We have often heard of the growing football academies across Africa. Be it from global sporting brands establishing their own or more local academies. What if we were to inform you of an academy that caters to multiple sports, including swimming, basketball, football & more? Well, that is where City Sports Groups comes into play. A multi-sport acad…

Do you think the NFL entering the African market is a positive development for Africa? Why has it only taken until BAL Season 4 for a powerhouse such as South Africa to stage a conference? In this episode, Gabriel Ajala and his guest, Kevin Bahun-Wilson (co-founder of ⁠Afroballers⁠) touch on these questions as they discuss the emergence and growth …

This episodes provides is an insightful episode with Abimbola Ilo, the Founder & Chairman of the leading sports marketing and management company headquartered in Lagos. The conversation covered the sponsorship landscape in Africa, how CAF have done an amazing job with AFCON and what can be done to improve the standards of sports in Nigeria. This is…

What was your perception of Africa football perhaps 10 years ago compared to how it is now? In this episode, we sat down with the leading sports journalist and ambassador for African Football, Mimi Fawaz, live from Abidjan. Mimi has worked for the likes BBC & SkySports plus featured across various other platforms. The standards and perception of Af…

Have you ever heard of Freestyle Football? This is a growing sport that engages with some of the world's biggest brands such as Red Bull & Juventus. In this episode, we sit down with the Founder of the World Freestyle Football Association, Dan Wood, on how he built this global community. It was an excellent conversation on which we also covered the…

Happy New Year and welcome to the first podcast of 2024. We hope you are well rested and excited to tackle the year ahead. Our first podcast of the year is a discussion with Gabriel Ajala, Gary Rathbone, CEO at Sportscape Media and James Torvaney, Managing Director of Pulse Sports, making his debut. We began the podcast by discussing the AFCON 2023…

In this episode, Gabriel Ajala is joined by Andy Howes (Co-Founder & Director of AfroSports) and Gary Al-Smith, leading sports journalist from Ghana. The 3 take a look back at the Inaugural ASU Connex Summit which took place on 20th October 2023 in partnership with Charles Russell Speechlys and AfroSport. They discuss their key takeaways from the s…

Our 'In Conversation with..." series takes a deep dive into some of the leaders and trailblazers both on and off the field. What makes them tick and some insight into the journey they have embarked upon. Our guest for this episode is Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder, Chairman & Owner of APO Group, Africa's only Pan-African Communications Consultan…

Our 'In Conversation with..." series takes a deep dive into some of the leaders and trailblazers both on and off the field. What makes them tick and some insight into the journey they have embarked upon. Our first Episode with the Dr Seun Adigun, the 1st African bobsled driver to compete at the Winter Olympics & the Founder of Bobsled & Skeleton Fe…

In this episode of the ASU Sports Business Podcast, we sat down with the Head of Women's Football at CAF, Meskerem Tadesse Goshime to discuss the recently published CAF Women's Football Landscape Report 2022. This is the first of its kind report produced by CAF which highlighted the current landscape for each Member Association focused on 3 main ar…

In collaboration with the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) we look at How sport can support the inclusive implementation of the AfCFTA. The African Continental Free Trade Area is the largest single market in the world comprising of 54 member nations as Africa looks to continue its econo…

In this episode of the ASU Sports Business Podcast, we sat down with the former defensive midfield maestro now Director of Member Associations Africa for FIFA, Gelson Fernandes, as we discussed the latest cycle of the FIFA Forward Programme. Launched in January 2023, FIFA Forward 3.0 is the latest cycle of the fund offered to member associations in…

With the ABBA Formula E circuit taking place in Cape Town for the first time in February 2023, this is evident of the technological innovations advancing the sports industry and impacting how we consume and engage with sports. This series will look at how key innovations in technology & sustainability have improved the sporting landscape for both b…

With the ABBA Formula E circuit taking place in Cape Town for the first time in February 2023, this is evident of the technological innovations advancing the sports industry and impacting how we consume and engage with sports. This series will look at how key innovations in technology & sustainability have improved the sporting landscape for both b…

With the ABBA Formula E circuit taking place in Cape Town for the first time in February 2023, this is evident of the technological innovations advancing the sports industry and impacting how we consume and engage with sports. This series will look at how key innovations in technology & sustainability have improved the sporting landscape for both b…

In our third and final episode of our Women in Sports Series, we focused on the importance of leadership and having women take up positions of leadership. We have seen countries with growing economies have women in positions of leadership. Can this be translated in Sports? What is the benefit of doing so and how can we play our part in supporting s…

In our second episode of our Women in Sports Series, we focused on things at the grassroots level. Football is a huge tool for good and this episode allowed us hear from those using football to educate and engage with women. We also hear how CAF School's Program is engaging with the youth of Africa and how they are going about growing this new tour…

In the first episode of the Women in Sports series, we had the privilege of hearing from the custodians of both UEFA & CAF who are playing a pivotal role in developing women's football in both Europe & Africa. With the UEFA Women's tournament breaking new records for attendance and engagement and CAF launching their new strategy for women's footbal…

In this podcast, we were joined by Andy Howes, Director & Co-Founder of AfroSports, a sports hub connecting sports with fans in Africa & Diaspora across all viewing platforms. With over 20 years experience in the Pan-African sports space, Andy touched on engaging with local sports and the part they played in distributing the AFCON 2021 Media Rights…

In this Podcast we were joined by Zarina Badhur, Head of Operations at GOAL Africa. The Sports Business industry is still in its infancy on the continent. In order to develop a sustainable market, there needs to be a well equipped work force. Education is the foundation of this and so we discuss the importance of that and also developing soft skill…

In this Podcast we were joined by Nqobile Ndlovu, Founder of CashNSport. We took a look back on the successfully run Sponsors & Media Rights of AFCON and how President Motsepe has so far done at the helm of CAF in including the new 10 step plan to improve CAF & how new sponsors and partners are getting attracted towards Africa. Further key points w…

In collaboration with the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa we look at how Sport can support the inclusive implementation of the AfCFTA. The African Continental Free Trade Area is the largest single market in the world comprising of 54 member nations as Africa looks to continue its economic grow…

It's been a big week in the world of Football with the Launch and subsequent Closure of the European Super League. We have a fantastic conversation with Sean Hamil, Sports Economist and Academic at Birkbeck University of London. We touch on: - The importance of Competitive Balance - North American and European Sporting Models - Critical Analysis of…

In collaboration with the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa we look at how Sport can support the inclusive implementation of the AfCFTA. The African Continental Free Trade Area is the largest single market in the world comprising of 54 member nations as Africa looks to continue its economic grow…

In collaboration with the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)we look at ‘How sport can support the inclusive implementation of the AfCFTA’. The African Continental Free Trade Area is the largest single market in the world comprising of 54 member nations as Africa looks to continue its econ…

In this episode we discuss an important topic that is wide across the pan-african sports market - the issue of rogue agents and young aspiring players seeking pastures new. Footballers Connect are an organisation that educate players and what to look for in an agent and best practices to implement in building a career and providing advise so that t…

David Wright has an expansive background in the Football Business, Marketing and Communications world and we discussed the impact of Covid in the Sports Business sector as a whole and how the Sports Events Companies are pivoting in such a time. In the Second part of the Podcast, we discuss how the importance of tech and innovation has been accelera…

In this episode we sit down with Ugo Udezue, Founder of the Continental Basketball League (CBL) and leading sports & lifestyle brand, AFA Sports. Split into 2 part we discuss his experience running the first CBL followed by his experience of growing one of the biggest sports and lifestyle brands on the continent. Ugo is a former NBA agent who found…

In this episode we Paul Adesoye & Gabriel Ajala have a sit down conversation with Nigerian International, Leon Balogun. We cover his early childhood growing up in Germany; his early career from Germany to England; his experience playing at World Cup 2018; his work with CommonGoal and passions outside of sport. We finish with a short Q&A on his Nige…

In this episode we have an in-depth conversation with Koye Sowemimo, owner of KS Management about progressive and developing African Sports Business Market. We cover his early career in The UK working on the London 2012 Olympics + his time at The FA plus much more. Part 1: - Bobsleigh Federation of Nigeria case study - How the private and public se…

We are living through unprecedented times with the covid-19 pandemic forcing people, businesses, industries and economies to readjust put things on hold for an indefinite period. In this latest episode, Gabriel Ajala + Paul Adesoye take stock of the current climate and discuss industries most affected and those with more opportunities; just how peo…

In this episode, we have an indepth conversation with Mario Leo of Results Sports and Emeka Enyadike of Digital Sports Africa about digital media, data analytics opportunities and the importance of fan engagement/understanding your audience. Part 1: Digital Media - Opportunities in African Football - Africa in comparison to other continents Part 2:…

In this episode we speak with the current Principal Social Development Specialist at the African Development Bank Group, Rachel Aron. In this episode, we discuss the following: - The current climate of social development in Africa - How sports can be used as a tool to help drive social development in Africa - The balance and importance between both…

In our latest episode we have an in-depth conversation with Gerrit Davids. A former lawyer with a vast experience of the African Sports Market, Gerrit has started many sports ventures and works with rights holders in both Africa & Europe. We discuss: 1) The importance of Education 2) 6 key pillars of Sports Governance 3) The importance of athlete +…

In this Episode, we have an in-depth conversation with Kimberley Coats and Jock Boyer, founders of Africa Rising Cycling. Kimberley and Jock have a vast knowledge of the cycling scene on the continent having worked in the space for over 17 years with various nations such as Rwanda, Eritrea, Nigeria doing all they can to help raise the level of the …

First Episode

In this episode Gabriel Ajala & Paul Adesoye take a diaspora's view on the leading African Sports Business Execs. We mention the likes of Tom Vernon, Masai Ujiri, Amadou Gallo-Fall, Cynthia Mumbo, Kirsty Coventry plus many more. We discuss their rise in sports and why the stand out to us as an 'Unsung Pioneer' in the Sports Business. Who else would…

In this episode, we have an in-depth conversation with Alive & Kicking CEO, Ben Sadler. Alive & Kicking are a charity that have been running for 15years who locally source and make footballs in Ghana, Zambia and Kenya. Working in tandem with The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, A+K employ over 1000 staff in those 3 countries and have …

In this episode, we have an in-depth conversation with Emeka Enyadike. Emeka has worked for SuperSport since 2001 as an African Football Analyst and is the Founder of Vandyke sports where he has worked with the likes of Nokia, Nike, Adidas, Indomie & DsTV, to name but a few, on various activations and campaigns. In this episode we focus on: 1)The S…

In this episode we have a candid conversation with George Chanda - owner of GC Sports Management & Partnerships + Activations Manager at StubHub where he manages the accounts of Everton Football Club, Matchroom Boxing, The Premiership Rugby Final plus more. We discuss: - The current football landscape in Zambia - How to maximise activations - The i…

In this Episode of the ASU Sports Business Podcast, Gabriel Ajala & Paul Adesoye discuss the growth of sports betting in the African market. Where there is such a growth and is the good for the African market? They give an overview of certain markets; Africa's drive for financial inclusion; SportPesa; Balance of Power and the socio-economic impact …

In this Special ASU Podcast, Gabriel Ajala and Paul Adesoye sit down to discuss the recent ASU event 'An Introduction to the African Sports Market.' They discuss their key takeaways from the event, highlights and what stood out to them most on what was truly a great event. For those that attended the event - please complete the survey that was sent…

In the episode, we welcome back Gary Rathbone, CEO & Founder of Sports News Africa & Africa XP . We have an in-depth discussion on the presentation Gary delivered at Africom 2018 and the current African sports media market. We Discuss: - What is Africom - The Cycle of Success - How the changes in the global sports media market is having in impact o…

In this episode, we have an in-depth conversation with Olukunle Kayode, Founder at Statmetrix. After working for a leading Fintech company in the City of London, Olukunle saw an opportunity to use Data & Tech in sports. We discuss the current state and explore that opportunities that exist in the African market to develop grassroots football. - Cur…

In this 8th Sports Business Podcast from ASU, Gabriel Ajala sits down with Paul Adesoye & Aristote Diamos as we discuss whether Racism & Discrimination is on the rise in football. We discuss the following: - Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly & Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang incidents - How authorities can tackle discrimination in football - Is todays P…

In this podcast Gabriel discusses with Paul & Aristote in depth about the perceived Football slave trade from Africa, based off the recent Tifo video, Claude LeRoy's comments in a BBC interview. This a topic that goes beyond football, as we discuss historical and cultural reasons as to why Africa is a mine for talent leaving its shores; rogue agent…

In this latest episode of Africa Sports Unified podcast, we are back with Gabriel, Paul & Aristote as we discuss the diaspora's view on major sports events & the impact of Senegal making history by hosting the first even Olympics on African soil. We also discuss: - What exactly is the 'New Norm' initiative The IOC has introduced? - Is hosting a maj…

In this Episode we have a candid discussion with Cynthia Mumbo, founder of Sports Connect Africa and recent winner of the Leaders 40Under40. Whilst she was in London receiving her award, we had a moment to talk with Cynthia and covered the following: - - Diversity - Sports Governance in Kenya - Cynthia's hope and dreams for the sports market Plus m…

In this Episode we have an insightful conversation with 3 guys of the diaspora and see our views and thoughts on Sports Business in Africa. Amongst many things we discuss: - The diaspora's perspective on sports in Africa - How a single currency could impact the continent - Hesitancy for some to get involved in African Sports - What 1 thing we will …