Georgetown McDonough Launches Durban Fellows Program to Develop Future Leaders in Sports Business 

From billion-dollar media rights deals to the rapid rise of sports tech and global sporting events, the sports business has never been more complex or more influential. Recognizing this shift, Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business has launched the Durban Sports Business Program, including a new undergraduate fellowship designed to prepare students to lead in one of the world’s most visible and fast-evolving industries.

This spring, the school selected its inaugural cohort of 40 undergraduate Durban Fellows — a highly competitive group chosen for their academic excellence, leadership potential, and passion for the sports industry.

“Sports today is not just about live entertainment, it’s a global business platform that touches finance, technology, analytics, policy, culture, media, and so much more,” said Michael O’Leary, academic director of the program. “Our goal is to give students the tools to understand that complexity and to be leaders in the industry.”

The selective, cohort-based program will immerse students in the global sports marketplace through a combination of rigorous coursework, experiential learning, and direct engagement with industry leaders and alumni. 

Unlike traditional sports management programs, the Durban Fellows program emphasizes a business-first foundation. Students will build core competencies in areas such as finance, accounting, analytics, marketing, ethics, and strategy, all applied through the lens of sport.

For Luis Maes, the new executive director of the Durban Sports Business Program, the fellowship reflects both the growing demand for talent in the industry and Georgetown’s distinct approach to business education.

“We’re developing business leaders who can think strategically, operate globally, and lead with purpose in an industry that sits at the center of so many societal conversations,” said Maes. “The exceptional quality of our inaugural cohort reflects both the demand for this kind of program and the level of talent we’re attracting.”

The program requires completion of nine credits of sports-focused coursework, anchored by the core course, The Business of Global Sports. Students will then choose from a range of electives, including topics like sports marketing strategy, valuation, analytics, and public policy, to deepen their expertise.

In addition to coursework, Durban Fellows will participate in a range of co-curricular experiences designed to bring the industry to life, including career treks, site visits to major sports organizations, and speaker events featuring senior leaders from across the sports ecosystem.

Students will also benefit from mentorship and networking opportunities with Georgetown’s global alumni community – opening doors to careers across sectors such as consulting, venture capital, media and technology, marketing, and operations.

“With deep alumni ties across sports, media, government, and global business, we are uniquely positioned to give students access to the people and institutions shaping the future of the industry,” said Paul Almeida, dean and William R. Berkley Chair. “Georgetown brings these disciplines together in a way few institutions can, preparing students to see both the global business of sports and its broader societal impact.”

As one of McDonough’s fields of the future, sports business has been identified as a strategic area for the school’s growth, focusing on cross-disciplinary academic programming, co-curricular activities, and research opportunities, ensuring McDonough graduates are prepared to lead the future of the industry. 

Meet the Inaugural Cohort

The 40 undergraduates in the inaugural Durban Fellows cohort represent 23 sophomores, 12 juniors, and five seniors. Of the class, 43% are women. The students bring both domestic and international perspectives, with countries including Canada, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. With a strong academic background, the cohort shares a cumulative GPA of 3.75, and each student is majoring in top fields such as finance, management, operations and analytics, accounting, and marketing. 

In addition to their academic pursuits, the cohort also brings an impressive background in sports. Over 75% of students participated in varsity or club sports such as soccer, lacrosse, rugby, baseball, golf, tennis, field hockey, skiing, and rowing. 

Meet a few students from the first class of fellows: 

Julia Bach (B’28) is a sophomore majoring in finance and management. On campus, she is involved in Georgetown Ventures, Innovo Consulting, and volunteers with the undergraduate HOME program. Bach is from Singapore and attended Singapore American School. She is an avid Formula 1 fan with a strong interest in how teams make strategic decisions as the sport expands globally. Her internship with LIV Golf in ticketing and hospitality introduced her to event operations, customer experience, and data analysis, sparking her interest in the operational side of the sports industry.

Justin Greenzaid (B’27) is a junior majoring in finance and management. Greenzaid is interested in the intersection of sports media and entertainment, drawing from his experience founding his own talent agency, Catch52. He is particularly passionate about growing his personal brand across the sports entertainment industry. Outside the classroom, Greenzaid is involved in club lacrosse, the Georgetown University Public Real Estate Fund, and the Steers Private Fund. He is from Potomac, Maryland.

Grayson Hill (B’27) is a junior majoring in finance and management. Hill served six years in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Boatswain’s Mate. He is particularly interested in sports analytics, merchandising, and sales. He is actively involved in the Georgetown Student Veterans Association and completed the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2025. He is originally from Morehead City, North Carolina.

Andrew Kassel (B’29) is a freshman majoring in finance and international business. Kassel is interested in sports finance and real estate, and is passionate about using sports real estate development projects to benefit surrounding communities. Outside the classroom, he is a member of the Georgetown Club Baseball team and an analyst for the Georgetown University Public Real Estate Fund. Kassel is from Palo Alto, California.

Bella Little (B’29) is a freshman who is interested in exploring sports finance and marketing, drawn to courses such as Valuation for Sports and Sports Marketing Strategy. She is particularly interested in business strategies that expand opportunities for all athletes through investments, sponsorships, and marketing. Outside the classroom, Little is a member of Georgetown’s Varsity Women’s Lacrosse team. Little is from Richmond, Virginia.

Jordi Sada-Paz (B’28): Jordi Sada-Paz is a sophomore majoring in finance. He is interested in the intersection of sports and business, particularly club strategy, sports investment, and fan data and digital engagement. Outside the classroom, Sada-Paz is a member of the Georgetown men’s soccer team and is the co-founder of the Georgetown Sports Management Club. Sada-Paz is from London, England, and attended school in the United Kingdom.