In this episode, David reflects on the intersection of passion and career in the football industry, emphasizing the unique emotional engagement that sets football apart from other businesses. Drawing on examples of C-level executives who transitioned from non-sports industries into football, such as Ivan Gazidis and Christian Perslow, the discussion highlights how their fresh perspectives and understanding of the sport's emotional weight have shaped their leadership.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Passion vs. Career in Football: There is a delicate balance between pursuing a passion for football and establishing a career in the industry. While passion is essential, it is not the sole factor in achieving success.

• Emotional Engagement: Football is characterized by its emotional nature, which sets it apart from other industries. Executives transitioning into football often highlight the importance of emotional engagement in their roles.

• Diverse Backgrounds of Executives: A significant percentage of top-tier European football club executives come from non-sports industries, such as finance and consulting.

• Impact of Decisions: Decisions made within football clubs have far-reaching consequences, affecting millions of fans. Understanding the emotional stakes involved can help industry professionals navigate the challenges and scrutiny that come with their roles.

• Staying Connected to the Game: Many individuals in football, such as coaches and analysts, seek roles that allow them to remain actively involved in the game.

BEST MOMENTS

"Football is about emotion and that's what makes it different from any other business."

"Football clubs are emotional institutions, not just businesses."

"You can't just put football fans into that category... it's not fair to do that."

"Football is not just a business, it's a passion."

"The emotional engagement side of it is so, so different."

OUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessoffootballpodcast/

Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoffootball

HOST BIO

Right out of the block, David Chimbaza took his International Football Business degree to do exactly what it says on the tin: Launch his own International Football Business, DTCMEDIAUK. His company works with professional leaders & business owners in the football industry to create, monetize & scale their brands for their business & professional gains. Having created and managed multiple of his own sports social media accounts from the age of 15, many of which have scaled thousands of pounds & millions of views across 3 different platforms, David has constantly found ways to bring new and engaging entertainment to his audience. Now documenting his story of managing his Global business, his experiences in Stewarding, digital management & many more, David will bring you a fresh insight into how anyone can conquer the industry.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of the Business of Football podcast, David sits down with Konstantinos Gkortsilas, the founder and managing director of Footy Addicts, a platform designed to help individuals find and participate in social football games. Konstantinos shares insights on the positive impact of football on mental health, the challenges posed by COVID-19, and the evolving landscape of organised football. David concludes with reflections on the importance of community in football and the broader societal implications of social connections in today's world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Community Focus: Footy Addicts was founded to address the need for social football games, particularly for individuals who lack a social network.

• Mental Health Awareness: The importance of mental health and social interaction has become more pronounced, especially post-COVID.

• Flexibility and Convenience: Footy Addicts offers a flexible and convenient way for people to play football without the pressure of formal team commitments.

• Evolution of Organised Football: There has been a noticeable shift towards more organised social games, with traditional affiliated games declining. Footy

• Player-Centric Development: The platform is focused on enhancing the player experience by providing tools and information that help players engage more effectively.

BEST MOMENTS

"The whole concept of Footy Addicts is just born from a need of myself and other people who want to play social football games in an area which I didn't know enough people."

"If you are not really facing the problem, it's really hard to come up with a solution because you cannot really understand what actually involves."

"There is more benefits than the physical activity of the football itself... supporting the mental health, going outside, doing an outdoors activity, meeting new people."

"We want to open up the community on a wider level... to start onboarding people who organize already their own games on different platforms."

"You need to interact with people. You need to do your physical activity. You need to breathe fresh air."

GUESTS LINKS

https://footyaddicts.com/contact

OUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessoffootballpodcast/

Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoffootball

HOST BIO

Right out of the block, David Chimbaza took his International Football Business degree to do exactly what it says on the tin: Launch his own International Football Business, DTCMEDIAUK. His company works with professional leaders & business owners in the football industry to create, monetize & scale their brands for their business & professional gains. Having created and managed multiple of his own sports social media accounts from the age of 15, many of which have scaled thousands of pounds & millions of views across 3 different platforms, David has constantly found ways to bring new and engaging entertainment to his audience. Now documenting his story of managing his Global business, his experiences in Stewarding, digital management & many more, David will bring you a fresh insight into how anyone can conquer the industry.

In this episode of the Business as a Football podcast, David delves into the hidden job market within the football industry, highlighting the critical role of networking in securing job opportunities. With a striking statistic that 70% of roles are filled through referrals rather than traditional applications, David then shares personal experiences and insights, including the challenges faced when applying for competitive positions at top clubs like Manchester City. Additionally, the episode offers practical advice on how to navigate the industry, such as volunteering and joining community groups to uncover unadvertised roles.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Hidden Job Market: Approximately 70-80% of job roles in the football industry are filled through networking and referrals rather than public job postings, highlighting the importance of building connections.

• Networking Importance: Networking is crucial for career progression in the sports industry, with 85% of professionals indicating that it played a key role in their career advancement.

• Application Statistics: Only 12% of applicants secure roles through job boards or interviews, while most positions are filled through internal moves or direct referrals, emphasizing the need for personal connections.

• Volunteering as a Pathway: Many roles, especially in coaching and scouting, often start as unpaid or volunteer positions, which can lead to paid opportunities and valuable connections within the industry.

• Social Media Engagement: Candidates who engage with club staff on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter are 40% more likely to receive a response when reaching out, indicating the value of online networking in the job search process.

BEST MOMENTS

"70% of job roles or job opportunities in the football industry come from referrals and only like 20 or 30% people who are actually hired have come from actually applying for a role on a website."

"Top clubs receive about 500 plus applications per public role... they probably get like a thousand... and you're just thinking, you know, when I was like that, I was like, oh my God, there's a thousand other people that want the same role."

"Most football clubs... get more than anything else because that role is obviously really unique. Scouts at Premier League clubs are five times more likely to be hired via recommendation than they are for an open application."

"85% of sports industry professionals say that networking played a key role in their career progression... their network is effectively the reason why they've landed the role they have."

"Average time spent reviewing a CV is seven seconds... it goes to show that it doesn't really work."

OUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessoffootballpodcast/

Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoffootball

HOST BIO

Right out of the block, David Chimbaza took his International Football Business degree to do exactly what it says on the tin: Launch his own International Football Business, DTCMEDIAUK. His company works with professional leaders & business owners in the football industry to create, monetize & scale their brands for their business & professional gains. Having created and managed multiple of his own sports social media accounts from the age of 15, many of which have scaled thousands of pounds & millions of views across 3 different platforms, David has constantly found ways to bring new and engaging entertainment to his audience. Now documenting his story of managing his Global business, his experiences in Stewarding, digital management & many more, David will bring you a fresh insight into how anyone can conquer the industry.