Business of Sport Ep.46: Felix Starck, CEO @ Baller League, ‘Football is not too big to fail’

Business of Sport

The week we're delighted to welcome Felix Starck to the show. Felix is CEO of Baller League, an alternative to historic sporting competition. New propositions, new formats, new leagues. A lot of conversation we have on the show focuses on how leagues are in need of development and refreshment and subsequently what alternatives could be out there to entice the coveted youth audience rightsholders crave.

Baller League is this new product. 6 a-side, entertainment driven, quick football, short matches, free to air. It addresses many of the barriers identified in the footballing landscape. It’s revenues are approaching €20m, KSI, Figo, John Terry, ishowspeed all involved, Leagues being created in the UK and US after massively successful launch in Germany…and most impressive? It’s a year old.

Felix is shaking up the sport. He coins it the UFC of football. What does that mean? And how do you ensure this is a sustainable competition not a flash in the pan. A new form of football to sit alongside the traditional game, not detract from it. As Felix says, go and check it out before passing judgement.

On today’s show:

The UFC of Football:

• Why MMA was a sport in need of dramatic change to maintain its relevance when UFC was created to package a new product and create global icons in the process.
• Sport is increasingly hero driven; you need to create your own stars and not rely on the fandom of current players. How?
• This is not an enemy of football. Where does this competition sit in the current footballing landscape?
• ‘Slow sports are dead sports in the future’.
• Why Baller League will create a product for women’s football that is tailor made to the qualities of female players.

Baller League - Story so Far:

• How has Felix set up a challenger football league attracting some of the biggest names from sport and entertainment is a year?
• What are the rules of competition? Why is this format what the current attention economy craves?
• How do you become a player in Baller League? From academy to fustsal to professional footballers.
• Owning a franchise; who does Felix want to have as part of the ownership and what is expected if you take a franchise on?
• What are the financials of operating the league? How much does it cost to put on an event? Are the players paid?

Global Expansion:

• The league has had an amazing start to life in Germany. What has worked?
• Establishing a league in the UK and US; the launches are imminent. What goes into launching in a new country?
• From new sponsors to the best venues, who will be involved and where will it be played?
• Which country is best set for Baller League to thrive?
• Will there be purpose built stadia as Baller establishes itself in new markets?

A huge thank you to our amazing partners:

WSC Sports

https://wsc-sports.com/

Tyndall Investment Management

https://tyndallim.co.uk/