Fowler MBA degree opens the door to a front office position with the NBA’s reigning champions
Johnson Tran (’14, SMBA) now serves as the director of community engagement for the Boston Celtics
After earning his bachelor’s degree in management in 2009, Johnson Tran (’14, SMBA) worked in the education field for a few years, but he wanted more. He realized he wanted a career that combined his interest in business with his love of sports, leading him to enroll in the Sports MBA program at SDSU’s Fowler College of Business.
His Sports MBA degree paid off in a big way.
Tran, a native of Brighton, Massachusetts, now serves as the director of community engagement for the Boston Celtics, who recently won their 18th NBA Championship Title. The Celtics currently hold the record for the most titles in league history.
We recently talked to Tran about his work with the Celtics and how his Sports MBA degree helped him land his dream job.
Q. What prompted you to seek an MBA in sports business?
A. I had already earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Boston University, but I didn’t see many opportunities in the world of sports business. I’d previously had a part-time position at Gillette Stadium (home of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution) and I wanted to give myself more career opportunities. I sought out an MBA in sports business as an avenue to gaining a foothold in the sports industry.
Q. Why did you choose SDSU for your Sports MBA program?
A. A full three-semester year in the classroom and the internship semester that follows, along with the case study trip to the Dominican Republic, is what sold me. Also, who can say “no” to San Diego?
Q. Could you talk about your internship with the Celtics?
A. An SMBA alumnus, Ryan King (’11, SMBA), intrigued me with his experiences while he was growing up near my hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts and how those experiences led to his job in sports business. I approached him after class, and we struck up a conversation. Eventually, he connected me with one of his high school friends that worked for the Celtics. Fast forward a few months later and I got an interview which led to an internship with the organization.
Q. What led to your permanent position with the Celtics?
A. At the end of my internship in May of 2014, I was at a crossroads. I enjoyed my experience with the Celtics, however, I wanted to work in a more traditional business setting. So I took a position in the insurance industry (and later, in banking) to gain sales and customer service experience. But I hated it! A year-and-a-half later, I got a call from my former boss at the Celtics to see if I’d be interested in an opening they had and, without hesitation, I said “yes”. In January 2016, I returned to the Celtics as a community engagement coordinator.
Q. What advice would you share with student considering a career in the sports industry?
A. Be ready for the grind! The sports industry is not easy and you must be willing to honestly evaluate your strengths and passions. Also, be open to opportunities that will help you gain new experiences.
Lastly, I am open to any prospective or current students, or alumni of SDSU’s Sports MBA program to stop by the Celtics’ offices to meet or just to say “hi.” I wouldn’t have experienced this NBA championship without the support of SDSU’s Sports MBA program!
