City Football Group add İstanbul Başakşehir to club portfolio

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Image credit: City Football Group official website

City Football Group (CFG) announced a “football collaboration agreement” with Turkish Süper Lig side İstanbul Başakşehir to expand on their current portfolio of worldwide football clubs.

CFG is the owner of Premier League giants Manchester City and the group also own majority shareholder status in a further seven clubs around the world including A-League side Melbourne City.

Under this agreement, CFG will provide Başakşehir with guidance on transfers, academy development and data-driven insights. The group will also offer support with player screening and football strategy.

This strategy used by CFG has been rather successful for all the clubs under the consortium and Melbourne City in particular have used this connection to make some big transfers in and outgoings. David Villa was the first significant loan move from CFG club New York City FC which started a practice of players and coaches rotating between the group’s clubs.

It has seen players like Daniel Arzani and Aaron Mooy move to Manchester City temporarily to be loaned out to other European clubs. Recently, Patrick Kisnorbo earned a move to fellow CFG club ESTAC Troyes to become the first ever Australian manager in a top five European league.

Göksel Gümüşdağ, Majority Owner and Club President of Başakşehir, explained that this move is immense for the club.

“İstanbul Başakşehir FK has achieved many firsts in Turkish football despite its young age and today, with this collaboration with the leading football group in the world, it marks another milestone for İstanbul Başakşehir and Turkish football,” he said in a club statement.

“From the very beginning, we have reiterated at every opportunity that our vision and goals are different and today underlines this expression again. We are very happy, proud and excited. I would like to thank all the people in City Football Group for their approach and support in the process. I hope it will be beneficial for Başakşehir FK and Turkish football.”

City Football Group released their own statement regarding the new addition to their family and the future plans for the club.

“This collaboration will help CFG grow knowledge and develop relationships in Turkey, an ambitious football nation and developer of talent. This will also provide CFG with an opportunity to collaborate across emerging football areas with a club that has a shared vision.” a CFG statement read.

City Football Group, INEOS and Red Bull in particular have figured out a way to potentially ‘game the system’ to their advantage before FIFA or UEFA had ever thought of cracking down on this potentially threatening move for football.

İstanbul Başakşehir is just another club adding to the growing list of clubs involved in a multi-club structure which is said to be over 180 clubs across the world in total. Modern football is transforming like never before.

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Celebrating Ability Workshop Scheduled for December

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Image credit: Football Victoria

The Celebrating Ability event will take place at The Home of The Matildas on Saturday, December 6.

The event promises an interactive day of learning and connection, featuring group workshops, the launch of Football Victoria’s new Disability Football Framework, and club education sessions with Aspect to promote inclusion across all levels of the game.

The Celebrating Ability event will offer a completely free, in-person opportunity for clubs to explore the space and take part in the celebration of the International Day of People With a Disability (IDoPWD).

The day will include:

Launch: Football Victoria will officially unveil its Disability Football Framework on December 3

Workshop: Clubs can learn how to start and run an All Abilities program

Education Session: Delivered by Football Victoria’s partners, providing practical guidance and support

Engagement: Attendees will gain insights from guest speakers and have the opportunity to connect with other clubs, coaches, and administrators

Event Details

Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025

Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm

Where: The Home of the Matildas, Sports Drive, Bundoora, 3083

Registration: Registration is required. Please use the link below to secure your place

This event offers an excellent opportunity for clubs across Victoria to engage, learn, and celebrate ability. Clubs are encouraged to share this opportunity with anyone who may be interested.

The Digital Playbook for Football Finance: Miagen’s Approach

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Image credit: PeopleImages / Shutterstock.com
Bringing Technology into Football Finance

Miagen, an Irish financial technology and analytics company, helps organisations plan and manage complex operations with data-driven solutions. Its SportsGen platform brings that same expertise into football, giving clubs the tools to manage their finances, optimise revenues, and stay compliant with regulations in an increasingly challenging environment.

Football clubs today are more than just sporting teams, they are multi-million-dollar businesses. To succeed on and off the pitch, they need accurate forecasting and clear insight into risk. SportsGen addresses this need by bringing together data from across a club’s operations into a single, easy-to-use system. It integrates ticketing, broadcasting, merchandise, sponsorships, and player contracts, giving club leaders a real-time view of their financial position.

By replacing spreadsheets and fragmented reports, SportsGen allows executives to see current and projected performance at a glance. Decisions about transfers, budgets, or commercial deals are based on data rather than guesswork. At the same time, finance teams spend less time on manual reporting and more time focusing on strategy and long-term planning.

Smarter Decisions and Revenue Growth 

SportsGen also allows clubs to model different scenarios. Managers can simulate the financial impact of wage changes, major transfers, or different league outcomes. Each scenario shows how income and spending would change, helping clubs understand the consequences of their choices before committing. This predictive capability is vital for clubs operating under financial fair play and other sustainability rules.

The platform doesn’t just control costs, it helps clubs grow revenue. SportsGen analyses matchday attendance, ticket pricing, merchandise sales, and sponsorship performance to spot opportunities and underperforming areas. Clubs can adjust pricing, design promotions, and maximise income, all while keeping their financial model stable and transparent.

With SportsGen, clubs can also plan several seasons ahead. Executives can forecast future wage growth, transfer spending, and commercial income to ensure alignment with long-term goals. Linking financial outcomes to sporting objectives allows clubs to grow in a disciplined, sustainable way, reducing the risk of overspending or breaking league regulations.

Financial Discipline Made Simple

SportsGen is essential for compliance and risk management. Football governing bodies have tightened rules on profitability and spending, and clubs need clear insight to stay within those limits. The platform continuously tracks key ratios, such as wage-to-revenue and debt-to-income, and sends alerts when a club approaches risk thresholds. This helps managers take action before problems arise, supporting long-term stability and stronger governance.

The system is highly adaptable, working for clubs of all sizes. Larger clubs benefit from its ability to scale across complex, global operations, while smaller clubs gain accurate, reliable financial control. Miagen’s experience in industries like aviation and logistics ensures that the platform can manage complexity while maintaining speed, accuracy, and accountability.

The rise of platforms like SportsGen marks a new era in football management. Finance, analytics, and technology have become central to how clubs operate. With accurate data and real-time forecasting, decisions can align sporting ambitions with financial realities. Miagen helps clubs stay competitive both on the field and in their financial management.

Conclusion

SportsGen represents a major step forward in football finance. It gives clubs the tools to manage revenue, control costs, comply with regulations, and plan confidently for the future. By combining technology, analytics, and financial expertise, Miagen helps clubs replace guesswork with informed decisions, supporting sustainable growth and long-term stability in a complex, high-stakes industry.

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