Ask the Intern: Stuti Daga at Major League Soccer

Photo courtesy of Stuti Daga

GOOOOOALLLL! A Partnership Marketing internship at Major League Soccer has helped this NYU sports management major get one step closer to hers. Stuti Daga (SPS '26) -who's also minoring in the business of entertainment, media, and technology-spent the summer learning how to manage a market that's ramping up exponentially in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"Juggling partner relationships while managing fast-paced campaigns across different platforms has really pushed me to improve my organization, attention to detail, and ability to adapt on the fly," says Stuti, who hopes to carry those skills with her in a career focused on brand partnerships and the fan experience. "It's been a real learning experience figuring out how to handle different stakeholder needs, communicate clearly with different teams, and keep everything running smoothly," she adds.

Her ultimate dream? "Coming from India, I have a special interest in cricket and would love to be part of the effort to grow the sport's presence in the North American market," Stuti says. "I'm fascinated by the global expansion of sports and want to be part of that energy-the rush of sporting culture spreading across new markets."

Stuti told NYU News all about what went into that process for MLS on the cusp of a huge season for North American soccer-and about the special game-day access she enjoyed.

THE GIG: My daily responsibilities involved assisting the team in executing and delivering partner activations and assets across various properties such as MLS, Concacaf, and the Mexican National Team. This included implementing partnership assets like hospitality, in-stadium signage, ticketing, player appearances, and social media content tracking at major events such as MLS All-Star, the Concacaf Gold Cup, and Mexican National Team matches. As part of that, I collaborated closely with numerous brand partners including Audi, Michelob Ultra, AT&T, and adidas to ensure seamless brand integration and objectives while maximizing fan engagement. I also helped compile reporting documents for campaign performance, conducted industry trend and competitor research to identify partnership opportunities, and developed executive materials such as partner briefs, biographies, and event pamphlets.

SECURING THE ROLE: I found this internship through an online job portal, applied directly, and went through the interview process organically. My advice would be to apply to every role that aligns with your resume and even remotely connects to your career goals. There's so much value in roles where you may only have limited prior experience or are completely trying something new. I think the great thing about working in sports is that I can turn something I am both passionate about and a fan of into my vocation. In addition to applying online during my internship hunt, I also focused on networking efforts which ranged from connecting on LinkedIn, writing cold emails to hiring managers, and reaching out to alumni in organizations I was interested in. The key to building a relationship is showing genuine interest in their work, and during interviews, taking the opportunity to learn from them and gain a deeper understanding of the organization.

Photo courtesy of Stuti Daga

TIMING IS EVERYTHING: This internship is my first experience at a sports league and in a sense my first introduction to corporate life. I was really excited to experience office life and routines. This has been the summer of soccer for North America, and next year will be a year unlike any other for our sport with the FIFA World Cup, coming in next year. The heightened global attention surrounding the soccer market is the perfect time to be in partnership marketing because brands who are looking to be or are already involved in soccer want to use the zeitgeist to create impressive activations and ramp up their presence within the game. I have been able to learn about the intricate blend of relationship-building with strategic project execution. Being in the middle of all the growth and excitement gave me a better sense of how the business side of the sport works, and how much planning and teamwork goes into making it all happen.

ADDING TO CONTACTS: This internship has given me the chance to connect with so many people across MLS, including opportunities to conduct informational interviews with coordinators, managers, and directors. Interns also learned about different departments through workshops presented by senior executives. We got to ask candid questions, learn about their experiences in the industry, and received important advice.

ON THE PITCH: I received some cool MLS swag which included MLS All-Star varsity jackets and jerseys from some various clubs. However,the absolute coolest experience was getting to step onto the field during warm-ups before the New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution game at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Being just a few steps away from the players as they practiced felt surreal. Then, all the interns in attendance got to watch the match from the Commissioner's Suite. That was the cherry on top!

MY LIFE ON SCREEN: I would say that a movie to best illustrate my current life and career aspirations is Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure. Although it has nothing to do with sports, I connect with Sharpay in that we're both trying to make it to NYC. The big city, the constant hustle, overachieving energy, and goals and dreams are familiar to me.