Julian Pate

Good article in The Guardian about the "fracturing evolution" of how people consume football (following Henry Winter leaving The Times). The article talks about the days when football fans consumed the sport through print and broadcast media. Then it adds: "More latterly that role was assumed by Twitter." Before going on to say: "What once constituted our shared football space has splintered into a million galaxies: forums and fan media, podcasts and YouTube channels, blogs and specialist websites, Reddit and TikTok, the curated feeds that allow us to view a game through whatever filter we choose: tribal, social, banter, fantasy team." It's a good summary. It reinforces a few things. First - we caught lightning in a bottle when we managed to put (what was then) Twitter at the heart of sports conversation globally. It was always smaller than rivals like Facebook but "only on Twitter" was more than just a slogan - it was a true statement when it came to sports (not just football). There was a lot of hard work behind that and it's gratifying that we still read that era being described as such even now. Second - despite (not because of) everything that has happened at X in the last few years (especially but also preceding its current ownership) it remains the place where football news is most likely to break. Football fans have stuck with it because no one single platform has adequately replaced it. Thirdly - as the Guardian article states, football conversation has splintered into a multiverse (not a metaverse!) of digital platforms. News is most likely to break on X still - but be discussed elsewhere. I continue to believe WhatsApp is the biggest threat to the breaking news element X still holds (not Threads). For sports rightsholders this is a challenge and an opportunity (as most things are). I do not know of any rightsholders that are ready to completely give up on X completely but most that we speak to are considering whether to downtick their use of it. The next challenge is where you shift that focus - and those resources - to in such a decentralised media landscape. If not X, then which of the "million galaxies" described by The Guardian? That is a challenge we (the IMG digital team) is solving for many of our clients now. As you'll see from previous years' annual Digital Trends reports, we saw this landscape coming so we're well placed to advise on how to navigate it. Happy to help you figure it out too - get in touch. https://lnkd.in/exT7EsTq

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It's been fascinating in recent weeks working with LCP colleagues looking at the Football Governance Bill - and in supporting Fair Game UK in setting out their position on the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT), in particular on the financial aspects. The Bill needs to ensure there are fit and proper people running football clubs, and the financial sustainability both of individual clubs and of the pyramid. ⚽ Along with Ashley Mould from LCP's Sport Analytics team, and John Parnis England and Jonathan Wolff from our Financial Analysis team, we have provided input on the financial sustainability aspects of the OADT through Stephen Radley for the Fair Game UK Position Paper published today: https://lnkd.in/ebANQXpy ⚽ I also enjoyed taking part in a Fair Game UK podcast, along with Fair Game CEO Niall Couper, journalist Graham Miller, and human rights expert Nicholas McGeehan on the subject, also released today. https://lnkd.in/ejVFDAPC From a financial sustainability viewpoint, we believe that key issues for the new Independent Football Regulator, when considering the business plans of owners, should include: 💷 not just their willingness and ability to cover losses, but also whether there is an enforceable legal obligation for them to do so; and 💷 this should cover any projected losses under the ongoing business plan, and also crucially allow for potential additional losses in realistic downside scenarios, like relegation. Without this, clubs will continue to be at risk of wealthy owners buying clubs and investing for success on the pitch. but then withdrawing financial support if and when that success fails to materialise #oadt #footballgovernance #fairgameuk

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In the wake of my post this week on the relationship between #padel and the LTA, can I ask any stakeholders in the UK padel scene who would like to contribute to as well as share their views and experience on the interplay between the sport and the LTA to get in contact with me (publicly or privately). At this stage I want to collect names and understand and coordinate views, whether positive or negative, what should continue, what should change, objectives, timelines, limitations etc. I will try to then coordinate a forum based on that intel to really fine tune the feelings of the group. Ideally we can end that phase with a decision on next steps and any meeting with the LTA. As an aside, if anyone (not necessarily from within padel) has experience of building and standing up a #nationalgoverningbody #NGB in the UK, how to work constructively with UK Sport and Sport England and the relevant #InternationalFederation #IF etc that perspective could be really useful as well. Finally, if you read this and feel someone else should be made aware of this, please feel free to repost or forward.

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Josh McLeod this is a compelling exploration of how AI is and could be further transforming the sports industry. The integration of advanced analytics and AI in sport not only enhances performance metrics and strategic planning but also revolutionises fan engagement and operational efficiencies. It’s exciting to consider the implications for all levels of sports management, from grassroots to professional leagues. Looking forward to seeing how these technologies continue to evolve and impact the sports industry.

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We all felt women’s football was elevated by the Lionesses winning Euro 2022 - and now we have it in numbers. Deloitte’s Annual Review of Football Finance says WSL club revenues were up 50% in 2022/23, with total league attendances over one million for first time. And it’s the big four of Arsenal F.C, Chelsea Football Club, Manchester City Football Club and Manchester United driving most of that growth with disproportionate investment - generating 66% of all cumulative league revenues, while their wage bills also accounted for 57% of league wage costs. Useful insight from Timothy Bridge and the team #SportsBiz https://lnkd.in/e8GwvGnU

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Sayak Ghosh representing StepOut at Soccerex has been one of the highlights this summer! Go check out this insightful discussion and dont hesitate to ask me how we are revolutionizing the world of Football. #StepOut #Youthdevlopment #FootballAnalysis #DigitalEcosystem #Livethegame

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Finally a holistic approach. Check out what #ProjectACL will entail.

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I really enjoyed reading this article by Sam Smith of the Daily Express on the use of advanced analytics by several high profile football players in negotiating their contract renewal and/or considering their next move. https://lnkd.in/eaq5aTYV ⚽ Sam's article is based on an interview he recently carried out with me and Alex Stewart from our associates as Analytics FC. It looks in particular at how analytics from TransferLab, the player data scouting SaaS platform developed by LCP in partnership with Analytics FC, have been used by both male and female players. These include Ben White, Kevin de Bruyne, Hector Bellerin, and Alex Greenwood of the Lionesses, as well as many others. ⚽ While TransferLab's primary role is to support clubs in identifying player prospects for potential recruitment, and understanding their skill-sets, it's been interesting and rewarding to see its parallel development in recent years in helping players understand their own value when negotiating their contracts with clubs. #footballanalytics #transferlab #analyticsfc TransferLab uses event data from over 100 men’s and 30 women's leagues from around the world covering around 100,000 male and 15,000 female players. It uses advanced analytics to assess each player’s past performance and help predict their future performance. The TransferLab Player Privacy Policy can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/e9z9huC2

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Some really interesting research here from PARITY | A Group 1001 Company. Not so much for telling us things we didn’t know or suspect but for putting the weight of careful research behind it. A lot to digest in this, and very useful if you’re looking for regional data. Those of you toiling at the coal face of women’s sport will not be surprised by most of the data here - but then I don’t think Parity want to preach to the choir. So hopefully some of you out there, especially brands and agencies will look at this data carefully and make some smart decisions! It certainly helps support the case for more and better commercial funding in women’s sport. More than Equal #sportbusiness #roi #womeninsport

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📹 Calling all video analysts and football enthusiasts! 🌟 Curious about how professional football clubs leverage our software to enhance their video analysis workflows? Take a moment to dive into these insightful tactical analysis video series. https://lnkd.in/gsMYy49f Explore the cutting-edge techniques and strategies that are revolutionizing football analysis! 🚀⚽ #FootballAnalysis #VideoAnalytics #SportsTechnology

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Ahead of tomorrow's Fair Game UK annual conference at AFC Wimbledon's stadium, we've put together a short pack explaining how LCP can help football clubs, owners, investors, governing bodies and other stakeholders in the areas of football finance and governance. Key elements of our service offering include: ⚽ In depth financial analysis of individual / multiple clubs or leagues, including transaction support  ⚽ Financial scenario analysis to assist in planning and risk management ⚽ Communicating the “financial story” to fans, potential investors or other stakeholders  ⚽ Supporting good governance and  compliance with regulatory requirements I'll be attending the Fair Game UK conference tomorrow along with LCP colleagues John Parnis England and Ashley Mould, and DEI expert Buki Mosaku. If you're at the conference, please come and say hello to us! During the Speed Meetings session at lunchtime, I will be focusing in particular on the Owners' and Directors' Test (OADT) . In this regard, two of my colleagues in our Financial Analysis team, Jonathan Wolff and Tom Gillespie, recently looked at what a more effective revamped OADT might look like under the new Independent Football Regulator - and how this could be a real gamechanger for the sustainability of English men's professional football. Their article is here: https://lnkd.in/educf5kk More details on the Fair Game UK conference can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ePsisebK #fairgameuk #financialsustainability #footballgovernance

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Sky Sports in the UK set to offer 50% more live sports, and up to 100 live events simultaneously following the launch of Sky Sports+. The new offering will be free to full subscribers, and will kick off at the start of next football season when their new EFL day of 1000 matches a year goes live. Will this be a moment where they start to reinvest or expand their investments into tier 2 sports following a more selective approach over the past decade? The launch of this product will certainly give them a powerful, wide reaching platform to negotiate and maximise audience with rights owners looking at options in the UK. Sky Sports UK - not only leading the way in sports rights, but also product development and innovation. #sportsbiz #linkedinsports #streaming https://lnkd.in/dJTuXjA2

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Fair Game UK's conference on Tuesday was full of thought-provoking sessions and a great opportunity to meet and mix with a wide range of football people concerned about the future governance and financial sustainability of the beautiful game. Particular highlights for me were: ⚽ Hearing from interim COO of the Independent Football Regulator Martyn Henderson talk about what his organisation will and, as importantly, won't, have powers to do once established under the Football Governance Bill going through parliament ⚽ CEO Niall Couper's impassioned exposition of the eight key issues Fair Game UK believe still need to be addressed under the Bill - with support from Fair Game's legal expert Simon Orriss of Mills & Reeve. ⚽ Presentations by Aaryaman Banerji of the Civitas Think Tank, and Dr Mark Middling and Dr Lisa J. Ferguson of Northumbria University on the need for better governance and ownership models in English professional football. ⚽ Being able to hold AFC Wimbledon's official replica of the FA Cup trophy their predecessor club won in 1988 beating Liverpool Football Club 1-0 at Wembley - a game I went to as a Liverpool fan. ⚽ Seeing the amazing ground and facilities AFC Wimbledon have built at the old Plough Lane site, developed and financed primarily by their fans as one of the very few community owned clubs in the English men's league pyramid. ⚽ Representing LCP at the conference, along with colleagues John Parnis England and Ashley Mould, and our friend and associate, EDI expert Buki Mosaku - and discussing with many conference attendees how we can use our expertise to support better football finance and governance. With yesterday's news of an election on 4 July, will the Bill come into force before then? It looks unlikely, with parliament being dissolved on 30 May - but with broad cross-party consensus in support of its provisions, it looks certain to be adopted at some point in the next year or so. #fairgameuk #footballgovernance #financialsustainability

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Time for the #TFAArchives! Each day, Fintan O'Reilly gets deep into the 10,000+ articles we've written on TFA over the years and pulls out a few that might be of interest based on current events and news and sometimes, Chris Beaumont remembers to post them. Everton defeated Liverpool 2-0 to further dent their Merseyside rivals’ title hopes. The Toffees’ second goal came directly from a floated cross at a corner, something we warned about in relation to Sean Dyche’s side just earlier this week: https://lnkd.in/eW9ZnwMC Meanwhile, Arne Slot is the latest coach to be heavily linked with the soon-to-be vacant Liverpool manager’s job. Our piece shows how he translated his possession principles to Feyenoord faster than expected: https://lnkd.in/enSe-ZZu Xavi Hernández has reportedly changed his mind and opted to stay on as Barcelona boss beyond this season. We have a piece which explains how he brought some excitement to the Catalan giants’ football in 2021/22: https://lnkd.in/dBJaiTzE According to Porto president Pinto da Costa, Sergio Conceição will stay at Estádio do Dragão should he win re-election this month. Our head coach analysis piece explains why this might be a big incentive for Porto fans to re-elect Da Costa: https://lnkd.in/eVytSvgt And that is officially it for today - we will be back in the morning with the latest analysis. #football #analysis #scouting #tactics #soccer #tactical #recruitment #data #analytics #viz

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Attention spans are decreasing, the speed of living is increasing - and new age sports fans are demanding engaging, real-time, experiences that hold their interest and fit into their busy schedules. Founded by Mo Kilany in 2020, Fanera is the world's 1st Football community powered by Web 3.0 technology. It was great to speak with Mo about his company first-hand and learn more about the technology behind the brand. By leveraging machine learning and AI, #Fanera provides a scalable, multilingual, international experience that is accessible to everyone, everywhere, anytime. Their communication pathways between Clubs, Brands, sponsors and fans, creates new sports interaction channels, encourages mass participation and potentially creates new revenue streams. As a gamified social networking platform with over 400K active users, Fanera is definitely moving in the right direction. By providing unique content that enhances the fan experience (e.g. NFTs), and enabling users to connect with each other, interact with teams, earn loyalty rewards, etc, Fanera effectively caters to new age fans and how they consume sports. It is no secret the future of sports tech lies in the fan experience, and it will be interesting to see how this develops over time as more tech startups emerge. https://www.fanera.co/ #Innovation #Startup #Sports #Technology

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Athletes hold more power than ever before, but with great power, comes great responsibility. Our latest InTel report looks at the sway athletes hold, bringing both opportunity and risk to commercial programmes for brands and rights holders. The combination of athlete-owned social channels and a more sophisticated commercial environment means athletes increasingly have the power to shape the sports landscape.  To access the free report, click the link in the comments #sportsbiz #athlete #sponsorshipvaluation #influencer

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💡⚽️ Insight of the week ⚽️💡 According to a recent report by Sports Innovation Lab and Klarna the women’s sports merchandise market is worth US$4 billion. The report stated that fans buy merchandise to show support when they can't attend games, but lack of access is preventing new fans from getting involved. It also pointed out that low stock and fewer purchase locations make it difficult to measure demand for women’s sports merchandise

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An example of digital platforms integrating their services to offer a seamless service for Sports and their Members - working together to innovate and generate revenue. #sportstech #sportsbusiness #sheffieldbusiness #innovation #data #partnership #streaming #membershipmanagement

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