Shows
Finance of FootballHow Big Can NWSL Really Get?“Distribution equals visibility. Visibility drives sponsorship. Sponsorship fuels payroll growth.”That’s the new model powering the National Women's Soccer League.The league that launched in 2013 just trying to survive is now operating in a completely different financial reality. Ahead of 2026 — with the men’s World Cup on U.S. soil and the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil on the horizon — women’s soccer in America is no longer chasing legitimacy. It’s scaling.Michael and Asli break down what changed.The NWSL secured a reported $240 million multi-year media deal across CBS, ESPN...
2026-03-0324 min
Finance of FootballMLS 3.0: Does This Change Everything?M LS about to take a real global leap — or just reshuffle the calendar?With the 2026 FIFA World Cup around the corner, Major League Soccer is launching MLS 3.0 — a sweeping shift designed to align the league with Europe and reposition it internationally. At the same time, USL is preparing to introduce promotion and relegation with the launch of its new Division One league.Together, these moves could reshape the structure of American soccer.For the first time, MLS will move to a summer-to-spring calendar, syncing with global transfer windows and major European leagues. Comm...
2026-02-2425 min
Finance of FootballMLS Expansion: Who Lands the Next 2 Teams?Five Major League Soccer (MLS) teams are now worth $1 billion — and expansion ahead of the 2026 World Cup is driving the surge.Ahead of the 2026 season, Major League Soccer has officially entered its financial power era. The average club is now valued at $767 million — up 6% year over year and nearly 40% since 2021.So what’s behind the explosion?Michael and Asli break down the arrival of “MLS 3.0” — a new era defined by rising franchise fees, smarter infrastructure strategy, and the looming impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Clubs like Inter Miami CF, LAFC, LA Galaxy, A...
2026-02-1724 min
Finance of FootballThe A-List Is Buying Women’s Soccer — Here’s WhyWhat do Madonna and Giannis Antetokounmpo have in common?Women’s soccer.Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé break down the growing wave of celebrity attention and investment pouring into the women’s game — starting with Madonna being spotted at a Chelsea Women vs Tottenham youth match, supporting her daughters in the Spurs academy. When a global icon shines a spotlight on women’s soccer, it’s more than a family moment. It’s awareness, distribution, and commercial momentum.Then comes the financial headline: Giannis joining the ownership group of Chelsea Women alongside Alexis Ohanian. The...
2026-02-1118 min
Finance of Football2026: MLS’s Biggest Year Yet?2026 should be the most important year in Major League Soccer history.MLS is coming off its strongest season ever, capped by a 2025 finale that delivered record global viewership and massive social engagement, underscoring the scale of the Messi Effect. With Lionel Messi’s contract extended through 2028 and the global soccer world increasingly focused on North America ahead of 2026, the league enters a pivotal stretch that could define its next era.In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael LoRé and Asli Pelit unpack what’s driving MLS’s momentum and whether the league is positioned to turn...
2026-02-0318 min
Finance of FootballCan 2026 Do for Soccer What the Dream Team Did for Basketball?The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming — and New York and New Jersey are at the center of it.In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael LoRé and Asli Pelit speak with Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York–New Jersey World Cup Host Committee, about what it takes to deliver the biggest sporting event in history.Lasry draws on experience spanning the Obama White House, NBA ownership with the Milwaukee Bucks, and U.S. tourism leadership to explain the scale of coordination required across two states, multiple transit systems, security agencies, and FIFA itself. From...
2026-01-2726 min
Finance of FootballThe Architect of American Soccer: Alan Rothenberg on 1994, MLS, and the Stakes of 2026With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Finance of Football welcomes Alan Rothenberg, one of the most influential figures in U.S. soccer history.Joined by Michael LoRé, Rothenberg reflects on the unlikely moments that launched American soccer onto the global stage — from the breakout success of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics to leading the 1994 World Cup, founding Major League Soccer, and helping shape the women’s game.Despite entering the sport as an outsider, Rothenberg explains how professional management, big-event thinking, and long-term vision helped transform soccer from a fringe pastime into a permanent fixture in the A...
2026-01-2025 min
Finance of FootballWorld Cup Year or Culture War? Ticket Boycotts, Trump’s America, and the Stakes of 2026It’s officially a World Cup year — but the road to 2026 is already uneasy.As the random ticket draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup closes, millions of fans are hoping for seats to what FIFA calls the biggest sporting event in history. At the same time, a growing number are calling for a boycott, driven by political fear, rising costs, and real concerns about safety and welcome in the United States under Donald Trump.In this solo year-opening episode, Michael LoRé wrestles with the tension forming around a tournament meant to unite the world. Immigration enfor...
2026-01-1313 min
Finance of FootballWorld Cup 2026: The Biggest Spectacle on Earth with the MurphysWorld Cup 2026 will be the biggest sporting spectacle in human history — with a projected 3.7 billion viewers for the final alone. In the Finance of Football season finale, Michael LoRé is joined by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy to explain what it really means to host the World Cup Final in New Jersey and the scale of what’s coming to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.They break down the reality behind hosting: fan zones like Liberty State Park, millions of visitors to the New York–New Jersey region, and how FIFA is turn...
2025-12-1625 min
Finance of FootballWorld Cup Draw Circus: Roger Bennett on 2026 Chaos, MLS’s Messi Era, and America’s Soccer BoomThe World Cup draw just turned into a full-blown circus — comedians, concerts, fake peace prizes, supermodels, and a two-day TV marathon before a single ball was revealed. This week, Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé break it all down with Men in Blazers founder Roger Bennett, who was in the middle of the madness.Roger explains why FIFA is transforming the 2026 World Cup into an American-style entertainment product — and why this draw may be the preview of a tournament that changes football forever. What used to “be an email” is now a global spectacle, and he says that’s no accide...
2025-12-0920 min
Finance of FootballMessi vs Müller: MLS’s Dream Final, FIFA’s 2-Day WC Draw, and Football’s Mental Health Wake-Up CallThis week on Finance of Football, Michael LoRé goes solo and dives into a set of stories that say everything about where the sport is headed — on the field, on TV, and inside the minds of the people who play it.The MLS Cup delivers a dream matchup in Messi vs Müller — a reminder that the league’s biggest currency is still star power, and that the Beckham Effect didn’t end with Beckham. Miami’s commercial boom, global branding, MVP hardware, and stadium ambitions all point to one uncomfortable truth: in 2025, the MLS title isn’t just a troph...
2025-12-0218 min
Finance of FootballLiverpool Went All-In… But Is the Premier League’s Costliest Rebuild Falling Apart?Fresh off a 10-point title, Liverpool ditched its usual slow-and-steady approach and blew the doors off the transfer window. They broke their own record twice in one summer, bringing in Florian Wirtz for £116 million and Alexander Isak for £125 million — now the most expensive signing in British football. Add Hugo Ekitike and a handful of others, and Liverpool’s total spending soared to roughly £449 million including add-ons.But massive spending doesn’t guarantee instant results. And rebuilding a champion is a lot messier than it looks on deadline day.This episode dives into why Liverpool went so big, h...
2025-11-2528 min
Finance of FootballAmerica Likes to Be Different… But MLS Finally Changes Its CalendarAfter nearly 30 years, Major League Soccer is finally aligning with the global football calendar. Starting in 2027, MLS will shift to a summer-to-spring season with a winter break — avoiding clashes with the NFL, syncing with European competitions, and positioning the league for better transfer windows and playoff visibility.At the same time, MLS is ending its Apple TV partnership early and scrapping MLS Season Pass. Michael LoRé and Asli Pelit break down why the deal fizzled, how paywalls hurt growth, and what a new media-rights landscape could look like with platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and traditional networks now in...
2025-11-1917 min
Finance of FootballUnderdogs, My Ass: NWSL Money Moves, Atlanta’s Bid and JuJu’s Power PlayA record NWSL expansion, a college star turned investor, and Messi popping up in two stadiums—this week’s episode has everything.Asli and Michael kick off with the NWSL playoffs, a weekend full of chaos and upsets that proved once again why this league delivers pure drama. Asli questions whether the short playoff format does the excitement justice, but Michael argues that if you’ve got heartbreak and high stakes, the system’s working.The big headline? Atlanta’s new NWSL franchise. At a record $165 million expansion fee—over 50% more than Denver’s deal—the city is ceme...
2025-11-1122 min
Finance of FootballYou Can’t Just Slap a Logo On It: Beer Wars, Big Money and the Beautiful GameHeineken’s out, Budweiser’s in—and soccer’s sponsorship landscape may never look the same.This week, Asli and Michael kick things off with the end of a 30-year partnership: AB InBev is replacing Heineken as the official beer of the UEFA Champions League starting in 2027, doubling the annual fee to more than $230 million. Asli wonders if the European prestige will fade, while Michael sees it as the next phase of soccer’s global takeover—and a warning to every legacy sponsor that no brand is too iconic to be replaced.Then it’s over to U.S. S...
2025-11-0419 min
Finance of FootballWe Don’t Do Small Corruption: World Cup Tickets, Messi’s Miami Extension, and the NWSL Money WaveTicket chaos, Messi’s Miami deal, and a corruption scandal that could only happen in Turkey—this week, Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé dive into the messy business of the world’s game.With World Cup 2026 tickets already hitting $25,000 on resale, they ask: has football’s biggest event become too elite for real fans? Asli recalls Brazil 2014’s accessible magic, while Michael calls today’s market a test of FIFA’s soul.Then, Messi extends with Inter Miami through 2028—just in time for Freedom Park’s debut—but can MLS handle a future without salary caps? Asli says yes...
2025-10-2831 min
Finance of FootballAndrés Cantor: The Voice Behind the World’s GameFresh off FIFA’s announcement that the 2031 Women’s World Cup will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica, Asli and Michael turn their focus to one of the sport’s most iconic voices: Andrés Cantor.From Buenos Aires to Los Angeles, Cantor has spent a lifetime bringing football to life for millions. He shares how growing up listening to Argentinian radio play-by-plays shaped his rhythm and emotion, and how calling the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. helped launch soccer into the American mainstream.Now, three decades later, he’s prepari...
2025-10-2233 min
Finance of FootballMelissa Ortiz: Beyond the Game — Turning Passion into PowerKick off your day with purpose—and coffee.Get 15% off at KickoffCoffeeCo.com with code FINANCEOFFOOTBALL15 — coffee for soccer people, by soccer people, freshly roasted and delivered to your door.The NWSL is on fire—record crowds, soaring valuations, and billionaires lining up to buy in. But as the women’s game explodes, what does real progress look like off the pitch?Former Colombia international and Adweek’s Most Powerful Woman in Sports Melissa Ortiz joins hosts Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé to talk about what comes...
2025-10-1428 min
Finance of FootballFrom Streets To Stars: Kyle Martino’s Roadmap to a U.S. Men’s TitleThe question has haunted American soccer for decades: why can’t the U.S. Men’s National Team win it all? The money is there. The facilities are world-class. The fanbase is growing faster than ever. And yet, the pipeline that produces global stars in Brazil, France, and Argentina keeps breaking down here at home.With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, hosts Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé sit down with former U.S. international and soccer entrepreneur Kyle Martino to talk about what it will really take to build a winning program. Martino argues that America doesn’t need...
2025-10-0838 min
Finance of FootballGo Big Or Go Home: Will FIFA Expand 2030 to 64 Teams?It’s supposed to be a week for presidents and prime ministers. But at this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was just as visible—glad-handing world leaders, cutting reels for social media, and pushing the conversation toward the 2030 World Cup.Already the most complicated World Cup ever—with opening matches in South America before the bulk of games in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco—the tournament could now swell to 64 teams if CONMEBOL gets its way. The idea sounds inclusive, but critics say it risks diluting the product. Do fans really wan...
2025-09-3023 min
Finance of FootballThe Business of the Ballon d'Or: How Soccer's Biggest Award Cashed InThat shiny golden trophy every soccer player desperately wants? It’s the most prestigious individual award in sports. But here’s the thing - the winner gets exactly zero dollars in prize money for it. So why do they weep on stage and launch campaigns to win one? Hint: it’s not just for the glory - it’s for the massive, seven-figure bonuses from clubs and sponsors that come with it. The Ballon d'Or isn't just an award; it's very, very good business.On this episode, Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé follow the money tra...
2025-09-2417 min
Finance of FootballAmerica’s Team, America’s Market? Is the USMNT’s Business Strategy Working?The scene is becoming alarmingly familiar: a US Men’s National Team match at home. It should be a sea of red white and blue. Instead, the stands are an ocean of opposing colors and the cheers for the visitors drown out the home fans.With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, U.S. Soccer is facing a billion-dollar question: why is it struggling to sell out its own stadiums? Is it the inconsistent product on the field? Or is it the price of admission, which has skyrocketed from an average of $28 to nearly $100 a...
2025-09-1619 min
Finance of FootballNWSL vs WSL: The Battle of the Balance SheetWhen 20-year-old superstar Alyssa Thompson traded LA's Angel City for London's Chelsea, it was more than a transfer - it was a multi-million dollar shot across the bow in one of the fiercest rivalries in women’s soccer. A knockdown, dragout battle being fought not on the pitch but on the balance sheet. The transatlantic rivalry shaping the future of the sport: America’s National Women’s Soccer League vs. England’s Women’s Super League.From skyrocketing NWSL team valuations and a purpose-built stadium in Kansas City to Reddit Co-Founder and Mr. Serena Williams, A...
2025-09-0923 min
Finance of FootballFrom The Beautiful Game to The Billion-Dollar Game: Has Spending in Soccer Gotten Out of Control?NOTE: At the time of recording Premiere League spending was around £2.88 Billion. It's since jumped up to 3.11A whirlwind transfer window led by the Premier League spending a record £3.11 billion ($4.16 billion) has the soccer arms race skyrocketing to never-before-seen heights. Led by Liverpool’s club-record spend, and highlighted by Alexander Isak’s £125million move from Newcastle, Deadline Day alone witnessed £375 million change hands in just 24 hours.And just in case you thought we were being hyperbolic when we say the spending is getting crazy, consider this; between recording this episode...
2025-09-0225 min
Finance of FootballThe Yanks are Coming! The Yanks are Coming! - Is U.S. Investment Good for European Soccer?What do Arsenal, Chelsea Liverpool, Manchester United, AC Milan, AS Roma, Birmingham City, Burnley, Espanyol, RCD Mallorca, Atalanta and Wrexham all have in common? They all have American owners. From Tom Brady to Rob McElhenney, Stan Kroenke, Todd Boehly and Stephen Pagliuca, U.S. investment in European soccer clubs is the new Labubu—everybody wants one!On this week’s episode of Finance of Football, co-hosts Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé discuss the Americanization of European soccer, the value proposition for U.S. owners investing billions behind these badges, and wh...
2025-08-2628 min
Finance of FootballIs MLS a Retirement League?Is Major League Soccer a legitimate top-flight league, or just a very lucrative retirement home for European superstars? It’s been nearly 20 years since MLS enacted the designated player rule (AKA, the "Beckham Rule" ) and first rolled out the red carpet for aging icons. But with the arrival of the greatest of GOATS, Lionel Messi, and a new wave of blockbuster signings from Son Hueng-min to Thomas Müller, the debate is hotter than ever. Do these flashy, big-name signings actually grow the beautiful game in America, or do they just sell a few more...
2025-08-1926 minFinance of FootballBuilding Trust in Boston: Legacy FC Looks to Start Anew After Launch LetdownIt was supposed to be a shining start to a new era for women's sports in Boston with a NWSL expansion club set to begin play in 2026.But when the initial club name of BOS Nation FC and the accompanying "Too Many Balls" marketing campaign inspired near immediate backlash, the team learned the hard way that starting a new franchise isn't easy. But, unlike some franchises in other sports we could mention, the newly re-named Boston Legacy were quick to listen to their community and are ready to reintroduce themselves.O...
2025-08-0524 minFinance of FootballThe Other World Cup: Was FIFA’s Gamble on a Club World Cup Brilliant or just an Unnecessary Risk?FIFA invested more than $1 billion to make the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States relevant. Did FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s gamble pay off and will it help raise the profile of soccer in the US? Or was the expanded tournament unnecessary, over hyped and potentially detrimental to more important league and tournament play? On this week’s episode of Finance of Football, hosts Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé discuss whether or not the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was a success and how it may negatively impact the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Plus, a half...
2025-07-2229 minFinance of FootballBeer+ Soccer= Marketing GOAT. How Michelob ULTRA Made “Fit Beer” the MVP of SoccerCrack open a cold one with Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé as they explore the other partnership in soccer: beer and the beautiful game. From World Cup sales spikes to European pub madness, beer brands are redefining sports marketing. This week, they sit down with Ricardo Marques, SVP of Marketing at Michelob ULTRA, to unpack how the brand kicked its soccer strategy into high gear—and why “fit beer” is scoring big with Gen Z, MLS fans, and global tournaments alike. Cheers to smart branding and beautiful football.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor...
2025-06-1117 minFinance of FootballCharly Goes Stateside: Mexican Kit Brand Is Making Moves in the U.S.Mexican soccer kit brand Charly is stepping onto U.S. turf. In this episode, hosts Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé sit down with Matthew Bickham, Charly’s Commercial Sales Director, to unpack the brand’s bold entry into the U.S. market through a strategic partnership with the USL. From tapping into local fan culture to crafting custom kits and forging authentic team collaborations, Bickham shares how Charly plans to stand out in the most competitive sports market in the world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priva...
2025-05-1228 minFinance of FootballUSL’s Bold Pro/Rel Leap with Orange County SC’s James KestonOrange County SC owner James Keston joins hosts Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé to dive into USL's groundbreaking decision to introduce promotion and relegation. What does this historic shift mean for clubs and the future of the league? What hurdles lie ahead in making this transition a success? Tune in for an in-depth discussion on how this move could transform the landscape of American soccer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2025-04-0234 minFinance of FootballSam Mewis on Hanging Up the Boots, Fixing the Game, and Men in Blazers LifeWorld Cup champion and soccer icon Sam Mewis joins hosts Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé to discuss stepping away from the pitch, the rapid rise of women’s soccer in the U.S. and beyond, and her new role as Editor-in-Chief of The Women's Game podcast on the Men in Blazers network. From career highs and tough transitions to behind-the-scenes insights on the sport’s future, Sam opens up about life after soccer and her mission to make waves behind the mic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p...
2025-03-1833 minFinance of FootballFrom Flying (Pee Cups) to Football’s Future with Fabio SáIn this episode, Minute Media's EVP of global business Fabio Sá shares his wildest experiences in soccer—including the time he faced a barrage of flying cups filled with pee during Sao Paulo vs Fluminense in Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo . But beyond the chaos, he sees a bright future for the sport in the U.S. Tune in as he dives into the passion, challenges, and massive growth potential of soccer in America.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2025-03-0446 minFinance of FootballNASL vs. USSF/MLS: Breaking Down the Legal Battle with UCLA’s Steven BankIn this episode of Finance of Football, Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé dive into the legal battle between NASL and USSF/MLS with UCLA law professor and soccer law expert Steven A. Bank. A longtime follower of the case, Professor Bank unpacks the key arguments, the impact of the court’s decision, and what it means for the future of the U.S. soccer pyramid. Will NASL appeal? How does this case shape the landscape of American soccer? Tune in for an insightful discussion on the legal and structural dynamics at play.See Privacy Policy at https://art...
2025-02-1841 minFinance of FootballIntroductionCreated and hosted by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé, Finance of Football is a podcast focused on The Business of the Beautiful Game.While football is the most popular sport on the planet, it hasn’t witnessed the same success in the United States … yet. But with the 2024 Copa América, 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics coming to the country and continent, the money and interest in the game is expected to reach unprecedented heights and could be the catalyst that brings football to the forefront in the U.S.Each episod...
2025-02-0511 minFinance of FootballMile High Momentum: Denver’s NWSL DebutIn this episode of Finance of Football, hosts Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé break down the NWSL’s expansion into Denver and what it means for the league’s growth and the global rise of women’s soccer. Why was Denver chosen? Who’s behind the investment? And how does this move fit into the broader financial landscape of the sport? Tune in as we analyze the business, the market potential, and what’s next for women’s football worldwide.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m
2025-02-0533 minFinance of FootballThe Billionaire & The Burner AccountLess than a month before Major League Soccer kicks off its 30th season, the league and U.S. Soccer find themselves in the middle of a high-stakes antitrust lawsuit brought by billionaire Rocco Commisso, owner of the New York Cosmos and AFC Fiorentina. Since the trial began on January 13, the courtroom has seen testimony from major sports figures, including Clark Hunt—owner of the Super Bowl-bound Kansas City Chiefs—former NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, and former U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati.In this episode, we break down the latest twists and turns from...
2025-01-2924 min