Middle East and Africa Summit 2022

Part 3: For the Love of the Game: The Business and Impact of Sports

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Investing in professional sports teams can sometimes be seen as nontraditionally profitablewith prestige oftentimes taking priority over financial gain. As the pandemic hit sports clubs and sports teams financially, a wave of new investorssovereign wealth funds, private individuals, supporter groups, and private equity fundsswooped in to pick up bargains. The pandemic also caused a cultural shift: as fans shifted from stadiums to their living rooms to watch their favorite matches, so too rose the power and influence of streaming services, providing investors new avenues for value creation. Moreover, in a world of increasing chaos and uncertainty, sports continue to serve as a force for unity and togetherness. As we have collectively struggled to grapple with some of the greatest challenges of the day, leaders across the sports ecosystemteam owners, coaches, players and agentshave stepped up and stepped out to use their platforms to amplify issues close to their hearts and of critical importance to our societies. Simultaneously, sports investments have proven themselves to be exceedingly profitable, with prestige taking precedence over financial gain. In an ecosystem where long term gains outweigh short term losses, please join us for a discussion on the world of sports, through the lens of multiple key stakeholders.

    Moderator

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    Randall Lane

    Chief Content Officer, Forbes

    Speakers

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    Gbemisola Abudu

    Vice President, NBA Africa; Country Head, NBA Nigeria, NBA
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    Patrice Evra

    Former Manchester United and France National Team Captain; Founder, I Love The Game
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    Metta Sandiford-Artest

    Former NBA Champion and Founder, XvsX App