Hungary’s giant Ferencváros awakens

Ferencváros CEO Pál Orosz is using the sporting club membership model, backed by a supportive Budapest government, to help reboot the Hungarian giant.

Part of the challenge was developing a secure operating model after the club was cast into Hungary’s second tier over claims it had become financially unsound. A new stadium proved to be vital – and in 2019 they hosted 244 events in the stadium.

Why it matters: Orosz shows how complex cultural issues sometimes need to be navigated during a club’s growth story.

The perspective: Bringing on big name sponsors to help drive the club’s financial growth has come from innovative leaders with big aspirations. But how much can Ferencváros achieve whilst tethered to the sporting club membership model?