The Soccer Business Podcast

Former NBA exec Dave Checketts on his move into soccer

Dave Checketts is a sports business titan. He has served in C-suite roles or been an owner of the Utah Jazz, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Liberty, Madison Square Garden (MSG), Legends Hospitality and the St. Louis Blues. Checketts founded MLS's Real Salt Lake.
He has extensive experience in private equity sports investment and is a director of Premier League club Burnley. He recently launched a $1.2 billion fund with the Eccles Family called the Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital Fund.

US investors in European soccer - with Jordan Gardner

Jordan Gardner, an expert on US investment in English and European soccer - who has hands on experience in such deals and in clubs bought by Americans, dives into the main issues and trends around the continuing growth of US ownership of clubs.

The future of American Soccer Stadiums

Soccer specific stadiums are sprouting up all across the country and leading stadium design expert Chris DeVolder is our guest as we explore the past, present and future of the American soccer venue.

Promotion and Relegation in the USA? USL President Paul McDonough

USL President Paul McDonough talks about the league's ambitious plans for a new top-tier league and to introduce promotion and relegation for the first time in the US club soccer system.
Paul reveals interest from foreign investments and discusses the challenges and choices facing the league as it seeks to expand.

A New Team, A New League - pro soccer launched in Cleveland

Breaking news on The Soccer Business Podcast - Cleveland is launching a new professional women's and men's teams and Gina Prodan Kelly CMO of Cleveland Soccer Group outlines all the plans on the show.
In yet more news - the women's team will play in a brand new new division two women's league - WPSL Pro. Gina explains the journey to finally bring Cleveland the pro soccer teams that the city has been craving.

Scouse Passion and California Dreaming - ex-Liverpool CEO Peter Moore

Former Liverpool and EA Sports CEO Peter Moore is the founder/owner of Santa Barbara Sky in California, which will join the USL Championship next season. 
Peter reflects on his journey in the game and explains his plans for creating the new club  and the philosophy behind it. Dive into the lessons he learnt from his time working with the Fenway Sports Group at Anfield, his involvement in the Wrexham story and the hugely successful FIFA game.

THE PITCH: What Is Soccer's Brand? Shawn Francis and Brian Quarles

In the first episode of our series THE PITCH, Simon Evans and Paul Woodhouse of The Soccer Business are joined by two guests with extensive experience of working in the area of brands and soccer: Shawn Francis, an executive creative director who has worked on soccer projects with the likes of Nike and EA Sports and Brian Quarles, Chief Creative Officer at rEvolution who has led a number of major soccer campaigns. 
Discover what the soccer brand and culture is? What do brands look for in soccer properties?  How clubs can become brands of a city? And so much more.

Alexi Lalas on American Soccer

Alexi Lalas joins Simon Evans to discuss a range of issues surrounding American soccer as we approach one year out from the World Cup. MLS, USL, Pro/Rel, 'Pay to Play' and much, much more is examined in this in-depth interview.

Start-up Soccer with Michael Hitchcock

Former MLS executive Michael Hitchcock is a serial soccer start-up expert having invested in and launched 20 clubs across the United States and beyond. He talks about community focus, marketing, ticketing and how to build a new club from the ground up.
 
00:00 The Journey Begins: Michael Hitchcock's Soccer Career
03:02 Building the Game: Early Days in MLS
06:06 Investing in the Future: Lower Division Soccer
09:02 Community Connection: The Heart of Soccer Clubs
11:50 Creating Opportunities: The Role of Local Ownership
14:58 Stadiums and Community: The Importance of Venue
18:09T he Unique Culture of Soccer in America
27:17 Innovative Stadium Solutions
29:20 Investment Opportunities in Lower Division Soccer
31:30 The Birth of Virtual Vice President
35:59 Cost-Saving Strategies in Soccer Operations
39:59 The Future of American Soccer Post-2026 World Cup

Introduction to The Soccer Business

Brief introduction to The Soccer Business Podcast from host Simon Evans.