Live masterclasses with industry leaders
Six sessions with Arena's founders and guest leaders from across our network: fireside chats, workshops, and panels. Every Wed. 5-6pm ET.
Build your network in sports, media & entertainment with the right people in your corner.
A 6-week program for students and early career professionals in sports, media & entertainment. Learn from our leader network, get paired with a mentor, and meet new peers each week.
$49 USD · 100 seats
Applications close Nov 6. Limited spots.
Everyone says it's about who you know. Nobody tells you how to meet them.
You send LinkedIn messages that never get a reply. You apply online and hear nothing back. And most career advice was written for consulting and tech, not for a league office, a newsroom, or a studio.
Breaking into and growing in this industry usually starts with a conversation, not an application. Arena Academy puts you in those conversations. For six weeks, you’ll learn from industry leaders, get feedback from a mentor in the industry, and build relationships that last longer than the program.
Arena's Network
Arena is the curated networking platform for executives and athletes across sports, media & entertainment. Members are admitted by application and get weekly curated introductions to each other. Your mentors and guest speakers come from this network.
600+members
300+organizations
100%manager to C-suite leaders in sports, media & entertainment
Arena members work at organizations including
What you get
What you get
- 6
- Live sessions with industry leaders
- 15
- Curated peer intros
- 1
- Assigned mentor
15 curated peer intros
Starting in Week 2, you'll get three 1-on-1 intros a week to others in the cohort, matched on your goals and interests. The people next to you now are the colleagues, collaborators and referrals you'll lean on for years.
A dedicated mentor from our network
You'll be placed into a small group of peers and assigned to a mentor from Arena's mentor network aligned to your career goals.
The Arena platform
Review your weekly intros, book time with your matches and mentor, find industry events to attend, and join community groups, all from your online home base on Arena.
The schedule
Masterclasses every Wednesday, 5–6pm ET on Zoom. Peer intros every Monday from Week 2. November 11 to December 18, 2026.
Live masterclassPeer intros drop
Week 1Nov 11–15Orientation & career navigation
Kickoff week
No intros this week - Kickoff & mentor assignment
Wed · Nov 11 · 5–6pm ET
Cohort Kickoff: Orientation & Career Navigation Workshop.
Get oriented with Arena's founders, explore your career direction, and get started on the Arena platform. Includes cohort networking breakouts.
Week 2Nov 16–22Building a brand & telling your story
Mon · Nov 16
Your first 3 peer intros drop
Matched on your goals and interests. Accept or pass on each one.
Wed · Nov 18 · 5–6pm ET
Building a Brand & Telling Your Unique Story.
Workshop & fireside chat on building your brand and communicating your unique story.
Week 3Nov 23–29Strategic networking
Mon · Nov 23
3 new peer intros drop
Matched on your goals and interests. Accept or pass on each one.
Wed · Nov 25 · 5–6pm ET
Strategic Networking: Converting Introductions into Opportunities.
Workshop & fireside chat on turning introductions into lasting professional relationships.
Week 4Nov 30–Dec 6Finding your niche
Mon · Nov 30
3 new peer intros drop
Matched on your goals and interests. Accept or pass on each one.
Wed · Dec 2 · 5–6pm ET
Finding Your Niche: How to Choose Your Career Path.
Industry panel & Q&A with perspectives from across the industry.
Week 5Dec 7–13AI agents for early career professionals
Mon · Dec 7
3 new peer intros drop
Matched on your goals and interests. Accept or pass on each one.
Wed · Dec 9 · 5–6pm ET
AI Agents for Early Career Professionals.
Workshop with Arena's founders. Take away an agent guide with downloads.
Week 6Dec 14–18Graduation celebration
Mon · Dec 14
Your final 3 peer intros drop
Matched on your goals and interests. Accept or pass on each one.
Wed · Dec 16 · 5–6pm ET
Graduation Celebration.
Celebrate the cohort and reflect on your experience with Arena's founders. Includes cohort networking breakouts. Program concludes Friday, Dec 18.
Who Arena Academy is for
Arena Academy is for ambitious early-career professionals in sports, media & entertainment who are actively building in the industry. The program brings together proactive students and rising stars who know the peers rising alongside them today will be their most valuable relationships tomorrow.
We're looking for applicants who meet all of the following criteria:
Are early in their careers.
College juniors and seniors, graduate students early in their careers, graduates from the past two years, and early-career individual contributors up to senior coordinator level (titles like coordinator, associate, or analyst). Current and recently graduated student athletes are encouraged to apply.
Are active in the sports, media & entertainment industry.
Internships, jobs, passion projects, leadership roles, volunteer work, and content you've created all count, as long as it's 1) related to the business of sports, media & entertainment, and 2) current or from the past two years.
Take initiative.
You go after opportunities, take on projects and leadership roles, and share what you're building and learning in sports, media & entertainment.
Value peer relationships.
You invest in the people coming up alongside you and see those connections as key to your long-term growth.
Have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile.
It should reflect what you're working on today.
Are based in the US or Canada.
At this time, we are not able to accept members who are based outside of the US or Canada. Study abroad programs are still eligible.
Come ready to connect. Make the most of your peer intros and mentor sessions, and join live when you can.
Relationships and skills, not job placement. This isn't a job board or a placement service. We help you build the relationships and skills to take your next step.
How it works
Apply by Nov 6.
Get your application decision.
Activate your membership.
Attend Orientation on Nov 11.
Your next chapter starts here
Fall 2026 · 6 weeksIncluded in your program
- 6 live masterclassesFireside chats, workshops, and panels with Arena's founders and industry leaders.
- 15 curated peer introductionsThree new peer introductions each week, starting in Week 2.
- A dedicated mentorAligned to your career goals
- Arena Academy platform accessReview your weekly intros, book time with your matches and mentor, find industry events to attend, and join community groups, all from your online home base on Arena.
- Session recordings and slidesRevisit the sessions and catch up when you need to.
FAQs
Do I need experience in the industry?
You don't need a paid role, but you do need current or recent involvement in the business of sports, media & entertainment, such as internships, projects, leadership roles, or content you've created. Note: Your LinkedIn profile is a key part of our review, so make sure everything is up to date and reflects what you’re working on now.
How are applications reviewed?
Every application is reviewed by our admissions committee against the Arena Academy criteria, and not everyone who applies is accepted. We look for early-career professionals who are proactively learning, building, and sharing what they’re doing in the sports, media & entertainment industry, take initiative, and value building relationships with their peers.
I worked in the industry a while ago and want to get back in. Is Arena Academy a good fit?
Arena Academy is designed for people who are early in their careers right now, and the program is built around that shared stage. If you're returning to the industry after time away, you can stay connected as other programs take shape by subscribing to our newsletter at arenatalent.com/newsletter.
What if I miss a session?
Joining live is the best way to get your questions answered, but it's not required. Every session is recorded and the slides are shared, so you can catch up on your own time.
How do the peer intros work?
Starting in Week 2, you'll get three curated intros each week to others in your cohort, matched on your goals and interests. Accept or pass on each one. When you both accept, it's a match, and you can book time to meet virtually directly on each other's calendars.
Who are the mentors?
Leaders from the Arena network who work in the business of sports, media & entertainment at brands, leagues, teams, studios, agencies, platforms, venues, and beyond. After admissions, you'll be placed in a small group of aligned peers with a mentor matched to your career goals. You'll have one group session and one individual session together.
Is this a job placement program?
No. Arena Academy is about building the relationships, skills, and industry knowledge that help you take your next step.
Still have questions?
Email us at support@arenatalent.com.
Build your network in sports, media & entertainment with the right people in your corner.
A 6-week program for students and early career professionals in sports, media & entertainment. Learn from our leader network, get paired with a mentor, and meet new peers each week.
$49 USD · 100 seats
Apply NowApplications close Nov 6. Limited spots.