<p>When students pursue a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/bs-in-sport-management.html">BS in Sport Management</a> at NYU SPS, the sports business world is their oyster. Designed to prepare students for the dynamic shifts in the sports industry with the skill sets needed to land jobs in sports management, there's no better place than this program to jump into the center of it all.</p> <p>We recently caught up with a graduate of the program, Nicholas Manzo, to give us some insight into his NYU SPS experience and to report on what he's up to now.</p>

<p>Nicholas Manzo has always been driven by a passion for sports and the hustle and bustle of New York City. Born and raised in Roxbury, New Jersey, Manzo's love for the city made his decision to attend NYU an easy one. &quot;I've always seen New York City as the destination for success in business,&quot; Manzo reflects.</p> <p>Manzo's time at NYU was nothing short of transformative. &quot;Waking up as a 17-year-old freshman and walking down University Place for the first time was a culture shock, but one I look back on fondly,&quot; he shares. Though his experience differed from the traditional college life—there were no quads or tailgating events—Manzo embraced the unique opportunities that New York City offered. &quot;We had Washington Square Park, the Empire State Building, and the endless possibilities of NYC,&quot; he adds.</p> <p>Reflecting on his time at NYU SPS, Manzo is particularly grateful for the hands-on learning experiences, such as internships with the New York Mets and Major League Baseball and traveling abroad to Rio de Janeiro and London through the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-applied-undergraduate-studies/alpha-sigma-lambda-honors-soceity.html" title="alpha sigma lambda honor society program">SPS Honor Society program</a>. These opportunities gave him a professional leg up while broadening his perspectives and supercharging his personal growth.</p>

<p>Today, Manzo serves as the senior director of brand licensing at IMG Licensing, where he manages consumer product business strategies for high-profile clients, including the Harlem Globetrotters and Jackie Robinson's estate. He attributes much of his success to the opportunities and connections he made during his time at NYU SPS. &quot;One of my classes actually led directly to my current career path by creating an introduction to my first boss,&quot; he says.</p> <p>Manzo's career has seen its share of unexpected twists and turns, always keeping him on his toes. While he initially anticipated a more direct path into the sports business, he found himself in brand partnerships—a field where he excelled. &quot;I'm happy with where I've ended up and the career successes I've achieved so far,&quot; he says. One of his proudest moments was being named a Rising Star by Licensing International in 2018, an award recognizing the next generation of leaders in the licensing industry.</p>

<p>As for what's next, Manzo is focused on continuing to grow as a senior leader and taking on new challenges. &quot;I'm looking forward to working on incredible brands that make a cultural impact in the marketplace,&quot; he says. He advises current and incoming NYU SPS students to approach their studies and extracurriculars with enthusiasm and passion.</p> <p>With a career that continues to evolve, Nicholas Manzo has become a master of combining his professional interests with opportunity—a lesson he learned early on at NYU SPS and continues to carry with him today.</p> <p>The epicenter of sports business is waiting for you when you pursue a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/bs-in-sport-management.html">BS in Sport Management</a>. See you there!</p>