The FIFA World Cup is far more than just a sports game; it is a complex business model of entrepreneurial innovation where the line between business and sport is constantly being crossed. The 1966 and 1994 games are clear examples of the FIFA business model in use. The 1966 game introduced new rules for licensing, merchandising, media, and broadcasting. The 1994 game brought viewership and a new use of commercialism for the World Cup. The game of 1966 also introduced the use of a “swarm theory,” which, in this context, means that each stakeholder (such as sponsors, teams, media, and fans) acts independently like individual bees, but collectively supports and contributes to the World Cup—the hive. While the 1966 and 1994 games demonstrate the success of the “swarm theory,” the 1978 World Cup shows how the “swarm theory” can be used as a weapon.
What I found the most interesting was the contrast of each World Cup. The 1978 World Cup demonstrated how the sport was used as a distraction for kidnappings and tragedies occurring in Argentina. The Argentinan governement was the expioting the business model that was established by the 1966 World Cup. It is almost chilling how the entrepreneurial innovations work exactly as intended in the 1978 World Cup. Unfortunately, these innovations were used for the wrong reasons. The use of advertising and commercialism in 1978 created enough noise and cheers to cover up the screams and voices of those suffering in Argentina.
The readings also demonstrated how the FIFA business machine is heavily intertwined with who is at the controls, whether it is the government or citizens. This highlights how the World Cup is heavily influenced and thrives on political power. Together, these readings and three World Cups prove that the FIFA World Cup is not only about the sport anymore but rather, money, buniesss and power.
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