- Sep 2, 2004
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A funny point, but the affinity with football is still mostly national in that we choose one team in a country.
Even still, they could create fans who follow the 'city teams' and consume even more product. Not a bad idea for them to run with to be fair.
Lots of the markets they are going into at the moment are still finding their feet so they can lure in supporters with the odd big-name player, and add that into the mix of the 'city'.
All a bit cheesy, but a good business idea imo.
Actually this is no different to what we have done - only on a much larger and more publicized scale. Spurs have a Super League Formula Racing team and as already pointed out ENIC owned large stakes in Rangers, AEK Athens, Slavia Prague, Basel and Vicenza.
If you look at Spain they do it similarly too with heavy stakes in Real Salt Lake. Real Madrid have, as well as football, very successful handball and basketball teams which ensures a crossover into other marketing revenue streams.
I certainly think that City are growing the right way by now having a team in Australia and the US but then again they have the financial power to do that. In fact it was one of the main reasons why Hull City chairman pushed to change the name - because it make it instantly easier to build overseas franchises.
I think it is a smart move from City as the marketing revenues will be immense whereas Real's approach would be better in countries where Football isnt the only money maker like the US or Canada.