Sports Advisory

Helping decision-makers in sport navigate complexity and create lasting value

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Sports Advisory

Strategic advisory for a complex and evolving sports landscape

The sports industry is evolving into a sophisticated global ecosystem shaped by investment, governance expectations and commercial transformation. Sports organisations must balance performance, financial sustainability and governance excellence, while investors and commercial stakeholders require advisors who understand the specific dynamics of sport.

BDO supports organisations across the sports ecosystem with integrated advisory capabilities combining industry understanding with multidisciplinary expertise across strategy, governance, risk, transactions and financial advisory.

Why BDO Sports Advisory

We support sports organisations and investors with a combination of sector experience, multidisciplinary capabilities and a long-term advisory perspective.

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Industry
understanding

Our team combines sports sector experience with advisory expertise developed across complex and regulated industries.

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Multidisciplinary advisory
platform

BDO brings together expertise across advisory, deals, risk, tax & legal and audit to provide coordinated support.

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Senior team
involvement

Our clients benefit from direct access to experienced advisors and close collaboration with senior team members, combined with seamless access to BDO's global network of experts and industry knowledge.

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Trusted advisor

We support leadership teams and investors in situations where experience, independence and judgement are critical.

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Pragmatic and
solution-oriented

Our focus is on advice that is practical, implementable and aligned with organisational realities – with a long-term perspective.

Benefits for stakeholders

Each stakeholder in the sports ecosystem faces distinct challenges and decision dynamics. Our approach is designed to provide clarity, structure and perspective tailored to these specific contexts with a focus on delivering tangible outcomes.

Investors, private capital and family offices

  • Structured assessment of investment opportunities, including governance, risk and value considerations
  • Clarity on transaction dynamics and execution pathways in complex sports environments
  • Governance and value creation frameworks aligned with investment strategies
  • Informed navigation of regulatory and stakeholder environments specific to sport
  • Independent perspective on sports-related investment opportunities and associated risks
  • Alignment of investment decisions with long-term value creation and portfolio objectives
  • Transparency on governance, financial sustainability and structural considerations
  • Trusted advisory support in navigating a complex and evolving industry environment

Sports organisations (clubs, sports teams, event organizer), leagues and federations

  • Clear governance structures and decision-making frameworks aligned with organisational objectives
  • Financial sustainability and performance aligned with long-term strategic priorities
  • Defined strategic positioning in an increasingly competitive and globalised market environment
  • Structured management of regulatory requirements, stakeholder expectations and reputational considerations
  • Independent perspective and strategic guidance in complex or contentious matters
  • Governance frameworks aligned with evolving regulatory and stakeholder expectations
  • Transparency and integrity standards that support credibility and trust across the ecosystem
  • Coherent long-term positioning of leagues and competitions in a global sports landscape
  • Structured approach to commercial development, including media and partnership models

Commercial stakeholders (sponsors, brands, media and technology companies)

  • Strategic alignment of sponsorship and partnership activities with brand positioning
  • Clarity on partnership structures, rights and governance considerations
  • Visibility on reputational and integrity-related aspects of partnerships
  • Positioning within an evolving sports and media ecosystem
  • Strategic positioning within evolving media rights and data-driven business models
  • Understanding of commercial structures, rights frameworks and stakeholder dynamics
  • Identification of revenue opportunities linked to content, data and fan engagement
  • Structured approach to partnerships, investments and market entry

Infrastructure and venue stakeholders

  • Clarity on investment feasibility, risk exposure and long-term value drivers
  • Alignment between infrastructure strategy and sporting and commercial objectives
  • Structured management of stakeholder interfaces, including public and private actors
  • Financial performance considerations integrated into long-term asset planning

Executives and Athletes

  • Independent perspective in complex and high-stakes decision-making situations
  • Clarity in navigating governance, strategic and financial considerations
  • Structured approach to stakeholder management and sensitive situations
  • Access to experienced advisors acting as trusted sparring partners
  • Protection and structuring of personal and commercial interests within complex environments
  • Clarity in career-related decisions and long-term positioning
  • Awareness of regulatory, contractual and reputational considerations
  • Orientation within the broader sports ecosystem, including commercial and structural dynamics

Our Focus Areas

We support sports organisations and investors in the areas where they face their most critical challenges.


sports advisory strategy

Strategic & Organisational Advisory

Supporting leadership teams in defining strategic direction and organisational priorities.

Typical work includes:

  • Strategic reviews
  • Commercial strategy
  • Growth initiatives
  • Organisational design
  • Operating model reviews
  • Leadership advisory

Selected experience:

Supporting a professional sports organisation in defining its long-term strategic and commercial positioning.


sports advisory governance

Governance, Risk & Integrity

Supporting organisations in strengthening governance frameworks and managing regulatory complexity.

Typical work includes:

  • Governance assessments
  • Integrity frameworks
  • Regulatory support
  • Compliance programmes
  • Risk governance
  • Independent reviews

Selected experience:

Advising a leading international sports organisation on governance framework enhancement and risk assessment.


Transactions & Investment in Sport

Supporting organisations and investors across the investment lifecycle.

Typical work includes:

  • Commercial due diligence
  • Financial due diligence
  • Investment preparation
  • Vendor assistance
  • Transaction support
  • Post-deal advisory

Selected experience:

Advising investors on the assessment and structuring of sports-related investment opportunities.


sports advisory performance

Financial Sustainability & Performance

Supporting organisations in strengthening financial resilience and performance.

Typical work includes:

  • Financial sustainability reviews
  • Cost optimization
  • Revenue enhancement
  • Financial governance
  • Benchmarking
  • Restructuring advisory

Selected experience:

Supporting a sports organisation in improving financial sustainability and operational performance.


sports advisory complex situation

Complex Situations & Sensitive Mandates

Supporting organisations facing complex stakeholder or governance situations.

Typical work includes:

  • Independent reviews
  • Sensitive investigations
  • Stakeholder conflicts
  • Regulatory matters
  • Reputational risk situations
  • Strategic dispute environments

Selected experience:

Supporting a sports organisation in a complex regulatory and dispute-related situation requiring independent advisory and strategic guidance.

How we work with clients

Our approach is based on close collaboration with leadership teams and a strong understanding of organisational realities.

We focus on:

  • Understanding the specific context and stakeholder environment
  • Providing clear and actionable advice
  • Working closely with decision-makers
  • Delivering pragmatic and implementable solutions
  • Supporting organisations through complex situations


Our objective is to build trusted long-term relationships and support clients as reliable and trusted advisors.

Explore our sports insights

Learn how stakeholders across the sports ecosystem are connected and how decisions impact value and revenue.

The Sports Ecosystem

Discover key trends, business models and technological developments shaping the global sports industry.

Landscape Insights

Our Sports Advisory Team

Our Sports Advisory team combines industry expertise with multidisciplinary advisory experience. Our Sports Advisory team works closely with experts across BDO's advisory, risk, tax, business services & outsourcing and audit & assurance practices to deliver integrated client solutions.

Profile photo Oliver Jaberg

Oliver Jaberg

Head of Sports Advisory, Director, Zurich
View bio
Stefan Freivogel

Stefan Freivogel

Co-Head of Office Winterthur
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Cédrie Tynowski

Cédrie Tynowski

Senior Consultant Risk Advisory Services
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Talk to our Sports Advisory Team

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