Join us on Wednesday, January 22nd, at 6pm CET (2pm in in Brasilia), for an exclusive live interview with Thairo Arruda, CEO of SAF Botafogo, as we kick off the 8th season of the iWorkinSport LIVE Interview series. This session will focus on Thairo’s extraordinary career journey, from his early beginnings in engineering to leading one of Brazil's most historic football clubs.
Botafogo underwent a transformative shift in 2022, becoming a Sociedade Anônima do Futebol (SAF) after being acquired by John Textor's Eagle Football Holdings, a group that also owns Olympique Lyonnais in France. This marked the beginning of a new era for Botafogo, which has since experienced tremendous growth under Thairo’s leadership, culminating in their triumphs in the Brazilian Série A and the Copa Libertadores—the South American equivalent of the UEFA Champions League.
Thairo began his career with a degree in Computer Engineering from the Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UFPG) in Brazil. His entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on when he founded a computer school franchise that quickly grew to over 120 students. Transitioning to data science, he moved to the United States and gained valuable experience in consultancy before earning an MBA from the Yale School of Management. At Yale, he co-founded the Yale Soccer Conference, an initiative that explored the business side of football and paved the way for the establishment of Matix Capital, a firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions in the football industry.
This interview will explore Thairo’s diverse career path and the skills he acquired along the way, the challenges and successes encountered in transitioning from technology and consultancy to football management, and the strategic decisions that led to Botafogo’s recent triumphs. Thairo will also share his insights into how SAF Botafogo has been repositioned as a powerhouse in South American football and offer advice for professionals aspiring to enter the sports management field.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Thairo Arruda’s unique journey. Join us live and participate in the Q&A session to have your questions addressed directly. Mark your calendar and be part of this inspiring conversation that bridges technology, entrepreneurship, and football management.