Three European business schools, ESSEC Business School, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and the Stockholm School of Economics, have announced the creation of the European Sports Business Programme (ESBP), a new business management executive education offering for leaders interested in the European sports industry.

The sports industry is becoming more digital and more international, and it needs future-proof strategies and experts capable of rising to the challenges posed by the modern era. This new programme has, therefore, been designed for professionals with a growth-oriented mindset and a strong interest in how the European sports industry functions.

The programme is made up of three distinct modules, each taking place in English, in person over the course of three days and in three major cities across Europe. The first programme will begin on 14 February 2024 and will run until late May.

Future-ready leadership

Led by Professor Karoline Strauss, Chair Professor of the ESSEC Sports Chair, Professor Sascha L. Schmidt, Director and Chairholder at WHU’s Center for Sports and Management, and Professor Martin Carlsson-Wall, Director of the Center for Sports and Business at SSE, participants will benefit from a comprehensive experience. They will learn state-of-the-art management strategies and meet with like-minded leaders to build a strong international network of their peers. They will also delve into the pivotal roles that leadership, purpose and culture play in effectively managing change in sports organisations.

“As the sports industry continues to evolve in a digital, globalised landscape, there’s an increasing demand for leaders with strategic acumen and strong leadership capabilities. The European Sports Business Programme (ESBP) is truly innovative and designed to empower professionals with the skills and insights needed to tackle the challenges of the modern sports industry. Through this programme, we aim to nurture future leaders who can not only adapt to this ever-changing landscape but also drive it forward,” said Professor Karoline Strauss.

Sport is central to ESSEC Business School

Excellence, teamwork, pushing one’s limits: the values promoted by sports resonate with ESSEC’s own values. That’s why ESSEC has been developing programmes and courses in sports business for over 20 years, with the creation of its first Chair in International Sports Marketing in 2001 and the launch of its new Sports Chair in 2020.

“We aim to provide our participants with a forward-thinking perspective that prepares them to seize opportunities and manage risks in the changing sports industry,” said Professor Sascha L. Schmidt.

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