Sport Business Advisory

We believe that sport’s ability to unite makes it a unique platform on which to shape the development of a more inclusive, healthy, and prosperous country. And how the Canadian sport industry addresses the forces it now faces—emerging technologies, evolving data monetization practices, Safe Sport, its growing popularity as an investment asset class, governance reform, and new regulation for iGaming and sport betting markets—will ultimately determine the scale and structure of the industry as well as how citizens experience it.

Our Sport Business Advisory team can stickhandle these issues. It offers strategic, governance, operational, commercial, financial, technological, regulatory, taxation, audit and general business advisory to help clients identify and realize value creation opportunities, address risk, and make bold moves to create the conditions for sustained growth and performance within their organization—and, by example, lead the evolving and exciting sport business industry.

Services

•  Sport mergers and acquisitions

With characteristics that form a compelling investment thesis, sport is increasingly being viewed as a separate asset investment class. Our team has an extensive track record in providing added-value financial advisory services to clients across the sport business ecosystem with varying needs: targeting and acquiring an asset, preparing for a sale, undertaking a valuation exercise, exploring a public offering, or looking to drive exponential value across a portfolio of assets.

• iGaming and sport betting advisory
  
  Government organizations seeking to understand the different economic, consumer, and regulatory implications of iGaming and sport betting markets. Operators looking to acquire, retain, and grow the value of their customer case and establish an anti-money laundering (AML) infrastructure in accordance with local requirements. Sport and entertainment property owners that want to better understand the business and compliance impacts of introducing regulated and competitive iGaming and sport betting. No matter which part of the ecosystem, our team of experienced specialists can help clients navigate the uncertainty to arrive at informed decisions.
  
  
• Revenue growth and acceleration
  
  Our Sport Business Advisory team provides insights and advice to help clients effectively identify, engage, acquire, cross-sell and upsell both their B2C and B2B customers. Leveraging proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning assets, the team is well positioned to support professional sport organizations, iGaming operators, national sport organizations, and esports companies.
  
  
• Venue district advisory
  
  Deloitte’s cross-enterprise team can provide support to clients throughout the asset life cycle, from customer journey mapping, net-zero emissions strategies, and business case development to funding assessment, financing strategies, and program management office during construction. The team can also ensure the implementation and operating of a technology infrastructure that powers the next generation of fan experience and maximizes the revenue-generating capacity of the stadium asset and adjacent district developments (residential, commercial, hospitality, etc.).
  
  
• Market and economic impact analysis
  
  Our Sport Business Advisory team can determine the revenue-generating potential of a market or asset, and assess the economic contributions of a facility, sport, event, or the industry as a whole.
  
  
• Making sport safe for all
  
  Sport is particularly vulnerable to the brand, reputational, and economic consequences of issues related to workplace culture and conduct. In Canada, both the Red Deer Declaration and recent scandals in various sport organizations have brought intense media coverage and a public call for accountability. Industry leaders at all levels are being challenged by boards and stakeholders to explain how they plan to implement a safe environment and appropriate channels for athletes, parents, employees, and related parties to speak up about misconduct and feel confident that these concerns will be investigated both respectfully and responsibly.
  
  Our team of practitioners works with clients across the industry to develop tailored strategies, governance models, and educational initiatives to support the development, adoption, and maintenance of workplace conduct and culture programs. If the situation calls for it, our team of workplace investigators will be deployed to investigate allegations of misconduct and mitigate ongoing reputational and integrity risks.
  
  
• Digital transformation
  
  To succeed, sport and esports organizations, iGaming operators, and venue companies need to design compelling customer experiences, act on innovative partnership opportunities, and drive revenue growth in an industry that is increasingly operating at the confluence of technology, media, data, predictive intelligence and the “next generation” of consumer. Our team helps position them for a strong performance.
  
  
• Athlete wellness, transition, and employability
  
  Deloitte, through our athlete transition, wellness, and employability offering, is committed to supporting athletes so they can stay active in their sport longer, perform better, and retire healthier. Additionally, as high-performance athletes form a unique and differentiated talent pool, we work with our clients across industries in the design, deployment, and evaluation of athlete employment programs.