Off the Pitch Podcast: Cisco’s Expanding Role in Australia’s Sports and Entertainment Infrastructure

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Image credit: Brett Ginsberg/Shuttersock.com

Cisco’s footprint in Australia’s sporting landscape is growing rapidly, with the tech giant playing a key role in modernising stadium infrastructure across the country.

Cisco Systems, Inc. is a leading global technology company, founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose, California.

The company focuses on designing, developing, and delivering networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and a wide range of advanced technology solutions and services used across many industries worldwide.

With a strong international presence, Cisco has played a vital role in shaping and supporting digital infrastructure across Australia’s sports and entertainment sector, helping major venues stay connected, efficient, secure, and ready for the future.

In episode seven of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch podcast, Regional General Manager at Cisco Manny Spanoudakis shared insights into the various projects Cisco has been involved with across several stadiums in Australia.

“I guess if we just focus on the Australian market, there’s an abundance of projects we’ve been very fortunate to have great success with,” he said on the podcast.

“If I start in Perth, I guess, and work my way east, Optus Stadium is a major project, we’re just doing a major refresh there after the original opening in 2018, Adelaide Oval, another major customer of ours.

“Then as we come up into Sydney, I guess, we’ve got the Sydney Cricket Ground, Allianz Stadium, Accor Stadium up here as well, so that’s off the top of my head, the type of large venues.”

Spanoudakis also highlighted the wide range of projects Cisco has been involved in throughout Melbourne.

“The Melbourne Cricket Ground just underwent significant and is still undergoing significant technology upgrades. It’s a project and a customer we’ve worked on for well over a decade,” he said.

“Marvel Stadium, the Melbourne Olympic Park precinct, the VRC in Flemington, Kardinia Park and GMHBA Stadium and Melbourne Racing Club.

“So there’s a very strong, we have a very strong customer base in Melbourne.”

To hear and learn more about Cisco, you can listen to the full interview with Manny Spanoudakis on episode seven of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch Podcast, available on all major podcasting apps and here.

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Premier League clubs record huge losses despite record revenue

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Image Credits: Arsenal FC

A report from Deloitte says Premier League clubs are facing a growing financial challenge after combined pre-tax losses reached $1.8 billion (948 million pounds) in the 2024-25 season.

The figure marks a huge rise from the $258 million (135 million pounds) recorded the previous season. It comes despite clubs generating record revenue of $13 billion (6.8 billion pounds).

Revenue keeps rising

Premier League clubs increased their revenue by 8% during the season. Commercial income and matchday revenue both climbed. Broadcast income also increased. But higher revenue has not translated into stronger profits.

Wage costs rose by $730 million (381 million pounds). Player transfers also played a major role in the rise in losses. Only eight clubs reported an operating profit. That was down from 13 clubs the season before.

Spending drives losses

Transfer spending remains one of the biggest pressures on Premier League finances. Clubs continue to invest heavily to compete for trophies and European places. But those costs can quickly outweigh the extra revenue generated by success.

Net debt also increased. It reached $6.9 billion (3.6 billion pounds) in 2024-25. That was up from the previous season.

The financial pressure is not limited to the Premier League. Only three Championship clubs in the second tier reported a profit.

A warning for English football

The Premier League remains the financial powerhouse of English football. Its clubs generated $13 billion (6.8 billion pounds) in revenue. The Championship generated $1.8 billion (942 million pounds).

But Deloitte warned that football cannot rely on simply adding more matches to create future growth.

European competitions have expanded. The international calendar has also become more crowded. Yet there are concerns that the market could become saturated.

Clubs face tougher choices

The figures highlight a difficult balance for Premier League clubs. They need to spend to remain competitive. But rising wages, transfer fees and debt are putting greater pressure on their finances.

New regulations will also change how clubs manage their spending from 2026 onwards. The focus is now shifting towards sustainable growth and stronger commercial income.

The Premier League remains the richest domestic league in Europe. But these figures show that wealth does not guarantee profit.

For clubs across England’s top flight, financial discipline is becoming just as important as success on the pitch.

Soccerex Selects Miami’s Nu Stadium for Landmark Global Gathering in 2026

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Image Credit: Soccerex

Soccerex will bring the global football industry to Miami in September 2026, with the organisation announcing Nu Stadium as the host venue for its flagship international gathering.

The leading global football business platform will stage Soccerex Miami from September 23–25, 2026, bringing together senior executives, investors, clubs, leagues, federations, brands, media organisations, technology companies and other commercial stakeholders from across the international game.

The event will take place at Nu Stadium within the Miami Freedom Park site, positioning Soccerex at the centre of one of football’s fastest-growing markets as the sport continues to expand its influence across North America.

For nearly three decades, Soccerex has served as a meeting point for the global football industry. The 2026 event represents a further step in the organisation’s evolution towards a year-round platform focused on creating strategic connections, commercial opportunities and long-term value across the game.

Soccerex Miami 2026 will feature conferences, curated networking opportunities, strategic business meetings and industry programming designed to connect decision-makers and facilitate new partnerships.

A key component of the event will be Soccerex’s expanding Deal Network platform, which is designed to create more targeted connections between investors, rights holders, decision-makers and strategic partners throughout the year.

The gathering will also continue the expansion of HerSoccerex, Soccerex’s dedicated initiative focused on increasing investment, visibility, leadership opportunities and commercial growth across women’s football.

Soccerex CEO Garrett Navia said Miami represented an increasingly important location for the global football industry.

“Miami has become one of the most important crossroads in global football,” Navia said.

“The city sits at the intersection of the Americas, international business, culture, investment and the future growth of the sport itself.

“Bringing Soccerex to Nu Stadium is not just about hosting another event, it is about establishing a long-term home for the global football industry in one of the most dynamic football markets anywhere in the world.”

Navia said Soccerex was focused on expanding its role beyond traditional events and developing a platform capable of creating measurable outcomes across the football ecosystem.

“For nearly 30 years, Soccerex has connected the global game,” he said.

“What we are building now is much bigger, a year-round platform designed to create business opportunities, strategic relationships and measurable outcomes across football while also using the reach and influence of the sport to create meaningful impact and lasting legacy within the communities it touches.”

Soccerex Miami 2026 will also place an emphasis on community engagement and impact initiatives, with the organisation aiming to use football as a vehicle to create opportunities and leave a positive legacy in the communities connected to the event.

Nu Stadium, which opened in April 2026 as the home of Inter Miami CF, will provide the backdrop for discussions around some of the most significant issues shaping football’s future.

Investment, infrastructure, sponsorship, media, technology, innovation, fan engagement, women’s football and the continued globalisation of the game are all expected to feature prominently across the three-day gathering.

Located within the wider Miami Freedom Park development, the 26,700-seat venue represents one of South Florida’s newest major football and entertainment destinations.

Additional announcements regarding speakers, strategic partners, community initiatives and industry activations are expected in the lead-up to the event.

Soccerex was founded in 1996 and has since developed into one of football’s leading business platforms, connecting clubs, leagues, federations, brands, investors, media companies, technology providers and rights holders from across the global game.

Through its international events, executive experiences, Deal Network and HerSoccerex initiatives, the organisation is seeking to expand its role as a year-round platform connecting capital, commerce, innovation and leadership across the football industry.

Soccerex Miami 2026 will take place from September 23–25, 2026, at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida.

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