The National Football League will host a four-day conference in Ann Arbor devoted to helping players adjust to life after football.
The Ross School of Business
File photo | AnnArbor.com
The league's first-ever 'franchising boot camp' will take place at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business beginning April 26, 2013, according to a news release.
The conference, cosponsored by the International Franchise Association, is intended to assist 20 current and former players and their spouses who are considering joining the franchising business. Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, who owned and sold hundreds of Hardees and Quincy Steakhouse restaurants, will offer the seminar's keynote speech, according to the release. Other franchisees, former players, business executives and professors also will offer advice.
The camp is part of a series of events —dubbed player engagement initiatives by the league— intended to help NFL players find post-league employment. Previous camps have focused on the music and entertainment industries.
”As we continue to educate in post-playing experience career opportunities, we are excited to work with IFA and the Ross School of Business to offer the most comprehensive franchising education to our players,” Troy Vincent, NFL vice president of player engagement, said in a news release.
U-M's business school gets its namesake from Stephen M. Ross, majority owner of the Miami Dolphins and a major U-M donor.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.