Industry Connections
Direct access to executives across leagues, franchises, agencies, and brands through speaker series, site visits, and our national alumni network.
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2026-2027 Executive Board
(L to R): Evie Hoff, Griffin McMullen, Owen Bateman, Jackson Woods.
Not Pictured: Jaime Vergara
Ryan Kota
Clinical Assistant Professor at the W. P. Carey School of Business, specializing in Sports Business
Ryan Kota is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the W. P. Carey School of Business, specializing in Sports Business. He also represents the Department of Marketing at ASU’s West Valley campus through the School of Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (TIE), where he supports local entrepreneurs via the Center for Small and Medium-sized Businesses.
At ASU, Ryan teaches courses ranging from Sports Branding Strategy to The Business of Spring Training, always with a focus on connecting students to hands-on experiences with industry leaders. He also leads a study abroad program in London, where students collaborate with Premier League clubs and other global sport organizations.
Before joining ASU, Ryan worked as a consultant for outdoor adventure companies, directed race operations for one of the nation’s largest urban off-road biking organizations, and managed commercial real estate properties.
When he’s not in the classroom, you’ll likely find Ryan climbing mountains with his husky, capturing semi-professional photos, or training in martial arts.
Sports Business Advisory Board
The ASU Sports Advisory Board is made up of exceptional leaders who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the Greater Phoenix sports business community. Members are committed to mentoring our students, assisting the program with curriculum decisions, and providing programming and career support.
Industry:
Board Chair: Devney Majerle - President & CEO, Downtown Phoenix, Inc.
Joe Bertoletti - ASU Foundation, Arizona State University
Chantel Carlson -Senior Director, Business Operations, Phoenix Raceway
Mike Dellosa -Vice President, Ticket Sales & Service, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stephanie Forrai – Director, Partnership Strategy & Service, Player 15 Group (Suns/Mercury)
Kali Franklin - Head of People & Culture, Phoenix Suns
Michael Kadous - Chief Operating Officer, Bad Birdie
Ron Li - Vice President, Fan Intelligence & Partnership, Player 15 Group (Suns/Mercury)
Jay McGrath – Chief Administrative Officer, Troon
Chris Montgomery - Vice President, Volunteer Engagement, Fiesta Bowl Foundation
Jose Moreno - Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, USA Pickleball
Rob Mougey - Partner, President of Golf, The Familie
Wes Nee - Officer, The Neon Foundation
Amanda Phillips - President, Performance, EXOS
John Pierce – Founder/Partner & Professor of Practice, Player 2 & ASU
Daniel Shoup - Head of Finance & Administration, Arizona Golf Association
Brittani Willett - President, Sun Angel Collective, ASU