Breaking into the Sports Industry: Joao Frigerio on Building Careers Through iWorkinSport

In this exclusive interview, iSportConnect’s Taruka Srivastav speaks with Joao Frigerio, the founder of iWorkinSport, about the platform’s journey—from its inception as a job fair to becoming a global hub for sports career growth. Frigerio shares insights on emerging job trends, the role of AI and sports tech, and how iWorkinSport is shaping the future of sports recruitment.

With the iWorkinSport Convention and Job Fair set to take place on May 9, 2025, in Switzerland, he also reveals what attendees can expect, including participation from major brands like UEFA, adidas, and FIBA. Whether you’re a job seeker, recruiter, or industry professional, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways on how to thrive in the world of sports business.

Platforms like iWorkinSport are crucial for people looking for jobs within the industry. What was your vision when you founded it? Was this your initial goal as well?

Actually, I didn’t have the ambition to create an online platform at the start. I was consulting with CIES, the organizers of the FIFA Master, and the project was to find better ways to help place their students. Like many courses, they had a career department aiming to support students with job placements. That’s when I started connecting with recruiters in the sports industry. My background was more in media rights, sponsorship rights, and events. However, around 2016, I shifted more toward the recruitment side.

Our initial goal was to find a job fair to take students to, but when we reached out to companies, they told us that such an event didn’t exist and that they were also looking for something similar. That’s when I saw an opportunity. I approached them and asked, “If I create an event, would you come?” The first five companies that agreed to participate were UEFA, FIFA, the IOC, Adidas and the NBA. That led to the launch of our first event in 2017 with about 14 companies. It started as a one-off event alongside my consulting work, but the brand gained traction.

By 2019, we announced expansions, including virtual events, even before COVID. When the pandemic hit, we were already experienced in online events, and in 2020, our virtual event was one of the few happening worldwide. We resumed in-person events in 2022, and now in 2025, we’ve expanded to call it the iWorkinSport Convention and Job Fair.

Which major brands will headline this year’s event?

At this stage, we are still in discussions with many companies, but I can mention a few confirmed participants. UEFA, FIBA, adidas and the International Equestrian Federation are regular participants and are coming back once again. Agencies like Infront and Sportfive are confirmed as well, with Sportfive exhibiting and recruiting for the first time. Volleyball World, FC Lausanne Sport and a Brazilian event focused on football business called “Confut,” which is launching an event in the U.S. will be joining us for the first time.

We are in discussions with international football clubs and other companies from outside Switzerland and even beyond Europe. The list will be finalised closer to the event.

When is the event scheduled to take place?

The main event will take place on May 9, 2025, at the SwissTech Convention Center. Exhibitors and academic partners will also attend some VIP activities at the Olympic Museum the day before.

What is the current job market like in the sports industry? Are there any emerging trends or sectors hiring the most professionals?

I don’t have specific statistics, but certain trends are evident. Sales and commercial roles, including sponsorship and media rights, are always in high demand. Additionally, the sports tech sector is rapidly growing, with AI and innovation roles emerging within football clubs and other organizations.

Event management remains a strong employment driver, though these roles are often temporary. Through a collaboration with Meent (formerly known as Sportcarriere), we now provide the largest recruitment company for sports professionals in Europe and have also observed an increase in hiring for positions related to technology and innovation, sponsorships, and commercial rights. These areas are likely to see significant growth in the coming years.

Your platform bridges the gap between organizations and professionals in the sports industry. Beyond job postings, do you also work with recruitment agencies?

Absolutely. iWorkinSport functions as a hub for all things related to recruitment, career growth, and education in sports. We have our own job board and also collaborate with partners such as ThinkSport to power their job boards. Unlike a traditional competitor, we actively promote all job boards, ensuring our users have access to a variety of opportunities.

We recently published a document listing over 50 specialized job boards for sports, covering multiple languages and territories like India, Germany, France, Japan, and Brazil. Additionally, we offer career growth resources, such as career coaching, lectures, and educational programs. Our AI-powered quiz helps users find the best sports management courses tailored to their needs.

Previously, we did not operate as a recruitment agency, but through Meent, we now provide executive search and headhunting services for companies seeking top talent. This allows us to offer a comprehensive solution covering job placements, career development, and industry education.

Any final thoughts for job seekers or companies looking to hire in the sports industry?

iWorkinSport aims to be the go-to platform for sports career growth. Whether you’re a job seeker looking for opportunities, a recruiter searching for top talent, or an organization wanting to showcase educational programs, we provide the resources to help you succeed.

For those interested in joining the upcoming iWorkinSport Convention and Job Fair on May 9, this is a fantastic opportunity to network with industry leaders and explore new career possibilities. We encourage candidates and companies to register early to maximize their participation.

iSportConnect has partnered with iWorkinSport and is offering a 25%discount to anyone who registers with the promo code ISPORTCONNECT .