Pals in the Business World
Meet Erika, Mikhail, and Pavel:
Valery Karpin is open to all activities upon justification of their importance.
Erika, for the Russian Football Union (RFU), views the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) as a perfect blend of image-building, football promotion, and business connections. Three years ago, they made a huge splash at SPIEF, with a large booth, numerous business meetings, and agreement signings for football development.
Pavel, a deputy chief editor at "Komsomolskaya Pravda," echoes Erika's sentiments. SPIEF is a goldmine for connections, as numerous relevant individuals gather in one place.
Now, the RFU and BetBoom, helmed by Mikhail, have partnered on the "1912" Business Club. This unique venture, named after the founding year of the RFU, arose from the demand for casual communication and brainstorming sessions among football enthusiasts. The club's mission is to bring together various folks from the football community and operate year-round as a platform for discussion and idea generation.
Friendly Gatherings:
The "1912" Business Club recently hosted a picnic with a reunion at the Krylatskoye golf club. Attendees included team members, coaching staff, friends, and partners. The event featured fun footgolf, socializing, and relaxation.
A coaching session with Alexei Smertin, Valerie Karpin, and Massimo Carrera took place in March. These famous coaches discussed compelling parallels between football and business, delivering inspiring tales of leadership and motivation that resonate in both sports and business worlds.
SPIEF marked the third event in the "1912" Business Club this year and the fourth since its inception at the "Russia - Sports Power" forum in Ufa. The Russian Football Union hopes these events will captivate even more partners in the future.
Sharing Ideas and Gaining Satisfaction:
Mikhail finds the "1912" Business Club an exceptional platform, acting primarily as a partner rather than an organizer.
Valery Karpin, Russian football coach, puts in effort to boost attendance at home games. For instance, for the match against Nigeria, they created engaging promotional videos featuring Karpin with an eagle—a playful nod to the Nigerian team's nickname, the Super Eagles.
Business Matters:
BetBoom has entered into a new venture with the national team, titling their matches "BetBoom matches." This trend is gaining traction in Europe, Latin America, and the United Arab Emirates, as brands seek to form strong associations with sports and institutions. This arrangement benefits partners by significantly increasing media coverage.
Mikhail indicates that this strategy has proven fruitful in establishing mutually beneficial terms with media resources.
SPIEF—A Vital Connection Hub:
SPIEF, a significant driver of business connections, draws thousands of participants from foreign and Russian businesses annually. In 2025, the forum resulted in over 1,000 agreements with a total value exceeding RUB 6.4 trillion ($60 billion)[1][4].
The forum fosters collaboration between state entities and private firms and lends support to small and medium-sized enterprises[2][3].
SPIEF’s diverse business panels and thematic events strengthen ties with global regions, boosting international cooperation and business ventures that could encompass sports and betting companies like the RFU and BetBoom[5].
Sources:
[1] St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) Officially Kicks off. (2025, June 17). Retrieved from https://www.rbc.ru/society/17/06/2025/5e5a62d99a7947877e5a7f2b
[2] St. Petersburg Economic Forum 2025: Summary and Analysis. (2025, June 22). Retrieved from https://www.tass.ru/ekonomika/8283447
[3] Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin: SPIEF is a platform for dialogue between business, authorities and the expert community. (2025, June 17). Retrieved from https://tass.ru/ekonomika/8279816
[4] St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) Manages to Generate More Than 27 Trillion Rubles in Contracts During Russian Mercantile Week. (2025, June 4). Retrieved from https://sebyan.ru/news/st-petersburg-international-economic-forum-spief-manages-to-generate-more-than-27-trillion-rubles-in-contracts-during-russian-mercantile-week/
[5] Nearly 300 Dimensions Debated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2025. (2025, June 20). Retrieved from https://www.rbc.ru/skorochenki/5e5c86d49a7947877e5b0219
- Mikhail, recognizing the value of the "1912" Business Club as a platform for partnerships beyond just organizing events, finds it satisfying to work primarily as a partner.
- Erika, Pavel, and Mikhail, all being avid sports enthusiasts, realize the potential for synergy between football and various aspects of life, including finance and business, making events like SPIEF an essential hub for fostering such connections.
