OneFootball is a German platform-based football media company. The OneFootball app features live-scores, statistics and news[1] from 200 leagues in 12 different languages covered by a newsroom located in Berlin.[2] In 2019, OneFootball partnered up with Eleven Sports to have the rights to stream directly on the app La Liga in UK[3] and with Sky to transmit 2. Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal matches in Germany.[4] In 2020, OneFootball bought club-founded video forum Dugout. Speaking of the deal to Bloomberg, OneFootball CEO Lucas von Cranach said that the move will "benefit the whole football ecosystem with clubs, federations and leagues able to increase audience reach and harness our powerful data insights to gain a deeper understanding of their fans' engagement as the rise of advertising means they need to know as much as possible".[5]
 | |
| Industry |
|
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 January 2008  |
| Founder | Lucas von Cranach |
| Headquarters | Greifswalder Straße 212, Berlin, Germany |
Key people | |
| Website | onefootball onefootball |
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History
editOneFootball is a football media platform based in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 2008 by Lucas von Cranach, the app provides extensive football coverage, including live scores, statistics, news, and video content.[6]
In 2009, von Cranach launched iLiga,[7] which merged under the OneFootball brand.[8]
The app was featured in the 2016 Apple keynote for watchOS 3.[9]
The management team expanded in 2018 with Franz Koch, former CEO of Puma, as COO and Patrick Fischer, former CEO of SPORT1MEDIA, as CBO.[10]
In 2019, OneFootball rebranded with a new logo.
In May 2022, OneFootball raised €300 million in a Series D financing round led by Liberty City Ventures, with participation from Animoca Brands, Dapper Labs, and others.[11]
Acquisition of Dugout
editIn 2020, OneFootball acquired Dugout, a digital media company, to enhance its video content offerings and bolster its position in the football media industry. Dugout brought its global video expertise, network, and distribution capabilities to OneFootball.[12]
This move also added Dugout’s founding clubs - Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid - as shareholders, enhancing OneFootball's reach to over 85 million monthly users globally.[13]
Web3 Investments
editSeven months after raising more than $300 million in NFT funds, the company made three waves of layoffs.[14] This was due to OneFootball's overinvestment by signing various licensing Web3 deals, including the Italian Seria A and Bundesliga. When the contracts were finalized, the crypto winter set in, and the market was in ruins. This prompted OneFootball to restructure all the contracts and realign cost-cutting measures to survive financially.[15]
In total, the company will have reduced its workforce to 250 employees. This comes just 1year after an fund-raising of over 300 million dollars.[16] In June of 2024, CEO Patrick Fischer assured within the German media capital.de of the company's good health and that there would be no more layoffs. "We now have 240 employees, and over 250 employees have been laid off. It was one of the hardest times for me personally. But that's finished now."[17]
Strategic Moves and Challenges
editIn 2022, OneFootball ventured into the Web3 space with Aera, focusing on integrating blockchain technology and NFTs into the football ecosystem. CEO Lucas Von Cranach explained 1 year ago "We are creating an accessible experience for Serie A fans - by being a true platform - they can own digital video moments through us and take them wherever they want - or nowhere - they are theirs, in perpetuity. As members of the community, fans will enjoy even more benefits as we expand our Web3 offering and launch other products". The promised expansion did not last, as the platform has been shut down since June 2023.[18]
Despite the innovative approach, Aera faced external challenges and was shut down shortly after its launch in 2023. OneFootball stated it had not found a commercially viable route that satisfied the company and its partners while providing a comprehensive user offering. While some Aera NFT holders have expressed disappointment, OneFootball returned funds to NFT users who requested. Consequently, the Aera marketplace ceased operations in June 2023.[18]
Leadership Changes
editIn March 2023, Lucas von Cranach stepped down as CEO amid the company’s financial challenges. Maurits Schön, who joined OneFootball in 2022 and previously served as Vice President of Operations, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new role, Maurits will act as Managing Director alongside the newly appointed CEO, Patrick Fischer.[19][20]
Financial Health and Future Prospects
editThe company has faced significant financial challenges, prompting a reevaluation of its business model and strategic direction. Reports indicate that OneFootball is undertaking measures to stabilize its operations and continue serving its user base with high-quality football content and services. Fischer stated: “We burned our fingers heavily one and half years ago, like any other company in the Web3 space, so our proposition going forward will be a global football marketplace for content products and services.[21]
Controversies and Legal issues
editThe company OneFootball laid off several hundred employees between 2022 and 2024, with more than five consecutive waves of layoffs. The company faced numerous challenges, including poor management by its CEO, Lucas Von Cranach. Several of these layoffs have led to legal action. [22]
On various company review sites such as Glassdoor and Kununu, reports have surfaced alleging cases of discrimination, racism, and sexual harassment within the company’s offices in recent years.
The company is also known for attempting to sell NFTs, which received backlash from the community, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where it was often likened to a scam.
In the football community, the company has a poor reputation, with some ultra groups even boycotting the app in various regions. Some fans feel that the company goes against the spirit of grassroots football, pursuing profits above all else.
OneFootball broadcasting rights
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2024) |
| Competition | Country | Territorial Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga |  Germany
|
Rights in Indian Subcontinent, Baltics, UK, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Netherlands, Malta and San Marino. |
| 2. Bundesliga | ||
| DFL-Supercup | ||
| DFB-Pokal | ||
| Danish Superliga |  Denmark
|
Rights outside of Denmark |
| Úrvalsdeild karla |  Iceland
|
Rights outside of Iceland |
| Kazakhstan Premier League |  Kazakhstan
|
Rights outside of Kazakhstan |
| Latvian Higher League |  Latvia
|
Rights outside of Baltics |
| NIFL Premiership |  Northern Ireland
|
Rights outside of UK |
| Eliteserien |  Norway
|
Rights outside of Norway |
| Ekstraklasa |  Poland
|
Rights outside of Poland (other selected territories are excluded) |
| Swiss Super League |  Switzerland
|
Rights in Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany and Austria |
| Slovak Fortuna Liga |  Slovakia
|
Rights outside of Slovakia |
| Austrian Bundesliga |  Austria
|
Rights outside of Austria (excluding South Korea) |
| K League 1 |  South Korea
|
Rights outside of South Korea (excluding Japan) |
| AFC Champions League Elite | Asia | Rights in UK, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, MENA (excluding Israel), South Africa, Latin America (excluding Brazil), Netherlands, Malta and San Marino. [23] |
| AFC Champions League Two | ||
| AFC Challenge League | ||
| UEFA Champions League | Europe | Live and Highlights on the App and on the website by OneFootball in the outside of the Europe. |
| UEFA Europa League | ||
| UEFA Europa Conference League | ||
| CONMEBOL Libertadores | South America | Live and Highlights on the App and on the website by OneFootball in the outside of the Latin America (excluding Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Brazil). |
| CONMEBOL Sudamericana | ||
| CONMEBOL Recopa | ||
| Serie A |  Italy
|
Live and Highlights on the App and on the website by OneFootball in the outside of the Italy. |
| Liga 1 |  Indonesia
|
Rights outside of Indonesia (excluding Israel and Oceania) |
| AFC Asian Cup | Asia | Rights in UK, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Netherlands, Malta and San Marino. |
| Saudi Professional League |  Saudi Arabia
|
Rights outside of the Saudi Arabia |
| Indian Super League |  India
|
Rights outside of Indian Subcontinent |
OneFootball partnerships
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2024) |
| Competition | Country | Territorial Availability |
|---|---|---|
| La Liga |  Spain
|
Highlights in UK via Premier Sports |
| DFB-Pokal | Germany
|
PPV rights in UK via Premier Sports[24] |
| Liga Portugal |  Portugal
|
PPV rights in UK via Premier Sports |
| Serie B | Italy
|
PPV rights in Italy and US via Helbiz |
| Serie C | PPV rights in selected international markets outside of Italy via Eleven Sports | |
| Coppa Italia Serie C | PPV rights in selected international markets outside of Italy via Eleven Sports | |
| Campionato Primavera 1 | Rights in Italy via Sportitalia | |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série A |  Brazil
|
PPV rights in Brazil via Casimiro. Highlights in Brazil via Grupo Globo Rights in Italy via Sportitalia[25] |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série C | Group stage PPV rights in Brazil via NSports | |
| Campeonato Paranaense | PPV rights in Brazil via NSports | |
| Campeonato Catarinense | ||
| Primera División de Argentina |  Argentina
|
Rights in Italy via Sportitalia |
| Premier League |  England
|
Rights in Indonesia via Emtek |
References
edit- ^ Cook, James. "The 17 hottest tech startups in Germany". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "OneFootball - Soccer Scores - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "'We want to be ahead of the curve': Why Eleven Sports and OneFootball are taking La Liga PPV". www.sportspromedia.com. 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "OneFootball to stream Sky's 2. Bundesliga and DFB Pokal games". SportBusiness Media. 21 August 2019. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "OneFootball Agrees Takeover of Rival Soccer Streamer Dugout". Bloomberg.com. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ "Wie Onefootball-Gründer Lucas von Cranach Größen wie Ex-Puma-CEO Franz Koch ins Team holt". Daily (in German). 12 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ Pöppl, Michael (14 July 2016). "Marktführer im Bereich "Fußball mobil"". Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ Pöppl, Michael (27 June 2016). "OneFootball". Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ "Keynote - WWDC 2016 - Videos". Apple Developer. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ "Ex-Puma CEO Koch and Sport1 Media chief Fischer join OneFootball | News | Sportcal". sportcal.com. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ "Dechert Advises OneFootball on its €300 Million Series D Funding Round". Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ Mike Meehall Wood. "OneFootball To Take Over Soccer Streaming App Dugout". Forbes. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "OneFootball acquires Dugout in content-focused deal". SportsPro. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ debray.studio. "OneFootball raises US$300 million in Series D funding to accelerate global growth". OneFootball. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Onefootball: Warum eine Fußball-App ums Überleben kämpfen musste". 14 June 2024.
- ^ "OneFootball headcount shrinks to 250 amid further redundancies". SportBusiness. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Onefootball: Warum eine Fußball-App ums Überleben kämpfen musste". 14 June 2024.
- ^ a b "OneFootball shutters Serie A web3 video offering - Ledger Insights - blockchain for enterprise". 10 July 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Investoren knüpfen Rettung von Onefootball an Führungswechsel".
- ^ "Von Cranach exits, management overhauled at beleaguered OneFootball". 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "OneFootball, Stadion unite for in-app e-commerce marketplace". SportBusiness. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/onefootball-sheds-another-150-jobs-after-web3-overspend/
- ^ "Asian Champions League - Where to watch". the-AFC. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "DFB Pokal and Liga Portugal to stream on OneFootball in UK via Premier Sports deal". 15 September 2022. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2022..
- ^ "OneFootball is teaming up with Sportitalia to bring more world-class football to fans in Italy". Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2022..