December 10, 2024

International student pursues sports passion through law and business program

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.

Since he was a child, Oluwadurotimi “Rotimi” Ogunjobi knew his future would be in politics. Growing up in Nigeria, he was interested in how laws impacted people’s lives. But as he grew, he realized he wanted to be more involved in another passion of his — sports. That led him to the Master of Sports Law and Business program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Ogunjobi came to ASU Law as an international student. For him, it was a leap that came with many challenges, but he was eager to face them all.

“You can only get better if you enjoy what you’re doing,” a mentor once told him. This advice stuck with him throughout his completion of the program. He saw the law as a means to amplify his love for sports and help shape the industry he admired.

During his time at ASU Law, Ogunjobi worked as an intern with the Arizona Soccer Association, where he was able to gain hands-on experience. He said he loved being out on the field and seeing firsthand how everything he was learning in the classroom came to life in the real world.

Before coming to ASU Law, Ogunjobi practiced law in Nigeria, where he specialized in litigation and drafted commercial agreements. He said his time in Nigeria taught him the intricacies of law and developed his ability to navigate complex legal landscapes.

Now, as graduation approaches, Ogunjobi feels proud as he recognizes that his day-to-day efforts were key to his success.

“Graduating feels fine,” Ogunjobi said, “but it’s the work I’ve put in leading up to this point that really matters.”

Ogunjobi plans to stay in Arizona and continue working in the soccer industry. He hopes to be able to work for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States. His long-term goal is to create his own sports firm.

In the below Q&A, Ogunjobi tells us more about his ASU Law experience and hopes for the future.

Note: Answers may have been edited lightly for length and/or clarity.

Question: What is an interesting moment, story or accomplishment from your ASU LAW career?

Answer: A personal highlight during my program was working as a volunteer coordinator at the COPA America games in Phoenix. This event was special because I grew up watching the COPA America games at 3 a.m. back in Nigeria. Another unique feature was the diversity of nationals working in the tournament. I met people from different parts of South America and North America who spoke other languages but shared the same passion for soccer.

Q: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

A: The fact that sports law is the law applied to sports. I keep getting asked what goes on in the world of a sports lawyer, and I simply relate it to general legal practice. As the world of sports continues to grow exponentially, adherence to the rules and regulations becomes more and more pertinent. In professional sports, the media, the athletes, the owners, the legal advisors, the front office staff and the fans are all stakeholders. Therefore, all stakeholders must understand the rules of engagement in the event of a dispute, whether in connection with player contracts, sponsorships, buying or selling franchises, etc. A sports lawyer is brought into the fold because of their vast knowledge.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU LAW — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: A member of the advisory board of the SLB program told me about his mantra. It was “start with the end in mind.” Initially, I found this to be rhetorical but, as time went on, whenever I engaged in formal conversations, it was a useful mantra. I became more direct with the questions I asked because I intended to get specific answers.

Q: Why did you choose ASU Law?

A: The SLB program had a very detailed curriculum; it was broad and bordered on different subjects related to sports law and business. Every semester had courses that helped build my capacity as a professional. The program was unique, combining elements of law and business under sports. It was the right fit for me.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson at ASU Law?

A: Professor Jarvis is an open-minded professional. It’s fascinating how every person I met outside of the program had positive things to say about her work ethic and personality. I learned how important it is to be efficient in all your tasks. She does an incredible job combining life as an academic and as a business consultant.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: A sense of direction is key, knowing what areas you are interested in and where you can be most fulfilled in your personal life. This encourages you to grow and develop in that specific field with less stress.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: I will build multimillion dollar sports academies on different continents. This will help tackle illiteracy at the grassroots level and develop future talent in the world of sports.

Written by Crystal Jimenez