The intertwining of finance and football: the transformation of business models and the opportunity of Sport Assets Certificates

In recent years, the connection between finance and football has intensified, with a growing interplay between these two worlds. This situation has been particularly evident through the entry of foreign investors and private funds acquiring ownership of numerous European clubs, including those in Italy. This phenomenon has led to a significant transformation of football club business models, which must face challenges such as globalization, digitalization, and economic sustainability. Some key elements linking finance and football are as follows:

Player salaries constitute the most significant expense item for clubs and are influenced by the international transfer market, tax regulations, and sponsorship agreements¹.

Football clubs often carry significant debts that require careful management to comply with the financial fair play rules established by UEFA, which limit losses and capital injections from owners.

Capital gains, representing the positive difference between a player’s sale value and their book value, can contribute to improving clubs’ financial statements, but they can also mask situations of speculation or tax evasion.

Television rights represent the main source of revenue for clubs and depend on factors such as the geographic distribution of viewers, the quality of the football product offered, and competition among broadcasters¹.

The internationalization of club ownership involves capital inflows from different countries, each with its own culture, strategy, and objectives. This situation can have positive or negative effects on teams’ sporting and financial performance.

New business models leverage opportunities offered by digital technologies, online platforms, and data to create innovative experiences for fans, new revenue-generating possibilities, and new forms of social engagement².

At CSA, we have dedicated time and effort to studying a wide range of financial instruments that allow investment in the success of the best football players and teams globally. This has led us to open a new frontier in the investment world through Sport Assets Certificates.

Sport Assets Certificates represent a unique opportunity for investors who wish to capitalize on the popularity and performance of the most successful football athletes and teams. Through these innovative financial instruments, investors have the opportunity to participate in the potential growing value of sports assets in the global market.