In a resounding affirmation of football’s unrivaled dominance in the realm of sports sponsorships, the 2nd edition of “The Business of Football” conference concluded successfully last 10 November 2023 at Raffles Makati. Organized by MMC Sports and sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), the one-day event brought together key stakeholders from the Southeast Asian football community, providing a platform for crucial discussions on the future of the sport.
With a focus on stimulating dialogue and knowledge transfer, the conference covered diverse topics, including Asian football sponsorship and investment trends, the use of blockchain for community building and fan engagement, the impact of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Southeast Asian football, and lessons learned from FIBA World Cup hosting experiences in the Philippines.
Over 30 regional and international speakers, representing governing bodies and rights holders from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the UK, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Australia, and Geneva, shared insights on challenges and opportunities in the football industry. The Philippines was well-represented by officials from various government entities, embassies, sports commissions, and football associations.
“‘The Business of Football’ conference aims to become an annual event in the Philippines as
regular football discussions and knowledge transfer are essential elements for the development
of the sport. And since not everyone can travel around the region, we will bring the football
industry to the Philippines stakeholders. We might add more local elements to the event and
conceptualize proper football awards to become the highlight of the conference,” according to Eric M. Gottschalk, CEO of MMC Sportz Asia as he explains the future plans for the event.
According to a report by Asia Sponsorship News, football stands out as the most valuable platform in Asia, constituting nearly 31% of all sports sponsorship sales in 2022. The platform’s value is nearly 2.5 times that of its closest competitor, the Olympics, showing a remarkable 21% increase over the four-year football average. Football’s value, topping the charts at US$1.6B, dwarfs the Olympics at only US$639M, with cricket trailing at US$529M. This data underscores football’s unparalleled dominance in sports sponsorship in the region.
A panel discussion on “The Role of Sport in Building Bridges in Governmental Relationships” featured government officials from the German, New Zealand, and British Embassies, highlighting the transformative power of sports as a catalyst for unity and reconciliation.
In an interview with Richard Bachmann, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, concerns were raised about the deficiency in funding for sports facilities, extending beyond football to all sports. Bachmann pledged to rectify this shortfall and collaborate with National Sports Associations to secure funding for facility improvements across various sports.
“Monetizing the Fan Experience through the Power of Blockchain & Web3,” presented by Samir Ceric, Chief Operating Officer of Blocksport, unveiled innovative solutions to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 in the world of sports, emphasizing deeper connections with fans and the creation of new revenues.
The conference also delved into the obstacles in sustainability in professional club and league football, with Paul Poole providing insights into the challenges faced by brands and clubs in commercial rights.
Recognizing significant contributions to the football community, the conference honored individuals and organizations, including His Excellency Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke, Jefferson G Cheng, the Philippine Football Federation, New Zealand Football, Football Australia, and the Malaysia Football League.
MMC Sportz extended appreciation to its partners for their support, including LALIGA, BLOCKSPORT, Capital Block, ASN, and Raffles Makati.