Christian Seifert
Christian Seifert, Managing Director of the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), received the EASM Sport Manager Award 2021 in recognition of his significant commitment and outstanding contribution to sport management in Europe as a visionary pioneer in times of pandemic. More than 200 sport managers and academics welcomed the new award and the first winner at the online congress “EASM 2021 Festival of Sport Management Research and Practice”.
The EASM Board honoured Christian Seifert for extraordinary leadership in very difficult times. It is thanks to the award winner and his team that the Bundesliga resumed playing after a two-month interruption. By sharing the concept and experience with colleagues from other sports and leagues around the world, among others, the DFL created the conditions for professional sport and sporting events to continue. The award winner demonstrated the highest level of collegiality and solidarity. Christian Seifert reflects EASM’s values of leadership, performance and academic work and inspires young, aspiring future sport managers.
Christian Seifert gratefully accepted the award and said: “I am honoured to receive the first EASM Sport Manager Award. I accept this award on behalf of my entire team, because without the support of many people inside and outside the DFL, the successful re-launch of the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga would not have been possible.”