When Chidozie Ibeabuchi (iMBA ’19) first spoke with Gies College of Business, he was already navigating the high-stakes world of the NFL. Since completing his MBA through Gies Business' fully online iMBA® program, both his career – and the industry itself – have reached a new inflection point. Now serving as Vice President of Player Engagement for Major League Soccer (MLS) in New York City, Chidozie has long worked across both individual player transitions and broader league-wide systems. He now leads those efforts at scale, helping shape a more holistic approach to the business of sport.”
Fresh off a nomination for Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40, Chidozie sat down with us to discuss his "Human First" philosophy, his work building a scalable academic infrastructure for MLS, and how his Gies education helped him operationalize his impact from the pitch to the boardroom.
Much has changed since we last checked in. You’ve transitioned from the NFL into a significant leadership role at MLS. How has your perspective on the industry evolved?
Chidozie: It’s been an incredible journey. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work across both individual player transitions and broader systems that support athletes at scale. At the NFL, I saw firsthand the visibility and opportunity that come with professional sports, alongside the reality that every athlete eventually transitions out of their playing career.
My perspective has evolved from delivering primarily reactive solutions to building more proactive, institutional approaches. At MLS, we’re focused on ensuring that our players and staff are supported as whole people, on and off the field, because that’s critical to the long-term success of the game.
You often speak about a "Human First" philosophy. How does that translate into the business strategy for a major league?
Chidozie: It’s about ensuring the transition from the playing field to a second career is intentional and well-supported. We’ve launched initiatives like the MLS Player Engagement Certificate, a first-of-its-kind, master’s-level professional development certification exclusively for League and club staff that helps establish a consistent standard across the league.
By continuing to invest in the people who support our players, we strengthen the overall ecosystem and better position our athletes for life beyond the game.
One of your standout achievements is the Major League Soccer Education Program with Syracuse University. Why is that partnership being viewed as a blueprint for the industry?
Chidozie: We moved beyond simple tuition assistance to a more comprehensive academic infrastructure. It expands access to education for players, league staff, club staff, and their respective families.
At its core, it’s about democratizing access to education across the MLS ecosystem. We are creating pathways not only for players transitioning out of the game, but also for their families navigating similar transitions alongside them and for staff and their families looking to begin or advance within their own careers.
You’re a Gies iMBA alum. How did that experience prepare you for the VP level at a New York-based league?
Chidozie: As a proud Boston native, my career trajectory has been rooted in New York – from St. John’s University to roles with the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and New York Liberty, and ultimately the NFL and MLS League Offices. The iMBA gave me the analytical and strategic toolkit to build and lead more scalable systems.
Today, as I manage holistic player care resources for over 5,000 active and former players and help lead initiatives like the MLS Greats Network, the league’s official alumni group, I’m applying the strategic innovation and organizational leadership principles I developed at Gies.
You also serve on several advisory boards. Why is mentoring the next generation so central to your mission?
Chidozie: I remember being that driven undergraduate student trying to break into the sports industry, and how challenging it was, and still is, to find a path in. That experience continues to drive me today and fuels my commitment to give back in any way I can.
I serve on the advisory board for St. John’s Division of Sport Management, where I stay closely connected to the next generation of talent while also helping shape curriculum by advising on industry trends and ensuring it remains relevant. I also serve on the advisory board for Professional Development of Athlete Development Specialists (PAADS), where I both learn from and help shape the global player engagement and athlete development landscape.
I see my role as helping bridge the gap between the classroom and the sports business industry. By advising on curriculum and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds, I’m contributing to a more inclusive talent pipeline. I’m also helping prepare future leaders to navigate the complexities of the sports business while continuing to develop athletes as “whole people” on and off the field.