Commercial Sports Media is thrilled to be a part of the inaugural European Sports Business Program (ESBP), a collaborative initiative led by some of Europe’s most esteemed business schools: WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, Stockholm School of Economics, and ESSEC Business School. This program, specifically designed for leaders in the sports business, explores strategic foresight, execution, leadership, and the cultural dynamics within the sports industry.

During the initial module at WHU in Dusseldorf, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Sasha L. Schmidt, we immersed ourselves in corporate foresight, delving into strategic uncertainty, assessing opportunities, and mastering effective strategy-making processes. The program equips us with essential skills and offers a unique platform to expand our network by connecting with international peers and industry experts. In Dusseldorf, Richard Morling from CSM together with 28 sports business managers from 6 countries actively participated, representing sports clubs, companies, and organizations such as FC Bayern Munich, Swedish Elite Football, Swedish Hockey League, DFB, DFL, S5, WWP, among others.

The expert sessions were highly valued and featured distinguished speakers such as Alexander Jobst, CEO of Fortuna Dusseldorf; Sebastian Kopper, Head of Research and Innovations at DFB; and Alexander Steinforth, Managing Director of NFL Germany, to name a few.

With a keen emphasis on a growth mindset and a commitment to practical application, ESBP promises to provide us with valuable insights on addressing the evolving challenges in the sports business. Module II is scheduled to take place at the Stockholm School of Economics in March, led by Prof. Martin Carlsson Wall, followed by Module III in Paris under the guidance of Prof. Karoline Strauss at ESSEC.