Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and Columbia University have announced a new partnership that will see the team become the exclusive European sports club partner of the school’s sports management graduate program. The first partnership of its kind for the Master of Science program, it will allow Columbia Sports Management students to get a first-hand look into one of the most-popular sports brands in the world. Bayern will provide content for the classroom, including guest lecturers, case studies and other resources that will provide students with further insights into the global sports market, digital media and sports analytics. Dir of the Columbia Master of Science in Sports Management Vince Gennaro said the program, which began its full-time status last fall, will have 135 enrolled students when the semester opens next month. He added that with the program putting further emphasis on the global sports landscape, the partnership is a perfect fit. Gennaro: "We recognize how the sports world is shrinking, and how the lines that once separated the U.S. and international sports business worlds are evaporating. It’s one thing to talk about European and international club business, or just discuss it in textbooks, but when we can take students to Munich, or bring Bayern Munich’s brand and execs here, it provides our students with a real, deep look into one of the world’s greatest club brands.” For Bayern, it also furthers the club’s global ambitions. Bayern U.S. Managing Dir Rudolf Vidal said that the partnership can help to provide access to additional networks and faculty, supporting its efforts to continue to build the club’s brand in the U.S. With Bayern set to tour the U.S. next summer, the club also will look to leverage the partnership to provide insights and initiatives that will further integrate with the tour. Vidal: "To have two great global brands like this working together, we’re very excited by the possibilities that can come out of this."
