Off The Pitch

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Antonio D’Ottavio is set to step down as sporting director of AC Milan following an extended period of disagreements with operating partner Zlatan Ibrahimović. 🤝 Eredivisie CV has confirmed VriendenLoterij as its new naming partner from the 2025/26 season. From next summer, the league will be called the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie under a deal running until June 2029. 🤝 UEFA has revealed that Miele Switzerland will serve as a national partner for UEFA Women's EURO 2025, which will be hosted in Switzerland. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Ezio Simonelli fell one vote short of the quorum in the vote for the new Lega Serie A president. He secured the support of 13 clubs but fell just shy of the required 14 votes. A new assembly will now be needed to elect a president. 💰 Spanish club CF Intercity have reduced their capital by 97.5 per cent. The club have lowered the value of each share from €2 to €0.05, effectively cutting their share capital from €9.4 million to €235,000. 🤝 Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA) has partnered with Guardians of the Ball, marking its entry into the Metaverse. AFA becomes the first national football federation to join this virtual platform. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Garvan Stewart has departed AFC Bournemouth after 12 years to take up the role of Head of Recruitment at Hibernian Football Club. 💰 Preston North End FC have announced a record turnover of £16.9 million for the 2023/24 season. Despite this, the Championship side have recorded a pre-tax loss of £14.3 million, marking their sixth consecutive year in deficit. 🤝 VfL Bochum 1848 GmbH & Co. KGaA and Vonovia have extended their partnership ahead of schedule, with the company continuing as the club's main sponsor until the end of the 2027/28 season. 🤝 zondacrypto has expanded its partnership with Atalanta B.C. In addition to being the club’s Sleeve Partner, it will now sponsor the Nerazzurri's training kit and pre-match activities. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

Liverpool’s return to the top of the Premier League and Champions League under Arne Slot has reignited optimism among fans. However, the club faces a daunting financial reality: a projected historic operating loss for 2023/24. Financial Forecast 👇 #FootballFinance #SportsBusiness #Football #Finance #SportsBiz #Intelligence #Data #Forecast #Newsletter

What if a football club could balance passion, purpose, and profit - while challenging the norms of modern football? In an interview with Off The Pitch, FC St. Pauli von 1910 e.V. president Oke Goettlich reveals how the club’s groundbreaking “Football Cooperative Sankt Pauli” is more than an initiative; it’s a statement of values in an increasingly commercialised sport. 1. What is the "Football Cooperative Sankt Pauli," and what does it aim to achieve? Launched on November 10, 2024, this initiative allows fans to purchase shares for €850, with the goal of raising €30 million. The funds will secure majority ownership of the iconic Millerntor Stadium, clear debts, and support community projects, youth programs, and women's football. It’s a pioneering move in German football, promoting transparency, fan ownership, and long-term social impact. 2. How does St. Pauli prioritize values over commercial gains? St. Pauli avoids selling naming rights, rejects external investors, and chooses partnerships that align with their principles, such as their anti-racism campaigns with main sponsor congstar. These decisions often result in short-term sacrifices but reinforce their commitment to long-term community and social benefits. 3. Why is this approach significant for modern football? St. Pauli’s model challenges modern football business structures by blending community ownership, democratic decision-making, and a focus on social impact. Their bold initiatives - like leaving X (formerly Twitter) and setting quotas for women on their boards - demonstrate how values-driven strategies can redefine success in a competitive, commercialised sport. Read interview 👇 https://lnkd.in/dA7CYn3i #FootballFinance #SportsBusiness #Football #Finance #SportsBiz #Intelligence #Data #Forecast

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Michael Diederich has been elected to the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga executive committee. The CFO of FC Bayern München succeeds Jan-Christian Dreesen, who steps down after more than eight years in the role. 👔 Pablo Longoria, president of Olympique de Marseille and vice-president of LFP - Ligue de Football Professionnel, has been appointed to FIFA’s player welfare task force. 👔 Juan Useros will conclude his tenure as business director of Real Betis Balompié at the end of this calendar year. He departs after nearly eight years at the club, citing personal reasons. 👔 SV Werder Bremen GmbH & Co KG aA have confirmed that Ralf Heskamp will step down as organisational director due to personal reasons. Oliver Hüsing will take over in a dual leadership role alongside sports director Marc Dommer. 🤝 FC Bayern München and SpVgg Unterhaching have entered into a strategic partnership focusing on youth development and scouting. 🤝 JPMorganChase will become the first sponsor of Arsenal F.C’s VIP lounge. Membership of the “Diamond Club” costs upwards of €36,000. 🤝 Juventus Football Club have signed a new two-year agreement with TIM, naming the Italian telecommunications company as their premium partner. 🤝 Girona Futbol Club and Marlex have extended their partnership for three more seasons, reinforcing the Girona-based company’s status as one of the club's premium sponsors. 🤝 KRC Genk have renewed and expanded their partnership with Starcasino until 2027. From the new calendar year, the Starcasino logo will feature on the club's shorts. 🤝 LFP - Ligue de Football Professionnel has announced Essilor Group as a major new sponsor. The ophthalmic optics brand will support Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Ligue 2 BKT, Trophée des Champions, and eLigue 1 McDonald’s. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Major League Soccer’s (MLS) board of governors has extended the contract of commissioner Don Garber through the end of 2027. 👔 Juan Manuel Morales Alonso has withdrawn from the race to become president of Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) after failing to secure the minimum 21 endorsements required to present his candidacy. 💰 Venezia FC closed the financial year 2023-24 with a loss of €43.7 million. 🤝 SSC Napoli and Socios.com have expanded their partnership as part of Napoli’s digital strategy, which provides their fans with “benefits and rewards” via $nap Fan Token. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Jill Ellis has been appointed as chief football officer at FIFA. 🤝 FIFA have revealed Bank of America as an official partner for the Club World Cup 2025. 🤝 Royale Union Saint-Gilloise SCRL have renewed their partnership with the fintech firm Ebury. 🤝 Al-Ittihad Club Company have named German car manufacturer Volkswagen as their official automotive partner. 🤝 The Premier League is finalising a sponsorship deal with Microsoft, which is set to replace Oracle. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

Football, once rooted in local communities and traditions, is now at the mercy of global entities - from private equity firms to state-backed investors. This ownership evolution raises pressing questions: has the sport sleepwalked into a crisis? Two recent books by Miguel Delaney (States of Play) and Nick Miller (Who Owns Football?) dive deep into this phenomenon, shedding light on the challenges and risks posed by this seismic shift in the game’s governance. 1. Why is state-backed ownership considered problematic? State-backed ownership intertwines football with global politics, raising ethical concerns and potentially distorting competition. Critics argue that clubs owned by nation-states can prioritize political influence over sporting values, creating an uneven playing field. 2. How have ownership models evolved in recent years? Ownership has shifted from local businessmen to diverse models such as multi-club operations, private equity, and celebrity-led investments. While some owners seek profits, others are motivated by ego, prestige, or broader political and economic goals. 3. What are the long-term implications of these changes? The commodification of football risks alienating fans, eroding traditional values, and creating financial instability. Some experts warn of a potential “crash” if ownership dynamics remain unchecked, potentially destabilizing the sport. Read article 👇 https://lnkd.in/dqxcFimc #FootballFinance #SportsBusiness #Football #Finance #SportsBiz #Intelligence #Data #Forecast

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 🤝 FC Augsburg 1907 have announced a three-year collaboration with Stadionliebe® to enhance the culinary experience at their stadium. 🤝 Newcastle United Football Club have extended their partnership with parcel delivery service InPost ahead of schedule. 🤝 Swansea City Football Club have renewed their partnership with Carabao Group SPORT for the 2024–25 season. 🤝 The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) has revealed the Malaysia-based airline, AirAsia, as its new sponsor. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment