Have talent, will travel – the endless opportunities in a world without boundaries, as we watch the rise of the new super power sport teams, blank check companies taking over the world and billionaires building rocket ships to explore outer space.
Let’s get in the starting blocks with sport. Such a big business now – from esports, fantasy football and franchises owned by the mega-rich, flexing their considerable resources, to the actual trading of the players themselves.
In one of the most exciting transfer windows in the history of soccer, we’ve seen two of the greatest ever players move to new teams. Lionel Messi – departing Barcelona for PSG (Paris Saint-Germain) and Cristiano Ronaldo, not one to be upstaged, heading back to Manchester United from Juventus.
Sure, it’s about selling seats and shirts and broadcasting rights – and it’s not only a wet dream for fans, but also for players, as they get to play alongside other living legends. In Messi’s case, Mbappē, Neymar, Donnarumma and Ramos. Fantasy football IRL – splurt.
But what about loyalty? Messi, the Argentinian wizard switched loyalties from Catalan giants to Parisian pretenders, where he will ply his trade at PSG, owned by Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ruler of oil-rich Qatar.
Messi loved Barca – the club, the city, the fans – and was adored in return. There was no fall out, no need “for a new start” or disagreement on the club’s direction (common in this high-octane egotistical sport). It simply came down to economics. Barcelona hemorrhaging under €1.35bn (US$1.59bn) of debt couldn’t hold a match to the Qatari billionaire’s casual response – “how much.”
But it’s not just about money. It’s about domination and the PSG owners have always wanted to win the UEFA Champions League – the ultimate prize in European club soccer. So far, the club has failed in those efforts, so it’s a solid plan to secure four-time winner Messi.
So what has this got to do with talent and business? Pretty much everything.
A new window of opportunity has been cracked wide open. Forbes, by example, is the latest digital publisher to join BuzzFeed, Bustle Digital Group, Vox Media and Vice Media in the increasingly popular route to go public via a SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) in their merger with Magnum Opus Acquisition to the tune of US$630m, due to close end of this year or top of 2022 – according to CNBC.
This has huge repercussions for every sector – especially in fast-moving, global ones, such as fit-tech, well-tech and health-tech. As the boundaries are removed new opportunities and challenges present themselves. No longer limited by geography, language, or resources - anything is possible and the new rule is - there are no rules.
So start thinking like Musk, Branson or Bezos getting your rocks off in space, or wearing Messi or Ronaldo on the back of your shirt, or approaching your rich uncle for a foot up. The world is yours. Step into the emerging echelon of talent as the stakes get bigger and wallets and minds open wider. Reset your horizon, lift the bar, draft your dream team and start shooting for the stars.
