Miami has recently become the epicenter for one of the most globalized sports: fútbol (or, soccer). In 2023, David Beckham (former soccer superstar and co-owner of Inter Miami Fútbol Club) brought Argentinian icon Lionel Messi to the South Florida soccer club. In July 2024, Miami hosted the Copa América Final between Colombia and Argentina, and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) has scheduled seven matches in Miami for the 2026 World Cup. Exciting news, but how does higher ed fit into the picture?
Well, higher ed in the U.S. already has a practice of combining scholar and athlete on campus through specialized credit-based and non-credit degrees and certifications in sports management and medicine. Furthermore, in Argentina, the Instituto Universitario River Plate has several non-credit programs that provide insights into sports like tennis and soccer (e.g., Diplomatura en deportes de campo dividido. La enseñza de tenis.; Diplomatura la enseñanza del fútbol en niñas y niños y adolecentes.)
So, when professors, Dr. Eduardo Gamarra (professor of political science), Dr. Anthony Pereira (Director of LACC), and Dr. Gabriela Hoberman (Director of Academic Programs at LACC) saw the sudden growth of soccer in Miami, and the international attention it garnered, they wanted FIU to be a part of it.
Over a 6-month period they collaborated with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to develop a 10-module, non-credit, hybrid curriculum called the Global Executive Program on Sports Leadership. I sat down with Dr. Hoberman and Dr. Pereira to find out more.
From left to right: Dr. Anthony Pereira, Dr. Eduardo Gamarra, and Dr. Gabriela Hoberman
Insider Scoop
Dr. Pereira and Dr. Hoberman enthusiastically explained that the sports industry has become so much more than just watching a game. Today, sports are more complex, requiring knowledge of physiology, coaching, stadium security, immense data analysis (e.g., performance indicators), stadium volume/sound control, marketing, branding, community outreach and recruiting, fan engagement, and social sustainability (i.e., considering local communities when making business decisions). Because of the profession’s broad scope, the AFA-FIU Sports Leadership certificate was designed with breadth in mind, rather than the specialized depth of some other university certificates.
Both sports novices and mid-career professionals, FIU and non-FIU students, interested in learning from experts in the industry can benefit from participating. Each module features between 1-5 speakers, and concludes with a quiz to help students retain key information.
To reach a global market, the program is simultaneously translated into Spanish or English depending on the speaker’s language. Some of the stellar guests in this first iteration include Marisabel Muñoz, Senior Vice President of Communications at Major League Soccer (MLS); Tiago Pinto, Chief Marketing Officer of the Marlins; Leandro Petersen, AFA Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer; Javier Zanetti, Former AFA Captain and AFA Legend; Kyle Russell, Head Men’s Soccer Coach at FIU; Jonathan Garbar, Head Women’s Soccer Coach at FIU; Bernardo Romeo, AFA Youth National Teams Coordinator; and Emilio Garcia Duarte, Head of Marketing for NBA LATAM.
Dr. Pereira and Dr. Hoberman said they received tremendous interest from FIU students seeking to register. Dr. Hoberman noted one of the beauties of this program is that students can access recorded content even after they complete the course, allowing them to frequently reference valuable insights. In addition, the full program will soon be available on-demand for new participants to enroll in for an entire year. She praised FIU’s IT team for making this access possible, and making the program’s quality outstanding.
I asked both professors if the program provided value beyond just informational. For example, could it eventually lead to student internships with the AFA, or networking opportunities? They both emphatically said they saw FIU and this certificate program as a bridge between students and the sports industry. Toward that end, each module is followed by a Q&A session where attendees are encouraged to engage with presenters by introducing themselves and asking questions.A networking event with former Argentine soccer player Javier Zanetti occurred in August, and another exciting opportunity with the world-renowned Argentine soccer manager Lionel Scaloni took place in October.
All students who complete the professional program receive a certificate, along with prestigious affiliation to AFA and FIU. They also noted how the program’s reputation is bolstered by Spanish media coverage, including representatives like TV, radio host, and Inter Miami Spokesperson, Fernando Fiore; Global Anchor and Sports Broadcaster at MLS on Apple TV, Bruno Vain; journalist/news correspondent, Paola Sana; and legendary broadcaster and acclaimed play-by-play announcer on Fox Sports, Luis Omar Tapia.
Both Dr. Pereira and Dr. Hoberman are hopeful all these efforts, and future improvements based on student feedback, will help those interested in starting or furthering their careers in the exciting world of soccer and the sports industry.
To learn more about the Global Executive Program on Sports Leadership and to register click here.
To read the FIU Press Release about the program’s release, click here.
To stay up to date on all things LACC, follow them on Instagram @fiulacc, and visit their website by clicking here.