Texas Sun Devil scores dream job with Master of Legal Studies and ASU Online

Jennifer DeMarta grew up loving sports. As a longtime soccer player, she had planned to compete at the collegiate level, but recurring injuries forced her to reconsider.

The self-professed “ASU girl” dreamed of attending Arizona State University, but a large scholarship led her to attend college elsewhere. After graduation, armed with her marketing degree and with her background as an athlete, she stepped into the world of sports partnerships.

It was during the pandemic, while regrouping at home and contemplating the future of the sports world, DeMarta finally had the chance to make her ASU dream a reality.

To progress in her career she needed a master’s degree and the Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in sports law and business offered through ASU Online was the ideal program.

“I knew I wanted a degree in sports law, and at the time, there were only two other universities that offered that program,” she said. “I have always loved ASU, but I had a great job that I didn’t want to give up. Attending ASU Online allowed me to pursue my career and my education without having to choose one or the other.”

Today, DeMarta works for MLS’s Houston Dynamo FC and NWSL’s Houston Dash managing partnerships around the U.S. The skills she learned while earning her master’s degree allow her to understand and negotiate contracts, maintain open communication with the legal team and understand special rules.

“I work on marketing campaigns, and I need to understand the legalities of why advertising an alcohol partner with an 18-year-old player can be problematic,” she said. “A lot of random rules that you don’t think about affect my job. The Master of Legal Studies helped set me apart because now I know what to look for, and I know the legal questions to ask.”

Here’s what DeMarta had to say about her ASU journey:

Why were online courses the right choice for you?

• It was the best way to work a full-time job, stay with my family and excel in my education.

Was there a course that stood out to you?

• My favorite course was SDO598 Amateur Sports Law. College athletics is so near and dear to my heart. Many of my friends are/were college athletes and to hear some of the stories that they have told me about various rules was something I had always questioned. Especially now with NIL (name, image, likeness) and various opportunities that college athletes have, it is a constantly evolving area of sports that will always be interesting.

What was an opportunity that opened up for you while earning your degree?

• Opportunities started coming to me after I finished my degree. I was getting more people reaching out to network and that was also when I had landed my job working for both the Houston Dash and Houston Dynamo in sponsorships.

What are some of the ASU resources you used (or wish you knew about) that others should know about?

• There are writing centers that can help look over your essays before sending them in.

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

• Take advantage of office hours and connect with your professors. Professors are a great asset to the industry and can help open doors for you many years down the line. I was frustrated with one class because I didn’t understand what the professor was looking for. I was like, “How is this not an ‘A’ paper?” When I talked to her, she explained what she was looking for. Ever since then, “A” papers!