TSG to host first-ever ''MIT Sports boot camp''

MIT Bootcamps focused on diverse topics have already taken place with considerable success at various locations around the world. Now, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and the DFL are taking the pioneering step of organising an MIT Sports Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, thereby demonstrating their commitment to acting as drivers of innovation in top-level international sport. The first-ever sports-oriented MIT Bootcamp will create an international platform of exchange and inspiration for over 100 emerging entrepreneurs, students, innovators and leading figures in sports business from across the world. The agenda will be filled with workshops, lectures and projects based around team work, all of which will relate to cutting-edge developments in the field of sports technology. In addition to professors from MIT and WHU, several other renowned speakers will be present to impart their knowledge and share their experience.

Participants in the Bootcamp will learn how to identify and evaluate opportunities in sports business, as well as how to work together with others to implement innovative ideas. Participants will also have the chance to become part of a global network of emerging leaders, as well as obtain a certificate from MIT. A total of 120 candidates will be accepted for the programme. Applications are now being accepted via https://bootcamp.mit.edu/sports/.

MIT is one of the world's leading technology universities, while the WHU figures among Germany's most renowned universities specialised in economics. MIT and the Centre for Sports and Management at the WHU undertake collaborative research with the objective of integrating content related to sports business within the MIT Bootcamp.

Dr. Peter Görlich, Managing Director at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Football Club: ''Innovation is the driving force of all change. As a creative and innovative club renowned for implementing new ideas, we're proud to have the first-ever public MIT Bootcamp in Europe take place at our home stadium the PreZero Arena in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. We're delighted to be able to host leading figures from the worlds of technology and sports entrepreneurship here in the region.''

Christian Seifert, Managing Director at the German Football League (DFL) : ''The DFL is firmly committed to innovation - putting our trust in technological advancement is a defining characteristic of German professional football. Last year, we were proud to work as partners of the ''SportsInnovation'' exhibition, and we look forward to its return in 2020. This year, we're delighted to be able to work together with our partners to organise the first-ever MIT Sports Entrepreneurship Bootcamp.''

Prof. Dr. Sascha L. Schmidt, Director of the Centre for Sports and Management at the WHU: ''This partnership with MIT represents a unique opportunity to bring some world-leading know-how from the field of technology to Germany. Sports entrepreneurship corresponds perfectly to the WHU, and we're really looking forward to drawing up the agenda for the Bootcamp. We are confident that it won't just be sports business that will profit from this event; we also expect that our academic research and teaching will benefit too.''