Can sport make huge profits sustainably?

Can sport make huge profits sustainably?

From The Athletic FC Presents... by The Athletic

January 21, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

The episode explores the sustainability of profits in the booming sports industry amidst challenges like climate change and inactivity.

The global sports industry is booming — already worth an estimated $2.3 trillion a year, with projections suggesting it could almost triple by 2050. But according to a new report from the World Economic Forum, that growth is far from guaranteed. In this episode of The Athletic FC, Matt Slater digs into the findings of Sports for People and Planet, a report that warns climate change and rising physical inactivity could threaten sport’s long-term business model. So how can sport — and football in particular — continue to grow without undermining its own future? First, Matt speaks to Tony Simpson, one of the report’s authors from consultancy firm Oliver Wyman, to unpack the numbers and the risks facing the industry. Then, attention turns to the club level, with insights from Rishi Jain of Liverpool FC on how one of football’s biggest institutions is thinking about sustainability, responsibility and profit in the years ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Matt Slater

Guests: Tony Simpson, Rishi Jain

Topics covered

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oliver Wyman, Liverpool FC, World Economic Forum

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