World Cup 2010: Which platforms work better for the sport?

Is football getting too commercialised?

BR: No. I think that football is a business and people are starting to run it in that sense now. I’m even seeing it in the Thai Premier League. At the moment, you have big sponsors coming in and running clubs, and the league is improving because of that. To develop players and improve the sport, you need people who have the kind of money that can support that.

MJ: Yes. The amount of money in the game has grown exponentially over the last 15 years. The rise in broadcast rights for key leagues and tournaments has fuelled club revenue, resulting in huge inflation in player wages. But the fans drive this model. If they weren’t fanatical they wouldn't pay the subscriptions. The end result? The rich clubs get richer and the poor clubs lose matches.

On which platform did you catch your last football match? Pay-TV or internet?

BR: My last time? Let me think, it would be on television - when Manchester United beat Fulham.

MJ: At home on TV. I woke my son up screaming as Torres scored the opener against Manchester United and then sulked for the next 80 minutes.

Which platform is the best for catching football?

BR: Companies like Sky and ESPN. Those that offer pay-per-view. I like it when you can buy the service and you know you’re guaranteed to see the game. For me, that’s the best service. But I would use online.

MJ: As long as it’s good audiovisual quality and I’m in a pub, I couldn’t care less if it’s broadcast or online. I’d use online mainly for highlights, goal action and pre-match analysis.

Which football club has marketed itself best around the world?

BR: I think I’d have to go for Manchester United and that’s not because I work for them. They have got a fantastic following around the globe. Real Madrid are right up there with Manchester United now but United have done well throughout the commercial world.

MJ: I don’t think any of them have done a great job on a global scale - the ‘Big Four’ EPL clubs have huge followings across Asia but they have yet to tap into the huge revenue potential amongst Asian fans.

Are consumers, especially in Asia, paying too much to watch football games?

BR: I don’t think they pay too much, because in England or in Europe, it’s a lot more expensive than here. I think here in Asia we have fantastic coverage of the EPL and Spanish football.When I’m in England, there’s no way I could watch as many games as what I watch here. Last weekend, I watched five ‘live’ games. In England. I could watch maybe three

MJ: Let’s put it like this - if they are, they will stop subscribing. And we’ve not seen that trend over the last few years.

What do you rely on for your sports news and updates?

BR: I rely mainly on the television.

MJ: Online - and more knowledgeable mates.

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This article was originally published in the 8 April 2010 issue of Media.