Sports MBA Travels to the Dominican Republic
The SDSU Sports MBA Class of 2025 embarked on a week-long international immersion trip to the Dominican Republic, an experience designed to deepen students’ understanding of the global sports industry while highlighting the social and economic impact of sport in Latin America. Throughout the trip, the cohort visited several Major League Baseball academies, including the San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, and New York Mets. These visits provided an inside look at how MLB teams recruit, train, and support international talent. Students heard directly from departments in player development, scouting, and administration, gaining a comprehensive view of how teams invest in young athletes both on and off the field.
The cohort also had the opportunity to visit the MLB’s Dominican Republic headquarters, the league’s only operations office outside of the United States. They learned how MLB oversees its international pipeline and promotes the growth of baseball throughout the region. A visit to Tigres del Licey, one of the most prominent professional teams in the Dominican Winter League, added a local perspective on building a loyal fan base and sustaining a successful franchise.
In addition to exploring the professional side of sports, the cohort connected with local communities in powerful ways. One of the most impactful moments came during a partnership with TECHO, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty across Latin America. Students worked alongside community members to build two homes for local families and spent time playing games with children within the community. The cohort taught them to how to play basketball and American football, sports that some of them had never experienced before.
Another incredible opportunity came when the students visited an informal baseball academy, Pimentel Academy. These academies begin training young prospects as early as age ten and continue working with them until around sixteen, with the goal of helping them earn a spot in an official MLB academy. The cohort got to play the role of scouts as the athletes put on a mock MLB try out for the cohort. Additionally, the cohort got to join in and did everything from fielding to batting to sprints. The academy showed the cohort their skills while the cohort introduced the children at the academy to the game of football. It was a unique exchange that perfectly captured the universal language of sport.
The cohort’s experience extended beyond the playing field. They met with BHD Bank, the largest financial institution in the country and a key sponsor of MLB activities in the DR, to better understand how business and sport intersect. Students also took time to explore the country’s rich culture and natural beauty, learning about cacao and how chocolate is produced and also spent time at a protected beach to hear about efforts to conserve endangered species of turtles. The trip concluded by the beach where the cohort had the opportunity to reflect on an incredible week filled with learning, connection, and personal growth. The Dominican Republic trip reinforced how sport can be a powerful tool for education, economic development, and cross-cultural exchange. For the SDSU Sports MBA cohort, it was a reminder of why they chose this path, to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact through the business of sports.
