Massive Setback for FIFA as Women’s World Cup Misses $100 Million Mark

FIFA, a renowned broadcaster of football games, has achieved remarkable milestones in promoting the sport globally. From hosting the iconic FIFA World Cup to fostering youth development and women’s football, their impact is undeniable.

However, in a shocking turn of events, they recently lost broadcasting rights to the Women’s World Cup. It signalled a shift in the landscape of football broadcasting.

The Unbundling of 2023 Women’s World Cup Broadcast Rights

To explore new revenue streams, FIFA took a bold step by unbundling the broadcasting rights for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, a move that had not been attempted before. Traditionally, FIFA sold the rights as a package, allowing broadcasters to showcase all the matches in a particular market. However, in this groundbreaking approach, FIFA decided to sell the rights individually in various markets. The idea behind this strategy was to attract more broadcasters and increase competition, ultimately leading to higher financial gains.

FIFA believed that this new approach would yield a significant financial boost, targeting an ambitious $300 million in revenue. However, despite their optimism, the outcome was far from what they had envisioned. The decision to unbundle the rights, although innovative, did not generate the expected returns.

Amid the loss of broadcasting rights for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino faced a challenging impasse. Despite the ambition to explore new revenue streams by unbundling the rights and selling them individually, negotiations with government ministers ended without any agreement.

As a result, the broadcasting deals for the entire tournament eventually reached countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Such issues indirectly influence the sport as well. There was one such situation where due to less finances, an Olympic game was called off and it was a huge blow for the athletes.

Indonesia, failing to produce funds for Beach games

Indonesia’s hopes of hosting the ANOC World Beach Games came crashing down when they faced challenges in securing funds and sponsors. With the Games scheduled to take place in Bali from August 05 to August 12, the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) made a surprising decision to retract their commitment at the eleventh hour.

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) expressed deep disappointment and shock over this sudden turn of events. The untimely withdrawal left ANOC with no alternative host, forcing them to cancel the 14 Beach and Water Games.

Also Read: Indonesia Yet Again Disappoints After U-20 World Cup Incident, the Delays Lead to the Termination of World Beach Games

 The setback highlights the importance of careful planning and strategic decision-making in the world of sports. However, despite this disappointment, there is hope for FIFA to learn from this experience and come back stronger. By reassessing their strategies and making well-informed choices, FIFA can regain its position. It is a leading broadcaster for women’s football, ensuring a brighter future for the sport.

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