iSportConnect’s Masterclass in Lausanne sparks lively debate on the future of sports monetisation

iSportconnect’s Masterclass, organised in partnership with ThinkSport, was back in Lausanne earlier this week to gather senior commercial, marketing and digital leaders across the IF community and beyond for a debate on how IFs can optimise and grow the next generation of revenue streams.

There was a great mix of people in the room at the Maison du Sport Internationale for an event that out the focus firmly on group discussion in a friendly setting that encouraged people to share their thoughts, and they did so enthusiastically.

Archie Woodhead, CSO and co-founder of InCrowd, kicked off the day with a data presentation on the growth trends in sport. Federations, clubs and leagues have bucket loads of data, but the question of what to do with it and how to harness it seems to be on everyone’s lips.

After his insightful presentation the topic moved on to the key issue of the development of D2C and the future of television revenues. Appearing on the panel were Andrew Ryan, Managing Director of FIBA Media; Jan Olsson, Head of Sports Rights at SVT and Jerome Parmentier Head of Broadcasting and Media Rights for the IOC.

They were joined by Abhishek Ranade from Tata Communications and Aviram Sharon, InTheGame, representing two technology companies helping to shape the TV landscape of the future.

The discussion focused on direct-to-consumer as complementary to broadcast television rather than a stand-alone proposition. The experts addressed areas such as the complexities of managing rights around the world and how smaller federations can work with partners to build their own D2C offers.

The panel, presented in a fishbowl format that put the speakers in the middle of the audience, offered some great insights and valuable contributions came from people all over the room sharing their experiences and expertise.

A high point of the day was a freewheeling interview with Dan Rossomondo, Head of International Commercial Strategy & Development at the NBA who was full of frank and entertaining insights into the strategy and operations of one the world’s top leagues.

Click here to read iSportConnect’s full news release.