Professional Sports MBA

(Master of Business Administration)


This Course is starting in September 2024

Why this course was developed.

The MBA in Leadership and Business Strategy for Athletes was developed in response to the significant challenges that many professional footballers face upon retirement. Nearly half of all professional football players encounter financial difficulties, with many facing bankruptcy within five years of retiring—additionally, a third experienced divorce within the first year of leaving the sport. Without the robust support they had during their playing careers, many former athletes struggle with addiction, depression, illness, or even incarceration.

While some manage to secure financial stability or transition into roles in management or punditry, the majority are unprepared for the realities of retirement, leading to a rapid and often tragic decline. This programme was specifically created to address these issues, recognising the urgent need for professional athletes to gain management qualifications, such as an MBA, to better prepare for life after football. By equipping athletes with essential business skills and knowledge, this MBA aims to help them navigate their transition successfully, ensuring they can secure their future and thrive in new ventures beyond the pitch.

Unlock Your Potential Beyond the Pitch

Welcome to the MBA for athletes after sports careers —a uniquely tailored programme designed to help professional footballers and other elite athletes transition seamlessly into successful business careers. This one-year, 60 ECTS program equips you with the strategic, financial, and leadership skills needed to thrive in the corporate world, ensuring you are prepared for life beyond sports.

Why Choose This Shorter MBA?

As a professional athlete, you’ve honed exceptional skills on the field—teamwork, leadership, resilience, and strategic thinking. Now, it’s time to leverage those strengths in the business arena. Our MBA programme is designed to bridge the gap between your sports career and the business world, providing you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to succeed.

Programme Highlights

  • Tailored Curriculum: Our courses are designed to meet the unique needs of athletes, focusing on areas where you can maximise your strengths, such as Strategic Management, Financial Literacy, and Leadership.

  • Experienced Faculty: Learn from industry experts and former athletes who have successfully transitioned to business, gaining insights that go beyond textbooks.

  • Flexible Learning: We understand the demands of your athletic career. Our programme offers flexible learning options that fit your schedule, whether you're still competing or have recently retired.

  • Career Transition Support: Benefit from specialised career services that focus on helping athletes find their following path—whether in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, or sports management.

What You Will Learn

Strategic Management
Master the art of business strategy, learning how to analyse, develop, and implement effective strategies that create long-term value.

Managing Finances
Gain critical financial management skills to make informed decisions, manage investments, and ensure long-term financial security.

Human Resource Management
Learn how to lead and manage people effectively, focusing on building strong teams and fostering a positive organisational culture.

Managing Processes
Understand how to design, analyze, and optimize business processes to improve efficiency and productivity. This module focuses on streamlining operations, implementing process improvements, and utilizing technology to enhance organizational performance.

Who Should Apply?

This MBA is ideal for current or former professional athletes who are:

  • Looking to transition into the business world or entrepreneurial ventures.

  • Seeking to leverage their sports experience in leadership roles.

  • Interested in acquiring the skills necessary for long-term financial and career success.

Start Your Journey Today

Transitioning from a sports career to the business world is a significant step, but the right education and support can lead to even greater success. Enrol in the MBA in Leadership and Business Strategy for Athletes and start your journey towards a thriving career beyond the pitch.

Apply Now | Contact Us for More Information


  • This module provides a deep understanding of how to develop, implement, and evaluate strategies within various types of organizations. You'll learn to analyze competitive environments, assess organizational capabilities, and craft strategies that create sustainable value. The course emphasizes real-world application, helping you to translate your experience on the field into strategic thinking and decision-making in business contexts. Case studies and simulations will prepare you to navigate the complexities of the corporate world and manage the strategic direction of any organisation effectively

  • Understanding and managing finances is crucial for long-term success, whether in personal ventures or corporate roles. This module covers the essentials of financial management, including budgeting, financial planning, investment analysis, and risk management. You will learn to interpret financial statements, make informed financial decisions, and develop strategies to ensure financial sustainability. The course is designed to empower you with the skills needed and manage your own wealth effectively or oversee the financial operations of an organisation.

  • Effective management of people is at the heart of any successful organization. This module focuses on the principles and practices of Human Resource Management (HRM), including talent acquisition, development, retention, and performance management. You'll explore the dynamics of leadership, team building, and motivation, as well as the legal and ethical considerations in managing people. The course equips you with the tools to manage a diverse workforce and create an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and productivity.

  • Effective business operations require streamlined processes that enhance efficiency and productivity. This module covers the principles of process management, including process design, improvement, and optimization. You'll learn how to analyze and map out business processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement strategies to improve operational performance. The course also explores the use of technology and automation in process management, helping you understand how to manage complex processes within an organization. By mastering these skills, you'll be able to ensure that business operations run smoothly and are aligned with strategic goals.

What are the differences between the Professional Mini-MBA and the standard Executive MBA?

The Professional Sports Mini MBA is uniquely structured to meet the distinct needs of athletes entering the business world. It provides tailored education, support, and career development opportunities that align with their previous experiences and future aspirations.

  • Professional Sports Mini MBA: This programme is tailored for current or former professional athletes from various sports who are transitioning into business careers. It recognises the unique backgrounds, skills, and challenges athletes face, focussing on how they can leverage their sports experiences in the business world.

    Executive MBA: The standard Executive MBA targets experienced professionals from diverse industries, typically in mid- to senior-level management positions, who seek to advance their careers or move into higher leadership roles.

  • Professional Sports Mini MBA: The curriculum addresses the specific needs of athletes, with modules that emphasise strategic management, financial literacy, leadership, and innovation through AI—areas where former athletes often require the most development. Each module connects skills honed through sports, such as teamwork, leadership, and discipline, with their application in business.

    Executive MBA: The curriculum of a standard Executive MBA is broader and covers a wide range of advanced business topics. It generally applies to professionals from various sectors and may not specifically focus on the transition from a non-business background to a business career.

  • Professional Sports Mini MBA: This program explicitly links the skills and experiences gained through a sports career to business contexts. For example, strategic thinking in sports is connected to business strategy, and leadership on the field is related to corporate leadership.

    Executive MBA: While a standard Executive MBA leverages the professional experience of participants, it doesn’t specifically focus on translating sports skills into business. The assumption is that participants already have significant business or management experience.

  • Professional Sports Mini MBA: Teaching methods are adapted to suit individuals transitioning from a physically demanding sports career to an academic environment. This might include more practical, hands-on learning experiences, mentorship programmes with former athletes who have successfully transitioned to business, and flexible learning options that accommodate ongoing commitments in sports or related fields.

    Executive MBA: The learning environment in a standard Executive MBA is generally structured for seasoned business professionals, with a focus on case studies, theoretical frameworks, and peer-to-peer learning among individuals who already have a strong grounding in business principles.

  • Professional Sports Mini MBA: The programme emphasises career transition support, including guidance on navigating the shift from sports to business, networking opportunities with businesses that value the unique attributes of athletes, and partnerships with organizations specializing in athlete career development.

    Executive MBA: Career advancement support in an Executive MBA typically focusses on helping participants climb the corporate ladder or pivot within their existing industries, rather than transitioning from an entirely different career path like professional sports.

  • Professional Sports Mini MBA: Networking is tailored to connect former athletes with leaders in industries that value their unique skill sets, including sports management, entertainment, and sectors seeking leadership qualities honed through sports.

    Executive MBA: Networking in a standard Executive MBA programme typically connects participants with a diverse group of professionals from various industries, focussing on corporate and entrepreneurial networking.

  • Professional Sports Mini MBA: There is a stronger emphasis on personal development, addressing the psychological and emotional aspects of transitioning from a high-profile sports career to a new professional identity in business.

    Executive MBA: While personal development is also a component of a standard Executive MBA, it focusses more on enhancing leadership and management capabilities within a business context than coping with the transition from a completely different career.

  • Professional Sports Mini MBA: This program prepares athletes for specific career pathways post-retirement, such as roles in sports management, entrepreneurship, or corporate leadership positions that align with their interests and skills.

    Executive MBA: Graduates of a standard Executive MBA typically pursue higher leadership roles within their existing industries or pivot to new sectors, with a focus on advancing in their business careers.

  • Yes, you can! The Professional Sports Mini MBA is designed to provide a strong foundation in business education for athletes. After successfully completing the Mini MBA, you have the opportunity to progress to an Executive MBA. To achieve this, you will need to complete an additional year of study, which includes four more advanced modules and a thesis. This extension allows you to deepen your knowledge, refine your leadership skills, and fully transition into high-level executive roles in the business world.

  • Are you interested in pursuing a PhD or DBA after your MBA?

    To progress to a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) or a PhD, you will need to complete the Executive MBA, which comprises 120 ECTS. The Professional Sports Mini MBA provides an excellent foundation, but to be eligible for doctoral studies, the full 120 ECTS are required.

    Steps to a Doctoral Degree

    • Complete the Executive MBA: After finishing the Professional Sports Mini MBA (60 ECTS), you can progress to the Executive MBA by completing an additional year of study, which includes four advanced modules and a thesis. This will bring your total ECTS to 120, making you eligible for doctoral programmes.

    • Apply for a PhD or DBA: With the Executive MBA (120 ECTS) under your belt, you’ll be well-prepared to apply for a PhD or DBA. These programmes are research-intensive and will further enhance your expertise, preparing you for academic, research, or high-level strategic roles in business.

    Why Pursue a PhD or DBA?

    • Deepen Your Expertise: A PhD or DBA allows you to delve deeply into a specific area of interest, contributing new knowledge to the field of business.

    • Career Advancement: A doctoral degree opens doors to senior leadership roles, academic positions, and opportunities in research and consulting.

    • Broaden Your Impact: With a doctorate, you can influence business practices, contribute to academic research, and drive innovation at the highest levels.

Doing the MBA with Longford gave me a new level of confidence to step outside of my comfort zone
— Karen Carney MBA OBE Former Professional Football & Pundit

TYPE

Master Degree Level 9


CERTIFICATION

Rushford Business School (Geneva)

DURATION

1 Year (Part-Time)

COURSE CODE

RBSMBAP

DELIVERY METHOD

Blended online

COST

NORMAL PRICE €6500 (Scholarships available)

DAYS

One session per week

Course Info.

  • Embarking on an MBA program is a compelling choice within the pracademic framework as it allows professionals, like yourself, to bridge the gap between real-world business acumen and academic rigor. This educational journey offers a unique opportunity to integrate theoretical insights into practical decision-making, equipping individuals with a holistic understanding of management, strategy, and leadership. The MBA's emphasis on case studies, industry projects, and collaborative learning fosters a dynamic environment where you can apply your business expertise, fostering a well-rounded perspective that is invaluable for both your role as a CEO and your position as a university professor of business. Moreover, the continuous evolution of business practices in the AI and education sectors makes an MBA an ideal platform to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations, further enhancing your pracademic approach to these fields.

  • Integrate Business and Education: The primary aim of this MBA programme is to facilitate the integration of your extensive experience in business, education, and AI. It aims to create a synergy between these domains, equipping you with a unique skill set that can drive innovation in both sectors.

    Enhance Leadership and Management Skills: This programme aims to enhance your leadership and management skills, empowering you to lead confidently as a CEO while fostering effective management practices within educational institutions. It seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice, enabling you to apply management principles effectively.

    Foster Cross-Disciplinary Thinking: Given your pracademic approach, the MBA program aims to cultivate cross-disciplinary thinking. It encourages you to draw connections between AI, business, and education, fostering innovative solutions and strategies that can be applied in real-world settings.

    Advanced Knowledge in AI and Business: The program aims to deepen your knowledge of AI and its applications in the business context. It provides insights into the latest AI technologies, their implementation, and their impact on various industries.

    Develop Entrepreneurial Skills: This MBA programme aims to nurture your entrepreneurial skills, allowing you to explore opportunities for innovation and growth, both in your role as a CEO and in educational ventures related to AI. It encourages a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.

    Promote Ethical Business Practices: Given the importance of ethics in business and education, the program aims to instil a solid ethical foundation. It emphasizes ethical leadership, responsible AI implementation, and ethical considerations in decision-making.

    Facilitate Networking and Collaboration: The program aims to provide ample opportunities for networking and collaboration with professionals from diverse backgrounds. It encourages you to engage in meaningful collaborations that can lead to joint ventures, research projects, or educational initiatives.

    Culminate in a Comprehensive Project: This MBA programme aims to culminate in a comprehensive project to align with your goal of writing a book on AI and adult education. It can be a thesis, research paper, or strategic business plan that serves as the foundation for your book.

  • An MBA provides a versatile skill set and opens doors to many career opportunities in both traditional and emerging fields. Your career path may depend on your interests, skills, and the industry or sector that aligns best with your goals and values.

    Management and Leadership Roles: MBAs are well-suited for leadership positions such as CEO, CFO, COO, or General Manager in various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and more.

    Consulting: Management consulting firms often hire MBAs to work on strategy, operations, and organisational improvement projects for clients. This role involves solving complex business problems and providing strategic advice.

    Entrepreneurship: Many MBA graduates choose to start their own businesses or join startups. The skills gained during an MBA program, including business planning, finance, and marketing, are invaluable for entrepreneurial success.

    Finance and Investment Banking: MBAs can pursue careers in finance, including roles in investment banking, private equity, venture capital, and financial analysis. These roles involve managing investments, analyzing financial data, and making strategic financial decisions.

    Marketing and Brand Management: Marketing is a popular career path for MBA graduates. They can work in product marketing, brand management, digital marketing, and market research, among other areas.

    Supply Chain and Operations Management: MBA graduates often find roles in supply chain management, logistics, and operations management. They optimize processes, manage inventory, and ensure efficient production and distribution.

    Human Resources Management: HR professionals with an MBA can take on strategic HR roles, including HR management, organizational development, and talent acquisition.

    Healthcare Management: For those interested in healthcare, an MBA can lead to careers in healthcare administration, hospital management, and healthcare consulting.

    Technology Management: MBA graduates can work in technology companies in roles such as product management, technology consulting, and IT project management.

    Nonprofit and Social Impact: Many nonprofits and organizations focused on social impact value the strategic and leadership skills of MBA graduates. They can work in roles related to program management, fundraising, and social entrepreneurship.

    International Business and Global Expansion: An MBA with a global focus can lead to careers in international business, including global market entry strategies and international business development.

    Government and Public Sector: MBA graduates can pursue careers in government agencies, working on policy development, public administration, and government consulting.

    Education Administration: If interested in the education sector, an MBA can lead to roles in educational administration, curriculum development, and educational leadership.

    Real Estate and Property Management: MBA graduates can explore careers in real estate investment, property management, and real estate development.

  • The Academic and English Language Proficiency entry requirements for the MBA programme.

    Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is typically a fundamental requirement for admission to an MBA programme. Most MBA programmes accept applicants with a wide range of undergraduate majors.

    Work Experience: Our MBA programs prefer applicants to have some work experience, often ranging from 2 to 5 years or more. Work experience is valued because it contributes to classroom discussions and brings real-world perspectives to the programme.

    TOEFL or IELTS (for International Students): If you are an international applicant and English is not your native language, you may need to demonstrate English language proficiency through tests like TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

    Transcripts and Academic Records: You must provide transcripts or academic records from all previous educational institutions you have attended. These documents verify your academic qualifications.

    CV: A current resume or curriculum is required to outline your professional and academic background, work experience, achievements, and relevant skills.

Are you ready for the next step?