Fan engagement expert gives full endorsement to Sustainability Index

“It’s vital that we fundamentally change the system from one based mostly on punishing bad practice, to a fairer system that rewards good practice.”

Kevin Rye, owner of Think Fan Engagement

JUST days before the Government formally responds to the Fan-Led Review, a leading expert in fan engagement gave his full backing for Fair Game’s vision of the future of football - and notably the Sustainability Index.

The Index will rate all clubs according to four criteria - financial sustainability, good governance, equality standards and fan engagement - and then using some of football’s TV revenue allocate money to the clubs that score well.

Kevin Rye, owner of Think Fan Engagement, who publish the annual Fan Engagement Index for English football, said:

“For all the positives of the Fan-Led Review, the key now is to make sure those proposed changes happen, are fair, effective, and remain in place for the long-term.

“It’s also vital that we fundamentally change the system from one based mostly on punishing bad practice, to a fairer system that rewards good practice; encouraging those who succeed, whilst helping the clubs that struggle.

“That’s why I like Fair Game's Sustainability Index. Practically everyone in the industry agrees that financial sustainability, good governance, equality standards and my area of fan engagement – are important for every single football club. Fairly and simply rating each club, and rewarding them on that basis, is the most simple, fair and equitable way of redistributing part of football’s broadcasting pot.

"I look forward to working with Fair Game and the Government to make this a reality, and to deliver the change football needs."