Federico Mari’s Post

More and more clubs are focusing on the development of academies. ✅ The reasons: ☑ Player Development A steady supply of talented players for the club's first team or potential sale to other clubs. ☑ Cost Efficiency It reduces transfer fees and allows the club to create a cohesive team with players who understand the club's ethos and style of play. ☑ Compliance and Regulations Many football associations and leagues have regulations regarding the use of homegrown players. ☑ Club Identity and Culture Homegrown players often have a stronger connection to the club and its supporters. ☑ Financial Sustainability Developing and selling young talent can be a significant source of revenue for football clubs, especially for smaller or less financially endowed clubs. ❗ But it is far from easy: even for young players there is often strong competition between clubs. 👉 It's crucial to have the best academy managers and to launch ambitious young coaches who espouse the values and long-term strategy of the club. ❓ What is the most important factor determining the success of an academy? #footballbusiness #talent #linkedinsports

Which is the best football academy in the world? ✅ The Top 3 1️⃣ FC Barcelona: €3.48b 👉 Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Grimaldo, Dani Olmo... 2️⃣ Sport Lisboa e Benfica: €3.06b 👉 Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo... 3️⃣ AFC Ajax: €2.56b 👉 Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt... ✅ The case of Italy ❗ There is only one Italian club in the top 30 (27th). 1. Atalanta B.C.: €858m 👉 Giorgio Scalvini, Amad Diallo, Alessandro Bastoni,... 2. Juventus Football Club: €841m 3. FC Internazionale Milano: €675m 4. AS Roma: €569m 5. AC Milan: €535m 6. ACF Fiorentina: €333m 7. Empoli Football Club: €314m ✅ How the ranking works It's the sum of the market value of all players in activity brought up by the respective clubs. --> without any time or number of matches limitations. ❓ Did you imagine it any different? #talent #footballbusiness #strategy data: transfermarkt

Today SKN St. Pölten plays against FC Liefering. It's the first game for our new coach "TT". Also, perhaps the first game for Jurgen Klopp as Red Bull's global head of soccer. Liefering is a Red Bull team with young talent ready to take off. For example: ▪ Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi exploded at Liefering, scoring 15 goals and 12 assists in 35 games. But also: ▪ Szoboszlai / Liverpool Football Club: 16 goals in 42 matches ▪ Upamecano / FC Bayern München: 16 matches in Austrian Bundesliga 2 👉 Many talents have made their bones in the Austrian Bundesliga 2. And we can't wait to see ours explode! It will be quite a challenge between our talents and those of the Red Bull school, and we are ready for it. Who knows if in the future we will have an energy drink as a partner ready to challenge Red Bull with us! Match prediction: goal by Malcolm Stolt. FC32 x SKN St. Pölten 🐺 #athletefirst #playerdevelopment #footballbusiness

Next week the UEFA Champions League is back: How many points are needed to reach the round of 16? ✅ The results ▪ To finish in the top 8: a team needs 15 points (on average). ▪ To reach the playoffs (9 - 24 places): it's 9 points (on avg). ❌ With less than 8 points you are almost certainly eliminated 👉 A supercomputer with an Elo system tried to calculate this through 10,000 simulations of the single-round phase matches. ❓ Do you like the new format? 👇 comment with the flag of the nation of the winning team #footballbusiness #sportbiz #linkedinsport data: Eurosport

The growth of a club is rarely derived from projections of a trend. Rather, it emerges from understanding how the trend will change stakeholders' perceptions of value. ✅ Curiosity vs. Trends Following a trend does not mean success. ❗ Clubs must always focus on long-term goals and not be fascinated by something trendy. 👉 At the same time, not being curious is dangerous and not studying trends is a risk. ✅ Football is evolving The football club management landscape is experiencing transformative changes, driven by: ▪ technological advancements ▪ shifting fan expectations ▪ evolving business models ❓ What trend do you think a club should follow to grow faster? #footballbusiness #strategy #investment

So many football players break their ACLs in October. Do you know why? ✅ Last cases - Bremer - Juventus Football Club - Rodri - Manchester City Football Club - Carvajal - Real Madrid C.F. ...and many more. ✅ How cruciate injuries occur Three types: 1️⃣ With a tackle (Carvajal) -> 12% of cases 2️⃣ Indirect contact (Bremer): the player is pushed and hurts himself -> 44% 3️⃣ Non-contact, a player hurts himself completely -> 44% ✅ Why October is so dangerous? October is a month in which many games are played. It's the start of the season and the players are a little less prepared. The intensity of the game has increased. 👉 Increased acceleration and deceleration: the injury occurs mainly during deceleration. ✅ Other numbers ▪ Lega Serie A average number of ACLs: 12 cases/year ▪ on avg. there is 1 ACL injury every 2 seasons for each club ▪ 10% of footballers will have an ACL injury ▪ 8/10 players injure themselves ❗ Problem: Data around the world suggest that ACL injury is on the rise in young players. ✅ Thoughts With increased game intensity and player fatigue early in the season, injuries are becoming more common. As we look ahead: ❓ How can we better prepare athletes to reduce the risk of these severe injuries? #athletes #injuries #health data: Francesco Della Villa - Isokinetic Medical Group, La Gazzetta dello Sport

Is the market ready for a €1.000 football shirt? (As for the $150'000 jacket in the picture). Years ago a collaboration between Gucci and Supreme was unthinkable. 👉 Same for Tiffany & Co. and NFT collection CryptoPunks. ▪ Will we see Hermès X Real Madrid C.F. in 2028? ▪ Or Louis Vuitton X Manchester United? ✅ Potential benefits for football clubs ☑ Elevated Fan Experience Fans would express their loyalty more stylishly and exclusively through limited editions. ☑ Prestige Luxury brands have a sense of prestige associated with their name. Football clubs would extend their reach beyond sport. ☑ Fashion-Forward Identity The club could establish a trendsetting entity. ❓ How? ✔ attracting attention from fashion enthusiasts ✔ creating a buzz in both the sports and fashion communities ☑ Player Style Partnerships Luxury brands could work with star players to create signature fashion pieces or accessories. It would add an extra layer of glamour to the club's overall brand. 👉 Louis Vuitton has collaborated with visual artists such as Murakami and Damian Hirst, who created new bag collections. Next frontier could be: Jude Bellingham X Louis Vuitton X Real Madrid C.F. ☑ Exclusive VIP Events Luxury collaborations can lead to exclusive events like fashion shows, product launches, or VIP matchday experiences. It would: ✔ engage existing fans ✔ attract high-profile audiences, celebrities, and influencers. The result? It would amplify the club's visibility. ☑ Innovative Stadium Merchandising Luxury collaborations can introduce innovative and stylish merchandise that enhances the in-stadium experience. This could include: 🔹 limited-edition designer seating 🔹 luxury lounges 🔹 high-end concession collaborations that redefine the matchday experience ☑ Revenue Diversification Collaborations with luxury brands present opportunities for revenue diversification. Limited-edition items with a higher price point can attract collectors and fans willing to invest in exclusive pieces. ❓ Are we sure there is no market for such collaborations? ✅ Final Thoughts In recent times, there have been several collaborations between clubs, players and fashion brands. For example Moncler X FC Internazionale Milano But I have not seen anything that has shaken the fans. Hardly any talk of it. I see too much caution. The fashion industry knows how to use sport to gain notoriety. And it does it well. Now I'd like to see a club take a risk and try to go into uncharted territory. ❓ Will football clubs ever make luxury items? Let the battle of creativity begin! #footballbusiness #fashion #strategy

Football is changing Fast. Seven trends to reflect on: 1️⃣ Technological Advancements Tech is vital for football clubs to enhance player performance, fan engagement, and operational efficiency. 2️⃣ Fan Engagement and Experience Football clubs must focus on creating immersive and personalized fan experiences to build a loyal and engaged fan base. Utilizing social media, virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive content can foster a deeper connection between the club and its supporters. 3️⃣ Sustainability and Social Responsibility Football clubs can capitalize on this trend by implementing eco-friendly practices, promoting diversity and inclusion, and engaging in community initiatives. The goal is to enhance their brand reputation and attract socially conscious sponsors. 4️⃣ Esports Integration Clubs can tap into the thriving gaming community by establishing esports teams or collaborations. 5️⃣ Global Market Expansion How can football clubs can expand their reach? By strategically targeting international markets, building global fan bases, and exploring opportunities for international partnerships and collaborations. There are already many examples in the football industry. 6️⃣ Women's Football Growth The growth of women's football presents significant opportunities for football clubs to invest in women's teams, and participate in women's leagues. 7️⃣ Data-Driven Decision Making Adopting data-driven decision-making processes, both on and off the pitch, can optimize: - player recruitment - performance analysis - business operations ✅ Thoughts The growth of a club (or of an area of the club) is rarely derived from projections of the trend itself. Rather, it emerges from understanding how the trend will change stakeholders' perceptions of value. Following a trend does not mean success. ❗ Clubs must always focus on long-term goals and not be fascinated by something trendy. 👉 At the same time, not being curious is dangerous and not studying trends is a risk. The football club management landscape is experiencing transformative changes, driven by: ▪ technological advancements ▪ shifting fan expectations ▪ evolving business models As an entrepreneur running a football group, capitalizing on emerging trends is crucial to staying competitive and ensuring long-term success. ❓ What trend should your club follow today to achieve great benefits in the future? #footballbusiness #trend #investment

From the Wolves of Roma to the Wolves of SKN St. Pölten. Happy to have Tugberk Tanrivermis ‘TT’ as our new coach. ▪ With experience as deputy coach at Galatasaray SK to Fatih Terim and Igor Tudor, TT has no lack of character and desire to grow. ▪ With a long experience in the youth teams of AS Roma, TT is also a talent when it comes to developing players. I am dying to see our players fulfil their potential but above all grow as athletes and as men in the coming months. 💪 The journey ahead is exciting, and we can't wait to see where it leads us. Welcome TT! #leadership #footballbusiness #linkedinsports

Fan experience extends far beyond the 90 minutes In football, the game itself is often seen as the main attraction. 👉 However, fan experience extends far beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch. It's a holistic journey that: 1. begins the moment a fan decides to attend a match, and 2. doesn't end until they're back home, reflecting on their day. ❗ The traditional view of fans as mere spectators of the game is outdated. ✅ The football fan journey in 8 phases In today's digital and experience-driven age, clubs must engage with fans at every possible touchpoint. This journey can be broken down into several phases: 1. awareness 2. education 3. acquisition 4. experience 5. onboarding 6. support 7. loyalty ✅ The 7 stages fan experience ☑ Awareness This phase is all about informing fans about upcoming matches. Targeted social media campaigns or partnerships with local businesses, can create buzz and anticipation. ☑ Education The next step is to educate them on the value of attending a match live. This could involve sharing behind-the-scenes content or testimonials from other fans about their experiences. ☑ Acquisition Selling tickets is just the beginning. Clubs could make the purchasing process as seamless as possible, perhaps through user-friendly websites or apps that remember fan preferences for future purchases. ☑ Experience The matchday experience is crucial. From the moment fans leave their homes, clubs can offer travel advice, create engaging pre-match events, and ensure the stadium atmosphere is electrifying. ☑ Onboarding For first-time attendees, the club can provide guides or apps that help them navigate the stadium and understand the chants and traditions that make each club unique. ☑ Support After the match, clubs should continue to engage with fans: asking for feedback and offering support for any issues encountered. ☑ Loyalty Finally: Recognizing and rewarding loyal fans through membership programs or exclusive content can foster a deep, lasting connection. ✅ Final thoughts Imagine a fan's journey where, from the moment they decide to attend a match, they're guided, engaged, and appreciated by their club. This holistic approach not only enhances the fan experience but also builds a stronger, more loyal fanbase. ❓ How would you revolutionize the way fans experience football? #Footballbusiness #FanExperience #strategy