Hideki Suzuki is Executive Officer and Commercial Director of Kashima Antlers Football Club. He serves on the club’s board of directors and oversees its business strategy, implementation and execution. Suzuki started his career in football as a player and joined Sumitomo Metals Industries Football Group, the predecessor to Kashima Antlers, in 1981. He hung up his boots at the age of 27 and became involved in team management. After the formation of the fully professional J.League in 1993, Sumitomo reformed to Kashima Antlers and Suzuki’s role became more focused on the business side of football such as sponsorship, merchandising and ticketing. Since the inception of J.League, Antlers have proved by far Japan’s most successful club having won 17 major domestic titles in 23 seasons and Suzuki played an integral part in club’s success as key business person. Besides his duties at the club, Suzuki also serves on J.League Marketing Committee and plays an important role in the development of Japanese football as Vice President of Ibaraki Football Association.

Session:

[A-7] J.League Success Case Study