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The Business of Sports: Emerging Markets, Graduate Schools & NIL Impact.

The Business of Sports: Emerging Markets, Graduate Schools & NIL Impact.

Conner Schenk
January 30, 2025

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿:

💥 𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖭𝖨𝖫 𝖲𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗈𝗋

💥 𝖲𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍𝗌 𝖦𝗋𝖺𝖽𝗎𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝖲𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗈𝗅 𝖡𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗄𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇𝗌

💥 𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝖲𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍𝗌 𝖴𝗉𝖽𝖺𝗍𝖾

🧨 Global Sports: Analyzing the Next Frontier of Growth

The global sports landscape is experiencing unprecedented expansion, with emerging markets presenting compelling opportunities for leagues, franchises, and investors. Let's analyze the unique potential and characteristics of each major emerging market:

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚: The country's sports market, valued at $5.2 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $10 billion by 2027. Beyond cricket's dominance, the success of the Indian Premier League has created a blueprint for other sports. The NBA's significant investment in basketball infrastructure and grassroots programs has increased participation rates by 45% since 2020.

𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭: The Power of Premium Sports Investment The Middle East. Has emerged as a major force in sports investment and hosting. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 includes a $2 billion sports sector investment plan, while Qatar's successful World Cup hosting has established new benchmarks for sporting infrastructure. The region's sovereign wealth funds continue to acquire premium sports assets globally while developing domestic leagues and tourism through high-profile sporting events.

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚: The region's esports market alone is projected to reach $4.8 billion by 2026. Traditional sports are succeeding through digital-first strategies, with the English Premier League seeing record streaming numbers. Local leagues are professionalizing rapidly, creating new opportunities for investment and partnership.