Leveraging international partnerships for sport management programs and soccer Brand expansion

Abstract

This article examines the efficacy of educational partnerships by sport management and business programs with professional sports clubs. We utilize a case study of the Lock Haven University partnership with Wolverhampton Wanderers of the Premier League in England which was formed in 2019. Both organizations are seeking to expand their footprint, particularly in the North American marketplace. We view the partnership from the lens of value adding for students and for professional sports organizations. Further discussions of leveraging other relationships for student project work, study abroad and internships are also made in our presentation.

Keywords:

• Educational partnership
• sport management
• sport marketing
• soccer
• branding

Disclosure statement

Lock Haven University’s Stephen Poorman College of Business, Information Systems and Human Services, where all authors are employed, formed an educational partnership with Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2019. No financial exchange has been made as part of the partnership.