Sports is a multi-billion dollar and complex business, with rapidly evolving and increasingly sophisticated models. The U.S. is perhaps the most developed country in this regard, and the latest report by the consulting firm PwC on the subject highlights three dominant trends in this market that shed light on where business in the sports world is moving. 

Data InnovationTeams already leverage fan data to track and analyze fan engagement in great detail. Now, using so-called clean rooms - secure and protected databases whose information has been previously anonymized to respect privacy rules - and other tools, they can obtain deeper and more valuable information. In turn, fans can receive more personalized offers, sponsors can optimize their marketing budgets and teams can increase the value of their sponsorship inventory.

Going for sustainabilityEnvironmental sustainability has become a pressing issue for consumers in all industries, including sports. Leagues and teams have the opportunity to take a leadership role in adopting more sustainable business practices, an increasingly important issue for fans.

FranchisesTechnology allows viewers to watch games and championships anywhere in the world, which has made sports cross-border in popularity. Franchises and leagues are now setting up shop on other continents to attract and cultivate a new multicultural fan base that may be categorically different from the one they know at home. Success requires a deep understanding of the new market and an organic connection with those new potential fans.

You can see the details here.