NFL Huddles Up to the Kelley School of Business: MBA News

By Tim Dhoul Updated Dec 04, 2019

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Introduction
NFL players’ path to an NFLPA-Kelley MBA

Kelley School of Business offers MBA opportunity through NFLPA

The new cry from quarterbacks could become ’30…45…HUT!’, as these are the number of credits they’ll need to walk away with either an MSc or MBA qualification as a result of a new partnership between the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

“We are excited about the new opportunity the Indiana University Kelley School of Business is offering our players. We pride ourselves in helping our members be knowledgeable about the business of football and putting them on the right path to succeed off the field. This relationship will achieve both,” said NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith in a press release.

The opportunity is the offering of a customized education path for NFL players who want to prepare for their life after sport – a path that culminates in enrollment on an NFLPA-Kelley MBA program.

NFL players’ path to an NFLPA-Kelley MBA

The journey can start with ‘Me, Inc.’ – a Kelley School of Business program aimed at helping individuals better understand themselves and what they might be looking for in career development.

After this, NFLPA members can complete a noncredit online program in any business area at Kelly School of Business (from personal finance to entrepreneurship) before progressing to a four-course certificate program.

Credits from these certificated courses can then be transferred onto either a 30-credit MSc degree or a 45-credit MBA – for NFL players looking to develop their business acumen further and position themselves for a successful career, in or outside of sport.

The NFLPA-Kelley MBA program has a blended format – meaning that it encompasses both online and on-campus teaching – and features the trappings you’d expect from a reputable MBA program, such as experiential learning and chances to travel abroad and get a feel for differing cultures of doing business.

The Kelley School of Business is particularly renowned for its online MBA offerings and features strongly in QS’s latest online MBA rankings – something that should appeal to NFL players still heavily immersed in the game.

“Our leadership and innovation in delivering online programs provides the flexibility to design a winning experience for these accomplished athletes, many of whom will one day transition to new careers away from the football field,” said Idalene Kesner, dean of the Kelley School of Business.

Written by

Tim Dhoul

Tim is a writer with a background in consumer journalism and charity communications. He trained as a journalist in the UK and holds degrees in history (BA) and Latin American studies (MA).