Ryan Whelan’s Post

Lincoln City FC are adopting a strategic approach to achieve sustainable growth in football. Insights from director of football Jez George and CEO Liam Scully reveal how the club is leveraging financial stability to focus on long-term recruitment and player development, setting a course for steady progress, backed by American investment. 1. Why is Lincoln City focusing on a long-term recruitment strategy instead of increasing player wages? Lincoln City aims to escape the "short-term swamp" of lower-league football. By investing in recruitment and player development rather than high wages, the club ensures a sustainable approach that balances competitiveness with financial stability. 2. How are Lincoln City navigating recruitment challenges post-Brexit? With fewer options for foreign talent, Lincoln City have turned to Scandinavia, targeting markets like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. This strategy reduces risk through familiarity, data-driven insights, and careful scouting while emphasizing cultural and professional alignment. 3. What makes Lincoln’s player trading model different? The club prioritizes signing players with both potential and resale value, ensuring alignment between coaching staff and recruitment. By offering long-term contracts, Lincoln City provides time for players to adapt and succeed, aiming for profitable transfers that fuel reinvestment. Read article👇 https://lnkd.in/dMkff5wk #FootballFinance #SportsBusiness #Football #Finance #SportsBiz #Intelligence #Data #Forecast

📈Growth is the Key to Success📈 In business, growth isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s expanding into new markets, investing in infrastructure, or forming strategic partnerships, growth drives innovation, creates opportunities, and builds resilience. We’re proud to see Tilbury Football Club embody this mindset as they prepare to move to a new stadium. This milestone represents more than just a larger space; it’s a platform for new revenue streams, greater brand visibility, and a stronger connection to their community. AK Fire Protection understands the power of growth and are committed to supporting businesses and organizations, like Tilbury FC, that embrace it ⚫️⚪️ Here’s to building a bigger, better future—together. #BusinessGrowth #StrategicPartnerships #TilburyFC #Innovation #Success

Manchester City's £715 Million Milestone: A Blueprint for Success? In an impressive feat, Manchester City has announced a record revenue of £715 million for the 2023/24 season, surpassing last year's achievements and reinforcing its financial dominance in English football. What can football clubs and other businesses learn from Manchester City's strategic revenue diversification? Manchester City's financial success is attributed to a multi-pronged approach: robust commercial ventures, lucrative broadcast rights, and strategic player trading, generating £139 million in sales this season. Despite a slight dip in matchday revenue, the club's commitment to global engagement and expanding its digital presence continues to bolster its international brand. Navigating challenges such as Financial Fair Play scrutiny, Manchester City's resolve in balancing financial growth with regulatory compliance and squad development remains steadfast. Their strategy reflects a robust vision to expand their fanbase while maintaining a competitive edge. How can these strategic insights help your organisation in navigating financial challenges while fostering growth? What are the key takeaways for sustaining financial success in a competitive industry? Share your perspectives on Manchester City's approach to financial management and global engagement. Engage further with our community in the Skool Community. Explore the full article and join the discussion to network and discover strategies for success in football business! Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/dGFgjPEi #FootballBusiness #RevenueGrowth #SportsManagement #FinancialStrategy

This weekend, for my sins, I was at Old Trafford to witness United get humbled by Brighton. It was a sombre weekend for Manchester United as we lost one of our true legends, Denis Law. I never saw Denis play, yet I have a signed photo of him hanging on my wall. It got me thinking: what makes a legend, and how does legendary status persevere when the real-life memories of the person fade? In Denis Law’s case, "The King of the Stretford End," it started for me with my dad. He often spoke about Denis, and as a young United fan, no one’s opinion meant more to me. If you’ve never witnessed a legend yourself, it begins with the trust you place in those who share their stories. Over time, I started to form my own opinions. I saw Denis on TV, and even in his later years, his charisma set him apart. Denis wasn’t just a great player—he embodied the spirit of Manchester United. He didn’t just score goals (though he scored plenty); he inspired fans to believe in the club's ability to rise from the tragedy of Munich and achieve greatness again. So, what makes someone an icon or a legend? It isn’t just about talent—it’s about the impact you leave behind. Legends inspire, transform, and create something lasting. How does this translate to business? In my career, I’ve met many high performers I admired, but only a few I’d call legends. Icons in business are those who redefine the rules, inspire their teams, and create a legacy that endures. They make a difference—not just in results, but in the lives of those around them. It makes me wonder: who are the legends I’ll talk to my boys about? And who are the legends you’ll pass on to the next generation? #DenisLaw #MUFC #Legend #BusinessLessons #Leadership

‘But here’s the thing nobody really wants to talk about:’ Congratulations to Man City for winning an historic 4th premier league title in a row. Is this real though? Are we waiting for the other shoe to drop? These questions can exist simultaneously with the fact Manchester City are a brilliant, hall-of-famer team and a joy to watch. None of this is anything to do with the players or manager. These are incredible champions. But here’s the thing nobody really wants to talk about much because it’s a hypothetical, and also because, frankly, it’s harshing the super soaraway vibe. Here it is though. When you’ve had a final‑day thriller, when proximity at the top is the unique selling point of the league, how does this intersect with a champion team carrying 115 charges related to alleged financial irregularity, every one of them potentially the source of a points deduction? They have also won the league by two points in a season when teams with far fewer charges were docked eight points and four points for breaking rules on expenditure. How are fans of those teams supposed to feel watching the trophy being hoist? At the heart of football is the sense, THE IDEA, of fair play. An ‘even’ playing field. In fact I’d go as far as saying that the idea of fairness is a value enshrined in the cultural bedrock of our nation, despite and or in contradiction to the reality and our equally embedded class system. When we all know the system is rigged it’s increasingly hard to cheer the accomplishments of the victorious. But cheer we must. It’s just unfair not to.

As an ardent Manchester United fan for over two and a half decades, writing about Manchester City Football Club City's recent triumphs isn't easy. But today, I'm setting rivalries aside to delve into an extraordinary journey - one that exemplifies entrepreneurship, long-term vision, and calculated risk. In 2008, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan took a bold leap, acquiring Manchester City for $270 million. At the time, they were far from the Premier League limelight, having never clinched the trophy. Yet, Sheikh Mansour saw beyond the current standings. He invested in infrastructure, nurtured talent at the City Football Academy, and transformed the Etihad Stadium into a modern marvel. His strategic signings - Kompany, Tevez, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, and Haaland - marked a shift in the club's trajectory. In 2011, patience bore fruit as Manchester City secured their first Premier League title. But Sheikh Mansour's genius extended beyond the pitch. In 2019, he orchestrated a savvy move, selling 10% to Silver Lake for a staggering $500 million, effectively doubling his initial investment. Today, Manchester City's value approaches $5 billion, boasting 8 Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph. Sheikh Mansour's journey teaches us that true champions aren't just made on the field - they're crafted through bold decisions, unwavering focus, and a willingness to play the long game. 🌟 #Entrepreneurship #LongTermGoals #CalculatedRisk #ManchesterCity

What is the best CRE asset class to invest in right now? One that offers: 1️⃣ Real rental income growth 2️⃣ Protection against inflation 3️⃣ A cushion against higher debt costs This article from CoStar Group makes a strong case for why complacency no longer works in CRE investing. Gone are the days when investors could buy at market and let ultralow interest rates and value appreciation do the work for them. Property types, building classes, and even markets now vary wildly in their ability to produce cash flow and their appeal to future buyers. Successful investors in the coming cycle(s) will need to roll up their sleeves, identify promising opportunities, and create real value. Which makes hospitality the most interesting CRE asset class of the next decade: ✅ Since 1987, hotel RevPAR has increased at an annual rate of just over 3%, roughly a quarter point better than inflation over the same period. Moreover, the nightly variability of hotel rates allows revenues to move in tandem with and absorb cost pressures. ✅ The cost correction that occurred in hospitality labor from 2021 to 2023 is now over. Leisure & Hospitality wage growth has equaled or fallen below the overall average in four of the past six months, allowing hotels to run more stable margins than other CRE asset classes. ✅ Limited- and select-service hotel cap rates have run in the 8.0 to 8.5% range since before the GFC, above all other asset classes and higher than the average cost of debt over the same period. Even now, hotel cap rates exceed interest rates for most high-quality, stable assets. At Partners Capital, we continue to have conviction around the hospitality sector and are aggressively pursuing assets that meet the above criteria. Reach out to me directly to learn more about our strategy. Partners #hotels #hotelinvesting #commercialrealestate

Doing the basics right in sports and in Financial Management The All Blacks narrowly edged out the Wallabies 31-28 on September 21, 2024, in a thrilling Bledisloe Cup match. In the last 15 minutes, two All Blacks players were sent to the sin bin for ill-discipline, giving the Wallabies a chance to close the gap. They managed to score in the final moments, but the All Blacks held on to retain the Cup for the 23rd consecutive year. Some might say it was luck or that the All Blacks just scraped through, but I believe their victory came from doing the basics well—maintaining composure, sticking to their strategies, and executing key plays under pressure. In financial management, the same principle applies. A company with strong financial fundamentals—like effective cash flow management, budgeting, and financial planning—will weather any challenges it faces. Just as the All Blacks relied on their basics to secure a win, businesses must depend on their financial fundamentals to navigate tough times and succeed. Having these fundamentals in place is crucial; they are the foundation that carries you over the finish line, both in sports and business

ROX FTB - 360 YEARS NEW YORK 1664-2024: The Story of New York 1. 1664**: Dutch New Amsterdam becomes British New York, named after the Duke of York. 2. 1700s**: A trade hub grows; key role in American Revolution. Battle of Brooklyn (1776) is pivotal. 3. 1789**: U.S. Constitution adopted in NYC; George Washington inaugurated first U.S. President here. 4. 1800s**: Massive immigration (Irish, Germans, Italians) via Ellis Island fuels growth; Erie Canal (1825) boosts trade. Becomes cultural and financial powerhouse. 5. 1900s**: Skyscrapers, Wall Street dominance, Harlem Renaissance, Broadway’s rise. Survives 9/11 in 2001, becoming a global resilience symbol. 6. **2000s-2024**: Diverse, cultural hub. Leads in arts, finance, tech. Faces challenges: COVID-19 pandemic, climate impacts. Always rebuilding, thriving.

Listen to our latest episode featuring Sophie Strand, Director of Business Development at Belvoir Edinburgh. Sophie and host, Gillian Semmler talk about the benefits of using a letting agent, Belvoir Group's franchise model and core values, plus the essential steps to ensure a property is compliant and habitable. They also discuss market challenges and trends in Edinburgh’s rental market. Listen in full: https://bit.ly/3VP6FA4 Michelle Christie #PropertyManagement #Lettings #PropertyLettings #EdinburghProperty #LandlordTips #PropertyInvesting #BusinessDevelopment #BelvoirEdinburgh #RentalMarket #PropertyCompliance #LandlordAdvice #PropertyManagementTips