The World Football Summit Podcast

Football legend Andrés Iniesta has just acquired a stake at FC Helsingør, a club in Denmark.

Turns out that Jordan Gardner, former speaker at WFS and friend of the show, was the owner at the club a couple of years ago.  He helps us understand more about the opportunity that Iniesta has identified at the club and in Denmark. 

We also talk about the trend among athletes becoming owners, his leadership frameworks during his time there, and more!

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on:

This week, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of the football industry, exploring the latest trends, challenges, and growth opportunities shaping the game today. From the transformation of stadiums into year-round entertainment hubs to the rising importance of direct-to-consumer strategies, we examine how football clubs are innovating to keep pace with fan expectations.

With insights drawn from recent WFS Europe panels we touch on pivotal topics such as sustainability, AI’s impact on operations, and the growth potential in women’s football. Tune in as we discuss how clubs are adapting to the digital era, leveraging data, and redefining fan engagement beyond the traditional 90 minutes on the pitch.

You can actually download a detailed report with more findings on our website. Get your copy on this LINK!

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on:

Mike Rice, Operations Manager at AccessibAll, an organization that harnesses the power of sport to act as a driver for disability-inclusive change in wider society is our guest today.

Their mantra is 'total access.” They were one of our partners in organizing the inclusive match between Atlético de Madrid and Lille during their Champions League match a few weeks ago.

I wanted to bring Mike on to talk about the topic of accessibility in football. This means:

I believe the football we want, and need is one that EVERYONE can enjoy, regardless of their condition. So please stick around for this conversation.

AccessibAll will be celebrating their International Summit on 13-14 November 2024 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. Make sure you check that out.

This conversation by the way, is brought to you by the UK’s Great Campaign, which among other things, is showcasing the UK’s effort to drive positive change through sport. I mean think about it, the UK is known to be the home of football, it has one of the best football leagues in the world, and it is great to see how they are using this legacy to make a difference in people’s lives. They will join us later in the conversation but you can also find more information at https://greatcampaign.com/

Enjoy!

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on:

Recorded live at WFS Europe 2024 in Sevilla, Lluís Cortés, head coach of the Saudi Arabian Women’s National Team, shares his experience developing women’s football in a rapidly evolving landscape. He talks about leadership, legacy, and the exciting future for Saudi women’s football.

What you’ll hear:

Special thanks to Slam Internacional and Leyendas de España for sponsoring this episode!

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on:

Today, we welcome Matteo Balliauw & Max Goldsmith, from the Belgian Football Federation for a “data management in football masterclass.” And we look at it from both the performance and the business side of things. It is pretty remarkable what they have done at the Federation, and they have a bunch of examples and use cases that I believe you guys can benefit from.

I love these conversations where I am not an expert and then I talk to people like Matteo and Max who make things simple to understand, practical, and enjoyable!

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on:

Recorded at WFS Europe 2024 in Sevilla, this episode features Zubair Timol discussing the critical role of data and AI in shaping modern football. From personalized fan experiences to how football clubs can become content creators, Zubair dives into the future of football tech.

What you’ll hear:

This episode is made possible by Slam Internacional and Leyendas de España...Enjoy!

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on:

This week we talk about the world of sports tourism. After all, Sports tourism represents around 10% of the total global tourist flow and has transformed into an almost mandatory element of all sports stakeholders’ strategies

We welcome Olivier Rust from Radisson Hotel Group and Iker Meyerson from Athlos Travel, a Barcelona-based start -up, both of which joined us for WFS Europe. This is a fascinating conversation where we look at the space from the multinational brand POV and the start-up perspective.

We also look at the importance of ensuring a seamless travel experience for sports organizations, which is something that is commonly overlooked.

Enjoy!

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on:

Live from WFS Europe 2024 in Sevilla, we chat with Ebru Koksal, Chair of Women in Football, about the Open Doors Agenda and its push for greater female representation in football leadership. Ebru shares strategies for promoting diversity, building expertise, and fostering inclusive environments.

Among other things we talk about:

Thanks to Slam Internacional and Leyendas de España for sponsoring this episode and supporting gender equality in sports.

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on:

I am thrilled to bring you an awesome conversation with Mike Amstrong, CMO at Juventus Football Club. As a marketer at heart, I am a big fan of the work they are doing at the club. I believe that initiatives like the Juventus Creator Program are what the industry needs to tap into new avenues of growth.

Mike and I cover:

Honestly, this was a masterclass I will remember for years!

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on:

In this episode recorded live at WFS Europe 2024 in Sevilla, former footballer Siem de Jong talks about his transition from the field to a career in investment, content creation, and purpose-driven initiatives. Siem shares his thoughts on navigating life after football and the role athletes can play in driving social change.

What you’ll hear:

This episode is made possible by Slam Internacional and Leyendas de España, our partners in football innovation and social impact.

World Football Summit: The football we want, and need.

This podcast is for leaders who want to shape the future of the football (or soccer) industry. On this show, we will bring you closer to the people and the organizations who are driving change in the sports business industry all over the world.

You can learn more about us on: