What will be taught?

Students will learn about the role of an NFL General Manager (or other front-office management personnel) by going alphabetically through key terms and then the students will role-play/engage in case studies in realistic situations within their favorite teams. Students will utilize budgeting terminology, spreadsheets, negotiation strategies, historical data evaluation, video clip analysis, and data analysis to learn hands-on what it is like to be a GM.

Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
* Salary Cap
* Roster Construction
* Trade Negotiation
* Contracts and Contract Negotiation 
* Draft/Player Evaluation Models
* Sports Analytics Models and Frameworks
* Free Agents
* Player Representation Agents
* Football Positions and their relative value in the NFL today
* The Role of the Media in NFL

The Class is structured:

The instructor will "teach/share" on 4-5 key terms utilized regularly by GMs during the first 10 minutes of class
Then the instructor will present a case study/scenario where students will have to take on the management role of the GM and make decisions based on what they are learning and any research or insights they additionally have/do.  Students may be asked to use a website simulator such as those used on spotrac.com to help inform their decisions.
Finally, the students will share the decisions they make or role play with another student (in cases of negotiation).

Day 1 (Tuesday, Feb 23rd Sample)
Introductions (5 MIN)
Students are given term sheets and access to case studies/simulations/role plays
Terms A to E Discussed including Analytics and Draft Preparation (15 MIN)
Sample Simulation: Preparing for the NFL Draft, Who is in your War Room, Do you Trade UP/Trade Down/Stay? (15 MIN)
Students share out their decisions (15 MIN)

Day 2 (Thursday, Feb 25th Sample)
Reflections on share/students who did not get to share offered opportunity (5 MIN)
Terms F to M Discussed including Free Agents, Incentives, and Guarantees (Contracts) 15 MIN
Sample Simulation: Looking at prospective Free Agents and Can our Team Fit them under Salary Cap 15 MIN
Students Share OUT (15 MIN)

Day 3 (Tuesday, March 2 Sample)
Reflections on share/students who did not get to share offered opportunity (5 MIN)
Terms N to R Discussed including Negotiations, Quarterbacks, Roster Construction 15 MIN
Sample Simulation: How important is it to have a low priced, high performing, young quarterback 15 MIN
Students Share OUT (15 MIN)

Day 4 (Thursday, March 4 Sample)
Reflections on share/students who did not get to share offered opportunity (5 MIN)
Terms S to T Discussed including Scouting and Trades15 MIN
Sample Simulation: Video simulation, Scouting a college quarterback in a game and at a Pro Day 15 MIN
Students Share OUT (15 MIN)

Day 5 (Tuesday, March 9 Sample)
Reflections on share/students who did not get to share offered opportunity (5 MIN)
Terms U to Z Discussed including Unrestricted Free Agent and War Room  15 MIN
Sample Simulation: Experiencing the Draft Decision Room (War Room) and handling trade proposals 15 MIN
Students Share OUT (15 MIN)

Day 6 (Thursday, March 11 Sample)
Reflections on share/students who did not get to share offered opportunity (5 MIN)
Terms Review of A to Z and discuss any ones missed including Franchise Tage 15 MIN
Sample Simulation: Should the Cowboys give the Franchise Tag to Dak Prescott, trade him, or sign him to a long deal 15 MIN
Students Share OUT (15 MIN)



Instructor Teaching Style:
My style is inclusive and inquiry-based.  I like to make sure all student voices are heard and that all students get the opportunity to work through scenarios.  Much of my style is informed by the Harvard Business School and their best practices in case study and negotiation teaching. 

Student-Student/ Student-Teacher Interaction
All students have the opportunity to introduce themselves, share what teams they root for and what sports they enjoy.  
We use video clips, game simulators found free online like spotrac.com, and the stories currently in the news and on social media about potential trades, free agents, coaching hires, etc. 
All students will have the opportunity to share their decision-making process, participate in a simulation, and/or offer reflections on what they learned at least once in the course.  Most students share multiple times. 

Required experience or knowledge needed:
Some familiarity with a favorite NFL team helps, as well as knowledge of some of the leagues best players.  Some basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, understanding of plotting on charts, x and y-axis, and a willingness to develop one's vocabulary is important.  Knowledge of the positions in football would be most helpful.