Throughout the Leaders Sport Business Summit held Wednesday and Thursday in London, comments by top execs generated headlines throughout Europe and the world of sports business. Below are some of the highlights:
West-Ham Vice-Chair KARREN BRADY: "There were two interesting things about the club. One, it had £100 million worth of debt. Two, it had no what I would call culture. At football clubs we don’t make anything, we don’t manufacture anything, we don’t really produce anything other than more players. So getting the culture right, being a place where something is expected of you, having discipline, planning and process and strategy. That wasn’t there" (London EVENING STANDARD, 10/6).
WEST HAM (via Twitter): "Indeed she was explaining that our strong, world-renowned heritage is what sets us apart as a club and outlining her view that the rich tradition, heritage and culture of West Ham United is what makes the club and its supporters so special" (EVENING STANDARD, 10/6).
Football agent MEL STEIN: "I'm not suggesting in any shape, form or size that we should be involved in appointing an England manager. If anybody had spoken to any of us about their [the FA’s] last appointment, we would’ve said, 'You know what, he’s not Mother Teresa. He’s a very good manager but there is some kind of a storm brewing'" (London TELEGRAPH, 10/5).
Football League CEO SHAUN HARVEY: "The reputation of the business side of football took a battering. It looked, at times, cheap; it looked at times like there was a lack of class" (TELEGRAPH, 10/5).
HARVEY (regarding the Checkatrade Trophy): "Low crowds are a concern but this was an innovative approach to try and solve a big problem. We will be doing a lot of work to understand what the issue is. ... It's a one-year pilot, we'll review the situation with League One and League Two clubs" (EVENING STANDARD, 10/6).
Inter Milan CEO MICHAEL BOLINGBROKE: "There is definitely an environment that encourages investment in soccer now. There is a big drive for health in China and soccer is one of the favorite sports of the president. China needs know-how, so they can run leagues as successfully as we do, while in return the opportunities for clubs are enormous" (REUTERS, 10/5).
CONCACAF President VICTOR MONTAGLIANI: "I think anti-racism has to be embedded in your day-to-day organization, not in a committee. A committee that maybe meets once a year. Really? You're going to fight anti-racism? No, you're not. Anti-racism is not fought once a year, it has to be fought daily. But I think maybe the communication wasn't the best" (REUTERS, 10/6).
Former Arsenal player ROBERT PIRES, on ARSENE WENGER becoming the England coach: “The situation is simple, Wenger is the manager for Arsenal. I know him, he wants to go to the pitch every morning. This is the most important [thing for him]. If he takes this job, it’s not the same. So, for the moment I cannot imagine Wenger working for England. This is my opinion. I see Arsene. He love the pitch every morning. This is like an obsession, it’s a passion" (ESPN.com, 10/6).
Napoli chairman AURELIO DE LAURENTIIS, on agents: “They are the cancer of our domain. Not every agent. But I don’t understand why you need an agent. In Hollywood, the actor pays [the agent] himself. I don’t pay the agent. In soccer, why must I pay?" (London TELEGRAPH, 10/6).
Kick It Out campaigner PAUL ELLIOTT: "If they have big incidents of discrimination, they will be the talking point of the world. All of the good things, the interesting capital that Putin wants to make out of this, will be undone. This will be a big opportunity for Putin. He'll know that" (ESPN.com, 10/6).
