Deloitte Tohmatsu and Blue United agree to alliance to expand sports business in Japan and co-create value

This is an English translation of the news release issued by Deloitte Tohmatsu Group on Feb 7, 2023. If there is any discrepancy between the Japanese version and the English translation, the Japanese version shall prevail. 

TOKYO, JAPAN, 7 Feb, 2023

Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC (“Deloitte Tohmatsu”)  has agreed to form an alliance with Blue United Corporation ("Blue United") to collaborate on laboratory activities such as research and demonstration aimed at expanding the sports business in Japan.

The two companies aim that the laboratory activities promoted through this alliance will drive the further expansion and growth of the Japanese sports business, which will be appropriately returned to sports teams, sports leagues and various sports organizations to promote the growth of the entire industry as well as to stimulate value co-creation with other industries. Specifically, in order to further strengthen existing sports revenue sources, explore new revenue sources, visualize asset values, and achieve an ecosystem in which people, goods, money, information, and community capital circulate across industries, Blue United will utilize assets, networks, and properties under development to conduct a variety of research and studies, demonstration experiments, and accumulate know-how.

Initially, we plan to conduct research and demonstrations on the following three themes.

1. Evolution of partnerships in sports
   To expand the market size of the Japanese sports business, it is necessary to further strengthen ticket sales, merchandise sales, broadcast rights fees, and sponsorship revenues, which are the main sources of revenue, as well as to explore new revenue sources. In response, based on Blue United's knowledge and experience in overseas sports business, as well as the Deloitte Tohmatsu Group's knowledge and experience in using sports in business through collaboration with various sports, including soccer and motor sports, we will develop and demonstrate a new partnership model that takes into account perspectives such as Well-Being, regional revitalization and the SDGs.
2. Training sports business personnel
   In order to promote "partner activation" between club, leagues and companies, we will work to create and provide measures and opportunities for the development of professional human resources with capabilities in a variety of fields, including business, digital and legal, that are necessary to undertake various partnerships with sports as a hub.
3. Demonstration of new technologies and services
   Based on the knowledge and experience of both companies, we will demonstrate the use of technology to expand the possibilities of partnerships with companies, including the introduction of technologies such as analytics and AI to improve the level of competition, and the development of services using XR technology such as VR/AR and 3D to provide diverse viewing experiences.

In this alliance, the knowledge and know-how gained through these activities will be made available to the public through various media, leading to activities aimed at introducing, developing and establishing these activities in the Japanese sports industry.

■About Blue United CORPORATION

With a vision of "contributing to the development and internationalization of the Japanese sports business in order to become one of the world's best," the company is based in the United States and Japan, and in order to contribute to the internationalization of the professional sports industry in Japan, the company is developing business in various fields, including overseas strategy consulting, human resource development, and matchmaking for international matches, acting as a bridge between professional soccer and overseas markets. His main business activities include presiding over the Pacific Rim Cup (https://pacificrimcup.com), a Pacific Rim professional soccer tournament held in Hawaii, managing Blue United eFC (https://blueutd.com/efc/), a professional eSports club, and overseas sports business development.

■About Deloitte Tohmatsu's Sports Business Initiatives

We are promoting activities to create and expand a healthy sports business market by assembling the best teams in Japan and overseas for all stakeholders surrounding sports (Regulatory agencies, local governments, sports associations, professional sports associations, professional sports clubs, sponsor companies, etc.). Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting has developed collaborations with various sports organizations, clubs and teams including the J League, Takuma Sato, GANTRIGGER and Astemo REALRACING.

About Deloitte

Deloitte Tohmatsu Group (Deloitte Japan) is a collective term that refers to Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC, which is the Member of Deloitte Asia Pacific Limited and of the Deloitte Network in Japan, and firms affiliated with Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC that include Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC, Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC, Deloitte Tohmatsu Financial Advisory LLC, Deloitte Tohmatsu Tax Co., DT Legal Japan, and Deloitte Tohmatsu Corporate Solutions LLC. Deloitte Tohmatsu Group is known as one of the largest professional services groups in Japan. Through the firms in the Group, Deloitte Tohmatsu Group provides audit & assurance, risk advisory, consulting, financial advisory, tax, legal and related services in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. With approximately 17,000 people in about 30 cities throughout Japan, Deloitte Tohmatsu Group serves a number of clients including multinational enterprises and major Japanese businesses. For more information, please visit the Group’s website at www.deloitte.com/jp/en.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.

Deloitte Asia Pacific Limited is a company limited by guarantee and a member firm of DTTL. Members of Deloitte Asia Pacific Limited and their related entities, each of which are separate and independent legal entities, provide services from more than 100 cities across the region, including Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo. 

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit and assurance, tax and legal, consulting, financial advisory, and risk advisory services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our professionals deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 415,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com.