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Innovating the Fan Experience
How Lucas von Cranach Transformed Football

In 2008, Lucas von Cranach, a passionate football enthusiast, identified a significant gap in the digital landscape for football fans. Determined to bridge this divide, he founded OneFootball, a platform dedicated to delivering comprehensive football content to fans worldwide.
Identifying the Gap
Before OneFootball's inception, football fans faced challenges in accessing real-time information, live scores, and personalized content. Traditional media outlets provided limited coverage, often lacking the immediacy and depth that fans desired. Recognizing the potential of mobile technology, Lucas envisioned a platform that would centralize football content, making it accessible and engaging for users globally.
Strategic Initiatives
1. Mobile-First Approach: Anticipating the rise of smartphones, Lucas launched iLiga in 2009, which later merged under the OneFootball brand. This early adoption positioned OneFootball as a pioneer in mobile football content delivery.
2. Comprehensive Coverage: The platform offered live scores, statistics, news, and video content from over 200 leagues in 12 languages, catering to a diverse and global audience.
3. Strategic Partnerships: In 2020, OneFootball acquired Dugout, a digital media company co-founded by major football clubs like Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. This acquisition enhanced OneFootball's video content offerings and expanded its reach, bringing the platform's user base to over 85 million monthly active users globally.
4. Web3 Integration: In May 2022, OneFootball raised €300 million in a Series D funding round, spearheaded by Liberty City Ventures, with contributions from Animoca Brands, Dapper Labs, and additional investors. This funding was intended to accelerate global growth and support expansion into Web3 technologies, reflecting Lucas von Cranach's vision of integrating blockchain innovations into the football fan experience.
Challenges and Adaptations
Despite its successes, OneFootball faced challenges, particularly with its Web3 initiatives. In June 2023, Lucas stepped down as CEO amid financial difficulties related to these ventures. The company had to reassess its strategies, focusing on sustainable growth and core offerings.
Impact and Legacy
Under Lucas von Cranach's leadership, OneFootball transformed the football media landscape by:
Enhancing Accessibility: Providing real-time, personalized content to fans worldwide.
Innovating Fan Engagement: Leveraging technology to create immersive and interactive experiences.
Setting Industry Standards: Pioneering mobile-first and Web3 integrations in sports media.
Lucas von Cranach's visionary leadership and dedication to enhancing the fan experience have left an indelible mark on football media, demonstrating the profound impact of technology and innovation in connecting fans with the sport they love.
For more insights into Lucas von Cranach's journey and vision, you can watch his interview below:
For more information, visit OneFootball's official website: https://onefootball.com/
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