Assyriska FC vs. Assyrian Church of the East
You could argue that the ‘Assyrian Church of the East’, and although not as a corporation, is the richest Assyrian entity in the world. It has millions of dollars flowing in its coffers every year, Sunday after Sunday. Assyrian Aid Society and other political movements such as Zowaa, through the contributions of their members, could come second.But what about ‘Assyriska’? Could it rival the Assyrian Church in being the richest Assyrian entity out there in terms of revenue from its followers and fans? It very much could be! With it being the only and most recognized international Assyrian team, they could be sitting on a goldmine. Realizing that and actually leveraging it is a whole different story.
With TV rights, ticket sales, merchandise and more, Assyriska could very well be the richest Assyrian corporation out there (profit or non- for profit.) So many Assyrians are dying to get their hands on one of their jerseys, caps and other apparels. Assyrians from all over the world, whether they belong to the Assyrian church of the East, or any other church, are in love with this team. So while not suggesting their followers could outnumber those of the ACOE, but for the purpose of statistics and analysis, it is just interesting to make note of these comparatives between the two.
Assyriska though, compared to the Assyrian Church of the East, is less organized and exploitive of making money from its followers. And we don’t mean to suggest that any of the two entities are or should be extracting money illegally or unethically from their members. But if you have a following as big as these two do, and if revenues are needed to keep your operations going, then why not?
I bet some of you are still wondering why I would even write such an article and make this absurd comparison? This is more than just a comparison. It is also a contrast between the two. By comparing and contrasting the two entities and how they are operated, we may be able to learn a thing or two about how to run a business a little more efficiently. Sure the church is not a business, but since money is involved, it is similar to a business; although not in terms of profits. Assyriska could and should learn a thing or two from the ACOE. And while we wish both of them to get as much money as they can to keep their operations going, Assyriska is the one that should put a better effort in doing this. They are sitting on a goldmine. They are our Real Madrid. Not sure if they realize this, as much as the ACOE realizes it is our own Vatican.
We have narrowed it down to the question: Vatican vs. Real Madrid, who has more following and who generates more money?
