Michal’s career evolution from Strategy to Sales

For Michal, his journey at TEAM began in 2019 in the Strategy department, where his input helped shape the new UEFA Champions League (UCL) competition format, and then transitioned in 2022 to Media Sales, where he could leverage his in-depth, first-hand knowledge of the format to champion media rights sales.

From Poland to Switzerland, by way of England

Originally from Warsaw, Poland, Michal’s pursuit of higher education brought him to the prestigious grounds of Cambridge, England, where he completed a degree in Economics. Instead of accepting a traditional consultancy role after graduation, Michal’s desire to enter the sports world led him to a sports data consultancy firm in London. While it was a valuable first job that gave him the chance to take on multiple responsibilities, Michal wanted to see the implementation and delivery side of his projects and to dive deeper into the sports industry.

To broaden his access to sports careers, Michal enrolled in the respected FIFA Master’s program, which offered rotations in Leicester (England), Milan (Italy), and Neuchâtel (Switzerland). The final rotation in Switzerland proved to be the right move for Michal to find his place at TEAM.

Building a foundation in TEAM’s Strategy department

Joining the Strategy department aligned perfectly with his background in analytics. The role allowed him to analyse data, listen to stakeholders and ultimately help with developing the 2024-27 UEFA Champions League format. Additionally, Michal worked closely with the Media Sales team, providing deep market knowledge and helping to define sales strategies. As a stretch project, he assisted the Media Sales team with the sales process in the Polish market. This experience not only highlighted the significant contribution of his work in the Strategy department to the sales process but also revealed his passion for sales and the value he could bring.

Supporting staff development

At TEAM, we understand the importance of retaining talented individuals and keeping them motivated. After the successful announcement of the new competition format, Michal expressed his desire to work in a new department and applied for a vacancy in Media Sales. Chosen as the best candidate for the role, Michal’s transfer allowed him to pursue a new challenge while enabling the Media Sales team to benefit from his direct knowledge of the new competition format and his knowledge in the Central and Eastern European markets. It was a win-win solution that aligned with our goal of creating fulfilling career paths for our employees.

“The fact that I was able to take on a new challenge in a new role, while remaining at a company I love has been amazing. TEAM is incredibly supportive of its employees and their development. This was a solution that allowed us all to benefit.”

Seizing a new challenge in Media Sales

Michal has thrived in the Media Sales team, particularly excelling at building connections. This role requires an innate ability to foster meaningful relationships, conduct thorough market research, and develop unique strategies for each market. To succeed, one needs to fully immerse oneself in the market, understand the customs and culture, and build strong bonds with broadcasters around the world. Michal’s natural ability to easily adapt, having lived in so many countries and cities, has allowed him to forge even stronger connections and provide greater value.