Shakira ex husband is a business genius!

#72 Angelinvesting.it - From idea to Series A - Weekly Newsletter

Dear reader,

This is one of those projects that I like. It has ambition, a team of overachievers, and aligns well with my theory about the key role entertainment will play in a post-AI world of abundance. Since I discovered its existence, I haven't been able to stop delving into it.

A crazy ambitious idea!

There are 4 billion football fans worldwide, contributing to a business turnover of hundreds of billions. A significant aspect of football's allure lies in its rich tradition. Modern football stems from the rules established in 1863 by the budding Football Association (FA) in England.

Today, this tradition is both cherished and challenged within football. The standard 90-minute duration and the possibility of a nil-nil draw after a full game seem at odds with the preferences of newer generations.

Gen-z are accustomed to the instant gratification of scrolling through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, or receiving an Amazon package within hours, it’s no secret, GEN-Zs seek quicker rewards.

This disconnect between contemporary values and football's century-old regulations has led to an unexpected development: the emergence of a new league, positioning itself as a rival to FIFA and UEFA. This league offers a fresh perspective, with rules and marketing strategies tailored to reflect the modern era. It's a league that, in my view, stands to rake in substantial profits.

The Mastermind Behind

The driving force behind this new project is Gerard Piqué, a historic former star of Barcelona, winner of eight La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and three UEFA Champions League titles, as well as a World Cup with Spain. Piqué is also known for being the ex-husband of the pop icon Shakira.

Less known about Gerard Piqué is his passion for business and video games. Through his Kosmos holding, he has created a media and entertainment company that spans football, e-sports, tennis, media, and video production.

"I felt there was a need to appeal to the next generation" Piqué explains to Sky Sports. "There's a lot of young people who are attracted more to entertainment that is short and exciting."

The Kings League Philosophy

The philosophy of the Kings League is based on the ambition to maximize the entertainment provided by the game. "We wanted to create a video game in real life" explains Piqué. We drew inspiration from the best of e-sports and other sports. The challenge was to build a product that was entartaining and still as a professional as football.

The game key differences with footbal:

• 40-minute matches (2 20-minute halfs)

• 7-a-side on the field

• Golden cards with special bonuses that can be drawn during the match (penalties, goals worth double, removing an opponent's player)

• Moving penalties (shootouts) inspired by hockey

• Instead of the classic kick-off, at the beginning of the game, teams start from their respective end lines and run to the center field to gain possession of the ball

• Substitutions are unlimited

• Matches cannot end in a draw

The championship consists of 12 teams. Each team has 10 starting players and 2 extra players who can be changed from week to week. Those 2 extra spots are given to former football stars, celebrities, and active professional players.

The presidents of the 12 clubs are Piqué himself, Iker Casillas, the goalkeeper of Real Madrid, and 10 famous Twitch streamers and Youtuber associated with football.

Unbelievable Results through Social Media and Influencers

The involvement of presidents who are also streamers perfectly explains the go-to-market strategy of this new league. Social media platforms are the primary channel for distributing a product designed to attract Gen Z.

The results have been staggering: the first championship final attracted an average of 1.4 million live viewers, with a peak of 2.2 million. On Twitch, the number of views exceeded 15 million. Although these figures were achieved on free-to-air channels, they are enough to make traditional broadcasters — and advertisers — salivate.

Sponsors are actively jostling for positions. Adidas, Cupra, Spotify, McDonald's, and many others have already signed up. The Kings League has also secured a naming deal with the job board InfoJobs and has partnered with the newspaper Marca to ensure widespread media coverage. source

After the first season that validated the Spanish market, the plans for the second year are to expand globally. Central America, Italy, Germany, France, and England will have their leagues between 2024 and 2025. There will be a World Cup to reaffirm the global ambition of the initiative.

I wanted to share this story because it has all the ingredients of a successful startup in place. Above all, the stubburn rejection of the status quo. The questioning of the basic rules of football that we have become accustomed to taking for granted and that instead prevent millions of potential customers from accessing an entertainment product they didn't even know they wanted.

Have a great weekend,

Simone

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