In Focus: The FBA - Real World Experience
Pablo Arquero is a 3rd Edition Alumnus from The FBA Professional Master in Football Business, graduating in 2019. Now working as Head of Sponsorship for Real Betis, he tells fcbusiness how his education is helping him succeed in this ever-growing industry.
What was different about The FBA that made the programme stand out and convinced you to pursue a career in the football industry?
The sports industry is very niche and relatively small, unlike what most people tend to think. So, when I decided to switch career paths, I already had professional experience, but I needed to complement it with networking opportunities and gain insights into the football industry to effectively apply my previously acquired skills.
With this in mind, I searched for a Masters programme that could be completed within one year, with half of that time compatible with my working hours—making it very convenient financially.
Additionally, I wanted a programme that offered a combination of networking opportunities and professional internships. I found all of these aspects in The FBA.
What are your role and responsibilities at Real Betis?
I am the Head of Sponsorship within the club’s commercial and marketing department, reporting to the Commercial Director, but I started as an International Business Development Manager. Whilst my responsibilities have not changed that much, the club structure has. There are now more peers, more markets to cover and definitely higher targets to accomplish.
How did your studies help prepare you for your role at Real Betis?
The FBA has a great line-up of professors. It’s very helpful to understand how the entire industry ecosystem works, rather than being confined to a single entity, league, or country. Additionally, your own educational background, professional experience, personality and ambition are key to succeeding. I believe that the networking opportunities on one side and The FBA spirit – meaning how supportive the staff remains after graduation, are the most relevant factors that pushed and helped me to get to where I am today.
What elements of The FBA’s educational method do you think helped prepare you for working in the football industry?
If I had to list the most impactful experiences and learnings, those would be:
– 360-degree theoretical learnings on the industry: Very helpful for defining your own profile and determining where you would like to develop your career afterwards.
– Professors and lecturers from different leagues, backgrounds, nationalities and ages, enriching the content of classes.
– Exposure to various nationalities within your intake: This broadens your mind and occasionally leads you to develop an appreciation for, or discover another great club or sport.
– And obviously, The FBA staff. I believe that maintaining the characteristic culture of service, assistance and ongoing support for past, current and future students will become a challenge for the institution as it grows. However, it has become a trademark of The FBA and is key to preserve. It has been several years since my graduation, and I am still in touch, both digitally and physically, with them year after year.
What would be your advice to anyone looking to enhance their career in football through further education?
Football, and the sports industry in general, are becoming increasingly professionalised. Therefore, education is more crucial than ever to maintain an updated profile aligned with current trends and challenges, and to be profitable for the organisation you would be working for.
While connections remain important, they are no longer the sole determining factor, as may have been the case a few decades ago. Inform yourself about the different available Masters programmes and try to apply for the best one that fits your needs.
Discover More:
Download the brochure of The FBA’s Professional Master in Football Business: the-fba.com/download-brochure
Applications for the next FBA Edition are now open. Find out what you need to start here: the-fba.com/apply/
