Internship Report vol.7 – Ryuji Miyamatsu’s Story

At Sporta, we have welcomed seven interns in the past, each of whom has contributed in various ways during their time with us. After completing their internships, they have gone on to apply the knowledge and skills gained at Sporta in global IT firms, general trading companies, professional sports teams, and more.

This time, as the 7th installment of our intern experience series, we are excited to share the story of Ryuji Miyamatsu, who interned at our New York office.

<Below is Ryuji's story>

As a recent graduate of New York University (NYU)’s Master of Science in Sports Business program, I have always been passionate about the sports industry. While I knew I wanted to build a career in sports, I was still exploring what area of the industry would be the best fit for me. I first met Sporta’s founder, Yusuke Katoku, without any expectation of joining the company. As I learned more about Sporta’s projects, vision, and company culture through our conversations, I became increasingly interested in the work the team was doing. The opportunity to be part of such a dynamic and growing organization ultimately led me to join Sporta as an intern.

For someone like me, this internship was an incredible opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the sports business industry. Throughout my time at Sporta, I was trusted with meaningful responsibilities and encouraged to take ownership of certain parts of projects from an early stage. While much of my time was dedicated to supporting Shinji Okazaki’s New York City tour, I also had opportunities to contribute to sponsorship outreach, event operations, tour coordination, partnership development, research, social media operations, and various other initiatives. Being involved in both day-to-day operations and larger projects allowed me to learn by doing and gain valuable exposure to different aspects of the industry.

The most memorable experience of my internship was being involved in Shinji Okazaki’s New York City tour. As part of the project team, I helped coordinate a variety of events and activities throughout the week. Highlights included a youth soccer clinic at Columbia University, a business event featuring a talk session with Hideki Matsui, a visit to the New York Red Bulls, visits and discussions with Columbia MBA students, and several meetings with professionals and organizations. Being able to contribute behind the scenes to such a large-scale project was both exciting and rewarding. It also gave me a deeper appreciation for the planning, communication, and teamwork required to successfully execute sports business initiatives.

Another aspect of Sporta that impressed me was the company culture. I was impressed by how quickly ideas could be discussed and put into action. At the same time, everyone at Sporta was incredibly supportive and approachable. Whether I was working independently or collaborating with colleagues, there was always someone willing to offer guidance and encouragement. The environment encouraged me to take initiative, challenge myself, and continue growing both professionally and personally.

Looking back, this internship was one of the most valuable experiences of my graduate school journey. It strengthened my understanding of the sports industry and gave me practical experience that cannot be learned in a classroom. Beyond the professional skills I developed, I gained meaningful relationships, unforgettable experiences, and valuable perspectives that I will carry with me throughout my career. I am deeply grateful to Yusuke, the Sporta team, and everyone I had the opportunity to work with during this internship. The lessons I learned at Sporta will continue to guide me as I begin the next chapter of my professional journey.