Interview of Vincent Schatzmann, CIES General Secretary

Can you first tell us about yourself and your career path?

I'm a Swiss lawyer who has had the privilege to manage CIES since 2009, which is a leading institution in sports research and education. I graduated with a Master in Law from the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland), completed with an LL.M. (Master) in European law and International Economic law from the Universities of Geneva and Lausanne. I also hold a Sport Management Diploma from the University of Lausanne. Before my career as a university teaching assistant, lawyer and CIES General Secretary, I was involved in alpine skiing as both a ski coach for young Swiss athletes and also as an active promoter for a leading skiing equipment manufacturer. Among my current activities, I'm part of the FIFA Research Scholarship Evaluation Committee and also a Board Member of the FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport.

Who is your favourite sportsman and why?

Of course, like all children during my youth I had many heroes such as Pirmin Zurbriggen and Ruud Gullit. But today, to be honest, I haven’t a favourite sportman. I now have more admiration for sportsmen such as Roger Federer and Didier Cuche for the regularity of their performances and the self discipline they have shown every day to remain at the very top of their sport. These are examples of modest and talented hard workers who fix an objective and keep it until they achieve it.

What are the CIES’s special areas of expertise?

The CIES aims to develop research activities and education programmes to overcome the challenges of today’s sports world. Our research and education activities have been developed with a multi-disciplinary approach. Indeed, law, sociology, geography, history and economy are all represented.

What are some of the key examples of your activities?

An example from our education portfolio is the FIFA Master course, which was one more time recently named, the leading postgraduate sports management course in Europe by an independent sports industry survey. Organised by the CIES in partnership with three universities - De Montfort University in Leicester (England), SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) - the FIFA Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport is an intensive one year postgraduate programme developing all-round managers who can cope with the increasingly complex world of sport.

In collaboration with FIFA, the CIES has also developed an academic network named the FIFA/CIES International University Network, which offers local programmes in sport management to students studying at partner universities around the world. These sport management courses are available in Central America, South America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Each programme covers the key areas of sport management such as law, event management, communication, finance, marketing and sponsorship.

We also have the CIES Football Observatory which is a dedicated group of experts specialised in the statistical analysis of sport. Its aim is to provide top level services for sports governing bodies in the areas of questionnaire surveys, databases, data mining, business intelligence and reporting.

How does CIES concretely impact the sport industry?

With over 90% of our FIFA Master graduates now working in the sports world including the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), International Olympic Committee (IOC), Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur (FIBA), Sauber Formula 1 Team, ESPN; Adidas and IMG, the impact of the FIFA Master reaches across all continents and all sports.

The highly regarded work of the CIES Football Observatory also has a direct impact on the sports industry. For example, we produce a range of reports on the European Football market which are illustrated with unique graphics, maps, rankings, statistical models and detailed academic analysis. These reports can help to inform managers about potential strategies, squad stability and club experience. Federations at a national and international level can also use the reports to identify and make policy decisions supported by accurate data.

What are the long-term aims of the CIES?

Our aims are multiple. Firstly, we are continuing to work hard to become one of the leading institutions for research and education within the sports industry. For example, we are further developing and adapting our training and “work placement” programmes in the context of increased competition and growing demand. Secondly, we plan to increase the impact and profile of our research with new and dynamic publications, seminars and events. Finally, we will continue to strengthen and expand our existing expertise in continuous education opportunities and seminars for sports professionals.