As 2011 draws to a close we take some time not to review this year’s finest but to take a look at the possible challenges the sports business industry may have to face in 2012. Obviously, none of this is in a specific order, just a shuffle list.

1 – London 2012. This year’s Olympics are obviously the biggest story we are going to tell at the end of 2012. Economically speaking, we might witness a fantastic boom or a tragic fallout. In 2005, cost projections were around 3,7$ Billion. Nowadays it seems reasonable to think that the 2012 London Olympic Games will cost between the 15 and 18$ Billion, making it the second most expensive sports event ever (Bejing was $40 billion).

2 – The European Football situation. Poland and Ukarine will host the 2012 UEFA Euro Competition, a very tough tournament with some of the world’s best teams, including Spain, the reigning 2010 world champion. Bad clouds, however, are gathering upon Europe’s favorite ballgame, with more than one national championship involved in betting and frauds. When more time is spent in court than on the pitch, nothing good can happen. Let’s just hope for the best or the forthcoming EuroCup might turn into a huge flop.

3 – Formula 1: a decade of dominance? – In 2011 Sebastian Vettel won his second world title in a row with the Red Bull Racing team. Not only the German “enfant prodige” won the Championship but also left no space for hope, finishing 122 points ahead of McLaren’s Jenson Button, second in the seasonal standings. However, this year’s F1 season has been one of the most exciting and thrilling of the past decade, with loads of overtaking, clever new rules, more ammo in the drivers’ arsenal and sensational scenarios. F1 has probably found the perfect mix and the man to beat. If Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren will be able to catch up with the Bull at the beginning of 2012, we’ll probably get the most enjoyable season in a while.

4 – MotoGP – In terms of audience, MotoGP is one of the world’s favorite sport events. A brilliant Casey Stoner managed to conquer the 2011 title on an equally superb Repsol Honda HRC. This year, however, will be also surely remembered for the death of one of its rising stars, Marco Simoncelli. Marco was one of the fastest riders one of the paddock’s favorites. His loss is a tragic casualty MotoGP had to face both in terms of emotionality and future planning. Some say this dreadful event will backfire on MotoGP’s business, others claim that the renewed 1000cc class will instead improve and get better in terms of security and competitiveness, a conversational position we firmly support. Whatever it is, in this 2011 Christmas we are close to Marco’s family and friends

5 – The NBA lockout spreading amongst other American Leagues – On Christmas night the NBA will be ready for the first tip-off of this year, after a long and harsh lockout. We already discussed the huge impact this strike has had on the NBA business, but the blow might not be circumstantial to basketball. Similar rumors are heard in the lockers of the National Hockey League and in the campuses of college sports. Should such a thing happen both to the NHL and the NCAA, the sports industry would have to cope with a massive problem  in terms of TV rights, partner agreements and money in general.

We’ll see you next week.
Merry Christmas, from RTR Sports Marketing

In The Picture: Jenson Button - Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Picture by: Inottawa - Flickr