Switzerland Global Sport
Global Sport: Who Runs the Game on the World Stage?
The world of sports lies at the intersection of geopolitics, private sector interests, and passionate fanbases. This course dives deep into the politics, regulatory structures, and interest groups that shape the global sports arena. Students will explore the influence of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), international federations, and new power brokers such as the Gulf states and private equity investors.
Key themes include integrity, transparency, sustainability, diversity, and the rise of new sports and reimagined formats of traditional ones. Through dynamic case studies and cross-national comparisons, students will sharpen their ability to analyze the fragile balance between governance, regulation, and sport’s legitimacy on the world stage. By the end, students will be equipped to navigate and critique the complex, ever-shifting landscape of global sport governance—and to understand why what happens off the field is just as consequential as what happens on it.
Program Dates
May 31 - June 26, 2026
*The dates above indicate a planned departure date from the US and in-country return departure date.
Costs
Health & Safety
Visa Information
Course Requirements and Offerings
Refer to the academics page for details on the minimum unit requirements and class pre-requisites for the program. Textbook lists will be provided by the program staff.
Switzerland Program Faculty Member
Ned Colletti
Executive in Residence in Sports Administration
Ned Colletti is an executive-in-residence of Sports Administration at Seaver College and teaches classes in Sport Media and Strategic Communication, Sport Leadership and Negotiation (The General Manager), Sport Organizational Culture, and the Globalization of Sport. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and has worked in professional sports for nearly 50 seasons, including nine years as the General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Italian Baseball Federation also recently named him General Manager of Team Italy for the 2026 World Baseball Classic tournament. He is the author of the best-selling book The Big Chair, is a four-time Emmy winner for his work on Spectrum SportsNet LA, and is one of a few American sports executives to work in two major sports: Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League. He has been teaching at Pepperdine since the Spring semester of 2017. This new program in Switzerland shifts the focus from the globalization of sports to the governance of sports around the globe. Pepperdine University recognized Professor Colletti’s personal character, leadership, professional sports career, and long service to serving and mentoring underprivileged youth in our community by awarding him an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters in 2023.