LALIGA and ATP launch an MBA for elite athletes

LALIGA and the ATP, two global powerhouses in the sports industry, have joined forces to present a pioneering initiative: the first international MBA in sports management created exclusively for elite athletes and former professionals. The programme is developed and coordinated by LALIGA BUSINESS SCHOOL, the educational branch of LALIGA, in collaboration with the ATP, governing body of men’s professional tennis.

The inaugural edition, set to begin in January 2026, will offer 30 places: 10 reserved for active or former ATP Tour tennis players, 10 for professional footballers—either currently active or retired—and 10 for other high-performance athletes or former elite competitors. The programme will follow a hybrid format, combining online classes with three intensive in-person sessions in Madrid, scheduled to align with the competitive calendars of the participating athletes. Entirely delivered in English, the programme will span ten months, concluding in October 2026.

This master’s programme builds upon the existing educational alliance between the ATP and LALIGA, which began three years ago with the launch of the "ATP & LALIGA Business Education Programme"—an executive course that has successfully completed three editions, drawing participation from nearly sixty tennis players.

Now, LALIGA and the ATP are taking a step further with an MBA designed not only to support athletes in their professional transitions but also to actively contribute to the professionalisation of the global sports industry.

"The sports industry needs managers who truly understand it from within, from the perspective of high-performance experience. This MBA responds to that need and aims to support athletes in their journey toward new professional roles. Having the ATP as a strategic partner in this unique, pioneering project adds further prestige and international reach," says José Moya, Director of LALIGA BUSINESS SCHOOL.

Fernando Sanchez, ATP SVP Player Relations, said: “We’re always thinking about how to support our players beyond their time on court. This MBA is a big step in that direction. It’s designed specifically for elite athletes, by people who understand the world they’re coming from, and will give them the tools, confidence and connections to succeed in the next chapter of their careers. We’re proud to be building this alongside LALIGA, and proud to be investing in the long-term futures of our players.”

 

The academic structure is inspired by the model of the International MBA in Sports and Entertainment Management from LALIGA BUSINESS SCHOOL, which has trained over 200 students across five editions. This new programme incorporates the rigour and methodology of elite sports training—progression, variety, repetition, specificity, and recovery—crafting a unique learning experience that mirrors the core principles of high-performance preparation.

The master’s programme will include six modules, real-world case studies, individual mentoring sessions, and a final project directly applicable to the sports industry.

This new initiative underlines the shared commitment of LALIGA and the ATP to advancing the global professionalisation of sport through education—this time, led by and for elite athletes.