News

Dietmar Hopp Foundation supports EBS Universität

• Dietmar Hopp sponsors Endowed Chair at the Institute for Sports, Business & Society (ISBS) at EBS Universität, donating 1.5 million euros over five years
• First academic chair worldwide to assess the social and economic impact of recreational and professional sport
• Research focus on football, handball, ice hockey and golf

Supported by the Dietmar Hopp Foundation EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht is establishing an Endowed Chair at the Institute for Sports, Business & Society (ISBS). The Chair, the first of its kind worldwide, will focus on the social and economic impact of recreational and professional sport. With funding amounting to a total of 1.5 million euros, support will extend for an initial period of five years.

Professor Rolf D. Cremer, President of EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht, commented: "Our strong network of around 200 supporting organizations from business and society are helping us to steadily expand our excellent research and teaching activities. With the Dietmar Hopp Foundation we have been able to attract a new and highly-regarded partner."

The establishment of the Dietmar Hopp Endowed Chair of Sports, Business and Society will allow ISBS to further pursue and expand its research areas. "Our initial focus will be on the development of scientifically sound methods that will enable us to empirically assess not only the economic impact of recreational and professional sport but also the social contribution“, explained Professor Sascha L. Schmidt, Head of ISBS and senior professor at the new Chair. "Furthermore, we shall conduct research into the particular traits and characteristics of top athletes and the many different roles they can play in the economy." ISBS is also planning to offer special courses for former athletes seeking a business and management qualification in preparation for a second career.

As part of the cooperation EBS will give its students the opportunity to explore the economic and social aspects of sports such as football, handball, ice hockey and golf using practical case studies. There are also plans for Bachelor's and Master's theses as well as internship programmes, which will address topics at the intersection of business and sports.

"Sport helps to provide a sense of direction and positively influences personal development. To date however there has been virtually no basic research carried out on the social importance of sport. This is why we have chosen to support the new Chair at

EBS Universität“, said Dietmar Hopp, SAP co-founder and the Foundation's Chairman.

Dietmar Hopp has enjoyed close links with ISBS since the Institute was established 18 months ago. He is founding member of the ISBS Board of Trustees, whose members also include Oliver Bierhoff, the German football team manager, Christian Seifert, Chief Executive of the German Football League, and Michael Vesper, Director General of the German Olympic Sports Confederation.

ISBS undertakes research into the dynamic relationship between sports, business and society and enjoys partnerships with highly regarded organizations and institutions. In cooperation with the German Football Association (DFB) ISBS is currently engaged in a research project on "The development of the German football team 2000-2012 “. The study seeks to investigate the sporting, economic and social development of the German football team and measure its impact on society. Results are expected in spring 2013.

Your contact at the ISBS institute:

Professor Sascha L. Schmidt
Director
ISBS Institute for Sports, Business and Society
Phone +49 611 7102 2064
e-mail: sascha.schmidt@ebs.edu

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