Driving Innovation in Football Clubs: Revenue, Culture & Real Change – ft. Thomas Rypens & Dirk Schluenz

We talk with Thomas Rypens, Innovation and Insights Director at Club Brugge, and Dirk Schluenz, Managing Director of 1. FC Nürnberg Marketing, about practical innovation in modern football clubs. From building the right culture and leadership mindset to turning ideas into real revenue streams and better fan experiences, we explore how historic clubs can stay competitive — even with limited budgets — through smarter structures, tech adoption, and bold decision-making.

We talk with Michael Rice from AccessibALL about how football improves accessibility for disabled fans, staff and media. From small operational fixes to large-scale tournament standards, we discuss the progress made, the gaps that remain and the practical steps clubs and federations can take to build inclusive matchday experiences for everyone.

We talk with Ben Harburg about the changing geography of football investment. From Cádiz CF’s international strategy to the first foreign ownership in Saudi Arabian football with Al-Kholood, we discuss what drives new markets, how community-first models can work globally, and what these moves reveal about football’s next era of growth.

We talk with the Latvian Virsliga about revolutionizing fan engagement through their new mobile app. Chairman Maksims Krivuņecs and CEO of Blocksport Vladimir Liulka discuss the app's development, its impact on Latvian football, and future plans for enhancing fan interaction and league growth.

We speak with Lincoln City FC about competing with bigger clubs through innovation, strong community ties, and clear strategic focus. CEO Liam Scully and Chief Growth & Innovation Officer Jason Futers share insights on governance, fan engagement, and building for long-term success.

In this episode, Robin Austermann, Head of Europe & LATAM - Sales & Audiovisual Rights, shares insights into the Bundesliga’s media rights strategy. From tackling piracy to engaging a new generation of viewers, the league is redefining media rights through innovation to stay ahead in football broadcasting. We dived into several exciting questions: 1) The Current State of Media Rights in European Football and the German Bundesliga 2) How does Bundesliga tackle piracy and illegal streaming, especially in emerging markets?  3) How does the Bundesliga adapt to the changing viewing habits of younger fans? 4) What makes the Bundesliga’s media rights strategy different from other top leagues? 5) How will the media rights landscape change in the next five years?

In this episode, Matt Rizzetta, founder of North Sixth Group and Club Underdog, takes us through his inspiring journey of turning passion into purpose. Drawing from his Italian heritage and marketing expertise, Matt shares how he developed a unique multi-club ownership (MCO) model focused on revitalizing underdog football teams, including Campobasso FC, Dagenham & Redbridge FC, Brooklyn FC, and FC Locarno. Matt highlights his commitment to respecting tradition while fostering innovation, discusses the strategic use of his PR and marketing resources to elevate these clubs, and shares valuable lessons from navigating this competitive and ever-evolving space.

In this episode, Markus Klausmann, Director of Sales and Partnerships (DACH & CEE) at Stats Perform, shares his journey of blending a lifelong passion for football with cutting-edge innovation. Born into a family with a rich football tradition, Markus reflects on fulfilling his childhood dream through a partnership with kicker, gaining inspiration from his digital-native son about Gen Z’s evolving engagement with the sport, and why data-driven storytelling is essential for leagues and clubs.

In this episode, we sat down with Vladimir Liulka, CEO and Founder of Blocksport.io, a Web3-ready sports tech company specializing in digital fan engagement and innovative solutions for clubs, leagues, and federations. We explore how Web3 technology is redefining fan engagement and transforming the football industry. Vladimir shared his journey from tech innovator to sports tech pioneer, delving into how blockchain, AI, and digital tools are creating a new layer of connection between clubs and their biggest asset—the fans.

We sat down with Staffan Holmberg, a behavioral researcher and leader at Djurgården Skolidrott, the Djurgården School Sports Association of Djurgårdens IF Fotboll. Staffan shares the eye-opening journey of how Djurgården, one of Stockholm's most iconic football clubs, went beyond just playing the game to launch a school sports program with a transformative 30-year vision. Djurgården Skolidrott is about fostering physical activity in children and building a legacy deeply rooted in the community. This episode is full of inspiring insights that extend far beyond football, covering topics like community engagement, sustainability, and the long-term impact of sports on society.