Scotwork North America’s Post

Olympics and Paralympics: why should we believe the promises of positive legacy for host communities? With #Paris2024 about to start, stories emerge from Queensland that their bid included an a $1 billion upgrade of the Gabba stadium that was not supported by a business case. One of the problems with holding games organising committees (OCOG) to account for cost overruns and the legacies that remain (or not, like the legacy of cost blowouts), is that most OCOGs are rapped up within months of the event. Further, the past few events have seen political and social reshuffling that reduces the ability for post-event accountability of governments, bid committees and OCOGS (think Paris 2024 election, Beijing 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Tokyo 2020 COVID-19, Rio 2016 President impeached between events, Sochi 2014 invasion of Crimea...). Why should the voting public trust the budget estimates and legacy promises from those who bid for, and put on these wonderful events ? How can they increase their social license? #Olympiclegacies #Paris2024 #Brisbane2032 #sociallicense https://lnkd.in/eJVp8gtD

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) reaffirms its position against the politicisation of sport. This position is a Fundamental Principle of the Olympic Charter, which says: “Recognising that sport occurs within the framework of society, sports organisations within the Olympic Movement shall apply political neutrality. They have the rights and obligations of autonomy, which include freely establishing and controlling the rules of sport, determining the structure and governance of their organisations, enjoying the right of elections free from any outside influence and the responsibility for ensuring that principles of good governance be applied.” Read the full declaration 👇 https://lnkd.in/gnJGQaa8

What if the E.U did the Olympics? I heard several voices asking the European Union to participate in the Olympics as one main "group". It could top the "Medal count" list with almost 100 gold medals, far in front of USA and China, both at 40. (Source: https://lnkd.in/e47EJyMA) Well this is not rocket science. There are three reasons for that. #1 Identifying the athletes The CIO is not sure if 4 years would be enough for the E.U. to agree on the criteria that would allow European Athletes to win a selection for the games. (Reaching such a consensus can take up to 10 years in Brussels 😬) #2 Changing the rules After the first competitions, the CIO is worried that the E.U. would try to introduce new regulations that could advantage its athletes. (For example, starting the 100-meter dash a few decameters further). And everyone understands that most of the times, these regulations will actually disadvantage its own team through an overload of paperwork. #3 Retaliation Finally, the CIO is clearly scared to face retaliation after disappointing Olympic games for the E.U. It could face several hundred million euros in fines, new obligations and a potential antitrust lawsuit, for lack of competitors in "Olympic" activities. Long story short: surely, E.U. competitors did extremely well, but let's let them represent only their country!

I recently read about the WTA's decision to host its Tour Finals in Saudi Arabia, a choice defended by WTA CEO Portia Archer. She cites the complexities sports organizations encounter when balancing cultural differences, ethical considerations, and strategic growth opportunities. This decision highlights the nuanced challenges of global sports management as organizations enter regions with differing cultural norms and political landscapes. It raises significant questions about how sports entities can align their operational strategies with their core values while pursuing growth and inclusivity. The WTA's method—consulting with players and evaluating trade-offs against potential gains—mirrors the broader trend of sports entities navigating the delicate balance between expansion and maintaining integrity. As sports continue to expand into diverse markets, these decisions will increasingly influence discussions on global sports ethics and governance. I’m eager to hear your thoughts: How should global sports entities balance their values with strategic opportunities in complex markets? What implications does this have for sports marketing and fan engagement on an international scale? https://lnkd.in/exnVaB8Y

Now that the Olympic Games are over, we can talk about it's business side. Is hosting Olympic games even a good idea? Did Paris benefit from it? Here are the last 3 cities that hosted it and how much they LOST Pyeongchang 2018 (Winter Olympics) Estimated Loss: $10.4 billion 🔻 Tokyo 2020 (Summer Olympics) Estimated Loss: $11.6 billion 🔻 Beijing 2022 (Winter Olympics) Estimated Loss: $5.7 billion 🔻 In modern history, there was ONLY 1 Olympic Games that made money, it is Los Angeles 1984, they made $223M profit. To be fair, most of these losses are from construction work, which means there were many new venues created that can be used in the future to benefit the economy. But will these venues ever break even? Now let's look at the numbers from Paris Cost: $8.2B , Projected Revenue: from $7.3B to $12B But this is just a projection, so let's not get too excited for now. You may say there are many other benefits that can not be counted. But it is almost like saying: "Hey, lets spend $200m on Instagram Ads, we may not make money from it now, but there will be lots of brand awareness benefits in the future." Would you still do it?

Whilst we may all assume that these events won't have an impact as they aren't in the UK, can we really predict how many people would be watching and celebrating a Scotland or England win in the Euros, or a great night of Olympic coverage? Alternatively, these major events are a great opportunity for team building and by offering the option of watching together around a company giant screen...the critical thing is to plan ahead.

🔴 ⚪ This topic is very dear to my ❤️ so I'm excited to share my latest article for We Are Innovation on Club Atlético River Plate's innovative approach in world football. El Monumental stadium now leads global attendance figures, averaging 84,567 spectators—a result of bold innovation since 2020. River Plate has transformed its iconic venue, elevating the matchday experience to world-class levels. With 350,000 members and a dominant social media presence, the club is positioning itself as a true giant of the sport. However, challenges remain: Argentina's complex regulatory environment, economic instability, and the league's structure pose hurdles. Yet, these are matched by opportunities like potential league reforms and economic forecasts suggesting a turnaround. Can River Plate leverage its innovative spirit to dominate South American football and challenge Europe's elite? The next few years will be crucial. Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/dZg3Psa9 #FootballInnovation #RiverPlate #SportsBusinessStrategy

As of now, many Olympic venues built since 1896 are still in use, while others have been repurposed or demolished. Some iconic venues, such as the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens (hosted the 1896 Olympics), are still used for events and ceremonies. However, the fate of each venue varies depending on factors such as maintenance, funding, and public interest. Some venues are repurposed for different sports or events, while others are left in a state of disrepair. Overall, the legacy of Olympic venues can vary widely by location.

The Hong Kong government's potential decision to cut support funding for a friendly match, following Lionel Messi's absence and the subsequent disappointment of fans, raises critical questions about the responsibility and transparency of event organizers. The government's investment in the event, coupled with the significant financial commitment from fans, underscores the need for clear communication and accountability in high-profile sports events. As businesses increasingly leverage sports celebrities for marketing, the fallout from such incidents can have broader implications. How can event organizers and sports teams balance star power with reliability to ensure the satisfaction of both fans and stakeholders, and what measures should be in place to address unforeseen circumstances in such high-stakes situations? https://lnkd.in/eVwjmiKp #SportsMarketing #EventManagement #BusinessAnalysis #LionelMessi #InterMiami #FanExperience #EventTransparency #SportsBusiness #HongKongEvents #Accountability #StakeholderRelations #SportsIndustry #EventOrganizer #PublicRelations #FanEngagement #TransparencyMatters #EventFunding #MessiGate #EventResponsibility #BusinessEthics #MajorLeagueSoccer #SportsFans #MarketingStrategy #EventDisappointment #SportsEvents #DavidBeckham #BusinessInsights #EventCommunication #AthleteEngagement #SoccerBusiness Blue Chip Sports Management Marymount Sports X Marymount Storytellers Inter Miami CF Major League Soccer FC Barcelona D.C. United Jason Nicola

For this month's Fourth Economy blog, I wrote about major sporting events, their economic impacts, and how cities can, with the right priorities, leverage these events to drive long-term investment and community prosperity. These events don't happen without negative externalities, though, and can swiftly become burdens for host communities, their budgets, and local constituents. I'm excited to head to the USMNT game vs Panama in Atlanta tonight and get an early look at how the city will fare with massive World Cup crowds in 2 years time! "This year’s Copa America is equal parts competition and trial-run. The big event, 2026’s FIFA World Cup jointly-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, looms ahead just two years from now. Host cities are already making short and long-term investments in their infrastructure to maximize the tournament’s economic impact, which is estimated at over $5b across the 3 countries." https://lnkd.in/gxDNFCPC