The program is aimed at those looking to start or advance their career in the business side of the football industry.

Key Benefits of the program include:

• World class curriculum and teaching by faculty from the the top football clubs, governing bodies, sports brands, media outlets and athlete representation firms worldwide.
  
  
• Peer-to-peer learning through virtual lectures, online classroom discussion groups, project reviews and 360° feedback.
  
  
• Course includes enrollment to the ""Career Development in Football" Mentorship Program.  Click on "Career Paths" tab for further informtion. 
  
  
• Selective entrance criterion ensuring quality for the program and optimizing networking opportunities
  
  
• Includes study trip in Barcelona and graduation ceremony - Summer 2018 (air fare and accommodation excluded)

Candidates will be prepared to influence and lead change across all sectors within football. You will hone your leadership through a highly personalized development program to be equipped with a powerful combination of strong business acumen and real-life knowledge about the football industry. 

To ensure you are fully prepared for a wide range of professional challenges, the course curriculum covers all business areas across the football industry.

The well-rounded curriculum is divided into three terms that cover the following areas:

TERM 1

1. Introduction to the Business of Football
2. Football Marketing & Sponsorship
3. CRM and Data Analytics in Football
4. Stadium Management and Club Operations in Football
5. Financial Management in Football

TERM 2

6. Digital Business Management in Football 
7. Digital Marketing, Monitoring & Monetization in Football
8. Football Fan Engagement and Community Relations
9. Media and Communications in Football
10. Emerging Markets in Football

TERM 3

11. Performance Management in Football
12. Football HR and Career Management
13. Player Representation in the Football Industry
14. Football Law and Legislation
15. Athlete Brand Management in Football
16. Final Project

As an optional complement to the program we offer you the possibility of attending a corporate football tour and graduation ceremony in Barcelona consisting of the following:

Studying the Certificate in Football Business Management Online you will benefit from the latest technology-enabled education. Our interactive methodology combines live web conferences led by top football industry professionals with an integral online platform through which the contents of the program are delivered.

The guest lecturers for the Certificate in Football Business Management are leaders in their fields. Many of them have experience working in the top football clubs in the world and others have active consulting practices and other businesses within the football industry.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS FOR THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• Claudio Borges - Digital Business, CRM and Analytics Manager at City Football Group (Manchester City, NYCFC, Melbourne FC)
• Joaquim Cardona - Former Head of Digital Business at FC Barcelona
• Richard Clarke - Former Managing Editor at Arsenal FC
• Mark Davies - Global Head of Partnerships, Swansea City FC
• Ornella Desirée Bellia - Judge of the FIFA players' status sub-committee, FIFA
• Marios Christodoulou - Operations Manager at APOEL FC
• Matthew Buck - Director of Player Management at The PFA (Professional Footballers' Association)
• Grant Downie, OBE - Head of Performance at the Academy of Manchester City FC
• Bas Schnater - Fan Engagement, CRM & Digital at AZ Alkmaar
• Pedro Iriondo - Senior Consultant - Senior Business Consultant Sports Practice - KPMG Football Benchmark
• Mario Leo - CEO and Founder -Result Sports 
• Darren Simmons - Managing Director, The Executives in Sports Group
• Professor Chris Brady, Director, Centre for Sports Business, University of Salford Manchester (Co-author of Carlo Ancelotti's book "Quiet Leadership")

The broad expertise of the guest speakers creates a learning environment with great industry depth and range to provide students with real-life cases and best-practices from across the football industry. 

The program is led by Diego Valdes, Director at the Sports Business Institute Barcelona and Tony Faulkner, Co-Founder of Visionary Sports Investment and former Performance Manager at Manchester City Football Club.

Together they have provided training to executives from across the football industry at a global level including clubs, federations, and media outlets such as FIFA, Club Wembley, Liverpool FC, Manchester United, Manchester City FC, West Ham United,PSG, Inter Milan, Juventus, Galatasaray,the Mexican Football Federation among numerous other top sports properties.

Our team is dedicated to connecting students with a wide range of executives and employers from across the football industry to build your network and optimize your career opportunities.

The program also includes enrollment to the "Career Development in Football" Mentorship Program. It is an eight-month program done in parallel with the course that includes a series of workshops and individual sessions that are tailored to the specific aspirations of each candidate based on his/her specific career goals, age, geographical location, previous experience, background and overall motivations of working within the football industry. 

Students will also have access to several sporting recruitment firms which regularly advertise vacancies in the football industry at a worldwide level. 

As alumni you will receive the following services:

- Access to programs and workshops with industry executives
- Recruiting events in football
- Individual career advising
- Lifelong support as alumni
 

An internship provides students with hands-on practice and valuable industry experience. As a student of the Certificate in Football Business Management you will develop in-depth knowledge in all areas of the football industry increasing your value across all sectors.
 

You will have the support of our staff in helping you find the perfect internship opportunity to show your potential to employers across the football industry.

Although internships are not guaranteed in the program, numerous candidates have gone on to secure them based on different criteria such as age, prior experience in the industry and geographical location. 

Admission Requirements

Below you will find the criteria required to be admitted to the Certificate in Football Business Management Online.

• Bachelor’s degree, diploma or equivalent
• CV/Resume and cover letter
• Advanced level of English

*Exceptions will be made for individuals with relevant sports industry experience.

Admission Procedure

1. Fill out online registration form on this page

2. Upload your CV and cover letter in English. Cover letter should include your motivations for applying to the program and previous relevant experience.

3. Complete payment online of application fee of 120 Euros by filling out the form on this page and clicking on the "Register" button.

4. Once the application fee payment has been received, a member of our team will contact you to schedule a personal virtual interview with the Program Director(s).

5. Within 48 hours after your interview you will receive a written notice informing you if you have been accepted to the program.

6. Upon acceptance you must complete the payment of the outstanding course tuition balance of 6,080 Euros by bank transfer before October 15th, 2017.  (Bank details will be sent to you via email)

*Application fee is fully refundable for those candidates that are not accepted into the program. 

**To find out more about our payment plan by installments please contact our team at contact@sbibarcelona.com for further details.