EDUCATING
Woodard Family Fellow & Sr. Sports Business Instructor, University of Oregon - Lundquist College of Business - Warsaw Sports Marketing Center
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IRVINE DIRECTOR, SPORT Business MBA & BA PROGRAMs, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE TO THE NCAA
UCLA ANDERSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT CENTER FOR MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS | DISTINGUISHED LECTURER IN THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS:
Mark has led all aspects of the center's Sports Business program since 2011. The program draws students from around the world each year with 11 countries being represented in 2017 alone. Students are exposed to a rigorous lecture schedule featuring major topics in sports business including Sports Ethics, Sports Marketing, Sports Law, Economics of Sport, Labor Relations, Sports Technology, Stadiums and Sponsorship. In addition, each student garners valuable practical experience as part of their Capstone Intern Projects with several of the major sports organizations in the Los Angeles area including the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Wasserman, FOX Sports, Los Angeles Galaxy, LA Memorial Coliseum, Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, BaAM Productions, Sports 1 Marketing, 10 Fold Entertainment & World Series of Beach Volleyball, Golden Boy Promotions and Fantasy Clubhouse.
Students also get the privilege of interacting with the best talent in the sports industry through the program's guest speaker series including the following:
Brad Edwards, Chief Operating Officer, PAC Pro Football
Mike Ladge, Executive Director Sports & Ent., Morgan Stanley
Jennifer Van Dijk, VP Marketing, LA Clippers
Christine Kerr, Vice President, BaAM Productions
Annemarie Roe, President, BaAM Productions
Gary Myers, Vice President Design, BaAM Productions
Darryl Dunn, GM, Rose Bowl Stadium
Paul Engl, GM Rose Bowl & UCLA IMG
Dan Moriarty, Speaking Coach, Own the Room
Dr. Dan Rascher, Director, Sport Management program at University of San Francisco
DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director, NFL Players Association
Leigh Steinberg, CEO Steinberg Sports & Entertainment
Chuck Baker, Partner & Co-Chair, O’Melvaney Sports Industry Group
Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN & former GM Miami Dolphins and NY Jets
Ned Colletti, - Best-Selling Author, Broadcaster & Former General Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers
Martin Jarmond, Director of Athletics, UCLA
Bryce MacDonald, Chief of Staff, UCLA Football
Eric Johnson, Founder & CEO, WON Worldwide
Jim Mora Jr., Head Football Coach, UCLA
David Wohl, General Manager, Los Angeles Clippers
Luc Robitaille, President, Los Angeles Kings
Mitch Kupchak - General Manager, Los Angeles Lakers
Janet Marie Smith, VP Planning & Development, Los Angeles Dodgers
Dan Guerrero, Director of Athletics, UCLA
Felisa Israel, CEO, 10 Fold Entertainment
Joe Furin, GM, LA Memorial Coliseum
Brian Edwards, Edwards Technologies International
Shawn Patt, Vice President RBC
ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY | COURSE DEVELOPER AND LEARNING COACH | MBA Program in Hockey Business:
In 2016, Mark was retained by Athabasca University in Edmonton, Canada to develop a new course in Game Day Management and Marketing as part of newly established MBA Program in Hockey Business at AU. This program is the first of it's kind to be offered to executives currently involved in the business of professional hockey and is the host organization for the Business of Hockey Institute (BHI).
Student Testimonials
“Mark was an excellent Professor - not only with his lectures, but his ability to use real life examples that related to the material being presented. Mark was willing to help and give guidance both inside the classroom, and for any mentoring as we head into our future careers.”
“Mark joined UCLA Hockey as Head Coach of the team in September of 2010, immediately making an impact. Besides utilizing his lifelong hockey experience as a coach and player in Canada to effectively lead our team, he also consulted us on financial and marketing strategies. Entering the 2011/2012 season under Mark, our team is undoubtedly in a better position to make significant financial gains and increase efficiency within our key business partnerships. Mark is an integral part of our team and will play a crucial role in helping transform UCLA Hockey into a model program in the years to come.”
“Professor Mark Francis demonstrates complete and thorough understanding of the sport business. He made sure everyone in his class understood too. He would spend extra time on students such as myself who did not have a complete understanding of certain topics. Mark brought in top-notch guest speakers which further reflects how respected he is in the sport world. Mark was able to educate students and leave his students feeling more confident and knowledgeable. I’d recommend Mark to any school or business.”
“As a student in the UCLA Sports Marketing and Management Institute this summer, I was very fortunate to have Mark Francis as an instructor. Mark instigates lively and engaging discussions that allow the class to benefit from his extensive sports knowledge. His receptivity and willingness to reach out to his students are extraordinary. I have appreciated very much all of the guidance that Mark has provided to me as I enter the business of sports.”
“Mark Francis possesses an unmatched passion for the world of sport, and is able to evoke the same from his students. He holds both himself and others to a higher ethical standard that consequently resonates and spreads like wildfire throughout those around. It is with this, that I have learned the importance of using ones platform to better any situation in which you are found. Mark was able to utilize his extensive network to expose the class to a roster of speakers from every facet of the sports spectrum (ranging from Media Specialists to Agents and GM’s). Furthermore, these connections also brought about the invaluable experiences working with real life scenarios within various organizations like the LA Dodgers and Sports1 Marketing. Not only can I recommend him as an instructor, but would also consider taking the course next year; even if only to once again revitalize my experience and strengthen our connection. Thank you Mark for broadening my outlook and enlightening my future.”