The FBA is proud to announce a
partnership agreement with Independiente del Valle.
Geneva, 22 January 2025 ,
The Football Business Academy (FBA) is proud to announce a partnership agreement with one of South America’s most reputable professional football clubs in recent history, Independiente del Valle.
The club is also the first Ecuadorian partner to join The FBA’s international network, which will facilitate the creation of valuable opportunities for FBA Master Candidates and club departments alike.
“As a South American, I am particularly proud to welcome our first partner from Ecuador, Independiente del Valle, to The FBA family. Independiente del Valle represents everything a modern football club should aspire to be: well-prepared, forward-thinking, and a true role model for clubs across Latin America. I am confident that this partnership will help us contribute to the continued development of football in a region with such a rich and historic passion for the sport.” expressed Nicolás Martín, Partnerships Manager at The FBA.
“We are really proud of this partnership. IDV is always looking to work with the best and The FBA has all the backup, know-how and knowledge to be a great partner in the Education Industry. As part of this agreement, we are opening our doors to excellent, visionary professionals who want to involve and support the football industry, and will help us develop interesting new projects. We’re really excited to begin this year as the first Ecuadorian club to join the most powerful sports MBA ” said Juan Pablo Ribadeneira, Head of Marketing, Club Independiente del Valle.
The FBA and Independiente del Valle share a commitment to high performance and the continued development of the football industry, both in Ecuador and globally. This partnership not only solidifies The FBA’s position as a leader in football business education but also enhances Independiente del Valle’s international reputation in the dynamic landscape of professional football.
Through this collaboration, The FBA Master Candidates will benefit from a rich learning environment via internships at the acclaimed club, alongside opportunities to engage in Student Business Projects that address strategic issues chosen by Independiente del Valle, thereby aligning with and enhancing the club’s business strategies.
Independiente del Valle is one of Ecuador’s emerging football clubs, playing in the Ecuadorian Serie A, where it notably won the championship in 2021. Renowned for its innovative approach to youth development and its passionate fan base, the club has significantly contributed to the evolution of football culture in Ecuador. With a focus on both on-field success and organizational growth, Independiente del Valle stands out as a key partner for advancing football business education.
The club’s history traces back to 1958 when it was founded as Club Deportivo Independiente by José Terán in Sangolquí. After several transformations, including a name change to reflect its focus on high performance, it became known as Club de Alto Rendimiento Especializado Independiente del Valle in 2014. The club’s achievements include reaching the final of the 2016 Copa Libertadores and winning the Copa Sudamericana in 2019 and 2022, as the Recopa Sudamericana in 2023 to Flamengo in Brazil. It’s home ground, Estadio Banco Guayaquil, symbolizes the club’s commitment to excellence and is a testament to its rapid growth and development.
In recent times, Independiente del Valle has undergone significant organizational changes, emphasizing youth development with a state-of-the-art training center, known as “El Valle de los Sueños”, which supports over 250 young athletes, men and women. This focus has resulted in the club becoming a talent factory, exporting players to international markets and contributing substantially to the Ecuadorian national team. The partnership with The FBA marks another strategic move in the club’s evolution, underlining its dedication to innovation, education, and excellence in football management.
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ABOUT INDEPENDIENTE DEL VALLE
Club de Alto Rendimiento Especializado Independiente del Valle plays its home games at the 12,000- seater Estadio Banco Guayaquil, which was inaugurated in 2021 as the first sustainable and privately financed stadium in Ecuador. Since promoting to the Serie A in 2010 for the first time in its history, Independiente del Valle has won one Ecuadorian championship, 2 CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana, 1 CONMEBOL Recopa Sudamericana, and was the runner up of the 2016 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores.
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ABOUT THE FBA
The Football Business Academy is a global leader in football business education whose goal is to accelerate the professionalization of the football industry and develop current and future leaders in the game. Founded in 2017 and based in Switzerland, The FBA is best known for its flagship degree – the Professional Master in Football Business – which is a 12-month program with two intakes each year.
Furthermore, various football-related stakeholders seek the services of The FBA for the creation and/or delivery of a variety of tailor-made workshops, certificates, or diplomas. Other partners of The FBA include CONMEBOL, Liga Portugal, Irish FA, K League, CF Monterrey, Club Nacional de Football, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Girona FC, STVV, Matchwornshirt, Venezia FC, Horizm, World Football Summit and Atletico Ottawa.
Follow The FBA on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.