The fifth MESGO session, focusing on the commercial challenges of European sport, took place from 25 to 29 April in Paris.
Among the topics covered during the week, the first presentations focused on the importance of developing strong brands for sports organisations and their competitions. The session took place at the headquarters of the sports newspaper L’Equipe (see picture). The Tuesday was dedicated to issues related to media rights. The participants were also able to attend preparations for broadcasting a UEFA Champions League match (FC Schalke 04 v Manchester United FC) at the Canal+ television studio. The other main topics of the week were sponsorship, ticketing and licensing, rights protection, new media, betting and issues related to the image of sportsmen. Daily gatherings also took place at the Parc des Princes stadium, at Croix Catelan facilities and at Sciences Po.
In terms of entertainment, the participants had the opportunity to use the facilities of the Pailleron sports centre; after a presentation by the UCPA (Union des Centres Sportifs de Plein Air), they played a friendly ice hockey game and took part in some intense kart racing on the ice.
The next session will take place in Barcelona in June. The session will be dedicated to issues related to the organisation of sports events.