Yasuharu Uryu: Finding Fulfillment in New Sports Business

I changed jobs to Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation in July 2022 and currently serve as the producer for "Bukapi! Supporting Club Activity People with All Our Might." When I thought about how I could contribute to sports—something I had poured my passion into from the age of four until retiring as a player at 31—I felt that the world of sports management was where I, no longer an active athlete, could find true excitement.

At the time, there weren't many players operating with that kind of mindset, and I spent my days searching for what I should do to build my future. However, by listening to people from various fields, I was able to reaffirm that sports hold immense potential. I convinced myself that the world of sports management was the next place I could dedicate my passion to, and diving into that world eventually led to my career move to Asahi Television Broadcasting.

Last year, "Virtual High School Baseball," which was the catalyst for my career change, livestreamed every single game of the summer Koshien—from the first round of local qualifiers to the national championship final—capturing the dreams of players nationwide. I believe it is my mission to expand this system of supporting the children who will lead the future beyond just the baseball world to other sports as well. Through the program "Bukapi!", I face the hard work of high school students every day.

Twenty-five years have passed since the year we won the All-Japan University Rugby Football Championship during the 100th anniversary of the Athletic Association Rugby Football Club. The passion and feelings I had for sports back then have now shifted toward the development of the next generation. This has led me to a state where I am constantly thinking about how discovering rough diamonds in various sports, not just rugby, contributes to children's growth and the role of sports in society.

In a society where forms of communication are changing drastically, I believe the need for sports as a venue for real-life communication will become even more essential. My daily life, spent searching for new ways of doing sports business, is truly stimulating. I am also grateful for the corporate culture of Asahi Television Broadcasting, which allows me to challenge myself in the unrelated field of sports business despite being in the media industry. In the future, I want to further study sports business and keep my antennae up so that I can provide support similar to "Virtual High School Baseball" for all amateur sports, not just baseball.