Dallas Mavericks and Paul Quinn College Launch Groundbreaking Sports Management Program
The Dallas Mavericks and Paul Quinn College have forged a trailblazing partnership, introducing the nation’s first NBA team-sponsored sports management major at a historically Black college or university (HBCU). The new program, dubbed the Mavs Sports Management Major, was officially unveiled during an opening convocation on Friday, where former Mavericks CEO, Cynt Marshall, delivered the keynote address.
This innovative major—formally known as Leadership, Innovation, Sports Management, Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Networking (LISTEN)—aims to create new opportunities for underrepresented students and pave the way for a more diverse future in the sports industry. By providing a pathway for students of color to enter leadership roles, the program is a major step forward in addressing both racial inequities in the workforce and educational access in higher learning.
The collaboration sees the Mavs Sports Management Major integrated into Paul Quinn College’s existing curriculum, Dallas’s only HBCU. Students enrolled in the program will receive a robust support system, including Target-sponsored care packages with dorm essentials and personalized academic guidance, ensuring a smooth transition into college life.
A Hands-On Approach to Learning
What sets this program apart is its emphasis on real-world, experiential learning. Students will have the chance to interact directly with Mavericks executives through weekly guest lectures and engage in practical, hands-on projects. These projects will tackle current business challenges faced by the Mavericks, allowing students to work on creative briefs, case studies, and even present student-led solutions to the team’s real-time issues.
The program is designed not just to educate but to empower. Through regular campus engagement, sponsored events, and collaborative efforts with the Mavs Business Assist program, students will gain invaluable entrepreneurial experience and network-building opportunities. Additionally, plans for a residence hall renovation featuring custom Mavericks-designed murals further illustrate the depth of the partnership’s commitment to enriching the student experience.
Addressing the Pipeline Gap
The Mavs Sports Management Major also aligns with the Mavericks’ broader mission of promoting sustainable change through their “Take ACTION!” initiative, which is dedicated to addressing racial inequities in North Texas. In the sports industry, despite the significant presence of Black athletes, there has been a stark underrepresentation in executive and leadership roles. This program specifically targets that gap by providing students with the tools, mentorship, and access needed to transition from education directly into industry careers.
Industry data has shown that while Black athletes make up a sizable percentage of professional sports rosters, their representation in front office and management roles remains minimal. By creating a structured pathway from education to professional sports careers, the Mavericks hope to change that narrative and diversify the future of sports management.
Through this partnership with Paul Quinn College, the Mavericks are not just developing future sports leaders—they are creating a more inclusive and dynamic industry that better reflects the communities it serves.