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African Sports Business Takes Over NYC + ESPN Africa’s Disney+ Launch
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#AfricaScores is a business intelligence platform focused on Africa’s sports industry, our newsletter now comes in every other Monday.
EVENTS
Looking for a place where you can have all of the information you need about events around Africa’s sports industry? We got you covered. Click here.
3-Pointer: How African Sports Business took NYC
Each September, the United Nations General Assembly turns New York City into a global marketplace of ideas, influence, and investment—bringing close to $5 billion to the city. Beyond the diplomats, UNGA creates an economic windfall, hotels fill up, boardrooms stay busy, and cultural events spill across Manhattan. This year, African sports business found a firm footing in that mix, with a presence that went beyond the playing field to shape conversations around business, culture, and impact.
We were proud to bring our own cornerstone through our activation with SWA Sports at an event that featured a panel with Dr. Sarah Ogoke, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Batouly Camara, alongside interviews from Amadou Gallo Fall and Masai Ujiri.
Power Play by SWA Sports supported by #AfricaScores
That activation followed on the panel that we hosted at the Columbia Africa Conference where we were grateful to bring together Antonio Depina, Founder of Scoutz, Arinze Emeagwali, Founder of Battle of Jollof, Paakow Essandoh, Founder of Mizizi and Dr Sarah Ogoke. But there’s a lot more that went down so here’s a recap..
The Big Stage: African Sports Business at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Forum.
Giants of Africa’s co-founder Masai Ujiri convened a special event during the Bloomberg Philanthropies Forum featuring leaders such as BSE Global’s Clare Tsai, IFC’s Makhtar Diop and GIP’s Adebayo Ogunlesi. The discussion called for greater investment into the infrastructure of sports and entertainment to address Africa’s young population’s needs, highlighting these industries as critical levers for Africa’s growth. More than just a side conversation, it was a signal that African sports now belong in the same boardrooms where capital for infrastructure, technology, and energy is being shaped.
Branching into Fashion: Pops Mensah-Bonsu’s Collection Unveiled.
Former NBA player and GB Basketball star Pops Mensah-Bonsu unveiled his new capsule collection during the same week, adding a creative and cultural dimension to Africa’s sports business presence at UNGA. The launch is a powerful signal of how African athletes are increasingly building brands that travel well beyond the court and beyond their active years. Notably, the entire collection is made in Ghana in partnership with menswear designer Attoh Andor. Sign up to be the first to know when the collection is available here.
One Court Africa Continues:
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) spotlighted African impact by awarding a grant to World Shoe, a global social enterprise founded by Manny Ohonme that provides footwear to African youth to help tackle tropical diseases. “We are currently operating with a factory that has the capacity to produce 5 million shoes a year in Africa,” Manny noted. The grant announcement reflected how players’ unions are channeling global sports capital into African development and social impact. Recently drafted NBA player Sion James attended and told #AfricaScores:
“I am proud to be in this room today and to serve as an Ambassador to the great work done by World Shoe. I look forward to supporting their work to put them on a higher stage.”
NBPA Foundation Executive Director, Erika Swilley added: “World Shoe came on our radar through our player. We were proud to bring them on as a strategic partner to amplify their message.” The grant is a programmatic commitment, allowing players’ donations to be matched by the Foundation.
(From left to right) Olofu Agbaji, Manny Ohonme, Erika Swilley and Sion James at the One Court Africa event in NYC
Sindiswa’s Corner Kick ⚽
Hi, I'm Sindiswa! I'm excited to carve out this corner of the newsletter to share what I've been learning, who I've been speaking to, and everything happening in the vibrant world of African sports.
ESPN to Join Disney+ in South Africa, Bringing Sports Fans More Choice.
From October 2025, South African Disney+ subscribers will gain access to ESPN’s pan-African TV channels at no extra cost, a move that Disney executives say will give fans more flexibility in how they watch live sport.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Christine Service, GM DTC and Networks and Country Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Disney EMEA, and Kyle de Klerk, Director: Sports, The Walt Disney Company Africa, emphasised that the integration is not about replacing existing models but about expanding access.
“This is just another means of distribution and getting access to the amazing content that’s already on our linear TV channels,” Service explained. “We have multiple affiliate partners across Africa, with MultiChoice being critical, and adding Disney+ simply gives audiences another way to watch’. Read more here.
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