New PwC survey identifies sports as the most disrupted of all industries

This week PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) launched the 2017 edition of its Sports Survey which shows that sports industry leaders expect the sector’s growth rates to slow down from 8 to 6.4% per year. While football appears to be “too big to fail” and eSports is seen as a key growth area, respondents view the Olympics as having a less certain future. More than two-thirds of respondents believe virtual reality is here to stay and will enhance the sports viewing experience. These are some of the key results of the 2017 edition of PwC’s Sports Survey.

For the survey, a wide variety of sports industry stakeholders was asked about the challenges and disruptive forces that are prevalent today. The report focussed on several topical industry matters, such as the future of the sports rights market, wearable and sensor technology, and virtual and augmented reality.

Click here to read the full report.

David Dellea, Director of PwC Switzerland’s Sports Business Advisory Team, explains that “the results of the survey confirm that the sports industry is reaching a decisive inflection point, where sustained growth will be the privilege of a few premium properties. Media is being consumed differently, especially among the younger generation, and sport finds itself in competition with an increasing number of alternative entertainment formats”.

Click here to read the full PwC press release.
(Sports – the most disrupted of all industries?)

The report also fuelled the discussions at this week’s inaugural Directors’ Summit, organised on 27 September in Lausanne by iSportconnect, in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and with the support of ThinkSport. At the event, thought influencers from premier rights owners and brands debated strategic issues impacting the future of the global sports business. Panel discussion topics included Safeguarding the Image of Sport, The Challenge of Hosting Major Events and Digital Disruption & The Future of Sport.