Business Quote by Simon Kuper
““Because soccer clubs are the only businesses that get daily publicity without trying to, they treat journalists as humble supplicants instead of as unpaid marketers of the clubs’ brands. The media often retaliate by being mean. This is not very clever of the clubs, because almost all their fans follow them through the media rather than by going to the stadiums.””
About This Quote
Source Article: “The Business of Football” by Simon Kuper, 2014
Clubs rely on media exposure without effort, treating journalists poorly, which leads to negative coverage and alienates fans who follow via media.
In simple terms: Clubs misuse media, causing backlash and losing fans.
Key Takeaway
Treat journalists as partners, not tools.
Themes
media relations
brand management
fan engagement
Mood
frustrated
critical
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- club marketing
- press conferences
- social media strategy
Key Concepts
public relations
reputation
marketing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can clubs create mutually beneficial media relationships?
- What incentives can encourage journalists to cover clubs positively?
A Different Perspective
Fans may still disengage if club performance declines.
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