ECONOMICS INTERNSHIP CAPSTONE

Jacob Platko

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Senior Project

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Khemraj, Tarron

Area of Concentration

Business Economics with Finance

Abstract

This project examines the financial operations and economic considerations involved in the early-stage development of a professional soccer club through the Sarasota Paradise, a United Soccer League (USL) team based in Sarasota, Florida. The internship experience, conducted from January to May 2025, provided hands-on exposure to budgeting, financial planning, and strategic development as the club transitions from USL League Two to USL League One in 2026. Working directly with the founder, the role focused on establishing and refining cash flow and proforma budgets, analyzing revenue and expense structures, and developing financial data for potential investors and sponsors. The internship also included cross-functional collaboration with departments such as marketing, operations, and ticket sales, offering a holistic view of professional sports management. The study integrates macroeconomic and microeconomic theories—including opportunity cost, time value of money, and demand elasticity—into realworld sports finance applications. Key insights include strategies for optimizing game-day revenue, evaluating sponsorship deals, and understanding economic influences such as inflation, labor markets, and consumer behavior in a regional sports context. This experience not only enhanced technical skills in financial analysis and software but also underscored the economic impact and growth potential of professional soccer in the United States, in light of upcoming events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

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