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Bex Smith: ‘Women’s Football Should Be BIGGER Than Men’s…And This Is Why’ (Ep92)
28 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 19 min
What does women’s football need to do to match men’s? Could it be even bigger? What is currently holding it back? Every so often, we have a chat on this show which pushes beyond the surface of sport. The potential, growth and popularity of women’s football has become a feature of macro conversation for years, but finding someone with the credibility and willingness to say it how it is is not easy. Lees meer
Meet Bex Smith, former New Zealand Captain, treble winner with Wolfsburg, FIFA Women’s World Cup executive, and now club owner. Having founded Crux Football, a MCO Group looking to build collective value across core assets in the women’s game, she is on a mission to be a key part of unlocking the business and performance success she believes is inevitable in the sport if the right structures are in place to support it. With the recent purchase of their first club Montpellier, the vision is about to become reality; it is not just an ability to affect an individual club but the change that needs to happen across the league and broader ecosystem that will determine true success.
If anyone is going to do it, you’re about to meet her. No statements for the sake of it, no positioning without considered justification. It’s the women’s football show we’ve been waiting for.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
05:38 Why Montpellier Was the Perfect Start
14:04 Building the Right Financial Structure
18:04 The Valuation Problem in Women’s Football
23:35 Why Women’s Football Need To Stop Copying the Men’s Game
34:37 The Challenge of Managing Multiple Clubs
36:47 The Path from Pitch to Boardroom
41:12 Balancing Independence with System Constraints
44:17 What Makes the Women’s Game So Investable
48:20 Would Bex Buy a Club in England Today?
49:14 How Players Drive Engagement and Value
55:41 Why Equal Pay Isn’t the Whole Story
58:22 Managing the Female Athlete’s Body
01:03:53 Quick-Fire Round
On today’s show we discuss:
Rebuilding the Foundations of Women’s Football:
Why the Europe…
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James Dunkley, Majesticks GC Team Principal: ‘The Business Behind LIV Golf; What It Really Takes To Run A Franchise’ (Ep.91)
21 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 12 min
What is the world of LIV Golf really like? Cutting through all the noise and the image portrayed of a league propped up by PIF money incapable of supporting itself, is there another side? That’s what we take a look at with this week’s guest James Dunkley, Team Principal of Majesticks Golf Club, one of the 13 teams that compete on the tour. Lees meer
There is no denying the controversy that LIV caused when it was established, disrupting the world of golf and the established tours, taking some of the biggest stars of the game on big money and changing the format. But going beyond that, and most importantly the short term financial commitments it has required, what is the long term ambition, and how does this model fit into the broader game to co-exist with the sport’s other key organisations and tournaments while also tackling some of golf’s biggest challenges: ageing fanbases, stale formats, financial distribution outside of the top players.
James takes us through the running of a team consisting of huge personalities and profiles like Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson, the importance of creating a winning organisation, and why much of this tour is completely misunderstood by many. I won’t lie this opened my eyes to a side of LIV I hadn’t previously considered or appreciated, and I think it’ll surprise you too.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:24 How do the teams work
07:40 Reviving a stale sport
11:00 Building a community & youth programs
13:20 Inside Majesticks GC operations
16:15 Why team golf is so exciting
21:00 Relegation & Recruitment
25:00 Building audience & identity
30:00 Path to profitability
42:44 $1.1 Billion in losses & long-term vision
49:20 LIV's unique fan experience
52:00 How LIV changed the way players compete
On today’s show we discuss:
Inside the LIV Golf Model:
How LIV’s $1.1 billion investment is building a long-term global sports property.
Breaking down the commercial structure: team equity, prize money, sponsorship, and central…
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Pablo Longoria, Marseille President: ‘Rebuilding a European Football Giant’ (Ep.90)
14 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 15 min
Today, we’re delighted to welcome Pablo Longoria to the show. Pablo is President of french football giant Marseille, marking a welcome venture for us into European football! Make no mistake, this is a huge club steeped in history, the most passionate fans, and a global brand. Managing all of this from a business perspective is a serious job. Then of course add into it the need to create a winning team on the pitch to drive it all, and that is the challenge that faces Pablo. Lees meer
From scout and technical director to club President, his route to the top is unique in itself. The approach is absolutely ‘results first’. They have compiled a squad with a strong balance of youth and experience, including former Premier League players such as Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Pierre-Emile Hojbjurg, and of course Mason Greenwood, whose controversial transfer is covered in this chat as we look at how Marseille are approaching the transfer market. The broader challenges for the club extend into the chaotic media landscape of french football and the challenge with competing against the biggest and established leagues with less financial clout.
Deep insight into top top level football is not abundant. This is a fascinating reveal of what is takes to run one European football’s most iconic organisations.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
05:01 Pablo Longoria’s Path to Football Executive
08:18 Joining Olympique de Marseille
10:12 The State of Marseille When Pablo Arrived
11:37 Revenues: Ticketing, Security, Food & Beverage
20:19 How On-Pitch Success Drives Business Growth
21:56 Pablo’s Role in Player Recruitment
24:52 What People Get Wrong About Football Managers
28:41 Football Director vs Manager: What’s the Difference?
29:42 Managing Transfer Market Inflation
39:33 How Fans Influence Transfer Strategy
43:29 Learning from Transfer Mistakes
45:45 Where Marseille Fits in the Football Pyramid
49:22 Inside France’s Evolving Media Rights Landscape
53:53 The Competitive Imbalance in Frenc…
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Richard Coleman, Tech3 Team Principal: ‘The $4.9bn Bet: Can Liberty Replicate F1 Success with MotoGP?’ (Ep.89)
7 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 9 min
Today, we’re delighted to welcome Richard Coleman to the show. Alongside one of our favourite previous guests Mr Guenther Steiner, Richard is the new co-owner and Team Principal of MotoGP team Tech3. This sport has had some big headlines since Liberty’s $4.9bn acquisition went through earlier this year. As the infamous owners of F1 who have played a major role in re-inventing the sport and making it one of the most popular and marketable entertainment products on the planet, it’s not hard to understand why the buzz has now spread to asking what it is that Liberty can do with MotoGP; a hugely popular and successful motorsport, but one that doesn’t have the global reach or brand power F1 has enjoyed. Lees meer
In a world of massively inflating sports assets prices and the clamour for good deals and unique opportunities, do these racing teams present some of the most exciting sports business opportunities on the market? The parallels to F1 are obvious, but this is also very much a property with its own values, diehard fans, and a plan to capture the audience in a way that differentiates itself from four wheel racing. This a look at the big business of MotoGP and the big potential of Tech3.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:50 Liberty Media’s $4.9B MotoGP Takeover
10:04 Why MotoGP Is Undervalued
16:23 Can MotoGP Fix Its Competitive Imbalance?
20:02 How to Run a MotoGP Team Sustainably
22:38 How MotoGP Teams Make Money
26:52 The New Wave of Sponsors in MotoGP
29:12 How MotoGP Can Create Global Superstars
35:10 Can MotoGP Grow Without Losing Its Core Fans?
42:47 The Core Risks Behind Investing in MotoGP
46:09 Inside The Media Rights Structure
47:45 The Attention Economy & Youth in Motorsport
51:56 What Makes The Best Riders?
52:42 Why Riding a Bike Is Harder Than Driving an F1 Car
54:00 Health & Safety in MotoGP
01:00:29 Quick-Fire Round
On today’s show we discuss:
1. The Business of MotoGP:
How the $4.9bn Liberty Media acquisition has transformed the outlook for Mot…
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Graeme Le Saux: ‘Big Money Transfers Can Break Players’ (Ep.88)
30 september 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
This week we’re delighted to welcome Graeme Le Saux to the show. A Chelsea, Blackburn and England icon, Graeme played over 500 club games, 327 of them in the Premier League, as well as 36 caps for England. There was more than enough in here to just enjoy some unparalleled sporting nostalgia, from Blackburn’s insane Premier League title to playing in the infamous David Beckham red card match at the 1998 World Cup. Lees meer
But you know that’s not our style; what Graeme brings to this conversation is both a reflection on his experiences handling the turbulent world of a footballer alongside the more macro issues facing the game. He did have a different background, different interests, and unique way of approaching the celebrity that comes with football. Having been a record transfer for a defender when he moved to Chelsea for £5.5m in 1997, he also gets what it is to play with expectation and pressure that can humanise players we fans often treat as emotionless machines.
It touches on many of the key points we always look to build on, from asset inflation and club overspending to the responsibility of player education. A special player with a special outlook on both football and life as a top level athlete…and as you’ll no doubt lock onto he brought a big dose of humour to accompany it.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
05:28 How the PL Has Changed Since Graeme Played
09:25 The Reality of Changing Teams
13:08 Is It the Club’s Fault When Talent Leaves for Free?
14:36 Are Players Now More Valuable Than Clubs?
16:33 How Signing-On Fees Change Transfers
24:22 Are Football Clubs Passion Projects or Investments?
26:47 How Big Was Abramovich’s Arrival in the Dressing Room?
29:56 Thinking About Finances While Playing
43:26 Why Many Players Struggle Financially After Football
51:01 If I Could Change One Game
54:43 The Added Pressure of Social Media on Players
59:23 What It’s Like Covering the Premier League in America
01:00:39 The Future of MLS
01:05:15 Quick-Fire Round
In To…
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James Vowles, Williams Team Principal: ‘The Plan to make Williams F1 World Champions…Again’ (Ep87)
23 september 2025 · 55 min
When we recorded this show the day before James flew out to Baku, we did not expect Williams to be up on the podium delivering in real life what James was theoretically describing to us on the show. Podiums are of course part of the development plan, but not yet. Lees meer
When James came to see us at Business of Sport HQ last week, we talked through both what he has done to position the team for future success, and what he still needs to do. In a sport that requires so many minds pulling together, utilising a vast array of talents, the prospect of building what is popularly termed as ‘winning culture’ could seem daunting; where do you even start? For James, it was recognising that even in a sport of technology and science, people and culture are what makes you win.
This weekend’s result would place Williams ahead of where James has set expectations. But don’t get me wrong, this result in Baku will have been celebrated in the halls of Grove, because no matter how long term the strategy for success is, these wins you pick up on the way are integral to showing the team that what they’re doing is on the right path, and from James’ perspective (though he’d never look at it like this) that he’s the man to deliver for them. This is James Vowles on the business of Williams and F1…and a taste of what’s to come.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:54 Rebuilding Williams Through Culture
07:18 Balancing Past Success with a New Identity
10:54 Williams’ Long-Term Plan for Success
17:31 What Vowles Brings to Sainz & Albon
22:35 Can Money Alone Deliver F1 Success?
25:22 Does Losing Money Matter in F1 Ownership?
28:23 Turning Heavy Investment Into Performance
30:45 Williams’ New Revenue Streams
34:25 How Teams Compete for the Same Sponsors
37:37 Will Formula 1 Control Its Own Platform
41:30 Overcoming Challenges as a New Team Principal
46:10 The Mediafication of F1 Leadership
47:30 Quick-Fire Round
In Today's Episode We Discuss:
1. Rebuilding Williams from the Ground Up:
Why Jame…
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Patrick Mouratoglou: From Serena to Djokovic, What Makes the Best Players in the World? (Ep86)
16 september 2025 · 1 uur 18 min
This week we’re delighted to welcome Patrick Mouratoglou to the show. Patrick is one of tennis' most successful coaches, working with Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Holger Rune, Grigor Dimitrov, Simona Halep to name a few. Perhaps most famous for his collaboration with Serena Williams where they won 10 Grand Slams together, it’s regarded as one of the most successful coach-player relationships in tennis history. Lees meer
Alongside this, Patrick is the founder of the world-renowned Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. The academy has nurtured hundreds of elite players including Coco Gauff, Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas through a personalized, high-performance training model. It combines cutting-edge facilities with academic programs, helping student-athletes from over 45 countries balance education and sport. The academy has become a global brand with satellite centers in China, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Dubai and the U.S.
Patrick’s new book ‘Champion Mindset’ takes the position of transferring everything he has learned in tennis to apply to everyday life. Believe it or not, what makes Serena so successful won’t be too far away from what can work for you, in business, performance, or just general life. I have put the link in the bio (not an advert!) because it’s one of the best books I’ve read. This is an inspiring conversation that I know you will love, whether a big tennis fan or just interested in the philosophies of nurturing top talent.
On today’s show we discuss:
Coaching the Greats:
Inside the 10-year partnership with Serena Williams that delivered 10 Grand Slams and is regarded as one of the greatest player–coach relationships in history.
Why courage, honesty, and “never being afraid to get fired” are central to coaching elite athletes.
Lessons from working with Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Holger Rune, Grigor Dimitrov and others and the unique challenges of guiding champions at different stages of their careers.
The Philosophy of Confidence:
Why success is built on…
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Mark Hammond, CEO Bromley: ‘ You Don't Need to Play in the Premier League to Have a Premier League Mindset’ (Ep85)
9 september 2025 · 53 min
This week we’re delighted to welcome Mark Hammond to the show. Mark is the CEO of Bromley, one of the EFL’s emerging success stories. Having only played one full season in the football league and finishing a hugely respectable 11th last year, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the the early stages of this club’s acclimatisation to top level football would focus on consolidation and survival. You’d be wrong, as Mark clearly told me when about to assume the same thing; this is a club whose ambition is once again promotion. Lees meer
But it is not just the work the first team are doing on the pitch that makes Bromley such a standout case. An academy system that focuses not just on supplying players for the first team but also providing an education and opportunities beyond the pitch for hundreds of children is going a long way to fixing some of the big problems football has when players give up everything to chase the (almost) impossible dream.
Mark’s career as a player, coach and now CEO is not the path you often see to top football executive, but that’s what endears. Different ideas and approaches to building exciting, sustainable entertainment products doing the best for their fans and communities requires a different approach. ‘We’re not teaching our kids to be professional footballers; we’re teaching them to be professionals in football’.
On today’s show we discuss:
The Rise of Bromley FC:
How Bromley went from non-league football to mid-table in their first-ever EFL season.
Balancing ambition with discipline: why promotion is the goal, but not at the expense of financial sustainability.
Why the relationship between owner, chief executive and manager is at the core of Bromley’s success.
Community and Education at the Heart:
Why Bromley is built on being a true community club, with over 350 students and 58 grassroots teams pulling on the Bromley shirt every weekend.
How the club’s education system provides career pathways beyond playing. Creating “professionals i…
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Dominic Thiem: ‘The Making of a Grand Slam Champion’ (Ep84)
2 september 2025 · 1 uur 13 min
This week we’re delighted to welcome Dominic Thiem to the show. We’ve waited nearly 100 shows but finally tennis has arrived, right in the middle of the US Open, which Dominic won in a 5 set epic in 2020. One of the few non-Federer, Nadal, Djokovic players to win a slam while those three were at their peak, Dominic’s career saw him win 17 ATP titles alongside the Slam before being forced into retirement at just 31 through injury. Lees meer
But in his own words, Dominic describes this as a ‘new beginning not a farewell’. From playing through the most incredible era tennis has seen, losing two French Open finals to Nadal and one Australian Open to Djokovic, receiving over $30m in prize money; this is a serious education that few could even think about experiencing. So how is Dominic applying this to his life away from the court, and what is it like for a tennis player when they move on from an individual sport that requires your 100% focus?
As a big tennis fan, this was a special show to do with one of the most normal and humble athletes we’ve had the pleasure of meeting. A different conversation full of unique insight delivered through the sharing of stories that we all want to know about.
On today’s show we discuss:
The Power of Grand Slams:
What makes the four Grand Slams such incredible events to participate in…and which one did Dominic enjoy the most?
Playing Rafael Nadal in two French Open finals and the aura that surrounded one of the sport’s greatest ever players.
Dominic’s triumphant 2020 US Open victory; coming from two sets down to achieve his lifetime ambition.
The pain of loss and the 2020 Australian Open final defeat to Djokovic.
The Finances of Tennis Players:
Is the distribution of revenue from tournaments to players sufficient?
Can you carve out a career for yourself if you are outside of the world top 100?
The importance of capitalising on success to build your value as a brand off the court.
A look at the ATP’s ‘Baseline Initiative’: does the ef…
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Simon Massie-Taylor, CEO Prem Rugby: 'From Red Bull’s Newcastle Investment to Building the Best League in Rugby' (Ep83)
26 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 3 min
This week we’re delighted to welcome Simon Massie-Taylor to the show. Simon is the CEO of The newly branded Prem Rugby. The competition has faced well publicised challenges in recent years, with clubs going bust and broader questions around the viability of the sport as an attractive investment. But with attendances on the rise, commercial income flowing, major long term broadcasting deals and the Red Bull marketing machine as a new stakeholder, this is a competition looking forward not backwards. Lees meer
With talk of challenger leagues and continual disruption to the established order of rugby, this is a perfect time to understand why Prem Rugby and broader club rugby in England still holds the greatest appeal. The challenge is grabbing that opportunity; an unrelenting commitment to ensure when fans tune into the sport away from the international game, that this is the competition they turn to. Let’s see what the plans are.
On today’s show we discuss:
Investment in Prem Rugby:
Why did Red Bull decide to invest in Prem Rugby with their purchase of Newcastle Falcons?
Is club rugby a good investment when there are so many opportunities to buy assets in broader sport?
There has been a new type of investor coming into rugby. Why is this important?
Can you continue to run a league when clubs continue to lose money?
What type of profile to Prem Rugby want to see from prospective owners?
Improving the Product:
Despite all the challenges the game has faced over the last 10 years, attendances are rising, media deals are getting bigger, commercials are stronger than ever. Why?
The importance of attracting a new audience while maintaining the relationship with the existing fanbase.
Why more isn’t always better; the challenger league conundrum.
Aligning the global calendar to ensure a clash of major tournaments does not diminish the quality of the game.
Financial Sustainability is Essential:
What is the importance of good governance in rugby?
Why understanding the resp…
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Michael Beale, Fmr Rangers, QPR, Sunderland Manager: 'Does English Culture Suppress Maverick Talent?' (Ep82)
19 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 12 min
Michael Beale is part of a top crop of young English managers. At 44, he has already managed QPR, Rangers, and Sunderland, while also forming a successful partnership as Steven Gerrard’s assistant at Rangers, Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq. As virtually every manager quickly comes to realise, there’ll be some roles that work out, and some that don’t, but the most important thing to learn from the experiences that don’t turn out how you’d hope and come back a better coach and manager…there is a difference. Lees meer
Michael’s roots are in youth development, and has played a huge role in the development of both Chelsea and Liverpool’s academies over the years. Spotting, nurturing and improving talent is far away from the skills you may utilise leading a top first team, but for Michael, the root of everything is the relationships a manager has with their people and understanding how to build a culture that encourages development while maintaining an expectation to win.
This is a look into football leadership unlike any show we’ve done. Don’t get lost in situations that haven’t worked for Michael; take a listen to the approach to leading in the modern football environment and what it takes to operate successfully in these now global businesses. A big thank you to High Performance who, if you’re watching, you will have noticed lent us their studio covering a last minute Business of Sport HQ glitch.
On today’s show we discuss:
The Roots of Coaching & Youth Development:
How Michael’s journey began in a church hall in Bromley before moving into elite academies at Chelsea and Liverpool.
The key traits he looks for in players as young as six years old, and why natural enthusiasm and competitiveness matter more than early perfection.
The importance of relationships in youth development between coaches, parents, and players and how those lessons shape his philosophy today.
The concept of “100 games” as the benchmark for players finding their true level.
Managing at the Top Level:
…
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Andrew Thompson, SailGP Managing Director: ‘Welcome to F1 on Water’ (Ep81)
12 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 5 min
It’s a different take this week; welcome to Formula 1 on water! SailGP has become one of the fastest growing sports leagues, bringing sailing to the forefront of modern entertainment. The national teams that race identical F50 Catamarans go to some of the world’s most enticing coastal locations in a Grand Prix style format with millions in prize money on the line. The franchises are valued between $50m+ and owners include major PE and finance as well as consortiums of celebrities including Kylian Mbappe, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. Lees meer
As Managing Director, Andrew is in charge of the global water show as it continues to develop its product and fan base. But how do you successfully build and establish a new sporting product that delivers both the entertainment factor while proving financially sustainable? We talk about the competitiveness of the modern attention economy; the race is on (literally) to capture that audience and develop a new type of sailing fan. If you haven’t seen what SailGP is about, I highly recommend you take a look. Let’s see what it’s all about.
On today’s show we discuss:
Building SailGP Into a Global Sport
How Larry Ellison and Sir Russell Coutts created a commercially sustainable sailing league from scratch
Why SailGP is designed like “Formula One on water” with national teams racing identical high-tech F50 catamarans
The governance issues in the America’s Cup that inspired a new model
Why centralising boat design, technology, and costs levels the playing field and attracts investors
Ownership, Investment & Growth
How franchise values have grown from cost-covering investments to $50M+ assets
What makes the ideal SailGP owner and why passion for sailing matters
The role of celebrity investors like Kylian Mbappé and the importance of authentic involvement
The future expansion plan, from Italy and Brazil to potential markets like China, Japan, and Mexico
The Business Model & Financial Sustainability
How SailGP’s cos…
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Mark Devlin, Leyton Orient CEO: ‘Striking the Balance Between Ambition and Financial Sustainability: The Leyton Orient Story' (Ep80)
5 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 11 min
Mark Devlin is the CEO of Leyton Orient, a team that’s been riding the rollercoaster of English football right on the edge in recent years. From nearly going out of business and dropping into non-league football to bouncing back into League One playoff finals, the fans have been on a ride the few would choose. However, new ownership and big plans to build both on and off the pitch make this London club a hugely exciting football proposition for the next decades. Lees meer
What has this journey looked like from the inside and how is success being built into the fabric of the future? Having been so close to joining the list that no one wants to be near, alongside Bury, now Morecombe and even Sheffield Wednesday, Orient’s struggles are another glaring reminder of the house of cards an owner financing model presents to the Football League.
Mark is an experienced CEO, leading Brentford through the early years of their ride to Premier League consistency. His take on what is required to build a club for the community and fan while keeping the finance team happy is what sets the O’s apart, and promises big things for a fanbase juggling the mixed emotions of just being happy to still have a football team alongside a want and expectation to win.
On today’s show we discuss:
Recovering from Financial Disaster:
They story of Leyton Orient's near terminal financial crisis; what happens when a club runs out of money and the owner will no longer cover the losses?
Relegation to non-league football and the impact falling through the decisions has on a club.
How do you claw yourself out of a situation like this. The stories are often of disaster, but Leyton Orient have more than recovered in the past few years.
Are they in a better place now than they were before?
The Value of New Ownership:
What are the ambitions of new owner David Gandler and why did he decide to buy the club earlier this year?
Where does the value lie in modern day football?
What areas of the club need to be dev…
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Peter McCormack, Real Bedford Owner: Can Billionaire Investment Take You From Non-League To The Premier League? (Ep79)
29 juli 2025 · 48 min
Peter McCormack is the Owner and Chairman of Real Bedford, who play in the 8th tier of English Football. But this is unique for a number of reasons. We always look for the stories that represent a different approach to running sports assets, and building your Premier League ambition around Bitcoin is certainly one of those. Lees meer
Peter is the host of one of if not the biggest Bitcoin podcasts. As you’ll hear his journey to club ownership is as colourful as it is extraordinary; this is someone who has come through some challenging times to get to where he is now. As you’ve just heard in the intro, everyone laughed at him when he laid out the plan for Real Bedford, but with a wealth of both deep pocketed sponsors and investors, most notably the storied Winklevoss twins (of Olympic rowing, Facebook lawsuit, and Gemini fame to many of you I’m sure), this is quickly becoming a team with both the resources and strategy to fly up the pyramid.
With a women’s team competing in the third tier and proving equally ambitious, the plan is to build a club fully representing the community, full of opportunity and success. The usual challenges remain: success vs profit, full attendances, wider football governance. But as this is a place where we want to look at how to create sustained value beyond football’s historic and increasingly out of date financial levers, the Real Bedford model is a captivating alternative. Not for everyone, not guaranteed to work, and certainly unorthodox, but a bold attempt to break the wheel.
On today’s show we discuss:
Buying a Football Club
How Peter went from addiction to building a media brand around Bitcoin
The inside story of how Peter bought Real Bedford FC with podcast money
How he convinced the Winklevoss twins to back a team in the tenth tier
Why Real Bedford is run more like a startup than a sports club
The brutal financial reality of owning a non-league football team
Why so many lower-league clubs are unsustainable
Brand, Identity & Cult…
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Ryan Bertrand, Fmr Chelsea, Southampton & England: ‘It Didn’t Feel Like the Chelsea I was Brought Up In; The Foundations of Champions League Success' (Ep78)
22 juli 2025 · 1 uur 15 min
This week, we’re delighted to welcome Ryan Bertrand to the show, the only man to make his Champions League debut in the final…and of course win it in historic style with Chelsea in 2012. The regulars of you will know a conversation like this is exciting for us both as big Chelsea fans, and the shirts we wore throughout gave the game away anyway. But Ryan isn’t just the player who won that cup, played over 260 Premier League games, and was capped 19 times by England. Lees meer
This is a former athlete with a story to tell that incorporates exploration away from football; interests that fans, the media, even those within the game don’t associate with players. You can do business, learn business, all while playing at the highest level. You can also leverage the power of your network and your unique experiences to add something few others can to businesses outside of the game.
This is something we encourage athletes, the ones who are interested off their own back and the ones who may not have understood the possibilities, to do in a world where opportunity can come from multiple sources. Ryan has built businesses, managed people, and carved out a path that now positions him to succeed at scale. What can you learn from him? It’s the balance of the stories we of course are desperate to hear paired with his transition from player to multi-faceted operator.
On today’s show we discuss:
Football Culture, Clubs & Career Decisions
What Ryan learnt from being around legends like Drogba, Lampard, and Ashley Cole?
What makes a great dressing room character and why every team needs one
What happens when a club loses its “win at all costs” mentality?
Why the best Managers are honest with their players and who was the worst manager he played under
What really goes on during loan deals, and why he cancelled his own loan?
How do directors, signings, and behind-the-scenes agendas shape team selection?
Money, Fame & Mistakes
What’s the financial trap that catches most young players of…
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Guenther Steiner: ‘A Life in F1: Moving On From Haas, Christian Horner’s Sacking, & The Genius of Verstappen' (Ep77)
15 juli 2025 · 1 uur 8 min
This week, we’re delighted to welcome the legendary Guenther Steiner to the show. One of the most iconic Team Principal’s to grace the paddock, the personality and energy he brings to the room is not just a show put on for the Drive to Survive cameras. What you have seen on TV is a true account of the man, taking the mickey out of us from the off while delivering such a compelling view on life as a Team Principal and the wider world of F1. Lees meer
Having left Haas at the end of 2023, he seemed relaxed and free from the pressures of day to day management in one of sport’s most high pressure environments. The toll it takes when under such scrutiny without respite is one of the most fascinating aspects of executive management in F1. Christian Horner’s departure from Red Bull last week tees up the conversation focusing on what happens when a leader departs, but also how well prepared organisations are to deal with unexpected circumstances.
Guenther’s profile has become a poster for modern F1; someone who the fans didn’t have exposure to thrust into the limelight as a result of a turbo charged media and brand strategy. But he is more than the big smile and humour. This is someone who founded a team from scratch, operated it under extremely difficult circumstances, and gave life to the sport where it was most needed. He does not disappoint.
On today’s show we discuss:
Running an F1 Team
What goes into running an F1 team and why it’s more business than racing
The chaos and logistics of travelling with the F1 circus
The inside story of how Haas F1 was built from scratch
Why the cost cap has improved competition and how it changed the sport as a whole
What no one tells you about a team principal leaving: power shifts, media spin, and personal fallout
Why Guenther believes being a good team boss is more about managing people than cars
The Mediafication of F1
How Drive to Survive changed the sport and how it changed Guenther’s life
The shock of becoming globally famous j…
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Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu: ‘How to Run a Business & Play in the Premier League' (Ep76)
8 juli 2025 · 1 uur 13 min
This week, we’re delighted to welcome Thomas Robson-Kanu to the show, known to many of you I’m sure as Hal. The different names he has gone by is the perfect demonstration as to why this is such a unique story. A footballer with over nearly 500 competitive games under his belt and a businessman with revenues in the tens of millions, Thomas is the epitome of creating additional opportunity alongside elite sporting performance. Lees meer
Many of us think straight to that momentous moment in Euro 2016 when he scored the goal of goals against Belgium to put Wales in their first Semi-Final. As incredible as that was, it doesn’t come close to doing him justice. The Turmeric Co has become a leading company in the food and beverage industry, with the shots extracted directly from turmeric roots linked to Hal overcoming career ending injuries and chronic inflammation. We have to be careful about how we directly link this to recovery, but everything points to major health benefits and recovery.
But how do you build a business and compete in the Premier League at the highest level? This is a conversation for everyone; any athlete looking to understand how you can influence the business world, Hal gives one of the best explanations we’ve heard on 80 shows. Anyone interested in the realities of building a business alongside another high intensity career, this is also for you. Not to mention, from a fan point of view, it’s another reveal on the people behind the athletes we celebrate but don’t give full recognition to.
We have put a link to the Turmeric Co below (not a paid advert!) because I think this genuinely something you should try. I’m excited for you to hear this.
On today’s show we discuss:
Football, Media & Player Empowerment
What was it like to walk away from football while still receiving offers?
How do you recover after being told you’ll never play without pain again?
Why do so few players take control of their own stories?
How does the football system fail young pla…
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Jeff Shi, Wolves Chairman: ‘How to Succeed in the Premier League & Be Financially Sustainable’
1 juli 2025 · 1 uur 28 min
This week, we’re delighted to welcome Wolves Chairman Jeff Shi to the show. Having been at the club since 2016, he has been a key part of the club’s rise from Championship survival to top half Premier League finishes and European quarter finals. Currently enjoying their longest run of Premier League football, there is a lot to be proud of. Lees meer
Jeff hasn’t done a huge amount of interviews. With the club surviving a tricky period last year when their top flight status was at risk for half the season, now is the time to talk to the fans and wider football community about both his ambitions for the club moving forward and how he believes a club needs to be run to bring both stability and success. He is candid in his reflections; it took him a while to understand what it really takes to run a club in this country. But in this era where there is a demand for access and insight into our top teams, a Premier League Chairman keen to come and open up on his philosophies and development plans is to be admired.
From signing top European players while in the Championship to building for the future with Vitor Pereira, it’s time to take a look inside a top Premier League team.
On today’s show we discuss:
The Wolves Project:
Why Wolves is still seen as a project in progress and how the club has evolved under Fosun’s ownership
What kind of long-term vision Fosun has for the club, and why sustainability now outweighs pure spending
Balancing business logic with football emotion
How Wolves preserve their club identity while operating as part of a global group
Why Jeff sees his role as a ‘guardian’, not just a CEO and how he tries to protect Wolves' long-term future
Player Trading and Squad Building:
How Wolves approach squad construction after big-name departures
Why Jeff doesn’t regret selling key players and what he looks for in a signing beyond just talent
How Jorge Mendes, data, and direct club scouting all influence Wolves’ recruitment model
The economics of selling aca…
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Mark Fairbrother, Millwall Managing Director: ‘Is This The Most Misunderstood Club in Football?’ (Ep75)
24 juni 2025 · 1 uur 12 min
This week, we’re delighted to welcome Millwall’s Managing Director Mark Fairbrother to the show. This is a football club that many people both in and out of football have a preconceived idea about, built around historical associations with hooliganism and social unrest. These perceptions are rooted in media portrayal, cultural symbolism and sociopolitical factors rather than the club’s present day values. Lees meer
So, what does the Millwall of today represent and stand for? Off the back of a hugely successful Championship campaign which saw the club fighting for a play-off spot on the last day of the season, eventually finishing 8th, Mark is building both a club that can push the boundaries of its modest budgets (comparative to their competitors) and act as a pillar of the community. Football clubs are more influential than ever to the people that support them and localities they serve; this is a club going a step further.
We’re very excited to bring you this; an insight into one of England’s most notable clubs intent on rooting itself high up the football pyramid.
On today’s show we discuss:
The Millwall Identity:
What makes Millwall unique and why does the club's reputation precede it?
How does the club lean into its history without being constrained by outdated stereotypes?
What does “no one likes us, we don’t care” mean to the leadership today? Is it a challenge or a strategic asset?
Can a club change how it’s seen without losing its soul?
Running a Championship Club:
How do you balance short-term results with long-term stability in a volatile league?
What are the day-to-day commercial realities of Championship football?
How does Millwall approach player trading and squad investment with limited resources?
How do media rights and the recent Sky deal affect clubs like Millwall?
Is the EFL sustainable as a whole or are financial disparities becoming too great?
Football Business vs. Football Culture
What are the pressures of running a club where emotion run…
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Carl Frampton, Fmr Boxing World Champion: ‘How to Win in the Brutal Business of Boxing' (Ep74)
17 juni 2025 · 1 uur 5 min
This week we’re delighted to welcome Carl Frampton to the show. Second dive into boxing is long overdue and so much has happened since we last visited the sport. A boxing legend and Ring Magazine ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 2016, he was the first Northern Irishman to hold world titles in two weight classes, Carl is recognised as one of the best fighters of his generation. Lees meer
As you may expect, there is far more to him than the success he achieved in the ring. This was also the time for us to understand what the life of a top class fighter looks like, and how the business of the sport works from the athlete’s perspective. Saudi involvement has elevated both prize money and fight calibre in recent times, correcting some of the big problems in the sport and making the fights that everyone wants to see actually happen. But this hasn’t always been the case, and from the promotion world that can consist of exploitation and mismanagement to the challenge of driving commercial opportunities building the brand of the individual, Carl’s story is one of both past and present.
Now one of the leading media figures in the sport as well as exploring a number of business ventures including his own whiskey brand, we take a look inside a sport that is re-establishing itself as one of the major assets in global entertainment. Whether a fan of Carl or just fascinated by the boxing industry, this is one you’ll enjoy.
On today’s show we discuss:
Boxing Industry: A Good Place to be?
Why is professional boxing considered by Frampton to be a “crooked” and exploitative business?
What happened in Carl Frampton’s legal dispute with Barry McGuigan, and what does it reveal about fighter vulnerability?
Is the real danger in boxing the fights themselves, or the hundreds of rounds of sparring in training camps?
What can be done at the coaching level to reduce head trauma and protect fighters?
Business of Boxing:
How does a fighter’s earning potential evolve from early career to world champions…
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Rufus Hack, Sony Sports CEO: ‘From The Makers of VAR; Is Tech Making Sport Better? (Ep73)
10 juni 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
This week we’re delighted to welcome Sony Sports CEO Rufus Hack to the show. Strap in, this is a reveal on how technology is changing sport, from the man that brings us Goal Line Technology, VAR, TMO, DRS and much more. Sony have been elevating their proposition, developing on the established Music, Entertainment and Playstation divisions to influence sport and deliver crossover value as sport converges with the modern entertainment industry. Lees meer
Through their ownership of Hawkeye, Rufus oversees the company that is implementing some of the most important changes in sport; the decision review systems aimed at increasing accuracy and elevating sporting products. As you know, this doesn’t come without its challenges.
What this conversation reveals is a fascinating perspective on how this tech is created and then implemented by the various sports with varying degrees of success. How do we ensure the tech delivers what we need it to via ensuring it is properly applied, because it’s rarely a fault of the tech; normally a fault of the operator. On top of this, leveraging Toy Story IP in an NFL environment and an assessment of the crazy golfing landscape completes a truly unique and different show.
On today’s show we discuss:
Sony’s Role in Sport:
How Sony’s global footprint, spanning India, the UK, and South Asia, gives it a unique vantage point in the sports broadcasting world.
The strategic importance of local relevance in international rights and how Sony tailors its offering to cricket, football, and combat sports fans.
How Sony’s sports business sits within the broader Sony Group and the advantages (and limitations) of operating within one of the world’s most diversified media companies.
What is the acqusition strategy of the company looking to make moves in a new environment?
VAR & Decision Review:
How VAR is implemented differently across sports and the importance of education supporting accurate usage.
The global standardisation of officiating technology a…
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Ryan Sparks, Bradford City CEO: ‘We’re a Big Club But We Haven’t had Enough Big Success’ (Ep72)
3 juni 2025 · 1 uur 9 min
Today we’re delighted to welcome Bradford City CEO Ryan Sparks to the show. Promotions don’t come much more dramatic than Bradford City’s 96th minute winner on the final day of the season to seal promotion to league one. We know how important it is to move through the leagues for both the business and performance side of clubs. Lees meer
Bradford is a team with immense support, Premier League history, a 25,000 seater stadium…but it’s been a chaotic 25 years since leaving the premier league. Administration, relegations, England's 4th tier, cup finals; moments of real lows with a sprinkling of hope. That’s football to most.
We primarily think of the extreme pressure and scrutiny in football falling on the players, but executives shoulder a huge portion of that too. Once the youngest CEO in the EFL at 29, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Ryan. But with the first major steps achieved, this is the man in charge of restoring a great club’s successes with the platform now to build from.
On today’s show we discuss:
How Promotion was Achieved:
The story (from the boardroom) and that crazy final day which saw Bradford promoted with almost the last kick of the season.
How does the performance and business sides of the club differ when it comes to handling the pressures of results.
What needs to be in place to achieve promotion, and how well are the club set up to perform in League One?
How do the finances of Bradford compare to other teams in League Two and does success correlate with financial capabilities?
Recovering from previous relegations and the impact past failures had on being able to bounce back.
Business of Bradford:
How to create a stable £8-9m business in League Two.
What areas of the business and most influential in generating revenue for the club and how does it compare to other teams in the division?
Being careful not to fall into the major problem in football finances today; sustainability defined as ‘sustainable losses’.
What is the economic impa…
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Patrice Evra & Tommy Fish: ‘From Elite Player to Businessman; The Value of the Athlete Investor’ (Ep71)
27 mei 2025 · 1 uur 25 min
I love this game! To anyone who has an interest in sport and finds themselves regularly on social media, this catchphrase is likely to mean something to you, as is the person who coined it. Patrice Evra is one of the most decorated and stand out footballers of the last 20 years. Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues, his success on the pitch most famously with Manchester United is no secret. Lees meer
But as his media profile has shown, there is more to the man than football. There’s a drive, focus, and application that runs deep, now being leveraged to build a career in business both in and out of the sport. The value of the athlete investor has never been more topical, and in this special show we explore it in a new way, as we welcome Tommy Fish, his business partner at emerging football tech start-up ‘PLAYER’, for a unique insight to how a top athlete can help create a business.
PLAYER is tackling one of the biggest challenges in football; the provision of access and opportunity for the sport’s brightest young players. Based on Tommy’s vision and Patrice’s crazy stories, this chat is full of education and entertainment!
On today’s show we discuss:
The Value of the Athlete Investor:
Why are more athletes looking to develop their exposure to business opportunities away from the pitch?
A deepdive into Pat and Tommy’s business ‘PLAYER’: The Linkedin for Footballers
How can a business best leverage the experiences of someone like Patrice to develop their product and audience?
Did players are Manchester United look to invest in businesses and how did Sir Alex Ferguson react to players having a focus away form football?
The danger of players never been taught how to manage the vast amount of money they make during their careers.
Opportunities to Disrupt Football:
Social Media: how the creation of an online presence and personality has provided Patrice with a whole new method of engagement.
“Football has changed”...how? What is different now from the days Patrice was pla…
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Guy Kinnings, DP World Tour & Ryder Cup Europe CEO, ‘Why This is Golf’s Moment’ (Ep70)
20 mei 2025 · 1 uur 23 min
Today we’re delighted to welcome Guy Kinnings to the show. Guy is the CEO of European (DP World) Tour and Ryder Cup Europe. Our first venture into golf and it couldn’t be better timed. An Incredible Rory McIlroy Masters win to kick off the season followed by a summer of elite culminating in the Ryder Cup in New York in September. Lees meer
The business or politics of golf have been hotly debated since the inception of Saudi backed LIV Golf a few years ago. Big cheques attracting some of the world’s top players put huge pressure on the DP World Tour & PGA Tour to retain talent and continue to create elite sporting events. As Guy talks through today, this should be viewed as a development of the game; an opportunity to build on the successes of what have gone before while elevating the global product of golf.
Naturally, with responsibility falling on his shoulders (behind the scenes at least) to deliver a rare Ryder Cup away win, there is plenty of conversation around what makes one of the most special events in sport tick. In a sport of genuine global icons and unparalleled moments of drama, we take a look at how the game develops behind the glamour of the 18th green.
On today’s show we discuss:
What is the DP World Tour:
There are many tours and competitions taking place around the world. What is the DP World Tour responsible for?
Who gets to play on the Tour? How the reference to ‘European’ is a misnomer; this is a sporting organisation with global reach.
The finances associated with golf. From major sponsorship and broadcast deals to the cost of creating elite sporting events.
With many of the key European players going and playing their golf on the PGA Tour in America, how do they retain value and participation at the top of the DP Tour?
What does the strategic alliance with the PGA Tour look like and how have they been impacted by the arrival of LIV Golf?
Athletes as Icons:
Golf has produced some of sport’s most famous names; the rise of Jack Nicklas, Arnold P…
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Spencer Owen, Hashtag United Owner: ‘From YouTube To Building The Most Unique Club In Football’ (Ep69)
13 mei 2025 · 1 uur 18 min
Today we’re delighted to welcome Spencer Owen, Founder & Owner of the iconic Hashtag United, to the show. This is one of the most unique organisations in football. Why? Well it was founded on the internet before becoming a successful men’s and women’s team competing in English football. Spencer, or Spencer FC as many of his fans know him, built one of the strongest online brands in football, with over 2m YouTube subscribers regularly engaging with his channel. Lees meer
When he decided to take Hashtag from online concept to physical sports asset, unsurprisingly it was met with confusion and ridicule by an industry not known for it’s acceptance and embrace of change. As a result, this show is one of most interesting assessments of both what makes football so great, and where there are major opportunities for change. It’s a very different take on the football owner and executive shows we’re used to, and that’s why we love it.
This is sport for a modern age, packaged in a conversation explaining how a club that has more subscribers than many Premier League clubs has created a new blueprint for team ownership and management.
On today’s show we discuss:
SpencerFC to Club Owner:
What was the first step in becoming one of the most famous football ‘influencer/streamer’ and how did that lay the foundations for Hashtag United?
This is a club born on the internet; from creating a community online to turning those fans into active sports goers.
Influencer driven sport has become a far more recognised phenomenon, but what was it like in the early days taking creators into real life football matches?
This is reverse engineering a football club; why building a fanbase before they had an on-field product has given Hashtag a unique opportunity
Business of Hashtag
“We are at our heart an advertising business when you think about how we make money”
Playing in the 7th tier of English football does not deliver big revenue, so what have Hashtag done to make themselves so commercially a…
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Ben Calveley, The British & Irish Lions CEO: “We Need Some Wins; This Is A High Performance Team!” (Ep68)
6 mei 2025 · 1 uur 12 min
Today we’re delighted to welcome the British and Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley to the show. The Lions are one of the most iconic institutions in sport. Made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, this team which tours once every four years is the pinnacle of many a rugby player's career. Lees meer
In just a few weeks, the team will begin its tour of Australia, trying to win a series for only the third time in the last 30 years. This highlights how difficult it actually is for the Lions to be successful. There are few things more difficult than winning away in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. But what is it that makes the Lions so revered? How do the players turn off rivalry to become the ultimate team for a few short weeks. As described by the Lions themselves which perfectly sums it up, this history is a testament to the power of unity, where rivalries are set aside in pursuit of rugby excellence.
This is the real Lions brought to you by the man in charge of the whole legacy. We’re delighted to welcome Ben to the Business of Sport.
On today’s show we discuss:
Sculpted in History:
When was the Lions formed and how has it shaped the most unique team in rugby, maybe even in sport?
What does it mean to be a part of the Lions; from inclusion as player to the coaching staff taking on the challenge.
Who has the advantage? The balance between putting together the strongest team from four great rugby nations and playing away from home.
Why has success been so hard to come by and what have winning teams been able to harness?
Business of The Lions:
Behind the history, legacy and honour lies a business that needs to be delivering more than once every four years.
How does the organisation make money? From broadcast to sponsorship to ticketing; the numbers behind the Lions.
Can The Lions make themselves less financially dependent on the tour and diversify their risk profile to ensure the business is not over exposed?
How do sponsorships work and why…
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Charlotte O’Neill, Manchester City Women Managing Director, ‘Why Is Women’s Football Expected To Be Profitable When Men’s Football Isn’t!?’
29 april 2025 · 58 min
Today we’re delighted to welcome Manchester City Women’s Director Charlotte O’Neill to the show. This is a part of the game we talk about a lot. The growth of women’s football has been in turbo over the last decade, both in the UK and beyond. Man City have been one of the clubs leading that charge, compiling a squad of world class talent with the facilities and infrastructure to deliver on a long term ambition, to be the best women’s team in the world. Lees meer
But behind this is a broad range of both successes and major challenges to overcome. From developing female first brands with unique value propositions to being held to account for a lack of financial sustainability as the men’s game haemorrhages cash, there’s a real story to be told for what is going on behind the scenes as these teams evolve through their investment phase into legitimate standalone football brands with social and commercial firepower.
On today’s show we discuss:
Evolution of Man City Women:
When a women’s team is starting out, does it need to be able to leverage the brand and credibility of a strong men’s team to get ahead?
What has been the most important part of being a team in the City Football Group setup?
From foundation to legitimacy: how have the club developed both a trophy chasing team on the pitch supported by best in class infrastructure off it.
What are the biggest challenges about running a women’s team in the WSL?
Are the expectations placed on the women’s team similar to that of the men?
How an access to the leadership of Man City, such as Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, has benefited Charlotte and her team when it comes to football and business.
Creating a Proper Business:
”This assumption that women's football has to be sustainable from day dot really drives me mad”. What does it mean for the game to be in the ‘investment phase'?
Understanding who the fans are; who are the core group attracted to the matches and how to the compare to the ‘traditional’ City fan?
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Steven Elworthy, Surrey County Cricket CEO: ‘Is County Cricket Sustainable?' (Ep66)
22 april 2025 · 1 uur 3 min
Today we’re delighted to welcome Surrey County Cricket CEO Steve Elworthy to the show, our first venture into one of the toughest businesses in sport. Surrey is a historic institution in a historic sport, part of a club set up integral to the development of all cricket, including the much loved short form franchise tournaments that dominate today. But well documented, the clubs are struggling big time. Surrey, as you’ll hear, is not one of them. Lees meer
By far the best team chasing a 4th consecutive championship, a key piece of infrastructure generating tens of millions a year, a perfect location in London, the business of this county team will surprise you I’m sure. But this format is in need of support and innovation. How can we grow the game of cricket and protect the clubs and format that may be out of fashion at the moment, but without which much of cricket wouldn’t exist?
This is the business of cricket away from the shining lights and big music.
On today’s show we discuss:
The Business of Surrey:
What are the key business drivers of Surrey? From sponsorships to media to ticketing and events.
Why is it so important to have a multi-purpose venue capable of generating revenue away from cricket?
What is the balance of value between County Championship and short form matches like The Hundred or T20 Blast?
Some years revenue can be £45m, others £65m. Why is it hard to create consistency in annual turnover?
The sale of Hundred franchises will pump millions of pounds into the county game. What will this be used for?
Impact of Short Form Cricket:
The Hundred and T20 Blast play a major role in attracting fans to club grounds. How do club benefit from these short formats even if they don’t directly own a team?
Why innovation in cricket is more than just reducing the number of balls bowled.
A discussion around player pay: there needs to be a recognition of the opportunities players receive and provide competitive offers to attract the best talent.
With the Mumbai …
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Joe Gorman, Exeter City CEO: ‘The Club with 4700 Owners!’ (Ep65)
15 april 2025 · 1 uur 5 min
Today we welcome Exeter City CEO Joe Gorman. This show is long in the making. One of the most requested guests we have had. Why? Well Exeter are one of football’s biggest rarities; a fan owned club. This means they cannot rely on the wealth and exuberance enjoyed by many to succeed on and off the pitch. They actually have to try and make the business make sense. Lees meer
Punching above their weight for many years, the club sits in League One alongside mega rich teams like Birmingham and Wrexham, and are more than competitive. So how does a club owned by 4700 fans paying £24 a year compete at the top level? How have they turned a £5m investment into the academy to a return of £20m. And why is Joe adamant this is a club here to be the best football team, not just to pat on the head and applaud for doing things unusually well.
A truly unique model. A truly unique conversation. This is the other side of the ‘Business of Football’.
On today’s show we discuss:
Exeter: A Fan-Owned Club:
What does it mean to be owned by the fans and how does it actually work when you have over 4700 ‘owners’ involved in the club?
Is Joe’s job made easier or harder without having the pressures exerted on management by demanding multi-millionaire owners chasing the glories of Premier League football?
How does the business of the club actually work in the context of making decisions to spend money. Is it consensus driven?
The importance of building trust: “the fans need to know I have the best interests of the club at heart”
Why this is more than a club to patronise for doing well off the field and how Joe, along with manager Gary Caldwell, is installing a winning culture from top to bottom.
Would the club ever look for investment away from the fanbase?
A Unique Playing Model:
When you can’t go out and spend millions on a star player, how do Exeter uncover talent who fit their model?
The importance of creating value for top teams by nurturing talent and being a home that clubs want to send…
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Nicolas Julia, Sorare Founder: ‘Building a $4bn Fantasy Sports Empire’ (Ep64)
8 april 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
Today we welcome Nicolas Julia, founder of Sorare, the record breaking platform that blends fantasy sport with digital collectibles. This is a step beyond the fantasy football/F1/rugby you may already be a part of. It’s an open market, providing the chance to show your skills and talent identification to buy, select and trade tangible assets in the form of player cards. They are reimagining sport for the digital age, combining NFT’s, global partnerships, and strategic gameplay to create a fan-owned, athlete connected future of sports entertainment. Lees meer
From signing partnerships with the Premier League, NBA, and over 350 teams to generating nearly half a billion dollars of translations on the platform, Sorare has pioneered a new era of fan engagement while empowering athletes with their own data and IP. Serena Williams, Gerard Pique, Kylian Mbappe; they’re all backing the company to deliver on their objective of making every fan an owner or manager. But how did this bridge between digital fandom and the world’s biggest sporting entities form?
Big numbers, big partners, big ambitions. Nico delivers the thesis of a company at the heart of the modern sports industry.
In today’s show we discuss:
Building a Fantasy Sports Business
What was the opportunity Nicolas and his partners identified when establishing Sorare?
Born in the era of cryptocurrency and NFT’s, how has Sorare been able to navigate this highly volatile landscape and become THE fantasy sports platform?
What does the business model look like? From attracting players to the platform to signing global partnerships with major leagues.
What has the hardest part of working with very traditional organisations been? How much education is required when demonstrating the value Sorare can bring to a league?
Value of Athlete Partnerships
Athletes are becoming more and more active in investment markets. How have Sorare leveraged the talent on their cap table to develop the brand and product?
How did Nico encourag…
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Jimmie Johnson, 7x NASCAR Champion: 'Has the Rise of F1 Been Good For NASCAR?' (Ep63)
1 april 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
Today we welcome 7-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, a racing legend. Motorsport has never been bigger. The Liberty Media world of F1 has exploded, MotoGP has sold for over $4bn, but what about NASCAR? The US's second most watched sport is an entertainment and commercial giant, yet outside of America, it’s fair to say exposure is limited. Lees meer
Jimmie Johnson is one of the most successful drivers to grace any track; think Lewis Hamilton or Michael Schumacher. He is the joint record holder for most Championships won, dominating the sport in the noughties winning 5 titles in a row. Now, he’s changed the race seat for team ownership with Legacy Motor Club. From billion dollar media rights deals to cars described as revolving billboards, when we get into it, the business of this sport is ridiculous! We’re delighted to welcome Jimmie to the show.
On today's show we discuss:
The Business of NASCAR:
Where does NASCAR sit in the US sporting ecosystem?
What does it cost to buy a team, or ‘Charter’, and how many cars do you enter into a race when you have secured your spot?
The $8bn media deal is a major financer of the sport, but what does the distribution model look like?
How much do the top drivers get paid and how has the sport changed as regulation restricts the money spent on cars?
Why the demand for Charters is on the rise and the shift in investor profile.
Does NASCAR need to go global to reach its full potential?
The Rise of Jimmie Johnson:
From humble beginnings to the joint most Championships in NASCAR history, what did the path to the top look like?
Racing in the 2000s was very different to racing in the present day; how did the salaries and stardom compare?
Private planes and international fame…NASCAR drivers lived a great life, but what did the sacrifices to achieve the ultimate success look like?
It’s hard to keep the fire burning; what did Jimmie do to ensure he kept focused and hungry?
How is Jimmie adding value to Legacy Motor Club as a co-owner…
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Andrew Parkinson, Plymouth Argyle CEO: ‘Hiring Rooney, Beating Liverpool, and Fighting for Championship Survival’ (Ep62)
25 maart 2025 · 1 uur 2 min
This week, we take a look inside one of the most talked about clubs this season. From hiring Wayne Rooney as manager to knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup, it’s been a crazy season for Plymouth and CEO Andrew Parkinson. Even more so when the club finds itself bottom of the championship fighting for survival. But this is a club that continually outperforms its budget, competing against teams with 6x bigger budgets, and that’s what we want to get into today. How do you build success in a football club when you can’t rely on money to win? Lees meer
On today's show we discuss:
Economics of a Championship Team:
How do Plymouth compare to their rivals when it comes to the financial resources at their disposal?
What does a club in the bottom half of the table generate in revenue?
How much can they afford to spend on player budgets?
The importance of having multiple budgets for multiple scenarios: facing the relegation reality.
How much can a Championship team earn from sponsorship?
Plymouth this Season:
Hiring Wayne Rooney at the start of the season attracted a lot of attention; was it more than a PR move?
…and what happens when you have to sack a manager?
The competitive nature of the Championship and the importance of staying in the decision for both financial and player retention reasons
The value beyond emotions of beating Liverpool and pushing Manchester City in the FA Cup
Improve the Business of Football:
Why Plymouth are looking for investment and what they would be able to do with an additional capital injection.
Developing a high performing and well supported women’s team is a priority, but should it be under the same banner as the men’s?
Does the 3pm blackout help or hinder football across the pyramid?
Can the club implement a media strategy to help support the profile and exposure of the club?
Cracking America: capitalising on the pilgrims link with the US
Orreco
https://www.orreco.com/
Scan.com
https://uk.scan.com/
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Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO: Behind the Curtain of Rugby's Most Scrutinised Organisation (Ep61)
18 maart 2025 · 1 uur 7 min
This week, we’re delighted to welcome the CEO of the RFU, Bill Sweeney, to the show. There’s no hiding from the fact it’s been a hard few months for the organisation and Bill personally. Significant losses reported last year alongside the now infamous LTIP scheme generated an unrelenting flow of negative press and questions of the leadership. This show is about understanding the financial health of the RFU and wider sport. And it’s certainly not as bad as many would have you believe. Lees meer
Fueling the almost holistic negativity around Rugby, which we have talked about many times on the show, is not the aim here. We discuss the governance structure, revenue generation & the Allianz deal, LTIP scheme, England team performance, rugby’s drive to remain relevant, and more. Listen to the facts, make your own conclusions. But, hopefully having listened to this, with a better picture of where the game is at and if the RFU is achieving its primary goal of growing the game in this country and beyond.
On today's show we discuss:
What is the RFU?:
For all the criticism and focus on the organisation over the last few months, what does the RFU actually do and is it fit for purpose to deliver on its objectives?
Should the community game and the professional game be governed by the same organisation?
"It's time for change". What does Bill think needs to happen to improve the governance of rugby in England?
The fight is on to keep rugby relevant in an increasingly competitive attention economy; what are the RFU doing to develop the game?
The Finances of Rugby:
How much money does the RFU generate each year and where is that money spent?
The story of the LTIP payment and why it was such a problem in the broader context of RFU finances.
From a new stadium naming rights deal with Allianz to a data driven partnership with Apple, what does the partnership roster look like and how much does it generate?
The financial cycle shows the governing body loses huge numbers in World Cup ye…
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Simon Leslie: Eastbourne Borough Owner, ‘Non-League Clubs Deserve Better’ (Ep60)
11 maart 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
Welcome to the business of Non-League football. Beneath the top four tiers of the revered English football pyramid sits a whole other football world; hundreds of teams, players, coaches, owners playing week in week out to climb the ladder. Jamie Vardy, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen, Tyrone Mings have all played non-league football. ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ recently storied the quality that exists and the difficulty in getting out of it. Lees meer
I’ve wanted to do a show focused on this from day one, so I’m delighted to welcome Eastbourne Borough owner Simon Leslie to the show. This is the fully unfiltered reveal on what it is like to buy, run and try to develop a club outside the core of English football. The opportunity is huge, but the challenges are significant. There’s no soft touch here, as we welcome Simon to the Business of Sport.
In today’s show we discuss:
Buying a Non-League Team:
What was it about Eastbourne Borough that attracted you to the opportunity when you had looked at clubs in the Football League?
What is unique about buying a club in Non-League and what was the financial requirement to not just purchase the asset but also to run it?
Owners now have to go through a rigorous process to check they have the resources to buy a football club…or do they? Is the FA’s ‘Fit & Proper’ test fit for purpose?
“There’s an element of stupidity (in football ownership)”. Why do successful business people continue to plough their hard earned money into football clubs?
Can you Make Money?:
What are the economics of a Non-League club, from no media rights to a brutally competitive commercial landscape?
How do you stand out from the rest to drive more eyeballs and more traffic through your club?
The importance of content in a modern sporting landscape; how Eastbourne have become the envy of many far bigger clubs with a cutting edge, multi platform media offering.
What needs to happen to drive more revenue opportunity in football?
Football Governance Fit for Purpose?:
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Liam Dooley: Shrewsbury Town CEO, ‘How to Work With the Smallest Budget in League One’ (Ep59)
4 maart 2025 · 1 uur 9 min
Another first class Football League CEO in the studio this week. Liam Dooley has been in charge of Shrewsbury town, League one’s longest serving club, since 2023. Operating on the smallest budget in the division, balancing good business with competitive performance is not easy. Lees meer
Shrewsbury have had 10 consecutive years at this level, but are currently bottom of the league having lost their last four games. But, with their latest accounts showing they have halved their annual losses, the business side has impressed. With a top manager like Gareth Ainsworth in charge on the pitch, the fight is on to escape relegation and attract new investment. We’re back again; how do you build great business off the pitch and win on it?
In today’s show we discuss:
The Business of a League One Club:
Can a football club be good business?
Has the profile of football club owners now changed so much that ‘local’ owners are no longer able to meet the financial needs of clubs?
What is the correlation between spending the most and achieving on the pitch the lower down the leagues you go?
Why did Liam focus so much attention on reducing the club’s financial losses in a short space of time and what are the wider impacts of cutting costs?
Shrewsbury Town: Overachievers?
Shrewsbury Town are the longest serving club in League One; how has a club with a small budget managed to achieve consistency in a financially driven market.
How can you be successful when you have the lowest budget in the league?
With the club currently looking for investment, what is the profile of owner that’s most attractive to the club and their fans?
How has Gareth Ainsworth come into the club and created a positive environment even if results aren’t going Shrewsbury’s way?
“Build a Club not a Team”:
It is important to create a culture in the club that is more than just the men’s team on the pitch for 90 minutes every Saturday. How do you do this?
Why the women’s team is separate from the operational runnin…
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Peter Kenyon: Fmr Manchester United & Chelsea CEO, ‘Mourinho was the Best Money Chelsea Spent' (Ep58)
25 februari 2025 · 1 uur 23 min
Today we welcome one of football’s most iconic CEOs. When Peter Kenyon moved from Manchester United to Chelsea in 2003 after Roman Abramovich bought the club, it was the first time a move in the boardroom was treated like a player transfer. Sir Alex Ferguson was said to be ‘intensely disappointed’, not least because he recognised the role Peter played in the success of United at the time. Having built Man Utd into both a performance and commercial powerhouse, Peter took on the task of executing Abramovich’s vision; to build the best club in Europe. Lees meer
From working with Ferguson to hiring Mourinho, from creating culture to delivering trophies, we get an answer to the question we have asked for a long time: How to build success off the pitch AND win on it?
It doesn’t get much bigger than this.
On today’s show we discuss:
Manchester United: Building a Global Brand
Sir Alex Ferguson was key to the success of Manchester United on and off the pitch; why you couldn’t detach winning from the commercial achievements of the club.
“Why are some businesses successful and others not? It’s down to people”. The importance of building the best team for the job at hand.
It wasn’t necessarily about signing the best players; it was about signing the personalities that fit the culture.
Why United were able to capitalise on their success from a business standpoint where Liverpool didn’t.
The story behind Rupert Murdoch’s failed acquisition of the club in 1998.
The Move to Chelsea:
Why did Peter leave the biggest club in the country to take over at newly owned Chelsea in 2003?
“Abramovich was an unbelievable owner”. What made Chelsea’s owner so great for his 20 years of stewardship and what makes the best owners in football?
The story (and theory) behind firing Claudio Ranieri and signing Jose Mourinho, and why it just may be the best money Chelsea spent.
Conversations with Abramovich before he bought the club included a very clear set of ambitions and a definition of what su…
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Lee Johnson: Fmr Sunderland & Bristol City Manager, 'Decision Making Needs to be Driven by Sport' (Ep57)
18 februari 2025 · 1 uur 13 min
This week, we’re delighted to welcome Lee Johnson to the show. Lee has had a stellar career as both a player and manager, playing over 400 games before becoming the youngest manager in the Football League at 31 when he took over at Oldham in 2013. Since that first job he has managed some historic clubs including Sunderland, Bristol City, and Hibernian. Lees meer
After a tough year, leaving Hibs followed by a very brief spell at Fleetwood, Lee took the time out to reflect on the next stage of his career and gain some different experiences, from working with Manchester City’s development squad, to going to Africa to source the best young talent.
The life of a football manager is a pretty crazy one. You live on a knife edge; job security is not something that exists for 99.9%. Lee has been a victim of his own success on more than one occasion, over-achieving and setting new expectations that then need to be continuously met. Hire and fire culture is a reality of modern day football, but it’s not a good one. What is it like being on the manager's end of the deal?
A huge advocate of technology, data and modern coaching methods, this is a detailed review of life as a top level manager while also looking at an evolving football industry continuously in a state of unpredictable change. As always with the best football shows, topped off with some eye-opening stories!
On today’s show we discuss:
Life as a Manager:
From becoming the youngest manager in the Football League to taking a break following two sackings in a season, the ups and downs of management.
What was the transition like when Lee made the step from being part of a dressing room to leading one?
What is a manager’s greatest anxiety?
Learning from the best; how a relationship with Kenny Dalglish helped Lee establish his managerial career.
‘Sometimes football gives you a rest’. What is next for Lee now he has had some time out from the game?
Why managing mavericks in the game is something a manager has to learn to…
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James Barclay: Jaguar Racing Team Principal, 'Formula E and Electric are the Future' (Ep56)
11 februari 2025 · 1 uur 10 min
This week, we are delighted to welcome James Barclay to the show. James is Team Principal at Jaguar Racing, the current Formula E constructors World Champion. We have done some amazing shows on Formula 1, but this is a new area to venture into. Formula E is the fastest growing motorsport in the world. Lees meer
It has been a rapid rise for electric racing since the first season in 2014. In an age where the environment and sustainability dominates, this format has become a pioneer of ‘green’ sport, influencing the technological development of electric cars and influencing broader automotive consumption habits. With the now infamous rebrand of Jaguar at the end of last year, what role does the company’s participation in this sport now play in broader company objectives built exclusively around electric vehicles?
James has been the team Principal since 2015, when the manufacturer first entered the sport. This was the chance to sit down and discuss this alongside the success of Formula 1, understand the similarities and differences, and review how the business of the teams and wider sport works. It’s an entertainment product for the modern age, and a modern audience.
What makes the Jaguar car faster than an F1 car 0-60? What is the cost of running a Championship winning team? Could Max Verstappen win in a Formula E car? Let’s find out.
On today’s show we discuss:
The world of Formula E:
Creating a new sport - the origins of Formula E and how it differs from other forms of racing.
How has it evolved since its inception; from a concept on the back of a napkin to leading global motorsport.
What do the revenue streams look like for a Formula E team? From sponsorship to prize money to media rights.
Do spending caps and regulations placed on the teams drive financial sustainability?
How media rights and the mediafication of sport has affected Formula E? Is there a Drive to Survive moment on the horizon?
How do drivers become Formula E drivers rather than another motorsport?…
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Benjamin Kayser: Fmr France International, 'Has England Neglected Club Rugby?' (Ep55)
4 februari 2025 · 1 uur 9 min
With the Six Nations underway, it’s time to talk rugby. Benjamin Kayser won 47 caps for France, playing club rugby in both The Premiership and Top 14 for the likes of Leicester Tigers and Clermont. Since hanging up his boots, he has become a regular on our screens as a commentator and pundit with ITV. Not afraid to say it how it is, and with an undying passion for the game, there was no one better to sit down with on the eve of the tournament to look at the overall health of the sport. Lees meer
We have had a number of amazing rugby chats on the show, and each one has brought a different perspective and assessment of where the game is strong and where improvements are needed. From a French perspective, the domestic game is in good stead, with media revenues triple that of the Premiership and the financial flexibility to sign the biggest players.
But as we discuss on the show, is it too simple or even accurate to blame the salary cap in the Premiership for an inability to match the commercial performance and quality of the French league? By extension, why has it been so important for both domestic leagues and international federations to turn to Private Equity cash?
This is unfiltered rugby chat from a former player who knows what needs to happen to bring this sport to a global audience.
On today’s show we discuss:
Premiership vs Top 14:
Having played in both, what is the major difference between the two leagues and has it changed since Benjamin was playing?
We know a lot about transfer processes in football, but what happens when a rugby player moves clubs?
The financial difference between playing in France and England.
Why has Top 14 broken away from the Premiership in quality and commercial performance? Has France got its domestic model right?
What has attracted billionaires to invest in the French leagues in ways we haven’t seen in England?
The importance of multi-purpose stadia to drive revenue not reliant on rugby.
Rugby Players as Cultural Icons:
Why have …
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Alistair Brownlee: Double Olympic Gold Triathlete, ‘It's About Medals Not Money’ (Ep54)
28 januari 2025 · 1 uur 3 min
Today, we welcome a British sporting legend. That term can get thrown around a lot, but as a multiple Olympic, World and European Champion, Alistair Brownlee is one of the greatest triathletes of all time. As you hopefully now know with this show, the sporting success is only one side of our guests. It’s what they are doing alongside their elite performance that drives our intrigue, and Alistair is far more than the sum of his medals. Lees meer
The money in athletics and triathlon is nothing like the money available in other major sports, and therefore it can often be difficult to carve out a career in it, let alone look at how to invest and create value for yourself off the back of medals and titles. But Alistair took a different approach, and has been educating and investing throughout much of his professional career, heeding the advice of his coach who told him ‘if you invest this money now, that could be a year you don’t have to work when you retire’.
From giving up a medicine degree at Cambridge to commit to triathlon to winning double Olympic gold, including a famous London 2012 victory, this is an athlete who understands the true value a life in sport can bring to business. Newly retired, how does an elite performer fill the void left by regular sporting competition? In his own words, “I’ve had such an amazing career in sport and now I’m really excited about trying to be successful in another sphere”.
On today’s show we discuss:
Sport over Education?
Do you always have to sacrifice education to pursue a career at the top end of sport?
How did Alistair decide that he would chase the dream of becoming a professional triathlete over his medicine degree at Cambridge?
What sacrifices do elite athletes have to make in the pursuit of success in their given sport? Do they view it as a sacrifice?
As an athlete it is important to have things in your life that are not related to sport, and why it doesn’t mean you are not committed if you do.
Finances of Athletics
Is th…
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Moritz Fürste: HYROX Co-Founder, ‘How we Built a Global Sporting Phenomenon' (Ep53)
21 januari 2025 · 1 uur 9 min
Today, we bring you the man who founded the global phenomenon HYROX. Mo is a double Olympic Gold Medallist in hockey, having won with Germany in Beijing and London. Described to me by someone who knows far more about the sport as ‘The Cristiano Ronaldo’ of field hockey, we were pretty excited to get both a sporting icon and high flying entrepreneur in the studio; always what we strive for on the Business of Sport! Lees meer
Since it was founded in 2017, HYROX has become a major player in sporting participation. Consisting of both running and 8 separate ‘fitness’ activities to form a unique race format, millions of people have participated in their events around the world. The success has been so impressive that they have now had to implement a ballot in some cities (including London where they had over 70,000 applications) to manage demand.
But this isn’t just a series of fitness events; this is a sport, the driving values of which lie in community and engagement. I can’t deny, when we got into it, the business was pretty insane too. This has been the most requested show over the last 3 months. It was a lot of fun entering a completely new area for the show. This is one incredible sports asset that is only going to get bigger.
We’re delighted to welcome Mo to the Business of Sport.
What is HYROX?:
“52% of people call fitness their sport, but what is the sport”? What was the opportunity moment that led to Mo and Christian embarking on their HYROX journey?
A breakdown of what an event actually consists of; from running to sled pushes to rowing.
How they have taken HYROX from a 650 person event in Hamburg in 2017 to 650,000 signed up global participants this year across 85 events.
Can anyone participate in HYROX? Who is the target audience?
How did Mo’s experience as an athlete prepare him for life as an entrepreneur?
Creating Community:
“You cannot reduce this down to the business model”: how Moritz created one of the most engaged fitness communities in the world.
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Rick Parry: EFL Chair, ‘We Need Sporting Jeopardy Without Financial Catastrophe’ (Ep52)
14 januari 2025 · 1 uur 5 min
This week we’re delighted to welcome EFL Chair Rick Parry to the show. Rick has seen it all in football; The first CEO of the Premier League, CEO of Liverpool (1998-2009), and now Chair of English Football League. It can easily be argued that overseeing the interests of 72 clubs ranging from Leeds to Morecambe, is the hardest job in football. Lees meer
But Rick would never look at it like that. When we asked why take this job now having been offered it in the past, he simply responded ‘because I believe I can make a difference’. Football in the UK is at an interesting junction; the Premier League has never been more successful, financially and engagement wise, but there are question marks over its long term stability. The EFL has recently agreed a mega £1bn broadcast deal with Sky with the quality of football on the rise, yet the financial chasm to the Premier only increases.
How do you make clubs sustainable businesses? How do you bridge the financial gap between the leagues? How do you protect a community’s most socially valuable asset? The challenge was laid out perfectly: ‘We want sporting jeopardy without financial catastrophe’.
Rick’s assessment of the health of the infamous football pyramid alongside the power of enterprise Premier League asks the key question: should the Premier League do more to support the football structure that enables its success?
On today’s show we discuss:
Forming the Premier League:
How was the world’s most successful league created in a few hours with a new set of groundbreaking regulations to govern it?
The importance of the relationship with Sky in building a business model that supported the global growth of English football and its assets.
How much money did the Premier League make compared to the EFL in the first season and what has that gap grown to now?
What makes English football so unique and special compared to other leagues?
The essence of the game is opportunity; anyone can reach the Premier League and anyone can win it…
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Laurie Dalrymple: Harlequins CEO, ‘Building the Premiership’s Most Valuable Rugby Club’ (Ep51)
7 januari 2025 · 1 uur 15 min
We’re back with a bang as we welcome Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple to the show. This is one of English sport’s most historic organisations. Laurie has been in charge of the Premiership Rugby team for over 5 years, establishing them as one of the leading commercial entities in the game while delivering huge success including league titles and European Cup semi-finals on the pitch. Lees meer
We’ve had some incredible rugby chats on the show in the past. This is no different. From the viability of teams as sustainable businesses to the development of more players as ‘sporting icons’, Laurie gave us a compelling review of what it means to run a historic sporting organisation fighting to remain at the forefront of sporting entertainment. But can one club achieve real success if the league isn't set up to facilitate it? Our age old ‘rising tide lifts all boats’ discussion. We also recorded this a few hours after the club announced a bumper new deal for Marcus Smith; couldn’t have timed that better.
Before joining Quins Laurie was previously Managing Director of Wolves, overseeing the signings of Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota, and Nottingham Forest’s high flying manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Rugby fans, football fans, there’s something in here for everyone.
Importance of Talent
Top talent on your roster is essential to building a better commercial vehicle that brands want to interact with.
From Marcus Smith to Alex Dombrandt, how have Harlequins looked to enhance the profile of their star players to build value into the club.
Is rugby capable of delivering global superstars? When the sport is all about the importance of the team, is there a place for ‘superstar’ personalities?
Is there concern that the salary cap and spending restrictions placed on English clubs causes the top talent to move abroad or not come to the Premiership in the first place?
The importance of legacy and ensuring the players appreciate what has gone before them at this historic club.
Financial Management
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Édouard Mendy: Chelsea, Al-Ahli & Senegal Keeper, ‘Why I left Chelsea and my Saudi move' (Ep50)
17 december 2024 · 57 min
Today is the milestone 50th episode and we have a guest to match it. Édourard Mendy is a Champions League and AFCON winner. He won FIFA's ‘The Best’ and UEFA Goalkeeper of the year award in 2021. He holds the record for the joint most clean sheets in a single Champions League season. He went from nearly giving up the football dream in a French job centre with a baby on the way to winning the CL with Chelsea in 7 years. And now he's playing alongside Mahrez, Firmino and Toney at Al-Ahli. Lees meer
Away from the pitch, he is building a reputation as a passionate investor looking to translate the success he has achieved on the pitch to help founders build great businesses. As Édou states, the move to Saudi has also been about facilitating the work he can do away from the pitch as well as being part of an exciting new football landscape; ‘it’s not just about football and not just about money’.
This is one of sport’s great stories; a meteoric rise to the top that had to endure countless challenges to achieve Édou’s reality today. From his early days in France to developing football in West Africa, with a big helping of his time at Chelsea, we get a rare insight into the inner workings of a top tier footballer.
On today’s show we discuss:
Origins of a Champions League Winner:
How did Mendy get his break in France? What is it like to work your way from the bottom?
What happened when Édou decided to look at a career outside of football because he wasn’t making it in football?
You have to be careful who you put your trust in; when agents promise opportunities that don’t materialise.
The role family and humble beginnings have played in keeping him grounded as success has quickly come to him.
Signing for Reims and then Rennes which paved the way for his move to Chelsea.
The Chelsea Story:
From getting a call from goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon to eventually signing his contract; the Chelsea transfer story.
How long does it take for clubs to agree to a transfer? What…
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Matt Hancock, Port Vale CEO: ‘Success is about more than 3pts on a Saturday’ (Ep49)
10 december 2024 · 1 uur 5 min
After amazing shows with a number of CEO’s across the football industry, we’re today venturing into the lowest of the English Football League’s with current League Two promotion chasers Port Vale. Matt Hancock has been CEO of this historic club since January. Having been relegated from League One in his first few months in charge, it’s fair to say the learning curve has been steep. Lees meer
But these are the shows we love to do. It’s proper business, not propped up by the billions of international ownership. Understanding how to run a sustainable company that is not eternally dependent on owner financing while constantly trying to win on the field is so difficult. Then add the fact that almost every decision is reviewed under a microscope generally with the benefit of hindsight, you do sometimes think who would take this on.
But then you remember that alongside these challenges comes the privilege of looking after the thing that can give people their greatest enjoyment. The lower down the football pyramid you go, being a CEO is about building an environment to sustain a community’s most valued asset. This is a compelling reveal on how you do just that.
On today’s show we discuss:
Becoming a CEO in Football:
How did Matt come to take charge of one of English Football’s oldest clubs?
From building community to winning on the pitch, what are the key focuses of clubs the lower down the Football League you go?
How important is the relationship between executive and owner?
It’s about more than results; why Matt believes his job is to ensure those working at the club know that success can be about more than 3 points on a Saturday.
How to ensure you keep level headed, not getting too high on the highs and too low on the lows.
Handling Relegation:
Port Vale got relegated from League One in the first few months of Matt’s tenure as CEO. How did he make sure the club recovered to build for the new season?
The importance of a great manager in the lower leagues; why Darren Mo…
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Mark Bowen, Fmr Premier League Player & Manager: ‘Man City accidentally bid £35m for Messi’ (Ep48)
3 december 2024 · 58 min
Today we speak to a man who has been in and around football for over 40 years. Mark Bowen played over 400 games at the top of English football for the likes of Tottenham, Norwich and West Ham, before transitioning into management as both a head coach and assistant. For much of his management career he has partnered with Mark Hughes, acting as his assistant manager at Man City, Stoke, Southampton, Fulham and QPR. Lees meer
Most recently Mark has spent a number of years with Reading, and is currently going through a delicate process around his exit from the club; a conversation for another time.
However this is something that we have wanted to do for a long time. Quite a lot of our shows fall into the more serious ‘business of sport’ category. Having got to know Mark, this is someone that has seen the inner workings of clubs transacting at the highest level, and has some incredible stories to tell off the back of it. From being at Man City when they were bought by Sheik Mansour and the Abu Dhabi Group to being in the opposing dugout for QPR when Aguero scored THAT goal, this played to the kid in both of us while emphasising the fact that the business of football isn’t always a smooth process.
Kick back and enjoy some proper tales of signings, sackings, and outrageous transfer bidding.
On today’s show we discuss:
The birth of the new Man City:
Which players did Sheik Mansour want to sign as a statement transfer when he bought the club?
How do you integrate a load of new players to form a cohesive team when the money is flowing and budgets are virtually endless.
The incredible transfer story of signing both Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta after the sale of one key player, and the conversation he had to have with Kompany when he arrived.
Lionel Messi for £35m? How the club accidentally bid for one of the greatest players ever.
Why was Mark Hughes fired by the club with the club flying in both the league and cups, and what happens to managers when they get that call?
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Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO: ‘We Race for Trophies, not Money’ (Ep47)
26 november 2024 · 28 min
Today we speak to a man who needs little introduction. Zak Brown is the CEO of McLaren Racing, one of Formula One’s most iconic brands and a team currently undergoing a resurgence as it challenges at the top of both the Drivers and Constructors Championships after years of struggling to match the success of Mercedes and Red Bull. Lees meer
Turning an organisation round and re-establishing a culture of success is no easy task, and Zak has been under no illusion that to reach the top of one of the most competitive and scrutinised sports in the world, you need to be exceptional.
F1 is a landscape of marginal gains. What does Zak attribute the success of McLaren to this year and how does he plan to build on this to get his two drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri challenging for the Championship in his cars.
We were honoured to be hosted by the amazing McLaren team at their incredible offices for this recording, and we are so grateful to Zak for giving us his time in one of the busiest parts of his calendar as the season draws to a close. I really hope you enjoy hearing from one of sports' top executives.
On today’s show we discuss:
Finances of F1:
‘Every team is worth at least £1bn’. What has made these businesses so valuable and how have they managed to build better performance off better financial structures?
Profitability in F1 is now something that spreads across the grid rather than being an outcome enjoyed by the lucky few. How has this happened?
What are the key revenue streams of an F1 team? What sits centrally with the governing body and what can the teams generate individually?
How does sponsorship work and who would Zak’s dream partner be for McLaren?
What has the cost cap done for the sport and why was it necessary to introduce it in the first place?
Developing Great Drivers:
What has made Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri so effective this year and what makes them stand out from the competition?
Has Oscar Piastri developed quicker than the team expected…
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Felix Starck, Baller League CEO: ‘Football is NOT too Big to Fail’ (Ep46)
19 november 2024 · 1 uur 7 min
The week we're delighted to welcome Felix Starck to the show. Felix is CEO of Baller League, an alternative to historic sporting competition. New propositions, new formats, new leagues. A lot of conversation we have on the show focuses on how leagues are in need of development and refreshment and subsequently what alternatives could be out there to entice the coveted youth audience rightsholders crave. Lees meer
Baller League is this new product. 6 a-side, entertainment driven, quick football, short matches, free to air. It addresses many of the barriers identified in the footballing landscape. It’s revenues are approaching €20m, KSI, Figo, John Terry, ishowspeed all involved, Leagues being created in the UK and US after massively successful launch in Germany…and most impressive? It’s a year old.
Felix is shaking up the sport. He coins it the UFC of football. What does that mean? And how do you ensure this is a sustainable competition not a flash in the pan. A new form of football to sit alongside the traditional game, not detract from it. As Felix says, go and check it out before passing judgement.
On today’s show:
The UFC of Football:
Why MMA was a sport in need of dramatic change to maintain its relevance when UFC was created to package a new product and create global icons in the process.
Sport is increasingly hero driven; you need to create your own stars and not rely on the fandom of current players. How?
This is not an enemy of football. Where does this competition sit in the current footballing landscape?
‘Slow sports are dead sports in the future’.
Why Baller League will create a product for women’s football that is tailor made to the qualities of female players.
Baller League - Story so Far:
How has Felix set up a challenger football league attracting some of the biggest names from sport and entertainment is a year?
What are the rules of competition? Why is this format what the current attention economy craves?
How do you become a player in Baller Leag…
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Gary Rowett: Fmr Derby, Stoke, Birmingham & Millwall Manager, 'Criticism is Part of the Contract; You Have to Accept it' (Ep45)
12 november 2024 · 1 uur 6 min
This week we are delighted to welcome Gary Rowett to the show. Gary has managed over 500 games working at some of the most historic clubs in English football, and played at the highest level with 381 appearances in the Premier League and EFL. Lees meer
Much of his career has been spent managing across the Football League with the likes of Birmingham, Derby, Stoke, Millwall, Burton Albion. One of the most popular and respected men in the game, he gives a detailed overview of the pressures of management, how to bring the best out of players, why he turned down the chance to manage in the Premier League, and the importance of accountability.
It can often be a thankless task being a manager. It takes a specific type of character to ride the highs and lows and block out the noise. Then it’s the need for heightened empathy alongside a streak of pretty ruthless decision making. It’s not easy being a manager. Gary’s is a fascinating career and it’s far from over.
On todays show we discuss:
From Player to Manager:
The similarities and differences between being part of a dressing room and running one.
Does managing a team that you played for make the job easier? How do you build a relationship with the fans?
What part of the transition is the hardest to make and how do you get that first job opportunity?
The essential skills of a manager; what can you not do without if you want to manage at the top level?
Gary’s Club Management:
Burton Albion, Birmingham, Derby, Stoke, Millwall; the pressures of managing some of England’s biggest teams.
There isn’t much regret in Gary’s management career, but his time at one club did not go how he wanted. Who?
What is it like to manage a club that has just been relegated to the Championship and has to adapt from the Premier League?
Who were the best owners Gary worked with and what makes a great club leader?
What does Tom Brady bring to Birmingham?
A Manager's Decision Making:
Why being a manager is a sales job; you have to make the pl…
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Alex Tunbridge: Cambridge United CEO, ‘From Transforming Cambridge to the Best Football Pyramid in the World'
5 november 2024 · 1 uur 12 min
This week we are joined by Cambridge United CEO Alex Tunbridge. Last week, Cambridge was in the news for activities off the pitch, as they unveiled a full rebrand of the club, most notably revealing a new crest to create a more modern and digital feel to the branding of Cambridge, while importantly maintaining the heritage and culture so valuable to its historic identity. Lees meer
Some of you may start to think we’ve got a bit of thing for League One clubs, and you may not be wrong. But when it comes to the business of football, they are some of the most intriguing organisations in the game. You face the constant challenge of chasing the gold in the Championship and Premier League, but also trying not to overstretch yourself financially and drop out of the league. How do you justify a pound spent away from the pitch? It’s our new favourite theme.
Alex and Cambridge have been one of the most ambitious when it comes to value creation away from the pitch. New training facilities, club rebrands, stadium developments, matchday experience; all of these indirectly create a value in the club to position it for long-term success. But can success off the pitch be replicated on it? This is a conflict in ideology we love to talk about, and we love what Cambridge are doing.
In today’s show we discuss:
Spending away from the pitch:
How a full rebrand of Cambridge United came about, and why it is so important to make sure your visual identity is fit for the modern age.
Why did the club build a new £3.5m training complex and how do you justify significant spend on infrastructure when the money could be spent on improving the team?
Spending on non-performance shows long term strategy; how do you get fans onside and bring the fans on the journey with you?
How difficult is it to build value into a club while operating on budgets of less than £10m?
The role of a CEO:
How did Alex become CEO of Newport County at the age of 29?
What are the hardest jobs you have to take on when leadin…