Bentley University Partners With The Boston Celtics

WALTHAM, MA — Bentley University has launched a multiyear partnership with the Boston Celtics, a cornerstone NBA franchise and one of the most closely followed teams in the league every year.

Those facts are important, as the goal of the partnership is to help students get an up-close-and-personal view of a career in sports.

As an official university partner of the team, Bentley students will gain access to team executives and operations, "strengthening the university’s nationally recognized position as an institution that prepares graduates for exciting careers in the changing global marketplace," college officials said, in a news release.

“Teaming up with the Celtics offers a winning opportunity for Bentley,” said Bentley President E. LaBrent Chrite. “This partnership between Bentley and the Celtics will bring a true competitive advantage to our students by allowing them to learn from sports industry professionals and explore potential career paths.”

The partnership includes opportunities for Bentley students to develop solutions to real-life business situations and present to executives from the Celtics and CLTX, the team’s official NBA 2K affiliate.

The students will get a behind-the-scenes look at the emerging esports market, which was valued at $1.42 billion in 2022 and is projected to be $4.47 billion by 2030, according to Cognitive Market Research. By analyzing industry trends and applying their own business knowledge, the students will have the opportunity to analyze how CLTX can reach new markets and grow its audience, officials said.

The collaboration will highlight Bentley and the Celtics’ shared commitment to expanding access to historically underrepresented communities through hands-on experiences.

Beginning this season, Bentley will sponsor an annual career day at Celtics headquarters, during which the Celtics will provide high school students with a day-in-the-life experience with the Celtics front office staff highlighting pathways to a career in the business of sports.

“Bentley University shares our Celtics values of commitment to excellence, pride and collaboration,” said Ted Dalton, Boston Celtics chief partnership officer. “We’re thrilled to team up with Bentley and its students to make a positive difference on and off the court.”