Rudy Salim and Raffi Ahmad at the club launch (Instagram/@rans.cilegonfc.official)
JAKARTA - Actor, Gading Marten officially acquired football club, Persikota Tangerang. Ivory steps confirm the luster of the football business. Before Gading, Raffi Ahmad and Kaesang Pangarep had already chosen football as their new business field. Where do the profits from the football business come from? How tempting is the money from there?
The news of the acquisition made by Gading can be seen from the Instagram photo uploaded by the Persikota Tangerang club. "Welcome to joining Gading Marten at Persikota Tangerang," reads the caption of the photo featuring Gading with a number of club administrators.
"Persikota Tangerang has officially reached an agreement with one of the leading figures, artists, entrepreneurs and football activists in the country to jointly advance the Magic Baby to qualify for League 2 this season," the statement continued.
Regarding the history of Persikota Tangerang, this club was founded in 1994, one year after the establishment of Tangerang City. Persikota Tangerang has the nickname Magic Baby. The club that is synonymous with the blue-yellow color has a fan base called Fort Mania.
Persikota Tangerang was only able to take part in the field in 1995 after receiving recognition in the PSSI Congress, December 1995. Persikota Tangerang had a brilliant early years. They kicked off the dominance of the senior clubs.
Persikota Tangerang in Liga Djarum 2006 (Instagram/@persikotafc1994)
That's where the nickname Magic Baby pinned to them. In 2013, Persikota Tangerang had a difficult time. The 'sister' of Persita Tangerang is experiencing serious financial problems, causing all of the players to leave.
Persikota Tangerang tried to rise again in 2016, with new management and club management. Persikota Tangerang is currently competing in Liga 3. Together with Gading, Persikota are rewriting their history, with Benteng Stadium - the club's headquarters - with a capacity of 15 thousand spectators as witnesses.
Following the steps of Raffi Ahmad and Kaesang Pangarep Rudy Salim and Raffi Ahmad at the club launch (Instagram/@rans.cilegonfc.official)
Previously, Raffi Ahmad, together with businessman Rudy Salim, officially acquired Cilegon United. The League 2 club has now changed its name to Rans Cilegon FC. The acquisition was announced at an event held at the Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran, last Friday, April 23. Rans Cilegon FC's investment plan is said to reach Rp300 billion.
In the event, Rans Cilegon FC also announced the names of 31 players and several sponsors. The names of Christian Gonzales and Syamsir Alam were chosen as part of the Cilegon FC squad for the 21/22 season. In addition there are also former Persija Jakarta midfielder, Asri Akbar; senior defender, Hamka Hamzah; to former U-19 national team player, Rendy Juliansyah.
For sponsorship, Rans Cilegon FC has partnered with three sponsors. They were Master 99, Coin King, and Sas. In addition to the three, Raffi revealed that there are still around 40 sponsors lining up for Rans Cilegon FC. The large number of sponsors cannot be separated from Raffi's appeal as a top celebrity.
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A post shared by RANS Cilegon FC (@rans.cilegonfc.official)
To maintain balance, Rans Cilegon FC stated that they would not allow any sponsors to enter. "Initially we wanted an exclusive sponsor. It was just a request from friends that turned out to be many who came ... We also don't just want to work together, but we also see his intention to advance Indonesian football," said Raffi.
In addition to the acquisition of Rans Cilegon FC by Raffi Ahmad and Rudy Salim, there is also an acquisition by Kaesang Pangarep. The son of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has just bought a 40 percent stake in his hometown club, Persis Solo.
Football business profit
Head of Busness Climate and Global Value Chain Research Group LPEM FEB University of Indonesia Mohammad Dian Revindo wrote research results on the economic and social impact of Indonesian football competition. The research shows how promising the Indonesian football industry is.
"My latest research shows that the Indonesian football industry can create economic activities worth IDR 3 trillion for a year, starting from matches in stadiums, live broadcasts on television, and selling merchandise or knick-knacks," quoted from The Conversation.
From an economic point of view, the football industry has two end products: viewing events in stadiums and broadcasting matches on television. The first product, the circulation of money is in purchasing tickets, transportation, stadium rentals, to costumes and knick-knacks.
Stadium spectacle products do not provide a very large income for the club. Before the pandemic, stadium spectacle products only had an economic value of Rp. 300 billion for one major league competition music.
Meanwhile, for entertainment in television viewing, the circulation of money is around the broadcasting industry, advertising, to information technology. This one is cheaper. Advertisements on television stations and club sponsors, the total value reaches Rp. 1.4 trillion. This figure can increase as the quality of competition increases.
Quoted by Pandit Football, as a comparison, in 2019, the price of broadcasting rights for each Indonesian League match was around Rp. 42 million. Meanwhile, the broadcasting rights of one Premier League match reached Rp130 million.
In addition to the two things above, there is another potential money that can be developed: the football school business. Raffi has clearly said that he will build a football academy. In the past, the football school business was part of the production chain of players in a club.
Now, football schools are more developed in business. Middle class families have now joined as participants in this money-making activity.
Acquisition in the middle of a pandemic, right? Persikota Tangerang Training (Instagram/@persikotafc1994)
In the midst of a pandemic, when the economy is in trouble, is it the right move for Raffi, Rudy Salim, Kaesang Pangarep, and Gading Marten to acquire a football club? The answer could be, yes. Especially if the target is long-term profit.
The pandemic is pressing the club into financial difficulties. The competition did not run due to social restrictions. This misfortune made many club owners willing to release their assets at low prices.
This is a strategic opportunity for investors like Raffi, Rudy, Kaesang, or Gading. In the long term, the involvement of influencers within the club can have a positive impact on the club.
The club can expand its fan base. Of course the main target is not the traditional fans who have fallen in love with the club, but fans outside of it. The expansion increased the club's advertising value.
Rans Cilegon FC has started their prestige with a magnet of attention. Just look at the launch of a new club that was so lively, including the game Raffi and Rudy who came in a red Lamborghini Huracan. Kaesang and Gading were quieter.
But how about the development of their business in each club next? We will see later.
*Read other information about FOOTBALL or read other interesting articles from Riki Noviana and Yudhistira Mahabharata.