Manila, Philippines – The 2nd edition of The Business of Football Conference, organized by MMC Sportz and sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation, concluded successfully on 10 November 2023, at Raffles Makati. The one-day conference brought together key stakeholders from the Southeast Asian football community, fostering dialogue on critical topics shaping the future of the sport. The event aimed to address Asian Football Sponsorship and Investment Trends, the Future of Philippines Football and AFC Participation, and the Impact of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Southeast Asian Football, among other vital discussions.
The conference featured a lineup of 20+ regional and international speakers, including experts from governing bodies and rights holders, who shared insights and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in the football industry. The agenda covered a wide range of topics, including the use of blockchain for fan engagement, the role of social media, AI, big data in professional sports, and lessons learned from FIBA World Cup hosting experiences in the Philippines.
Asia Trends in Sponsorship and Investment in Football
According to Asia Sponsorship News, football is unequivocally the most valuable platform in Asia, constituting nearly 31% of all sports sponsorship sales in 2022. The platform’s value was almost 2.5 times that of its closest competitor, the ‘Olympics,’ with a remarkable +21% increase over the four-year football average. Football, topping the charts at $1.6 billion, dwarfed the Olympics at only one-third of that, with $639 million, and Cricket trailing at $529 million. This data underscores the unparalleled dominance of football over other sports sponsorship platforms in the region.
The Role of Sport in Building Bridges in Governmental Relationships
In a poignant exploration of the transformative power of sports as a catalyst for unity and reconciliation, the panel on ‘The Role of Sport in Building Bridges in Governmental Relationships’ brought together distinguished figures to share their perspectives.
“Sports (football), in my view, is something that should unite people; that should unite countries. It should serve as a tool for reconciliation. Global sports should bring people together regardless of the color of their skin, regardless of age, even regardless of sex, so everybody can play football.” – HE Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, German Ambassador to the Philippines
“Sport is a fantastic platform for building connections between not only governments, countries, societies, and communities.” – HE Peter Kell, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines
Their insights capture the essence of this enlightening discussion, reflecting the shared vision of using sports (football) as a dynamic force for building bridges between nations and communities.
Addressing the Urgency for Adequate Sports Facilities Funding
During an insightful interview, Mr. Richard Bachmann, the esteemed Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, articulated a pressing concern regarding the funding of sports facilities. He emphasized that the deficiency in funding is not exclusive to football but extends across all sports. He also acknowledged that the country is currently lagging in providing the necessary financial support for sports infrastructure. His commitment to rectifying this shortfall was evident as he outlined his proactive approach by expressing his intent to collaborate with National Sports Associations (NSAs) to expedite the process of securing funding. Looking forward, he disclosed his ambitious plans for the upcoming year, having requested a substantial budget allocation. This allocation, Mr. Bachmann asserted, aims to address the critical need for facility improvements across various sports, underlining the commission’s dedication to fostering the development of sports at all levels at every local government unit.
Monetizing the Fan Experience through the Power of Blockchain & Web3
During a riveting presentation titled ‘Monetizing the Fan Experience through the Power of Blockchain & Web3,’ Mr. Samir Ceric, Chief Operating Officer of Blocksport, unveiled an innovative and holistic solution to bridge the gap from Web2 to Web3 in the world of sports. Providing a glimpse into the transformative potential of this cutting-edge technology, he emphasized the importance of a solid foundation and community-building exercise. As he delved into the intricacies of their approach, he shed light on how Web3 technology enables the connection, deepening of fan engagement, and the creation of revenues for sporting properties globally.
Obstacles in Sustainability in Professional Club & League Football
In a thought-provoking panel discussion titled ‘Obstacles in Sustainability in Professional Club & League Football,’ industry leaders provided profound insights into the challenges faced on both the buy and sell sides with brands and clubs. One of the key contributors, Mr. Paul Poole, Founder & Managing Director of Paul Poole (South-East Asia) Co., Ltd., renowned as The Sponsorship Experts, explored the intricate dynamics surrounding the commercial rights of football clubs and the struggles faced by local clubs in presenting and packaging these rights to sponsors. Mr. Poole, drawing from his wealth of experience, illuminated the complexities from both the brand’s perspective, dealing with clutter and multiple agents, and the club/rights holder’s viewpoint, navigating the challenges of articulating the value of their rights. The panel provided valuable insights into the hurdles encountered in sustaining professional football clubs and leagues.
Awards and Recognitions:
The conference also honored individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the football community. Notable awardees include:
• Token of Appreciation: His Excellency Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke for his support and contribution to The Business of Football 2023 Conference.
• Token of Appreciation: LALIGA for its continuous support and contribution to the success of The Business of Football 2024 Conference.
• Token of Appreciation: Mr. Jefferson G Cheng, Team Manager of the Philippines Women’s National Football Team, for his dedication and contributions to the development of Women’s Football in the Philippines & Asia.
• Token of Congratulations: Philippine Football Federation for its inaugural participation in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
• Token of Congratulations: New Zealand Football & Football Australia for the successful hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
• Token of Congratulations: Malaysia Football League for the successful implementation of its digital transformation process.
“The Business of Football” conference brought together key stakeholders of the Southeast Asian football community. The Philippines was represented through officials of government entities such as the German, New Zealand, Spanish, and British embassies, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, Games and Amusements Board, and The Philippine Football Federation.
MMC Sportz extends its appreciation to the sponsors – LALIGA, BLOCKSPORT, Capital Block, ASN, and Raffles Makati – for their invaluable support in making the conference a resounding success. The event’s official hashtag, #BOFPH2023, continues to be a platform for sharing insights and engaging discussions on social media.
Stay tuned for updates on future events and initiatives from MMC Sportz.
