Faris Alaradi’s Post

Sport Integrity Action Month Kicks Off in Brazil The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), through SIGA LATIN AMERICA, is officially launching the Sport Integrity Action Month with a special Opening Session at Sports Summit São Paulo 2025, marking the beginning of an unprecedented international mobilisation for Sport Integrity. Among the programme highlights, on 1 November, SIGA Latin America will host the International Expert Summit on Sports Betting Integrity, as part of Sports Summit São Paulo 2025. The Summit will gather renowned experts to debate one of the most pressing issues of our time: the regulated sports betting market, its challenges and opportunities, addressing manipulation, criminal infiltration, corruption, money laundering, responsible advertising, protection of youth and vulnerable groups, and international cooperation. With SIGA as the Official Sport Integrity Partner, Sports Summit São Paulo enters its third edition as the largest and most influential sports industry gathering in Latin America, from 30 October to 1 November. EN: https://lnkd.in/dbuKrGWb PT: https://lnkd.in/dxgCEt6c

Can sports rights holders align with commercial partners for mutual benefit rather than being swayed by the sponsorship revenue ? And still be successful ? I think they can but it takes the CEO and Board of Directors and Owners to share this vision rather than set financial targets for the commercial department to achieve. We all know that money talks ! But, taking a long term view for the overall benefit of the sports rights holder is surely an important value for these organisations to not only survive but thrive. When we see 'fans' of say football clubs being disgruntled by 'their' club accepting money from an organisation that doesn't really fit with the club's values, this is when I start to think - yes, they've taken the money even though the new sponsor doesn't really fit the club's values. They were swayed by the money. And I'm sure they would say - 'we needed to hit the sales target and had no other option' ! Well, they may not have done in that situation but who put them in that situation ? They did it to themselves by setting short term financial objectives and then focusing their resources to hit the financial target. But what would have happened if the sports rights holder identified & captured what the organisation stands for, including the values. And then creating a strategy to attract new partners who not only align with the values but can add to them and form a partnership where both parties actually grow sharing similar values. Many sports rights holders pay lip service to the 'environment' issue but don't really do very much about it and in some cases, still welcome partners who may do less than they do. If a sports club says the environment is an important issue for us and wishes to have these values as part of their proposition and reason why, then surely they would naturally attract like minded organisations who wish to be aligned and see the benefits of a commercial partnership to further this cause. So, I'm keen to see sports rights holders develop their own unique proposition, their why and set values for their brand and then activate accordingly. And when they talk with a new potential partner, they should discuss these first and anyone not at least being able to show they are aligned on values, should not be entertained any further.

From Sports to Stand-Up: Is Saudi Arabia Rebranding Its Image Through Humour? First came sports: Formula 1, heavyweight boxing, European football megadeals, and golf. Since 2016, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy has poured an estimated $6.3 billion into sports investments alone, from acquiring stakes in the PGA Tour, to luring global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo ($200M/year) and Neymar ($175M/year). Now, the Kingdom is turning its spotlight toward entertainment. Last week, Riyadh hosted its first-ever Comedy Festival, featuring global heavyweights like Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Jimmy Carr, and Kevin Hart, performing in a nation where, until 2018, cinemas were still banned. -> The results: - Tickets sold out in under 48 hours. - Over 20,000 attendees across multiple venues. - A reported $12M+ in economic impact during opening week. For many, this marks progress as a more open cultural landscape, and a signal that Saudi Arabia wants to engage the world not just through oil, but through art and humour. But critics see something deeper. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International argue that this is another step in a multi-billion-dollar “reputation laundering” strategy by following the same pattern as sports investments. As one observer put it: “They’re moving from sportswashing to laugh-washing.” Meanwhile, none of the performers addressed Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, a silence that’s sparking its own kind of controversy. Which raises the question: Would global star comedians like Jimmy Kimmel or Stephen Colbert perform in Saudi Arabia and if not, why should others? Are we witnessing genuine cultural reform… or just another PR play in a new medium? Comedians have historically been powerful truth-tellers. From court jesters who mocked kings, to modern satirists like Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, John Oliver, Hasan Minhaj, and Bassem Youssef as humour has often been the "safe" way to call out hypocrisy, corruption, or abuse of power. Satire cuts through spin and forces audiences to question authority. But on the other hand, not always: - In some countries, comedians are censored, jailed, or even exiled for going “too far.” - In others, satire risks becoming entertainment without real impact when people laugh, feel a release, but don’t act. - And sometimes comedians are co-opted into the very systems they critique, softening their edges to maintain access or avoid backlash. The real question is: Do comedians spark actual accountability, or do they just provide comic relief while the status quo rolls on? What do you think?: Should global entertainers use their platforms to push for human rights when performing in restrictive environments or should art and politics stay separate? #SaudiArabia #CulturalShift #Sportswashing #ComedyFestival #GlobalBranding #SoftPower #HumanRights #PublicRelations #JimmyKimmel #StephenColbert #ShareEcard

From Sports to Stand-Up: Is Saudi Arabia Rebranding Its Image Through Humour? First came sports: Formula 1, heavyweight boxing, European football megadeals, and golf. Since 2016, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy has poured an estimated $6.3 billion into sports investments alone, from acquiring stakes in the PGA Tour, to luring global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo ($200M/year) and Neymar ($175M/year). Now, the Kingdom is turning its spotlight toward entertainment. Last week, Riyadh hosted its first-ever Comedy Festival, featuring global heavyweights like Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Jimmy Carr, and Kevin Hart, performing in a nation where, until 2018, cinemas were still banned. -> The results: - Tickets sold out in under 48 hours. - Over 20,000 attendees across multiple venues. - A reported $12M+ in economic impact during opening week. For many, this marks progress as a more open cultural landscape, and a signal that Saudi Arabia wants to engage the world not just through oil, but through art and humour. But critics see something deeper. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International argue that this is another step in a multi-billion-dollar “reputation laundering” strategy by following the same pattern as sports investments. As one observer put it: “They’re moving from sportswashing to laugh-washing.” Meanwhile, none of the performers addressed Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, a silence that’s sparking its own kind of controversy. Which raises the question: Would global star comedians like Jimmy Kimmel or Stephen Colbert perform in Saudi Arabia and if not, why should others? Are we witnessing genuine cultural reform… or just another PR play in a new medium? Comedians have historically been powerful truth-tellers. From court jesters who mocked kings, to modern satirists like Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, John Oliver, Hasan Minhaj, and Bassem Youssef as humour has often been the "safe" way to call out hypocrisy, corruption, or abuse of power. Satire cuts through spin and forces audiences to question authority. But on the other hand, not always: - In some countries, comedians are censored, jailed, or even exiled for going “too far.” - In others, satire risks becoming entertainment without real impact when people laugh, feel a release, but don’t act. - And sometimes comedians are co-opted into the very systems they critique, softening their edges to maintain access or avoid backlash. The real question is: Do comedians spark actual accountability, or do they just provide comic relief while the status quo rolls on? What do you think?: Should global entertainers use their platforms to push for human rights when performing in restrictive environments or should art and politics stay separate? #SaudiArabia #CulturalShift #Sportswashing #ComedyFestival #GlobalBranding #SoftPower #HumanRights #PublicRelations #JimmyKimmel #StephenColbert #ShareEcard

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 — 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲 : 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐁𝐂 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞. While many African football leagues grapple with a credibility gap that repels major sponsors, the Tanzanian NBC Premier League (TPL) is scripting a compelling counter-narrative. The league's recent multi-year, multi-billion shilling sponsorship deals with brands like NBC Bank and Azam TV aren't just a stroke of luck; they are the direct result of a systemic overhaul that other leagues on the continent should be studying closely. The visible success is impressive: a ten-year broadcast deal worth over $97 million and a title sponsorship that injects billions of shillings into the league and its clubs. This financial influx has led to greater stability, timely salary payments, and an improved on-field product that's attracting better talent. But these are just the symptoms of a much deeper, more strategic transformation. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 The core challenge for many African leagues is a vicious feedback loop: a lack of transparent governance erodes sponsor trust, leading to underinvestment. This financial instability compromises the quality of the league and its administration, which further diminishes its commercial appeal. Data is unreliable, and potential partners see more risk than opportunity. Increased investment from broadcasters like Azam TV professionalized the league's visibility. This higher quality broadcast product, which now rivals international standards in its coverage of major derbies, amplified the league's reach and fan engagement. A more engaged and visible fanbase then becomes a highly attractive asset for sponsors, leading to bigger deals and further investment. This cycle is now self-reinforcing. Furthermore, the league has benefited immensely from the innovative approaches of its leading clubs. Take Yanga SC's fan ownership and engagement model. By transforming the club into a publicly and privately owned entity, they gave fans a tangible stake in their success. This wasn't just a sentimental gesture; it was a strategic move to build a loyal, financially invested consumer base. The next horizon is to leverage this growing platform to attract a more diverse portfolio of international brands beyond the traditional telecom and banking sectors. For executives of other African football leagues, the question is this: What is the single most significant step you can take in the next six months to improve your league's governance and transparency to a level that would attract a ten-year broadcast partner?

According to a recent Forrester report, 76% of marketers who spent on sports sponsorships said they found it difficult to determine ROI. Seventy-six procent. Let that sink in. 3 out of every 4 marketing executives who are active in sport sponsorship, find it difficult to measure and determine the ROI. Yet the report suggests that the majority of respondents did agree that they saw business growth linked to their sport sponsorship. But how did they measure that? Is that based on gut feeling? Something needs to change. Measuring the impact and ROI of your partnerships is no longer optional, it needs to be at the heart of a true partnership. The rights holders and teams who are able to showcase the full impact to their partners will be the long term winners. Thanks to Oliver Wolfs for bringing this research to my attention. We recently set up a research to see how Belgian brands are doing in terms of sponsorship evaluation and how they perceive the current market. It's safe to say that there is a lot of work to be done.. More on that very soon.

The enactment of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (NSGA) marks a watershed moment for Indian sports regulation, including emerging sectors such as e-sports. While the NSGA prescribes internal governance standards for National Sports Federations (NSFs), it remains silent on substantive criteria for recognition, unlike the earlier National Sports Development Code, 2011. This gap is particularly pressing in the case of e-sports, which, despite being formally recognised under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA), lacks a single universally acknowledged international federation. The existence of multiple international and domestic bodies raises questions about which entity qualifies as the legitimate representative for e-sports under the NSGA. Drawing on global and Indian experiences, this article argues that detailed recognition criteria—beyond procedural compliance—are essential. It suggests that Indian e-sports organisations may carve legitimacy through grassroots development and stakeholder protection, even if universal international recognition remains elusive. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gX3qJRmu Aman Gupta

Global Athletic Sponsorships: Financial Considerations and Strategies By Panayiotis Constantinou, The Sports Financial Literacy Academy, Nicosia, Cyprus Introduction Sponsorships are no longer just about logos on jerseys. In today’s globalized sports economy, athletes are brand partners, equity holders, and international influencers. Whether you are a tennis player with deals across three continents or a footballer negotiating image rights in multiple tax jurisdictions, global sponsorships are a powerful tool—but they also require serious financial strategy. The opportunity is huge. From apparel and nutrition to fintech and lifestyle brands, sponsors want athletes with reach. But global deals come with global complications—currency risk, cross-border taxation, and brand alignment challenges. This Post explains (...). For the entire post, see: https://lnkd.in/exD8u9zp

🚨 Everything you need to know in #SportsBiz today 👇 1. M+C Saatchi Group acquires Women’s Sports Group, a specialist consultancy focused on women’s sport, media rights, and advisory services 2. International Olympic Committee – IOC and SEGA sign a multi-year licensing agreement featuring Sonic the Hedgehog across official Olympic digital experiences 3. UEFA approves domestic league games abroad, president Aleksander Čeferin calls the “regrettable” decision exceptional and insists it will not set a precedent 4. NCAA and AT&T extend multi-year top-tier partnership, including broadcast integrations, national campaigns, and fan activations like the Super Saturday Concert and March Madness Music Festival Block Party 5. Boyu Capital-led consortium reportedly exploring takeover of Infront Sports and Media from Dalian Wanda Group 6. NBC’s National Basketball Association (NBA) coverage secures sponsorships from American Express and McDonald’s 7. David Kogan appointed as the first Chair of English football’s new Independent Regulator 8. Heineken extends UEFA Women’s Champions League partnership until 2030, remaining official partner of the competition 9. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expresses confidence a new WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) collective bargaining agreement will be reached, while stressing need to repair league-player relations Keep your finger on the pulse with all the major stories and news announcements by checking out The Wire – our one-stop shop and super-feed of sports business news 👉 https://lnkd.in/dJKSjMv5

SportsPro has the new sports business news, including UEFA agreeing to play matches (reluctantly) outside of their normal boundaries (aka Miami) & the NBA on NBC has new sponsors