Sporting Group International appoints first Country Manager in Germany
Sporting Group International has bolstered its presence in Europe by appointing commercial partnership specialist Nishant Rana to lead its work with professional sports clubs, brands and governing bodies in Germany.
Rana, who is based in Frankfurt, previously worked in a commercial role with Glasgow Rangers Football Club. Here he facilitated commercial opportunities for the club in the South Asia market, including a strategic and commercial partnership with the All India Football Federation, which was the first of its kind for India’s national governing body with a European club.
He subsequently worked as a freelance consultant to develop freelance partnership opportunities for clients, including the NFL, NBA and Indian Premier League teams and players.
Rana relocated to Germany from India in 2019 to begin studies for a Master of Arts in Global Sports Management at accadis Hochschule. He previously enjoyed nine years as a professional footballer for Punjab FC in the I-League and developed his skill set as a coach and talent scout following his playing career.
Adrian Wright, Group Chief Executive of Sporting Group International, said: “Having worked at such an iconic European football club and further enhanced his credentials and his network as a freelance consultant, we see Nishant as the ideal candidate to drive new opportunities in the German market.
“He is incredibly well connected to athletes, teams and brands in Germany, and boasts an impressive track record of creating innovative partnerships with South Asia brands. We’re delighted to welcome him to Sporting Group International.”
Rana is Sporting Group International’s second Country Manager to have been appointed in the last 12 months, having announced Carlos Pérez Vivas in a similar role in Spain last year.
Whilst the firm previously operated primarily in the sports partnership and recruitment sectors, Sporting Group International has grown substantially in the last 18 months and created its talent management business, SGI Sports Management in the autumn of last year.
Nishant Rana said: “Sporting Group International has developed multiple partnerships for celebrated sports teams over the last 12 months. I’m very excited to join such an ambitious firm at a time of growth.
“It’s an organisation that I know well from my time as a professional footballer in India and I’m delighted to now represent the organisation and expand its work in Germany.”
In addition to its presence in Germany and Spain, Sporting Group International has its headquarters in Birmingham (UK) and operates its Asian partnership and talent management operation in New Delhi, India.
