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Real Madrid and Barcelona neck-and-neck as world’s most valuable football brands in the face of COVID-19
- Real Madrid remain world’s most valuable football brand, but Barcelona narrow the gap to just €6 million
- COVID-19 causes total brand value of top 50 clubs to decrease for the first time in 6 years – €751 million or 3.7% is knocked off
- English clubs dominate the ranking with six brands in top 10 and 19 in top 50
- Liverpool inches two spots up into 4th place, following historic Premier League win
- Bundesliga’s 1. FC Köln is this year’s fastest-growing brand, followed by Leicester City and RB Leipzig – all recording over 40% growth
- Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium takes top spot in Buro Happold’s Venue Performance Rating
Real Madrid remain the most valuable football club brand in the world for 2020, according to the latest edition of the Brand Finance Football Annual. Boosted by winning the LaLiga title for the first time since 2017, the club retained its position at the top of the table in the football industry, but against a backdrop of economic and social disruption, caused primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic, Real Madrid’s brand value has declined by 14% to €1,419 million.
Real Madrid’s disappointing on-pitch performance prior to 2019-20, which saw an earlier-than-normal exit from the UEFA Champions League in 2018-19 and a second successive season adrift of LaLiga champions Barcelona, eroded the club’s dominance of the Brand Finance ranking. The situation was exacerbated by COVID-19, along with a lack of stability around the management of the team. Barcelona, Real’s fierce rivals, are just €6 million behind Real with a brand value of €1,413 million, supported by strong and diverse revenue generation and continued domestic performance in Spain.
COVID-19 knocks off €751 million of brand value
Real Madrid is not the only club to see a drop in brand value this year. COVID-19 has caused the total value of the top 50 football brands to decrease for the first time in 6 years. Through its effect on the three main revenue streams – Matchday, Broadcasting, and Commercial – €751 million or 3.7% has been knocked off the cumulative brand value of the world’s top 50 most valuable football clubs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged professional football worldwide and across all levels. Matchday income for the 501 games remaining in the big 5 leagues dropped to zero, but it is often the smaller clubs and leagues which are more reliant on this revenue stream – in Scotland it makes up 43% of total revenue, compared to only 13% in England.
There have been some positive signs, as Southampton vs Manchester City on BBC broke the Premier League TV audience record with 5.7 million viewers, but the longer-term damage to the game’s economic structure has yet to be revealed.
Richard Haigh, Managing Director of Brand Finance, commented:
“Top-level football has been confronted with the largest existential threat since the Second World War. Loss of income, coupled with health concerns about mass gatherings, have raised question marks about the future of the industry and the financial resilience of clubs across all levels. The full damage of the COVID-19 crisis has yet to unfold and it is not inconceivable there will be casualties in the form of club bankruptcies and changes in ownership.”
Despite the huge implications of COVID-19 for football clubs and their financial results, the majority of the brand value is secured by the clubs’ long-term future – provided they can survive the initial shock. For example, only 21% of Real Madrid’s brand value is delivered by the next five years’ financial results.
Premier power
Real Madrid and Barcelona are followed by a cluster of English Premier League clubs in the Brand Finance Football Annual 2020 ranking, with Manchester United in 3rd position after their brand value fell by 11% to €1,314 million. Liverpool, who won their first league title since 1990 in runaway style, are in 4th spot jumping above Manchester City in terms of brand value, rising from €1,191 million in 2019 to €1,262 million, a 6% increase. Chelsea dropped one place in the table to 8th after their value fell for the fourth consecutive year to €949 million. This was arguably due to the club being absent from the UEFA Champions League and also suffering a transfer ban after being charged with breaking Financial Fair Play Regulations.
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Spinmatic updates Plata o Plomo with Hold&Win bonus overhaul
Spinmatic has announced Plata o Plomo Hold&Win, a new iteration of its Plata o Plomo slot built around a revised Hold&Win bonus feature.
The company said it has changed how bonus-stage winnings are determined compared with the original game’s “random rewarding system.” In the updated version, Spinmatic said “guesswork” has been removed and that “every player now operates within a clearly defined multiplier framework.”
Spinmatic is also adding what it calls a “Super Win” incentive to the bonus journey. The company said that by reaching the end of the 3rd stage, “players are now guaranteed a significant payout.”
Mechanically, Spinmatic said the title follows its earlier Hold&Win integration in Frank Pantera, but scales the feature with a larger coin respin grid. While Frank Pantera used a 3×5 grid, Plata o Plomo Hold&Win uses an expanded 4×5 grid (20 slots), which Spinmatic said is designed to increase coin-landing opportunities and align the bonus feature visually with the base game reel structure.
Spinmatic did not disclose launch markets, operator partners, certification status, RTP/volatility data, or performance metrics for the updated title.
The post Spinmatic updates Plata o Plomo with Hold&Win bonus overhaul appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
bet365
bet365 Launches in Michigan, Bringing its Global Betting Experience to a Competitive Market
bet365, a leading global online sportsbook and casino, announced its official launch in Michigan, marking its entry into its 17th U.S. state and continuing its rapid North American expansion. The launch also comes as bet365 is named as an Official Sports Betting Partner of the Detroit Tigers.
Michigan customers will have access to bet365’s globally recognized platform, featuring competitive odds, early lines, and industry-leading in-play betting and its signature Early Payout offer, a fan-favorite feature that allows customers to receive winnings early when their team takes a decisive lead. The platform also includes a fully integrated casino experience, with features such as the free daily Prize Matcher, which allows customers to play daily for prizes worth up to $5000 weekly.
To celebrate the launch, bet365 is offering new customers a “Bet $10, Get $365” promotion for their sportsbook and a “get 1000 free spins and up to $1000 deposit match” for casino, giving players immediate value and a compelling reason to try the platform.
“We’re excited to bring bet365 to Michigan and introduce a better way to bet. This is a mature market with knowledgeable fans, and we’re confident our product stands apart. Features like our Early Payout offer, combined with our in-play experience and integrated casino, give players more ways to engage and more reasons to choose bet365,” said Trip Stoddard, Head of Business Development at bet365.
As part of its commitment to the state, bet365 is also focused on embedding itself within Michigan’s iconic sports and entertainment landscape. The company announced its partnerships with the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, and 313 Presents as part of its launch and goal of creating meaningful connections with fans and enhancing how they engage with their favorite experiences. As part of the partnership, bet365 will be integrated throughout Comerica Park via a range of high-visibility placements, appear during game broadcasts through virtual signage, activate across Tigers radio and digital channels, and alongside fan-focused initiatives such as ticketing and merchandise programs throughout the season. In addition, bet365 will serve as a presenting partner of the Detroit SportsNet’s Tigers coverage.
The Michigan launch also reflects bet365’s broader U.S. strategy to expand into all legal markets and establish itself as a true national competitor. By bringing a refined product built on learnings from prior state launches, bet365 is positioned to compete with established operators while offering a differentiated experience.
As part of its launch, bet365 will continue to roll out its “Winning Is Everything” brand campaign across Michigan, reinforcing its commitment to players who are serious about their play and expect more from their sportsbook. Sports fans across Michigan will be able to access a full range of betting options across major leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more.
The post bet365 Launches in Michigan, Bringing its Global Betting Experience to a Competitive Market appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
José Javier Martí COO of Zitro Digital
Zitro Digital Enters into a New Partnership with Solbet
Zitro Digital, the online arm of global gaming supplier Zitro, continues to accelerate its expansion across Latin America with the launch of a new partnership with Solbet, one of Paraguay’s leading online operators. The deal represents a significant step in Zitro Digital’s drive to bring its content to new audiences throughout the region.
Solbet players now have access to Zitro Digital’s full portfolio — an extensive range of slots and Video Bingo titles built on the company’s land-based success, complemented by exclusive digital-first content. With this agreement, Zitro Digital adds another strong operator partnership to its growing operator base, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, trusted content to players in regulated markets worldwide.
“For Solbet, it is essential to continue expanding our gaming portfolio with content from globally recognized providers such as Zitro Digital. This partnership allows us to offer our players a high-quality gaming experience, aligned with market trends and their preferences,” said Rodrigo Iturralde, CEO of Solbet Paraguay.
“Partnering with an established operator like Solbet is a fantastic way to introduce our portfolio to players in what is a key market for us. We are committed to supporting our partners with content that players already know and trust, and we look forward to seeing our titles perform on Solbet’s platform,” said José Javier Martí, COO at Zitro Digital.
The post Zitro Digital Enters into a New Partnership with Solbet appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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