Jordan Mercien,
graduate of the MSc in Sport Business Management of IUM and speaker at the IUM summer school, shared his unique and inspiring career path, marked by a passion for sport and expertise in event management. His testimony perfectly illustrates the diversity of career opportunities in the sports industry, ranging from VIP hospitality to partnerships and brand development.
An International Path Before Sport
Originally from Paris, Jordan studied International Business and later specialized in International Human Resources. This academic path gave him both a strategic outlook and a human-centered approach to management. His journey took him to London, Atlanta, and Phoenix, where he gained valuable experience in diverse environments and learned to adapt to different cultural and professional contexts.
These international experiences strengthened his curiosity about how people communicate and collaborate across borders. Even though his early career was not directly connected to sport, his interest in cultural exchange and human interaction naturally guided him toward a sector where intercultural understanding plays a central role: sport.
Key Experiences in Monaco
His arrival in Monaco marked a turning point. He worked on prestigious events such as the Rolex Masters, the Automobile Club of Monaco (Formula 1), and the NGO Peace and Sport, which uses sport as a tool for social cohesion worldwide. These experiences allowed him to understand the strategic challenges of sport: media, TV rights, hospitality, and community engagement.
The Experience of Major Events
Jordan also coordinated venues for the Paris 2024 Olympics, notably the rowing and kayaking infrastructures. This demanding mission taught him team management and minute-by-minute planning, skills that are indispensable in sports event management.
Sportel and Media Rights
At Sportel, Jordan took part in international conventions on media rights, a major economic pillar of modern sport. He recalls that more than 70% of Olympic Games revenues come from broadcasting rights, highlighting the importance of this market for clubs and federations
The AS Monaco Basket Adventure
For the past year and a half, Jordan has been responsible for entertainment and hospitality at AS Monaco Basket. The club, which rose in just ten years from the third division to the Euroleague, embodies an exceptional trajectory. With a 5,000-seat arena, the team must maximize revenues through sponsorship, ticketing, VIP hospitality, and merchandising. Jordan manages three reception areas, including the prestigious Cavalier Lounge, offering caviar, champagne, and Michelin-starred gastronomy.
A Lesson for Students
His advice to young professionals is clear: start in a small organization where you can be involved in every aspect of the work. In such environments, roles are less rigid, which allows you to gain hands-on experience in sponsorship, logistics, communication, hospitality, and operations all at once. This broad exposure builds a solid foundation of skills and confidence, making you versatile and adaptable.
Once this holistic understanding is acquired, moving into a larger club or organization becomes far more impactful. At that stage, specialization makes sense because you already understand how each piece of the puzzle fits together. Jordan emphasizes that this approach prevents young professionals from being confined too early to a narrow role, and instead equips them to think strategically and manage complex projects.
It is a pragmatic vision rooted in his own journey: His path demonstrates that success in sports management is not about rushing into the biggest names, but about building a strong, versatile foundation first.
Key lesson, key takeaway
The testimony of Jordan Mercien, a graduate of IUM, shows that sport is much more than competition. It is an economic and cultural ecosystem where passion, strategy and innovation intersect to create opportunities that extend far beyond the playing field. His journey demonstrates how international experiences, combined with adaptability and vision, can open doors to diverse roles in the sports industry.
Through his work in Monaco and abroad, Jordan embodies the richness of career paths available in sport, from event management and media rights to hospitality and brand partnerships. His story highlights how sport connects people across cultures while driving both business growth and social impact.
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If you have any questions, contact the admissions team at admissions@monaco.edu
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