Pitching Ideas to Wave FC

Throughout their first semester in the program, the SDSU Sports MBA Class of 2024 has worked on a project in their Sports Marketing and Partnerships course led by Dr. Vassilis Dalakas. In groups, students reviewed activation plans for several partners of San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (Wave FC) and were tasked with pitching a number of creative activation ideas to the Wave FC partnerships team, including Sports MBA alumna and current Wave FC Corporate Partnerships Account Executive, Angelica Gamez (SMBA ‘22). 

The ability to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to a hands-on project elevated students’ capabilities and knowledge of the corporate sponsorships space. Each pitch consisted of data-driven alignment of each partners’ business objectives and values with Wave FC and its fans, as well as creative activations to bring the partnerships to life during matches at Snapdragon Stadium.

Throughout the semester, student groups worked with Sports MBA alumna and Client Services Manager at YouGov Sport, Tatijana Bowman (SMBA ‘19), who encouraged students to keep analytics and reporting in mind for each of their activation ideas.  

Students pitched to Wave FC executives in the boardroom of their Del Mar headquarters, which provided an invaluable experience for their professional development. The ability to pitch in real time at a team’s headquarters was particularly valuable because many of the MBA students are interested in corporate partnerships careers after graduation.

The SMBA ‘24 students would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Dalakas, Angelica Gamez, and Tatijana Bowman for this incredible hands-on sports industry experience.