Sports management degree alums from the University of Liverpool Management School are using their business knowledge to land top jobs in the sports industry
Liverpool is a city bursting with sporting activities, from the rivalry between Everton and Liverpool clubs to Aintree Racecourse, which holds the annual Grand National steeplechase. So, it's no surprise that the University of Liverpool is a global center for sports and football business research and executive education.
The Center for Sports Business at the University of Liverpool Management School offers a range of masters degree programs in the business of sports, football, and horse racing, including the Master of Science (MSc) in Sports Business and Management and the Football Industries MBA.
Here’s how two alums from the Liverpool Center of Sports Business used their sports management degrees to land jobs in the sports industry.
From Football Industries MBA to football agency founder
Mario de Rossi's obsession with football and lifelong dream to become a football agent led him to the University of Liverpool Football Industries MBA.
Mario grew up supporting his hometown club of Foggia in Southern Italy and longed to work in football in some capacity. At first, it was as a player, but after tearing his ACL, he decided on a different path into the sports industry.
"I always wanted to be an agent, delivering deals, changing people's lives, improving their lives," he explains.
Before his MBA, Mario worked in Italy as a sports lawyer but felt that something was missing. This is when he decided to pursue his passion of becoming a football agent.
He chose the University of Liverpool Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) because it was the world's only football-specific MBA, and he was excited to learn with a diverse network of nationalities.
The Liverpool Football Industries MBA focuses on core elements like leadership, strategic management of the environment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and managing financial resources. The football MBA also has a strong emphasis on interactive teaching and learning.
After starting the Football Industries MBA, Mario quickly affirmed his position as a high achiever. After six months, he became captain of the Football Industries MBA football team and the worldwide ambassador of the sports management degree program—a position he still holds.
"The most interesting part of the MBA was meeting professionals working in the sports industry, hearing their experiences, and finding out tips to developing our own career path," Mario says.
Mario enhanced several skills during the MBA, including management, negotiation, and finance skills. He also enjoyed combining industry-specific courses in topics like the International Football Industry alongside more general business courses like Marketing and Supply Chain Management.
During Mario's work-based project, a work experience option Liverpool offers as an alternative to a thesis, he moved to Bilbao in Spain and worked as a marketing intern at the Athletic club.
He started working as an agent six months later and founded a successful agency, MdR Sports Management.
"I started working as an agent recruiting young male and female talents. I work with different clubs to move players and take care of international deals—from Mexico to Poland to Lazio and Napoli," he says.
Mario emphasizes that the sports industry is a challenging and competitive industry, and he has had deals fall through and change. However, he believes these experiences are essential for growth, citing inspirational leaders like Nelson Mandela's infamous quote, "I never lose. I either win or I learn".
Mario says the business and personal skills his MBA gave him allowed him to achieve his dream of becoming a sports agent.
"It was one of, if not the best, experience—it changed my life.”
Using a sports management degree to launch into a sports analyst career
Ben Stevenson, a Sport Business and Management MSc graduate, is a sports analyst at SportBusiness—a sports industry publication he read avidly before and during his sports management degree at Liverpool.
The Liverpool Sports Business and Management MSc covers the global context of sports business, sports marketing and sponsorship, and leadership in sport.
Before his sports management degree, Ben worked as a financial trader for two years. During this time, he read SportsBusiness every day and realized his passion for the sports industry. He says he decided to apply to Liverpool because of its accreditation and connections with local sports clubs.
The University of Liverpool Management School holds the gold standard 'triple-crown' accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS—the three largest business school accreditation associations.
During his sports management degree, Ben connected with David Cockayne, a senior marketing lecturer, who introduced him to people in the sports business industry.
He adds that a highlight of his sports master’s degree was being taught by visiting industry professionals.
"We were able to interact with them on a personal basis after they'd given the talk and then connect with them on LinkedIn," Ben says.
In the Sports Marketing and Sponsorship module, each student worked on a marketing plan designed to increase Everton Football Club’s exposure in the US. The course leader, David, then selected the best plans to present to the head of marketing at Everton.
"A lot of the sports master's degree was about combining theory with the real world, practicalities of the industry,” Ben says.
Ben now works in the research team at SportsBusiness, where he maintains the database, coordinates research projects, and works closely with big-name clients like Sky Sports.
His main advice to students wanting to land jobs in the sports industry is to network as much as possible.
"You never know who will end up helping you, or who you can seek help from for a project or your future career progression," Ben says. "It's a great industry for anyone lucky enough to get into it."
Ben says that although he had a passion for the sports industry, his career dreams wouldn't have felt possible without his sports management degree.
Well I won't tell you about all the great things about this university. But I'll just tell you my honest experience about it.
I have visited almost all the places here. This university knows how take care of their students. Be it any aspect, be it career and placement department, be it societies, be it organising committees, they know what all issues a student can face and they are ready with the solutions already.
Professors here are so welcoming. You can literarily bother them ample number of times but they will still be so nice with you. They actually put a lot of efforts to make letures more fun. They try their best to focus on each and every student and check if they are comfortable or now.
Coming to the offerings. They know that there will be a lot of international students and there will be a lot of issues they will face in adjustment over here. So they organised a lot of events, distributed a lot of free vouchers just to make students feel welcomed over here.
Trust me if you are looking for a Uni for yourself or for someone, do add this one on your priority list.
Hani
Verified
26/09/2023
On Campus
Fantastic school
The lecturers are incredibly experienced in their field of study, and it shows when they teach. They know what they are talking about, and that instills a level of trust that you have made the right choice coming to this university. They are supportive and charismatic - exactly how lecturers should be!
The accommodation is all fantastic too. Homely, comfortable, so close to campus. Even Greenbank, which is a 15 minute bus journey from campus, has its perks (heavily discounted bus pass - from £400 to £60 and free gym membership).
There are so many societies too! Literally one for everything. During the society fair, they were all so welcoming which is so great to see.
The lecture theatres are all top-notch too. It feels so modernistic. It really feels like I have had a big step up from sixth form to university. I made the right choice by coming to UoL!
Keira
Verified
10/09/2023
On Campus
Original RedBrick Review!!
The Marketing Course at this uni a great course with exceptional industry connections - for example a brand assessment centre from The Hut Group and an assessment centre at Anfield Football Stadium! The campus is great as it is all connected and everything can be found there - so whether you are a Starbucks or Cafe Nero kind of person the campus has everything. Freshers is great with campus tours, city walks and course talks to connect you with fellow coursemates. Halls was also a great experience - I loved the halls packs where you can get free tshirts, baking kits and we even got free dominoes pizzas!!
Francesca
Verified
5/09/2023
On Campus
Enjoyed every aspect of it!
My experience studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool has been amazing! All the lecturers and students have been so lovely and helpful. The management school building is my favourite place to study. I would recommend studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool because the content is so engaging and the assignments are creative.
Ramy
Verified
11/07/2023
Online
Quality
Perfect learning methodologies and curriculums, the most i liked about my learning experience with University of Liverpool is the professionalism, in delivering the subjects and helping the students gaining more knowledge.
Jessica
Verified
30/04/2023
On Campus
Amazing course
The marketing course at UOL is great the lecturers are helpful and provide in-person and online resources to succeed in assignments, and the careers department is extremely helpful. The modules are all relevant and have expanded my understanding of the marketing industry and consumer behaviour, social media and so on
Imogen
Verified
30/04/2023
On Campus
The Best Experience
Currently in my Second Year studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool. Due to the big student culture in Liverpool, you soon feel completely at ease and at home. Staff are extremely helpful - there is always opportunities to ask for additional support/guidance. Each module is clear and well organised - this definitely helps in first year when it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with the new workload. It’s very easy to find your way around due to it being a campus university as everything is in close proximity. I lived at Greenbank accommodation in my first year and the staff are so helpful and make you feel very well settled. There is a huge community feel and the modules are interactive meaning making friends is much easier and a lot less intimidating. If you’re considering attending this university and I honestly couldn’t recommend more - you’ll have the best experience!
Student
Verified
6/02/2023
On Campus
Culture
One of my favourite things about this university is the diversity of its people. I met so many different people during my time here, from all different backgrounds and experiences. Not only did these people provide me with insight and knowledge into their own cultures and beliefs, they also allowed me to learn about and understand different ways of life that I would have otherwise never been exposed to. The tutors were also incredibly supportive on this course and allowed me to excel.
India
Verified
29/11/2022
On Campus
Great university!
I did my undergrad in film studies at LJMU and I honestly could not recommend it enough. It has the perfect mix of practical and theory work that prepares you for any job possible in the film industry, from lighting tech to AD. The university lecturers were also very attentive, and I felt comfortable enough with them to seek their help if I ever had an issue or concern, academic or personal. LJMU gave me experiences I would not have got anywhere else, offering summer placements completely free that broadened my horizons. The fact the campus is interspersed around the city also makes it very convenient.
Student
Verified
27/12/2023
On Campus
Law Program
UoL has been a great school to attend so far. I attend UoL's campus in the Cayman Islands, Truman Bodden Law School. Being on such a small island, it has been great with the personal face-to-face with lecturers in understanding topics.
Karan
Verified
28/09/2023
On Campus
My experience in UOL
Well I won't tell you about all the great things about this university. But I'll just tell you my honest experience about it.
I have visited almost all the places here. This university knows how take care of their students. Be it any aspect, be it career and placement department, be it societies, be it organising committees, they know what all issues a student can face and they are ready with the solutions already.
Professors here are so welcoming. You can literarily bother them ample number of times but they will still be so nice with you. They actually put a lot of efforts to make letures more fun. They try their best to focus on each and every student and check if they are comfortable or now.
Coming to the offerings. They know that there will be a lot of international students and there will be a lot of issues they will face in adjustment over here. So they organised a lot of events, distributed a lot of free vouchers just to make students feel welcomed over here.
Trust me if you are looking for a Uni for yourself or for someone, do add this one on your priority list.
Hani
Verified
26/09/2023
On Campus
Fantastic school
The lecturers are incredibly experienced in their field of study, and it shows when they teach. They know what they are talking about, and that instills a level of trust that you have made the right choice coming to this university. They are supportive and charismatic - exactly how lecturers should be!
The accommodation is all fantastic too. Homely, comfortable, so close to campus. Even Greenbank, which is a 15 minute bus journey from campus, has its perks (heavily discounted bus pass - from £400 to £60 and free gym membership).
There are so many societies too! Literally one for everything. During the society fair, they were all so welcoming which is so great to see.
The lecture theatres are all top-notch too. It feels so modernistic. It really feels like I have had a big step up from sixth form to university. I made the right choice by coming to UoL!
Keira
Verified
10/09/2023
On Campus
Original RedBrick Review!!
The Marketing Course at this uni a great course with exceptional industry connections - for example a brand assessment centre from The Hut Group and an assessment centre at Anfield Football Stadium! The campus is great as it is all connected and everything can be found there - so whether you are a Starbucks or Cafe Nero kind of person the campus has everything. Freshers is great with campus tours, city walks and course talks to connect you with fellow coursemates. Halls was also a great experience - I loved the halls packs where you can get free tshirts, baking kits and we even got free dominoes pizzas!!
Francesca
Verified
5/09/2023
On Campus
Enjoyed every aspect of it!
My experience studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool has been amazing! All the lecturers and students have been so lovely and helpful. The management school building is my favourite place to study. I would recommend studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool because the content is so engaging and the assignments are creative.
Ramy
Verified
11/07/2023
Online
Quality
Perfect learning methodologies and curriculums, the most i liked about my learning experience with University of Liverpool is the professionalism, in delivering the subjects and helping the students gaining more knowledge.
Jessica
Verified
30/04/2023
On Campus
Amazing course
The marketing course at UOL is great the lecturers are helpful and provide in-person and online resources to succeed in assignments, and the careers department is extremely helpful. The modules are all relevant and have expanded my understanding of the marketing industry and consumer behaviour, social media and so on
Imogen
Verified
30/04/2023
On Campus
The Best Experience
Currently in my Second Year studying Marketing at the University of Liverpool. Due to the big student culture in Liverpool, you soon feel completely at ease and at home. Staff are extremely helpful - there is always opportunities to ask for additional support/guidance. Each module is clear and well organised - this definitely helps in first year when it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with the new workload. It’s very easy to find your way around due to it being a campus university as everything is in close proximity. I lived at Greenbank accommodation in my first year and the staff are so helpful and make you feel very well settled. There is a huge community feel and the modules are interactive meaning making friends is much easier and a lot less intimidating. If you’re considering attending this university and I honestly couldn’t recommend more - you’ll have the best experience!
Student
Verified
6/02/2023
On Campus
Culture
One of my favourite things about this university is the diversity of its people. I met so many different people during my time here, from all different backgrounds and experiences. Not only did these people provide me with insight and knowledge into their own cultures and beliefs, they also allowed me to learn about and understand different ways of life that I would have otherwise never been exposed to. The tutors were also incredibly supportive on this course and allowed me to excel.
