Digital Esports Asia CEO Don Chen Invited to Lecture at Fudan University's Financial Investment Course

The sports industry is undergoing a value transformation—from the arena to a lifestyle, and from local markets to global capital. Recently, Don Chen, CEO of Digital Esports Asia and Vice Chairman of the Sports Industry Committee of the Zhejiang Entrepreneurs Association, was invited to deliver a special lecture for Fudan University's Financial Investment Course. Drawing on over 20 years of international sports operation experience, he provided an in-depth analysis of the core driving logic of the modern sports industry. From the perspective of an industry frontline observer, he explored the fundamental changes the sports industry is undergoing amidst the current wave of the digital economy, as well as the emerging new investment opportunities.

Don Chen believes that sports are evolving from a mere industry into an important strategic gateway and a window to understanding the economy and society of the new era. The innovation in the sports industry essentially echoes the broader trend of digital technology empowering the real economy. Understanding this transformation not only reveals the future of sports itself but also provides a valuable case study for understanding broader industry development trends.

In a dialogue with Xu Jiajie, Director of the Online Financial Investment Course at Fudan Finance, Don Chen cited examples such as the commercial success of the English Premier League, cross-border mergers and acquisitions by Chinese brands, and the "breaking out of the circle" phenomenon of the Scottish Premier League. He pointed out that commercial prospects and modern management are the cornerstones of a league's prosperity, revealing to the students how sports can serve as a strategic gateway connecting technology, culture, and consumption in the context of digitalization and globalization.

Xu Jiajie:
Throughout your many years in the industry, what do you think is the best case of the integration of the sports industry and financial capital? Which specific areas of the sports economy are financial capital most optimistic about currently?

Don Chen:
I believe a prominent case of the integration of the sports industry and financial capital is Anta. Its systematic operations in areas such as financial planning, multi-brand integration, and supply chain advantages have enabled the effective coordination of various resources, forming a successful classic example.

From an international perspective, I think the City Football Group is also outstanding. If I remember correctly, the Abu Dhabi consortium acquired Manchester City Football Club in 2008, which is about 17 years ago now. After the acquisition, they gradually expanded into multiple global markets—including the US, China, Japan, and others—around the "City" concept and continued to integrate resources. Its success lies on one hand in the multi-club system it established, which many other consortia have since emulated. On the other hand, this system has proven highly effective in areas like player development and resource synergy, enabling the discovery and cultivation of talent from regions such as South America or Africa. To my knowledge, the current valuation of the City Football Group in the football sector exceeds 6 billion euros, a remarkably significant increase compared to the approximately 200 million euros spent to acquire Manchester City. This case is still evolving and remains a classic.

As for the specific areas of the sports economy that financial capital is most optimistic about currently, my personal view is: within technology-related directions, AI and embodied intelligence are very clear focuses. Although no particularly mature classic cases have emerged yet, this is undoubtedly a key area moving forward, with substantial investments already made by many international capital players.

Looking solely at sports itself, women's sports is currently a key focus for European and American capital. For example, the revenue and media rights value of the US women's soccer league have increased significantly in recent years. In women's basketball, competition between emerging projects and the WNBA is also intense. Overall, the attention and audience acceptance of women's sports have improved markedly, but its market potential has not yet been fully tapped. Europe and America, especially the US, often employ the franchise model of professional leagues. By creating top-tier IPs and concentrating resources, they can elevate the overall valuation in a relatively short time, forming a positive cycle. Even if individual clubs within the league may still be operating at a loss, the value of the entire sector is being driven upward.

After an in-depth discussion of international experiences and Chinese practices in the sports industry, Don Chen further shared the following key insights:

• Commercial operation is the core of modern sports league success.

• Local sports enthusiasm reflects the return of sports to its participatory essence.

• AI and embodied intelligence are the main directions for the integration of technology and sports.

• The women's sports field holds immense potential for value discovery.

• Intelligent services for large-scale events represent a clear path to efficiency enhancement.

• "Sports + cultural tourism" is a uniquely advantageous track in China.