LALIGA Business School and ATP promote debate on the professional future of athletes after their active ca-reers

LALIGA headquarters hosted a conference organised by LALIGA Business School, the educational department of LALIGA, and the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) to discuss the importance of training for athletes, especially in the post-retirement stage. José Moya, director of LALIGA Business School, and Juanjo Martín, Player Relations Manager at ATP Tour, opened the event by highlighting LALIGA's commitment to education, which is considered one of the organisation's top priorities.

The session brought together four former athletes and elite athletes: Tommy Robredo (tennis), Miguel Torres (football), Javier Beirán (basketball) and Adi (Paralympic athletics), who shared their personal experiences of the transition from high performance to new professional careers.

During the meeting, the participants agreed on the need to offer academic tools that help athletes prepare for the future, strengthening their employability and leadership outside of competition.

The event also served to highlight the new MBA in Sports Management for Elite Athletes, jointly promoted by LALIGA Business School and ATP, which is scheduled to begin in January 2026. This international programme, officially presented last June, will offer 30 exclusive places (10 for ATP tennis players, 10 for footballers and 10 for other high-performance athletes), lasting ten months and in a hybrid format (online classes and three intensive face-to-face modules in Madrid).

The MBA is designed to provide knowledge in management, innovation, leadership and strategy applied to the sports environment, with the aim of accompanying athletes in their professional development beyond their competitive careers.

José Moya, director of LALIGA Business School, emphasised during the event:
"We want to accompany athletes in a new stage of their professional lives. This MBA stems from the conviction that those who have experienced sport from the inside can bring a unique vision to the management, leadership and transformation of the sports industry."

Juanjo Martín, Player Relations Manager at ATP Tour, highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two institutions: "At ATP, we firmly believe that education is an essential tool for empowering players beyond the court. This programme, together with the ATP BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAMME, will enable them to acquire the skills they need to successfully tackle their personal and professional future."

The day concluded with a round table discussion and open exchange between the speakers and attendees, representatives from the worlds of sport and education, reinforcing the idea that continuous training is a key pillar in building a more solid, sustainable and inclusive sporting ecosystem.