{"id":44231,"date":"2025-10-31T11:58:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T10:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cruyffalumni.org\/johancruyffinstitute-2026\/how-johan-cruyff-institute-graduates-are-transforming-the-sports-industry\/"},"modified":"2026-08-15T00:31:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T22:31:14","slug":"how-johan-cruyff-institute-graduates-are-transforming-the-sports-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/the-magazine\/sport-management\/how-johan-cruyff-institute-graduates-are-transforming-the-sports-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"How Johan Cruyff Institute graduates are transforming the sports industry"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Seven graduates from the online programs share their work in the sports industry and their academic experience at <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/about-us\/\">Johan Cruyff Institute<\/a><\/h2>\n<p class=\"thevelop-dropcap\">At the latest graduation ceremony for <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/academic-programs\/\">Johan Cruyff Institute\u2019s online programs<\/a>, a new generation of professionals has prepared to contribute to the development of the sports industry. This cohort includes students from countries as diverse as Zambia, Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Belgium, England, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"responsive-video\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/owcgnYfsX-4?si=fvy2h8aJARDk9h2c\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> width=&#8221;560&#8243; height=&#8221;315&#8243; frameborder=&#8221;0&#8243; allowfullscreen=&#8221;allowfullscreen&#8221;><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>In this article, we share seven stories of graduates from the <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/master-in-football-business-online\/\">Master in Football Business Online<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/master-in-sport-business-online\/\">Master in Sport Business Online<\/a> programs. All of them expanded their knowledge of the sports industry by combining theory and practice. Despite coming from different parts of the world and various professional backgrounds, these graduates share a common goal: contributing to the growth and professionalization of the sector.<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-3\"><img data-dominant-color=\"896e5a\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #896e5a;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-45736 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Beauty-Katebe.webp\" alt=\"Beauty Katabe\" width=\"184\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Beauty-Katebe.webp\" sizes=\"(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-9\">\n<h2>Beauty Katebe<br \/>\nFounder of Beka Football Club<\/h2>\n<p>Beka FC is a community football club in Zambia with a social mission: using sport as a tool to take children off the streets. Its founder, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/beauty-katebe-8a315a36\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beauty Katebe<\/a>, joined <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/about-us\/\">Johan Cruyff Institute<\/a> seeking tools to professionalize her project.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/master-in-football-business-online\/\">Master in Football Business Online<\/a> helped me grow the club. It was a very interesting experience because I completed the program while continuing my responsibilities at Beka FC. The master helped me grow professionally, and now I can work more effectively on the club\u2019s project. I had very important experiences: during my internship at the Football Association of Zambia, I had the opportunity to meet FIFA President Gianni Infantino.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-3\"><img data-dominant-color=\"796b6e\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #796b6e;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-45746 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Mark-Parker-1.webp\" alt=\"Mark Parker.\" width=\"184\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Mark-Parker-1.webp\" sizes=\"(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-9\">\n<h2>Mark Parker<br \/>\nTechnical Director at Langley United Soccer Association<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cI come from the technical side of football, and now I am moving toward the business side. The <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/master-in-football-business-online\/\">Master in Football Business Online<\/a> has taught me a lot, and I am impressed with the results,\u201d explains <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mark-parker-chpc-26173122\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mark Parker<\/a>, who has extensive experience in developing Canadian football.<\/p>\n<p>He has worked both at clubs and in national programs, including the men\u2019s U-17 national team, with which he won Olympic medals. About his academic experience, he highlights: \u201cThe teaching staff has been absolutely fantastic. Tutors, professors, and guest speakers dedicate their time to students and guide you throughout the process.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-3\"><img data-dominant-color=\"938685\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #938685;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-45747 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lars-Verdoodt-1.webp\" alt=\"Lars Verdoodt.\" width=\"184\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lars-Verdoodt-1.webp\" sizes=\"(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-9\">\n<h2>Lars Verdoodt<br \/>\nCommercial Manager at OH Leuven<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cI was looking for a program that would give me a deeper theoretical foundation in business in general, and specifically in football,\u201d says <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/in\/lars-verdoodt-1aa795b2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lars Verdoodt<\/a>, current Commercial Manager at OH Leuven, a Belgian football club.<\/p>\n<p>This led him to the <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/master-in-football-business-online\/\">Master in Football Business Online<\/a>, which allowed him to incorporate tools applicable to his daily work: \u201cThe program is challenging, which was exactly what I was looking for. It provides sufficiently deep theory on every specific area of football business. I am very satisfied with the content of the entire program.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-3\"><img data-dominant-color=\"8a7f82\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8a7f82;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-45748 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Andrew-Penn-1.webp\" alt=\"Andrew Penn.\" width=\"184\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Andrew-Penn-1.webp\" sizes=\"(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-9\">\n<h2>Andrew Penn<br \/>\nClub Secretary Assistant at Manchester United<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/andrew-penn-986529170\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Andrew Penn<\/a> has a long-standing career in English football. Before his current role at Manchester United, he worked at Stoke City FC, Blackburn Rovers FC, and The Football Association.<\/p>\n<p>Despite his experience, he explains how the <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/master-in-football-business-online\/\">Master in Football Business Online<\/a> boosted his professional development: \u201cThis program helped me expand my knowledge and apply it to my work. It improved my technical understanding in areas like data science and allowed me to have more informed conversations with other departments within the club.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-3\"><img data-dominant-color=\"8e8181\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8e8181;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-45749 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Javier-Villagarcia-1.webp\" alt=\"Javier Villagarc\u00eda.\" width=\"184\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Javier-Villagarcia-1.webp\" sizes=\"(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-9\">\n<h2>Javier Villagarc\u00eda<br \/>\nCorrespondent in Lyon for EFE News Agency<\/h2>\n<p>The goal of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/javier-villagarcia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Javier Villagarc\u00eda<\/a> in pursuing the <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/master-in-sport-business-online\/\">Master in Sport Business Online<\/a> was to specialize in marketing and sponsorship to strengthen his career as a correspondent for EFE News Agency. \u201cThe program provided me with tools to enter the sports industry and knowledge I didn\u2019t have, especially in the area of strategy. This will help me transition from the editorial world to communication and marketing,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<p>He also highlights the flexibility of the online format: \u201cAs a journalist, I don\u2019t have regular office hours. Being able to choose my schedule for completing assignments and attending webinars was excellent.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-3\"><img data-dominant-color=\"997d70\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #997d70;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-45750 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Eva-Aguirre-1.webp\" alt=\"Eva Aguirre.\" width=\"184\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Eva-Aguirre-1.webp\" sizes=\"(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-9\">\n<h2>Eva Aguirre<br \/>\nSports Broadcaster at Movistar Plus+ (Former Rugby Player)<\/h2>\n<p>At 30 years old, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/eva-aguirre-8253a61b3\/?originalSubdomain=es\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Eva Aguirre<\/a> has an outstanding career in professional rugby: she is a three-time European champion in Rugby XV and a two-time winner of Spain\u2019s Liga Iberdrola.<\/p>\n<p>She joined <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/about-us\/\">Johan Cruyff Institute<\/a> thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/blog-en\/eva-aguirre-enhance-womens-rugby\/\">The Cruyff Athlete Fund scholarship<\/a>, through which she completed the <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/master-in-sport-business-online\/\">Master in Sport Business Online<\/a>. \u201cThe courses they offer are very interesting and up to date with the needs of the sports field,\u201d she notes. She also values the online format: \u201cBeing able to study at any time, using a simple and intuitive platform, made it much easier.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-3\"><img data-dominant-color=\"877b7c\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #877b7c;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-45751 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lars-Carlier-1.webp\" alt=\"Lars Carlier.\" width=\"184\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lars-Carlier-1.webp\" sizes=\"(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-9\">\n<h2>Lars Carlier<br \/>\nCoach and Program Developer at Dutch Total Soccer<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lars-carlier-806705140\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lars Carlier<\/a> has worked in the football industry both in the Netherlands, his home country, and in the United States, where he currently resides and works as a coach and program developer at Dutch Total Soccer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/master-in-sport-business-online\/\">Master in Sport Business Online<\/a> has helped me see sports from a more professional perspective. Before, I focused on organizing sports activities for children, but now I also consider the business side of sports, including long-term planning and strategic management.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seven graduates from the online programs share their work in the sports industry and their academic experience at Johan Cruyff Institute width=&#8221;560&#8243; height=&#8221;315&#8243; frameborder=&#8221;0&#8243; allowfullscreen=&#8221;allowfullscreen&#8221;> In this article, we share [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":47767,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[233,232,227,229],"tags":[616,277,625],"editorial_type":[398,394],"class_list":["post-44231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coaching","category-football-business","category-sport-management","category-sport-marketing","tag-alumni","tag-interviews","tag-videos"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44231"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62917,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44231\/revisions\/62917"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47767"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44231"},{"taxonomy":"editorial_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial_type?post=44231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}