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The American Court Jeske is another FIFA Master alumnus who has had an impressive career in sports business. Graduated in 2004, he has worked for the last six years at the Major League Soccer (MLS) and its marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing (SUM), where he has just been promoted to the position of Vice President of International Business. Before joining the MLS, Court has also worked at the US Soccer Federation and USA Rugby.

 Apart from the MLS, SUM has other key clients including the United States Soccer Federation, The Mexican Football Federation, and CONCACAF, which makes Court’s job a complex and interesting one. “The best part of my job is that on daily basis I am focused on growing the sport of soccer in North America while working with key stakeholders from all over the globe”, he says.

 Today, one of MLS’s biggest challenges is to manage exponential growth in a proper way. “As our sport continues to expand it is critical that we make choices that are best for the long term viability of our enterprise.  Obviously, those choices extend beyond our hemisphere into the global marketplace”, Court expounds.

 Before starting the FIFA Master, back in 2003, Court already had some experience working in sports. “Before joining the programme, I had the opportunity to work for an MLS club and USSF”, he remembers. Although he had that previous experience, he stresses that “the FIFA Master has been vital and provided me a fantastic set of tools and experiences to use on a daily basis”. Court graduated more than 10 years ago, but his relationship with the FIFA Master never ended: “Just about every week I have interaction with alumni at some level.  In many cases, we might not know each other, but reach out through our alumni portal or introductions from mutual friends.  Having a unique shared experience immediately gives you a level of understanding and trust that cannot be replicated”, he explains.

 FMA Quarterly: Explain to us what you do as Vice President, International Business.

Court Jeske: Soccer United Marketing (SUM) sits as the commercial arm of Major League Soccer.  We have key clients including the United States Soccer Federation, The Mexican Football Federation, and CONCACAF.  In addition to delivering key events for our core partners, we ensure that we are providing added value to our 20 clubs and their venues.  We are also increasingly involved in what I will call an “export business” as the global opportunity for MLS and our clubs continues to grow.

 FMAQ: How relevant for an American sports league  (like the MLS or the NBA) is a diploma taught in Europe, such as the FIFA Master (what are its strong points, in your view)?  

CJ: The experience that the FIFA Master provided has been invaluable for my career.  Aside from the educational foundation it provided me, I now have contacts throughout the world from my edition of the program, plus a much wider network of 300+ alumni throughout the global sports world.

FMAQ: The hiring of some of soccer's super stars not only promotes the sport in the US but also pushes the league internationally. Can you tell us about the MLS plan of internationalisation?

CJ: The growth of our league continues to be accelerated by star players making MLS their league of choice.  Kaka, David Villa, Clint Dempsey, and Sebastien Giovinco have all recently chosen to apply their trade in North America.  When you combine those superstars with our new international media partner IMG, you can see a robust opportunity for MLS to expand.

FMAQ: What are your best memories of the Master?  

CJ: The time outside the classroom- with my fellow 25 classmates.  There was never a shortage of events, activities, sports, or lively discussions to be had.  I learned as much from them- likely more- as I did in the classroom.

 FMAQ: Any advice for those currently doing the course? 

CJ: Enjoy every minute of it and be sure to learn as much from your classmates as you do from the curriculum.  With each edition having 25- 30 students, from nearly as many countries, I have fond memories of the cultural background and experience that each of my classmates brought.

SHORT PROFILE

Courtney Jeske, 36, American

Married to Ryan, with one daughter – Penelope, less than one year old

Vice President, International Business at Major League Soccer/ Soccer United Marketing  

Favourite sport: Well, I do work at Major League Soccer… I also enjoy Basketball and American Football.

Favourite team: The US National Soccer Team and of course my alma matter The University of Oklahoma Sooners.

Most memorable sporting moment: In recent memory, it would have to be the 2014 FIFA World Cup and seeing the US score a goal in the first minute of their first match.  The second part of this memory would be coming home from Brazil to see how America had embraced the team – that was truly special