[Sports Biz Launches IP Athlete Management Business] First Contract Signed with 'Tsubasa Ozora'

Sports Biz Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Masakazu Yamamoto) has announced the launch of 'IP Athlete Management' as a new initiative in its athlete management business. As the first phase, the company has signed a contract with Tsubasa Ozora, the protagonist of the world-renowned soccer work 'Captain Tsubasa.'

This initiative positions characters born from stories, in addition to real athletes, as targets for management as 'IP Athletes,' representing a new business model that expands the value of sports.

[Background]
For over 30 years, Sports Biz has been developing athlete management and sports marketing businesses. During this time, they have recognized that the value of an athlete is formed multi-dimensionally not only through competitive performance but also through their 'existence,' 'story,' and 'influence.'
Meanwhile, 'Captain Tsubasa' is a symbolic work loved worldwide, influencing many professional soccer players. Tsubasa Ozora continue to give dreams and courage to people across generations and borders, much like real athletes.
Based on this background, Sports Biz has established a new framework to position Tsubasa Ozora as an 'IP Athlete' and manage him alongside real athletes.

[What is IP Athlete Management?]
IP Athlete Management is an initiative that treats anime and manga characters not just as subjects for licensing but as 'athletes' to be managed, creating touchpoints with corporations, society, and fans.
The project envisions the following developments:
- Development of brand partnerships with corporations
- Use in advertising and promotions
- Participation in sports events and social contribution activities
- Content development through collaborations with real athletes
- Expansion into global markets

[Significance of the Initiative]
Sports move people's hearts not only through real competitions but also through stories and aspirations. IP Athletes possess sustainable value independent of competitive results and can maintain long-term contact with society.
Through this business, Sports Biz aims to create a new sports culture where 'real athletes' and 'story athletes' coexist and mutually enhance each other's value.

[Future Outlook]
Starting with Tsubasa Ozora, Sports Biz will expand into the IP athlete domain, advancing collaborations with various domestic and international IPs, and working on creating new value through co-creation with corporations, local governments, and sports organizations.
Additionally, through this initiative, the company will promote the maximization of the social value of sports and the creation of new sports businesses.

[Comment from Masakazu Yamamoto, CEO of Sports Biz]
'Sports have the power to move hearts and bring positive change to society. This essence remains the same whether it is a real athlete or a hero in a story. Tsubasa Ozora is "another athlete" who continues to provide dreams to people worldwide. We will manage this presence not as a mere character, but as a subject that creates value. By intersecting reality and story, the possibilities of sports will expand further. We will create that new step from here.'

[Comment from Yoshihiro Iwamoto, CEO of TSUBASA Co., Ltd.]
'When I received the proposal from Sports Biz, a leader in Japanese sports management, asking if they could add Tsubasa Ozora to their members, I frankly felt it was "interesting!" Sports Biz's over 30 years of experience in athlete management will surely further enhance the value of Tsubasa Ozora and "Captain Tsubasa." I am looking forward to the new stories born from this collaboration.'