The International Sports Summit 2024
November 2024
Yesterday saw PSN's 9th Edition of the International Sports Summit, drawing a full house of 300 senior executives within the elite sports industry. Attendees engaged in a dynamic line-up of insightful panel sessions, hands-on workshops and fast-paced, impactful networking sessions.
From these lively speed networking sessions to engaging panel conversations, the day was a seamless blend of professional insights and relationship-building, making it a standout event for leaders eager to connect and shape the future of the sports industry together
1-1 WITH CEO, AL ITTIHAD
The Summit featured an exclusive one-on-one session with Domingos Soares de Oliveira, the recently appointed CEO of Al-Ittihad Club and former CEO of SL Benfica. This unique Q&A provided attendees with a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about Oliveira’s strategic vision for Al-Ittihad, which has become a focal point in Saudi Arabian football.
During the session, Oliveira discussed the ambitious Al-Ittihad project, reflecting on a strong start to the season and the club’s strategy for prolonged success. He shared his long-term vision for Al-Ittihad’s growth and its role in elevating Saudi football on the global stage, as well as his strategies for balancing short-term performance with sustainable development. Domingos offered insights into his management philosophy, recalling lessons from his successes at Benfica and key differences he has observed between managing top clubs in Europe and the Middle East. This session was certainly a standout moment from the Summit, allowing attendees a deep dive into the mindset of one of football’s leading executives and providing a fresh perspective on the dynamic future of Al-Ittihad and football in the Middle East.
DRIVING STRATEGIC VISION AND COMMERCIAL SUCCESS WITH PETER KENYON
We were delighted to welcome Peter Kenyon Board Adviser at Williams Racing and former CEO of Manchester United and Chelsea, who led a one-on-one session on strategic vision and commercial success in elite sports.
Drawing on his experience with major sponsorships at top football clubs, Kenyon discussed evolving sponsorship strategies in motorsport, the role of data in fan engagement, and the importance of aligning with brands that reflect Williams Racing’s values. His insights provided a concise yet powerful look at building impactful partnerships and adapting to new commercial trends in Formula 1.
HOW TO SUCCEED WITH THE MULTI-CLUB/MULTI-SPORT MODEL
Our Multi-Club/Multi-Sport model panel brought together Tim Bezbatchenko (Black Knight Football Club), Gavin Marshall (Bristol Sport Group), and Lulu He (Ajax FC), offering a comprehensive look at the modern approach to multi-club ownership and partnerships in sports.
The discussion highlighted the potential for enhanced player development through shared resources, the power of strategic partnerships, and the importance of adapting organisational structures to support diverse teams. The panel emphasized how these interconnected clubs can leverage combined insights and resources to build brand value, navigate cultural differences, and create a unified yet adaptable approach to fan engagement and community integration.
MAXIMISING THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND STREAMING TO BOOST FAN ENGAGEMENT
Our second panel of the day welcomed Rollo Goldstaub (TikTok), Alex Green (Amazon Prime Video), Claire Nelson (Netball Super League) and Chris Hornbuckle (Aston Villa FC) to discuss the transformative impact of digital platforms on sports engagement.
The panel highlighted how streaming services and social media are reshaping fan interaction, expanding reach, and driving commercial success. Key themes included the role of user-generated content, the importance of targeted digital strategies, and the growing influence of free-to-air platforms in broadening audiences. The discussion underscored the critical need for sports organisations to adapt to digital trends, enhance fan experiences, and leverage data for deeper connections with global audiences.
UNLOCKING ELITE PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS
Kicking off the interactive workshops, Mitch Heath (Teamworks), Tim Moriau (Club Brugge), and Josu Larrazabal (Lidl-Trek Cycling Team) discussed how technology is transforming sports performance, highlighting key current advancements and considering potential future developments.
Following this, our European Insights into Player Care workship, featuring Dawn Bracegirdle (City Football Group), Timmo Hardung (Eintracht Frankfurt), Guilian Preud'homme (Club Brugge), and Dennis Henderickx (Belgian Pro League), focused on the importance of managing player well-being, the role of youth development programs, and how player care is integrated to support long-term success.
A hugely successful and insightful day! To enquire about future events please contact one of the team or email enquiries@premiersportsnetwork.com