Football Industries MBA

Football Industries MBA (FIMBA)

The MBA (Football Industries) program at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, was the first, and is currently the only MBA focusing on the business and management of Football. It was established by Dr Rogan Taylor of the Football Research Unit in 1997 following a period of consultancy with football executives from clubs and governing bodies who believed that a formal postgraduate qualification in the business of football was essential for the new commercialized football industry.

The first cohort of students graduated (under then Director of Studies, Dr Rory Miller) in December 1998 and went on to work for companies including Liverpool FC, the Football Association and Deloittes Sports Business Group. Over 300 students have graduated from the MBA(FI), many of whom have gone on to work in football and other sports around the world and the MBA continues to attract students from around the world (especially Brazil, Mexico, North America, Japan, China and South Korea as well as all over Europe).

In 1999 the CBA (Football Industries) programme was launched (for students wishing to specialise in the Football Industry but whom already possessed an MBA), and in 2004 a part-time version of the MBA(FI) was launched. In 2008 Brian Barwick (former CEO of the FA) joined the MBA(FI) team as a Professor in Strategic Management. 2008 also saw the launch of the Fimba Alumni Association (FAA).

Staff teaching on the MBA(FI)

• Dr Geoff Pearson – Director of Studies and Lecturer in Law
• Dr Rogan Taylor – Director of FIG, Placement Coordinator and Lecturer in Football and the Media
• Dr Roger Levermore – Lecturer in International Development
• Dr Rory Miller – Lecturer in Football Finance and Latin American expert
• Liz Crolley – Lecturer in Football Marketing and Sponsorship
• Professor Brian Barwick – Professor of Strategic Management
• Professor Tom Cannon – Lecturer in Sports Finance and Economics
• Phil Thompson – Visiting Fellow

Structure of the MBA

• Core Module: Managing Financial Resources, Managing the Environment, Managing People, Managing Change, International Football Industry, Football and the Law, Football and Finance
• Elective Modules: Football Marketing and Sponsorship, Football and the Media, Management Game
• Students also have to write a 15,000 word dissertation

Students on the MBA(FI) also benefit from a Guest Speaker Programme and a Placement Scheme.

Since its inception, MBA(FI) graduates have gone on to work for (amongst others): Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Celtic, Everton, Wigan Athletic, MK Dons, FIFA, UEFA, AFC, FA, Football League, SPL, Baltic League, J-League, Octagon, Sportfive, Sport+Markt, MP&Silva, Traffic, ESPN, Yahoo!, Red Bull, LG, Diageo, Nike, Prozone and Soccerex.

External links

• 1 Liverpool University