Pro Revolution Soccer 2.3: Who Runs Football? w/ David Goldblatt
Jun 28, 2024
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Author David Goldblatt discusses the influence of billionaires in football and accusations of 'sportswashing.' Plus, analysis on Southgate's strategy for England's national team and the complexities of football governance.
Football ownership diversified with foreign investors and American private equity firms.
Tech industry explores football opportunities despite challenges with broadcasting and digital initiatives.
Football serves as a commercial entity attracting revenue through broadcast deals, sponsors, and merchandise.
Deep dives
Football Transformations Through Ownership
The ownership landscape in football has transformed significantly, with notable influences from foreign states, oligarchs, and American private equity operations. While foreign strategic investors like Abramovich, the UAE, and Greek figures impact top-tier clubs, American private equity firms are increasingly acquiring various clubs down to even lower league levels. The objectives of American private equity in football seem more financially driven compared to political agendas observed in other ownership types.
Tech Sector Involvement in Football
The tech industry is exploring opportunities in football, particularly through broadcasting rights and digital initiatives. While Amazon has broadcast Premier League games and Apple has invested in Major League Soccer rights, their forays into the sport have encountered challenges. The introduction of crypto and NFTs in football has seen limited success, with ventures like fan tokens and NFTs facing setbacks and criticism for their lack of tangible value.
Commercial Dynamics in Football
Football functions as a commercial entity with multiple revenue streams, such as broadcast deals, sponsorship, and merchandising. Advertisers, sponsors, and the sportswear industry leverage football's popularity and fan engagement for marketing and revenue generation. The commercial interactions within football mirror a landlord-tenant dynamic, where businesses pay for exposure and advertising opportunities within the sport.
American Private Equity Influence
American private equity firms have emerged as significant players in English football ownership. These entities are acquiring clubs across various tiers of the football pyramid, with a focus on financial returns rather than political or cultural agendas. Their economic strategies in football mirror broader investments by American private equity in other sectors, indicating a trend towards increased American influence in English football.
Overview of Financial Engagements in Football
The financial landscape of football encompasses diverse actors, including private equity firms, tech companies, broadcasters, and advertisers. While each entity seeks to capitalize on football's popularity and commercial appeal, their approaches vary in terms of objectives and success rates. The evolving financial engagements in football highlight the complex interplay between business interests, revenue generation, and the sport's cultural significance.
This week Tom and Juliet are joined by David Goldblatt, author of The Ball Is Round, to answer a seemingly simple question: who runs football? David explains why billionaires and foreign investors love sinking their money into football, and what accusations of “sportswashing” leave out. Plus, we talk about what’s going on with Southgate’s strategy. […]
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