Moonshot & BSC Young Boys Event: A Hat Trick for Financial Literacy

Unlike most professions, athletic careers are characterized by brevity. Many athletes, including Swiss athletes, face financial difficulties shortly after retiring from the sport they love. This lack of post-career support threatens even elite athletes, who face the possibility of juggling multiple employments or being unemployed altogether.

This highlights the importance of financial literacy, for which Moonshot Investor Network hosted an exclusive gathering on April 16th. The event, held in the VIP Lounge of Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, Switzerland, brought together a distinguished panel of speakers at Switzerland’s largest football club to discuss the financial landscape of sports, investment strategies for athletes, and the diverse opportunities available to them.

Speaker Lineup

BSC Young Boys has a formidable reputation within the Swiss Super League. Their recent triumphs, including multiple Swiss championships and participation in European competitions, have solidified their position as one of Switzerland's leading clubs. Moonshot and its representatives were proud and excited to co-host an event with such a prestigious organization, of which we are fans.

We invited a lineup of esteemed speakers, including:

Loris Benito, representing BSC Young Boys, who shared his experiences with investment strategies as an athlete, highlighting the importance of financial planning and the unique challenges athletes face in managing their finances throughout their careers.
Marco Schönbächler, a former Swiss professional footballer turned entrepreneur, shared insights on his transition and how to leverage sports experiences in business.
Wanja Greuel, the CEO of BSC Young Boys, provided an in-depth analysis of the financial dynamics of sports management, covering various aspects of revenue generation, sustainability in sports, and strategic financial planning.

This combination of prominent sports figures ensured a vibrant and insightful discussion about athlete investment strategies that resonated with the audience. The event provided attendees with a comprehensive playbook of financial literacy, covering the potential for athletes to build wealth during their peak years and preparing them for a smooth transition into their post-athletic careers.

Literacy & Sports: Key Insights

This session stressed the challenges faced by both athletes and sports organizations, as well as their potential. The financial sector in sports accounts for more than 20 percent of venue title sponsorship spend, which is the highest among all other sectors. For elite clubs such as BSC Young Boys, this means being able to afford high operating costs linked to maintaining first-class facilities and staying competitive in domestic and international matches. This is why the main focus of the financial side of the club should be ensuring prudent financial management and sustainable and diverse revenue streams.

For athletes, developing a long-term financial strategy is crucial, given the finite nature of their earning potential from their athletic capabilities. Many athletes struggle to accumulate sufficient funds for retirement or to transition into a new career after their sports careers finish. The primary focus of the speakers at our event was to encourage athletes to begin investing immediately, as the best time to start was yesterday, and the second-best time is now.

Another significant topic discussed was the incorporation of high-performing asset classes, such as private equity and real estate, into athletes' portfolios, as this can enhance portfolio performance. Speakers also suggested more innovative solutions and strategies for financial success in the sports industry, highlighting the importance of sponsorship acquisition and investment in data analytics to optimize player performance and scouting.

Stepping Beyond the Bench: Networking and More

The collaboration between Moonshot and the renowned BSC Young Boys enabled a unique networking opportunity to forge connections with prominent figures in the domain of sports and finance, and allowed attendees to better understand how they can best leverage their financial resources. The guests were greeted by apéro that set the tone for a sophisticated and engaging meeting.

A true highlight of the event was a tour of the exclusive Wankdorf Stadium, which provided a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic sports venue. The following dinner and networking session allowed for personal interactions among attendees, speakers, and industry professionals, providing a win-win opportunity for sharing ideas and laying the groundwork for potential collaborations.

How to Join?

Become a part of Moonshot Circle, an exclusive network of like-minded individuals, and receive your invitation to our next event. Explore upcoming gatherings by visiting: https://moonshot.ch/moonshot-circle/.