Kaya 959 Kaya Biz

EXPLAINER - Why some sports stars are worth more than companies.

Loading player...
An 18-year-old footballer valued at more than R6 billion has reignited a global debate: how do we really put a price on modern sports stars? Following a new long-term contract at Barcelona, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been named the world’s most valuable footballer — outranking established global icons and even rivaling the valuations of listed companies.

We speak to Nqobile Ndlovu, Research Director at Cash N Sport, to unpack the equation behind sports star valuations across codes. From on-field performance and age-driven potential to commercial power, social media influence and contract dynamics, we explore why athletes are increasingly treated as long-term revenue-generating assets and what this means for teams, sponsors, fans and the business of sport in a global, data-driven era.
15 Jan 3PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

INSIDE YOUR BUSINESS: How small steps build big businesses

In an economic environment where many businesses are chasing disruption, Graham Mitchell’s message is almost counterintuitive. After working with more than 180 South African companies with combined revenues exceeding R15 billion, Mitchell argues that the real driver of sustainable business growth is not innovation alone, but disciplined execution. He joins…
4 Mar 3PM 13 min

Discovery delivers strong interim performance

Guest: Hylton Kallner Discovery today announced strong financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2025, delivering robust growth across both its operational composites – Discovery South Africa and the global Vitality composite – and advancing well ahead of its five year growth ambition. The period reflects the powerful…
3 Mar 2PM 9 min

TECH & INNOVATION: Cell C - Business Launch

Cell C Business is re-entering the B2B ICT market with a bold repositioning campaign titled “Nothing Should Stop Your Business”.Farhad Suleman, Managing Executive - Cell C Business provides deeper insight into the stunt activation and its strategic intent, and the broader campaign context.
3 Mar 2PM 13 min

King V, governance risk and access to capital for SMEs

King V is no longer just a governance code for listed giants, it is fast becoming a credibility test for every board that claims to apply it. As capital tightens and lenders scrutinise risk more closely, “apply and explain” is shifting from a compliance exercise to a legal and financial…
3 Mar 2PM 12 min

Future of the JSE

We’re joined today by Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, for a timely conversation on the state of South Africa’s financial markets and the role of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in a shifting global economy.
3 Mar 2PM 6 min
All episodes