NEW YORK -- Falcons center Doug Datish, defensive end Chauncey Davis, tackle Todd Weiner, fullback Ovie Mughelli, linebacker Michael Boley, wide receiver Adam Jennings and former linebacker Marcus Wilkins are among the 114 players who have enrolled in the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program at the Harvard Business School, Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University), Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
The program is part of an ongoing NFL-NFLPA initiative to assist players in preparing their post-playing careers. Last year, 116 NFL players participated at the four business schools and 112 took part in 2006. In the program’s first season (2005), 66 players took part at Harvard Business School and the Wharton School.
"These programs are great outlets and opportunities to broaden your horizons and expand your base of knowledge,” said Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck, who will attend the Stanford program. “I have my degree and I am always looking for ways to get better for life after football. There is also good camaraderie built between the guys at the program that could be useful down the road."
The four schools will offer executive education activities in their respective areas of expertise The Wharton School and Harvard Business School will hold programs for players from Feb. 24-27 and continue the coursework with an additional session in late March and early April. The Stanford Graduate School of Business and Kellogg School of Management will run three-day sessions from March 2-5.
Player enrollment criteria include level of education, professional business experienc, interest in starting, owning, or managing a business and leadership and community involvement. Under the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, players may be reimbursed for up to $15,000 this year for education expenses at an accredited institution of higher learning.
Wilkins enrolled in a program at Harvard Business School. The HBS program emphasizes entrepreneurial opportunities and business management. Content includes financial analysis, marketing strategies, selected general business skills and legal, contractual and tax considerations. Using the case method, participants learn how to work together to resolve problems similar to the ones they will face in business.
Datish, Davis and Weiner have enrolled in the workshop at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.The Kellogg program focuses on developing and selling a brand and evaluating franchise opportunities. This program provides a foundation for recognizing sound marketing plans and preparing players to ask key questions when analyzing opportunities.
Mughelli has enrolled in the workshop at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. The Stanford program seeks to broaden a player’s understanding of how to evaluate business opportunities in general and in the sports industry specifically. The program consists of lectures, case studies and discussion groups to illustrate the broad opportunities in the sporting industry and other industries (including real estate, entertainment and investment).
Boley and Jennings have enrolled in the workshop at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The Wharton program focuses on a broad range of business topics, including financial analysis, entrepreneurship, real estate development, stock market investing, negotiation skills, risk management, and community reinvestment. Attendees work on directed as well as individual real estate, entrepreneurial and personal finance projects during the month between the program’s two sessions.
