On today’s episode of the Sports Pundit Podcast, Andy is joined by Alfonso Díaz, Chief Executive Officer of the Business Area at RCD Mallorca, a club whose transformation in the past decade has been nothing short of remarkable.

Alfonso has been with the club since 2016, initially as CFO, and since 2020 as CEO of the business side. Prior to that, he held senior finance and commercial roles at global companies like LG Electronics and GE Capital, and brings a multi-industry perspective to running a modern football organisation.

He’s played a key role in helping Mallorca return from Spain’s third tier to LaLiga - and in positioning the club as an international platform for sustainable sports tourism, premium experiences, and global partnerships. Backed by an ownership group that includes Andy Kohlberg, Steve Nash, Steve Kerr, and Stu Holden, the club has doubled down on long-term thinking - investing in a €30M stadium renovation and achieving strategic growth in markets like Japan, Korea, and the US.

In this conversation, we explore how Mallorca has rebuilt itself structurally and commercially and what comes next for a club that’s aiming to be more than just a football team.

Timestamps

02:00 - Welcome, Alfonso’s background, and early challenges at Mallorca
04:30 - Rebuilding the club: from crisis to LaLiga stability
10:30 - Ownership, culture change, and US long-term thinking
15:30 - Stadium redevelopment and reimagining the fan experience
24:00 - Tourism, local identity, and balancing visiting fans
26:30 - Premium hospitality and new matchday experiences
31:00 - International growth, new revenue streams, and global reach

40:00 - Future vision for RCD Mallorca

With Thanks to the Social Football Summit ⚽️🏟️

Social Football Summit (SFS) is a event designed for innovative content, sharing, networking, and education in the Football Industry.

The first event of its kind in Italy, over the years, it has become a reference point for football protagonists and stakeholders.
Its inception aimed to build a dynamic and innovative ecosystem with the objective of creating opportunities for encounters between authoritative figures and key players in the Football Industry.

Figures like Alfonso, who I was lucky enough to interview on stage at the latest edition back in November at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium.

About The Host

Andy Marston is the founder of Sports Pundit, a community and media platform for sports and technology executives. Through a weekly newsletter, podcast network, lively group chat, and regular social events, he shares industry analysis and connects leaders across the sector. Alongside Sports Pundit, Andy leads Corporate Venture at athlete-backed venture firm, The Players Fund, where he works with high-profile sports IP such as Como 1907 to design venture strategies and drive innovation initiatives.

Produced by OH SIX

The Sports Pundit Podcast is proudly produced by OH SIX, a content marketing agency specialising in producing digital and social-first content that connects. Trusted by Premier League clubs, F1 teams, and top brands, OH SIX deliver premium content end-to-end, from ideation, working with talent during production and platform specific content to reach audiences on screen.

Le journal des sports du 26 novembre 2024