LaLiga and SportBoost launch open call for fan engagement startups

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LaLiga Tech and SportBoost have launched a call for technology startups, with the intention of capturing the most disruptive solutions in the field of Fan Engagement.

As part of their alliance, the team are seeking companies focused on fan engagement, data generation and monetisation to address industry challenges.

The team will look for projects that display strong growth potential, with a core focus on technological innovation for the creation of new experiences that bring fans closer to sport and can enable the commercialisation of new products and services.

The program’s team of scouts will analyse the strategic fit of the project in detail, look at elements such as its degree of maturity and innovation, teamwork, market potential and feasibility.

Companies may register via https://www.sportboost.es/challenge or by filling in this form, through which they will be able to provide more details of the solutions they will wish to present.

Selected projects will be eligible to participate in a Workshop led by LaLiga Tech and SportBoost program managers, in order to explore in detail the expectations of the project, as well as the project approach. After this final evaluation, LaLiga Tech will have the opportunity to decide which startup/s are selected to develop a pilot program for their solution.

In the case of a positive evaluation, a future relationship with the finalists could be established – as well as a potential investment by both entities, integration into the LaLiga Tech ecosystem, and potential entry into the SportBoost acceleration program.

SportBoost will contribute to the promotion, scouting, analysis and selection of startups with the aim of reinforcing LaLiga Tech and the wider industry in their commitment to global fan engagement.

LaLiga’s goal, through LaLiga Tech, is to accelerate the digital transformation of the sports and entertainment industry with a unique ecosystem of integrated technologies that it offers to its clients around the world. To support this, it has partnered with SportBoost to help startups increase their visibility globally, making it easier for them to perform at the highest level.

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Spain’s Liga F receives history-making investment into women’s football

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Image credit: Liga F

The deal, worth AUD 91 million (€55 million) across four seasons, represents a monumental investment into Liga F and women’s football by Gasol16 Ventures and Fortified Partners.

 

Setting the pace

The investment comes as a hugely signficant moment in the history of women’s football not just in Spain, but across Europe.

But, given Spain’s commitment to growing the women’s game in recent years (and the world-beating teams it produces as a result), it is hardly a surprise that Liga F is at the centre of this milestone.

In the 2024-25 season, Liga F distributed AUD 28 million to its clubs, as well as doubling television audiences across two years.

The rate of growth is astounding, and shows no signs of slowing down.

“Women’s football in Spain has made a spectacular leap in recent years: audiences have almost doubled in two seasons, and stadiums are incresingly full,” explained Founder and President of Gasol16 Ventures, Pau Gasol.

“Therefore, this is not a sentimental commitment to women’s sport. It is an investment decision based on data, market trends, and the conviction that women’s football represents a growth opportunity with enormous potential for value creation.”

Thus, Gasol’s motivation reveals much about his own reasons for investing, as well as about the current status of women’s football in Spain.

The landscape does not want, or need, sentimental commitment. It is a financial and sporting powerhouse in its own right, and one which can grow to new heights year-on-year.

 

Securing a successful future

Furthermore, the long-term nature of the deal (set for the next four seasons from the 2026-27 campaign) shows vision and ambition for what the league can become.

“This agreement allows us to look further ahead and equip ourselves with the necessary tools to continue building an increasingly strong, more competitive league with greater capacity to generate value for our clubs,” outlined President of Liga F Beatriz Álvarez Mesa.

“What excites me most about this alliance is not just the investment it brings, but the message it sends: there are people and institutions who believe in the potential of Liga F and want to be part of its growth.”

 

Final thoughts

This is in stark contrast to the current situation of the A League Women in Australia, which PFA Chief Executive Beua Busch described as at a “tipping point”.

The problems remain the same as they were several years ago. Investment, player satisfaction and attendances are well below other major leagues. The key is creating a product which presents the immense value of clubs, players and commercial opportunities.

Because when intentional investment comes, the question stops being ‘who will invest?’ but ‘who wouldn’t?’ .

Central Coast Mariners welcome TSG as new owners

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Image credit: Central Coast Mariners

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) revealed yesterday the start of a new era for the Central Coast Mariners under the leadership of Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG).

 

New beginnings

The news of TSG being at the helm of the next chapter in the Mariners’ history marks an important new era for the club, just a few months on from entering into liquidation. The APL subsequently took over management of the club on a temporary basis while seeking the right buyer.

TSG enter into the frame with a wealth of experience in football club investments, from London to Los Angeles. The privately-owned business is a majority shareholder of Queens Park Rangers (EFL Championship) in addition to holding a stake in MLS outfit, Los Angeles FC.

Under the leadership of majority shareholder, Ruben Gnanalingam, the Mariners will be hoping for a season which moves beyond recent worrying times.

“We appreciate how turbulent and uncertain the last season has been for the Club and we intend to do our utmost to restore energy and enthusiasm for this special football club,” Gnanalingam outlined via media release.

“We were drawn to the Mariners because of its strong community spirit, a characteristic that mirrors other sporting organisations that we have the great privilege of being a part of around the world,”

APL CEO Steve Rosich further addressed the importance of community connection for the club’s future.

“We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the club’s dedicated fans, partners and staff and players, who have once again shown their loyalty and dedication to the Mariners.”

 

Mariners’ Women’s team remains in limbo

However, while TSG’s acquisition includes the men’s A-League team and club Academy teams, the A-League Women’s team does not feature in the deal.

As a result, the APL is continuing its search for investors to secure the future of the women’s team – who were victorious last year against Melbourne Victory in their first Grand Final appearance.

“Through the extensive due diligence process it became clear that the operation of the women’s team was not able to be included within the new operation with TSG,” Rosich continued.

“Seperately, we’ve begun working with parties to seek specific investment in the women’s team – and we’re working to ideally arrive at an outcome on this on or before 31 July to enable the team to operate in the 2026/27 season.”

 

Final thoughts

Fans, players and staff throughout the club will be hoping TSG is the leader they deserve in a new era for the A-League Men’s team and Academy teams.

Yet for the A-League Women’s team, uncertainty will persist throughout the coming weeks. It is vital, of course, that not just any investor comes in, but the right one to join TSG in supporting the club in its short and long-term future.

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