England 2018 flexes its “commercial” muscles 02/12/2009
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Holding the World Cup in England in 2018 would be the most “commercially” attractive option available to Fifa, according to bid chief executive Andy Anson.
Speaking at the Soccerex conference in South Africa, Anson said that the substantial television revenues and sponsorship deals in English football illustrate its ability to bring in big money.
England is competing against the likes of Russia, Spain-Portugal, the USA and Netherlands-Belgium to host the tournament in 2018 but Anson claimed: “We would be the most commercially successful World Cup that Fifa could ever ask for. The English football market is the probably the most mature commercial market in existence.”
The next two Wold Cups in South Africa and Brazil are seen as attempts by Fifa to give developing economies the chance to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, rather than outrightly commercial choices.
Anson continued: “We are confident that as a football market we have the model in place to put on the most successful World Cup – that will appeal to Fifa.
“We have the full support of the Premier League and fantastic infrastructure in place in terms of stadiums, transport and security. We also have a history of putting on sporting events.
“In terms of the Premier League, Football League and television broadcasting, we have the best infrastructure to help Fifa achieve its long-term aims.”
Despite playing on the commercial strength of its domestic game, the England bid’s £15m budget looks set to be dwarfed by a $40m-plus warchest being assembled by Russia.
Its bid chief executive Alexey Sorokin said he was confident of more than doubling the $20m it was receiving from the government from private sources such as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and other oligarchs.
But Anson believes England has nothing to fear. “We are in good shape financially,” he added. “We have the funds to make the best possible bid – we are not going to squander the money we have, but run a sensible bid.
“I have been involved in the marketing of football for some time and it is not about money, it is about the marketing strategy. I am confident we have the resources for a successful bid.”
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