Brock University Department of Sports Management teaches sports management

By Staff

April 8th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

The newer universities in Ontario have to carve out a sector that is unique to them.   They are up against the University of Toronto, Queen’s, Western and McMaster.

Brock University created a Department of Sport Management and have shown that new academic niches can be created to serve the changing needs of students that see the academic world differently.

Ryan Clutterbuck, Brock University Assistant Professor of Sport Management.

Ryan Clutterbuck, Brock University Assistant Professor of Sport Management, teaches negotiation concepts through role-play simulations that demand students adopt the mindset of both parties involved in high-stakes negotiations, such as Guerrero and Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro.

“We challenge our students to consider their negotiation counterpart’s perspective to resolve conflicts and create value for both sides,” Clutterbuck says. “The critical test is ‘can you write the other side’s victory speech for them?’ Because for a negotiation to succeed over the long term, it’s important that everyone walks away from the deal feeling like they’ve won.”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero’s contract stands as the second richest in MLB history when measured by present value, thanks to the absence of deferred payments. Only Juan Soto’s 15-year, $765-million agreement with the New York Mets ranks higher. While Shohei Ohtani’s headline-grabbing 10-year, $700-million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers appears larger on paper, significant deferrals reduce its present-day value to $460.8 million.

Guerrero Jr., swings and seldom misses.

For the Blue Jays, the deal is justifiable not only because of what Guerrero has already accomplished, but for what he represents: the face of the franchise, a fan favourite and a player whose prime years are still ahead of him, Clutterbuck says.

The move showcases how MLB franchises like the Blue Jays, Mets and Dodgers view negotiations as a blend of financial planning, storytelling and cultural impact, he adds.

“This signing is not just about home runs, wins-above-replacement stats or other objective criteria,” Clutterbuck says. “For the Blue Jays, it’s about locking in their homegrown face of the franchise that fans can grow with. A generational talent with charisma, heritage and the potential to cement the Blue Jays as competitive. Negotiations at this level reflect a deeper calculus. Teams are not just acquiring talent. They’re investing in a vision.”