While the economic fulcrum of the football industry still resides in Europe, the true trajectory of growth is anticipated to emanate from elsewhere.

Hello! Welcome back to?PITCHSIDE MONITOR,?your one stop guide to club management! This week we will:

• Look at our latest report published in collaboration with World Football Summit
• Hear from Jan Alessie , Director of World Football Summit

First up, is our section on club management.

Distinguished readers of our esteemed newsletter are well aware of our unwavering enthusiasm for international club football. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we announce our collaboration with World Football Summit on an innovative report that delves into the current state of football across the globe. This groundbreaking initiative has captured our attention, and we are fully committed to delivering insightful perspectives on the matter.

Exploring the landscape of club and league football beyond the European sphere prompts us to inquire about its current status. The methodology employed to unravel this complex tapestry is straightforward: leveraging our extensive experience in crafting perceptive analyses of the football industry across diverse strata, we discerned that a judicious approach involves amalgamating universally applicable, objective data with nuanced, firsthand perspectives from individuals deeply entrenched in the day-to-day operations of these football ecosystems. In the pursuit of an accurate portrayal, we are dedicated to synthesising quantitative insights with qualitative narratives, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the global football panorama.

The culmination of our extensive and captivating efforts is evident in the recently unveiled "LTT Sports x WFS Global Football Report: Discovering Football’s Emerging Frontiers 2024." This groundbreaking and aesthetically compelling report is now exclusively accessible through WFS, and we invite you to explore it via the link here.

However, the publication marks just the inception of an exhilarating series of in-person and multimedia engagements that lie ahead. From podcasts to a live launch during the WFS Summit in Jeddah, featuring our esteemed colleagues Olivier Jarosz , Fathi Abou El Gadaiel , and Eric Abidal , to subsequent dialogues with representatives from clubs and leagues not covered in the initial report, we are poised to deliver a wealth of valuable content for you and the broader industry.

To succinctly review the principal highlights from the Global Football Report:

A. Comprehensive Examination of 20 Nations, Spotlighting Emerging Football Forces

The genesis of this undertaking was rooted in a desire to delve into the dynamics of club football, particularly in regions receiving less coverage. Recognising that the predominant focus often gravitates towards the European football industry, we set out with the understanding that other continents are witnessing compelling developmental initiatives. Some have already experienced three decades of strategic growth, while others are more recent entrants but display remarkable dynamism, capitalising on the latest technological, governance, managerial, and marketing innovations.While it would have been ideal to encompass insights from all 150+ non-European football nations, the sheer magnitude of information and data rendered such an endeavour impractical. Consequently, a judicious selection was made to feature a highly representative cohort of burgeoning football markets from every corner of the globe.

B. Insights Culled from Over 60 Engagements with Club, League, and Federation Executives

An optimal approach to comprehending the nuanced intricacies of the global football landscape lies in direct engagement with individuals operating within these diverse ecosystems on a day-to-day basis. This involves conversing with professionals who possess an intimate understanding of the unique attributes that define their respective domains, as well as a keen awareness of the primary challenges they encounter.In the pursuit of acquiring authentic and in-depth insights into the state of the game worldwide, we have actively sought and conducted over 60 interactions with executives from clubs, leagues, and federations. These conversations have been instrumental in providing a holistic perspective on the distinctive dynamics and hurdles encountered within various football ecosystems.

C. Examination of Football's Resilience Amid Economic and Societal Challenges

It remains a recurrent assertion that football clubs and leagues encounter shared issues and possess similar requisites. However, the efficacy of addressing these challenges invariably hinges upon the distinctive and individualised nature of the local environment. This locale not only furnishes the necessary resources but also delineates the constraints encountered in tackling these issues.Fundamentally, football is an exceptionally adaptable entity, spanning the spectrum from impromptu 'kick-abouts' with makeshift balls after school to meticulously curated, visually captivating spectacles of top-tier matches. Moreover, it accommodates diverse business models, ranging from purely local "craft" approaches to those grounded in mass-market dynamics and economies of scale. The pivotal challenge lies in the strategic selection of an appropriate model aligned with available resources and aspirations, and the steadfast adherence to such a chosen path.

D. Emphasis on the Pivotal Roles of Technology and Strategic Planning in Regional Football Growth

In our extensive experience, we have encountered diverse methodologies for fostering the growth of football. However, the approaches exhibiting the greatest potential for establishing a sustainable model and a lasting legacy, thereby positioning football as a genuine social and economic driver on both national and international scales, are those characterised by the implementation of comprehensive strategies aligned with long-term and ultra-long-term vision.The industry has witnessed numerous instances of success, and equally important, instances of failure, providing invaluable lessons to be gleaned. Learning from the past and harnessing the wealth of collective experience amassed over time is imperative. Abundant growth strategies abound, and contemporary projects stand to benefit from the groundwork laid by their predecessors, facilitated by advancements in technology, strategic planning, and managerial techniques. We are privileged to share these insights with you through our ongoing endeavours.

E. Identification of the World's Fastest-Growing Leagues

The report is specifically dedicated to examining emerging football hubs in key regions such as the Middle East, North and South America, East Asia, North Africa, and West Africa. While the economic fulcrum of the football industry predominantly resides in Europe, the true trajectory of long-term growth over the next century is anticipated to emanate from novel initiatives emerging in these burgeoning geographical centres. This signifies a crucial phase of "decentralisation," propelled by favourable demographics and escalating prosperity in the "global South."As astutely articulated by Eric Abidal in one of our internal discussions, "The next frontier for football excellence will be traced in one of these countries..."

Should you wish to join us at the World Football Summit in Jeddah this December, we extend a cordial invitation for an exclusive discount code. The code will be accessible on following this LINK.

In our Football Talks section this week, LTT Sports spoke with Jan Alessie , Director of the World Football Summit. We asked Jan a few questions, and here is what he had to say.

1) How is technology transforming the way football is played and watched, and what specific innovations have had the most significant impact on the sport?

I believe technology's transformation in football is primarily driven by changes in fan behavior. Fans today are less intense and more fragmented, often showing loyalty to players rather than teams. They consume football in various ways, not necessarily sticking to the traditional 90-minute match viewing. Therefore, technologies that enable direct fan engagement, like OTT media services, are crucial. I also think that Web3 technology could significantly impact the sport, especially if clubs commit to educating fans and building loyalty.

2) How can we encourage collaboration between clubs and leagues from different continents?

We think the best way to foster cooperation is through networking events within the industry. For example, at the World Football Summit in Europe, we conducted workshops showing that clubs from different countries often face similar challenges. These events provide a valuable platform for clubs to share their experiences and collaboratively brainstorm solutions.

3) How do you foresee the rise of football in emerging leagues contributing to the overall development of the sport?

From our perspective, the role of football in emerging leagues is vital for the sport's overall development. By improving both the talent on the field and professional support off it, these leagues can drive more revenue, enhance efficiency, and improve tactical mechanisms. This, in turn, significantly contributes to the global growth of football.

4) What are the key takeaways from the LTT Sports x WFS Global report, and were there any surprising findings?

The key takeaways from the Global Report were quite enlightening. Surprisingly, it revealed that Europe might not be the region experiencing the most growth in football. Instead, regions like North America and the Middle East are emerging as strong competitors. The report also underscored football's resilience to economic downturns and conflicts, highlighting the critical roles of technology, strategic planning, and a growth mindset in each region.

5) Which geographical areas are identified as hotspots for football development in the next five years?

We identify North America and the MENA region, especially Saudi Arabia, as the key growth areas in the next five years. In North America, the sport is becoming more embedded in the culture, thanks to cultural phenomena and star players. The MENA region, on the other hand, is benefiting from substantial investments in players and infrastructure, backed by government and institutional support.

6) What can guests expect at the WFS event in Saudi Arabia?

We can’t disclose yet all details, but happy to welcome you! Well, guests at the WFS event in Saudi Arabia can expect insightful panels discussing how the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and Asia, are strategising to become leading sports hubs. The event is an excellent opportunity for global networking and business development. It showcases the increasing interest of European entities in the region and aims to connect the global football industry, fostering its growth and professionalisation. Can’t say more than See you in Jeddah!?

Register for WFS Asia here!

We are pleased to have featured in the esteemed Przeglad Sportowy, where we presented a visionary football league concept based on the Three Seas football league. This initiative aims to unite football across Central and Eastern Europe, encompassing Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary, within a new competitive framework. Drawing inspiration from the historical Mitropa Cup and capitalizing on the region's profound football heritage, the proposed league aspires to leverage the collective economic strength of these countries, boasting a combined GDP exceeding 2.5 trillion euros.

While still in the conceptual phase, this groundbreaking initiative seeks to address the financial dominance of Europe's top five leagues. It holds the potential to revolutionise the football landscape by establishing a platform that enhances competitiveness and financial viability for clubs within the Three Seas region.

As alluded to earlier in this newsletter, we are pleased to announce our recent collaboration with World Football Summit, resulting in the release of the report titled "LTT Sports x WFS Global Football Report: Discovering Football’s Emerging Frontiers 2024."

The comprehensive report is available for download here.

Should you have any queries or require further information on the report, please do not hesitate to reach out.

During the recent Stowarzyszenie Sport Biznes Polska , distinguished by its insightful panel discussions, LTT Sports Director Olivier Jarosz and football luminary Eric Abidal actively participated in a panel discussion of prominence.

That brings us to the end of this week’s newsletter. We hope you found eye-opening insights from our content this week. Each week, we will be curating exclusive content for you from the club management ecosystem. So, stay tuned for more and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter?here!

LTT Sports is an advisory firm focused on connecting football strategy and operations based on experience, analysis and a strong network. At LTT Sports, we have created a set of services for football organisations, providing transversal solutions at any level of the professional football pyramid – to boost performance off the pitch, directly impacting on-pitch results.

*** Disclaimer: LTT Sports is an independent think tank aimed to be a platform of discussion amongst football stakeholders. The answers received for our interviews are personal views of the interviewee and/ or the organisation he or she may represent and strictly do not represent our views on the subject matter.

Contributors to this week's newsletter:?Olivier Jarosz,?Konstantin Kornakov

Contributors to the LTT Sports x WFS Global Football Report: Discovering Football’s Emerging Frontiers 2024: Fathi Abou El Gadaiel , Kabir Nagpal , Jaime Domínguez Pérez de Ayala , Adam Metelski , Anne-Marie Itoua , Javier Alejandro Kuan Ayala , Jacob Meltzer , Daniel Chira . Special thanks to Ajay Abraham and Rijul Sharda