Danny Townsend - CEO, SURJ Sports Investments

Danny Townsend, a former professional football player, discusses his transition into the business side of sports, emphasizing the importance of passion in one's work. He is involved with SURJ, a subsidiary of the PIF, which invests in global sports IP and the local sports economy as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The sports economy is vast, encompassing media, retail, and e-commerce, and is expected to grow as sports connect more directly with fans. Saudi Arabia is becoming a significant player in the global sports landscape, hosting world-class events and investing in various sports like tennis, golf, motorsport, and football. Technology is crucial in engaging fans and evolving sports into a direct-to-consumer proposition, as seen with their investment in Zone, a technology company that distributes content. Danny values attending gatherings like the FII Institute to gain broader perspectives and connect with people outside the sports sector.