Finance of Football

Created and hosted by The Athletic's Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé, Finance of Football is a podcast focused on The Business of the Beautiful Game. While football is the most popular sport on the planet, it hasn’t witnessed the same success in the United States … yet. But with the 2024 Copa América, 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics coming to the country and continent, the money and interest in the game is expected to reach unprecedented heights and could be the catalyst that brings football to the forefront in the U.S. Each episode, we not only discuss and debate the how, but, more importantly, the why around the biggest topics, themes and trends in football, particularly in the U.S., while being joined by guests who can lend their expertise and experience to the conversation. Thanks for listening! – Asli and Michael

Finance of Football is a sports podcast hosted by The Athletic's Asli Pelit, with 72 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

The Athletic's Asli Pelit hosts Finance of Football, a sports show with 72 episodes published.

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  Episode #74

  What Happens to MLS If Messi Leaves Early?

  Aug 17, 202622 min

  Lionel Messi was always going to leave Major League Soccer eventually. But what happens if that moment comes earlier than expected? Following the death of his father Jorge — his longtime agent, manager and one of the most important figures in his career — Messi has expressed doubts about how much longer he wants to continue playing. If that means the Messi era in MLS ends sooner than planned, the consequences could extend far beyond Inter Miami. Since arriving in the United States, Messi has transformed the economics of Major League Soccer. Inter Miami’s local revenues more than quadrupled. Ticket demand surged across the league. Sponsors wanted to be associated with MLS when Messi came to town. And he gave the league a global superstar capable of attracting audiences far beyond the United States. But that success has created a much bigger question: How much of the MLS boom belongs to the league, and how much belongs to Lionel Messi? Michael LoRé and Asli Pelit break down what an early Messi exit could mean for the next phase of MLS. What happens to sponsorship and advertising without the most marketable player in world football? Can MLS retain the fans who arrived because of Messi? How much harder does the league’s next media rights negotiation become without him? And if MLS believes it needs another global superstar, is there anyone — from Erling Haaland to Vinícius Júnior — capable of creating the same commercial impact? But there is another side to the argument. Could Messi leaving actually force MLS to become stronger? Without one player dominating the attention around the league, clubs may have to invest more heavily in local identity, stadium experience, community and long-term fan loyalty. Messi helped take MLS somewhere it had never been before. Now the question is whether MLS has built something that can continue growing without him. --- For more, follow Asli and Michael on Instagram Asli - @brefootcontessa Michael - @michale.lore And follow the show… On Instagram - @financeoffootballpod On Facebook - /financeoffootball --- Finance of Football - Nations and Numbers, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is… Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé Editing and Sound Design by Ryan Hammond Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Ryan Hammond,  Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky --- Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports , a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #73

  Is Gianni Infantino Losing Control of FIFA? | MLS Names Larry Berg

  Aug 10, 202629 min

  Is Gianni Infantino beginning to lose control of FIFA? And what will Larry Berg change when he takes over Major League Soccer? After a decade of expanding FIFA’s competitions, revenues and global influence, Gianni Infantino is facing one of the most serious challenges to his leadership. A controversial proposal to create a new FIFA commercial enterprise and sell a minority stake to outside investors has triggered opposition from some of football’s most powerful organizations. UEFA pushed back. Concacaf raised concerns. FIFA Council members questioned why they had not been properly consulted. And suddenly, a FIFA president who has spent years consolidating power is facing questions about how that power is being used. In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael and Asli examine the politics and economics behind the crisis. Why did FIFA want outside investment in its World Cup business? What could billions of dollars in new capital mean for FIFA’s 211 member associations? Why has transparency become such a major issue? Could opposition inside global football actually threaten Infantino’s position? And ahead of FIFA’s next presidential election, is there anyone capable of challenging him? Then the conversation turns to another major leadership change. Major League Soccer has officially named Larry Berg as the successor to longtime commissioner Don Garber . Berg, an LAFC co-owner with decades of experience in private equity and sports investment, will inherit an MLS that looks radically different from the league Garber took over in 1999. The challenge is no longer survival. It is growth. Can MLS become one of the world’s leading domestic soccer leagues? Can it build on the attention generated by Lionel Messi and the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Can Berg secure the media distribution and broadcast revenues MLS needs to compete for the world’s best players? And how far can the league change its salary cap and roster rules without undermining the financial model that helped create billion-dollar club valuations? Michael and Asli also discuss the future of the Apple relationship, international stars including Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski, the debate around promotion and relegation, expansion fees and whether MLS can realistically become the sixth-best league in world football. FIFA and MLS are entering very different battles. One organization is questioning how much power its president should have. The other has just chosen the man it believes can take the league to the next level. Is Gianni Infantino’s grip on FIFA beginning to weaken? And can Larry Berg deliver MLS 3.0? Listen now to Finance of Football. --- For more, follow Asli and Michael on Instagram Asli - @brefootcontessa Michael - @michale.lore And follow the show… On Instagram - @financeoffootballpod On Facebook - /financeoffootball --- Finance of Football - Nations and Numbers, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is… Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé Editing and Sound Design by Ryan Hammond Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Ryan Hammond,  Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky --- Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports , a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #72

  Does the MLS All-Star Game Matter Without Messi?

  Jul 27, 202621 min

  Does the MLS All-Star Game still matter without Lionel Messi? Just ten days after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, MLS is attempting to bring America’s attention back to domestic soccer with the 2026 MLS All-Star Game between MLS and Liga MX in Charlotte. But after 39 days of World Cup football, are American viewers ready for more? In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael and Asli examine the business behind the MLS All-Star Game, why Lionel Messi has still never played in the event and whether a match without real competitive consequences can attract anything beyond existing MLS supporters. All-Star games are a uniquely American sporting tradition, but leagues across the United States have struggled to make them feel meaningful. Major League Baseball once gave the winning league home field advantage in the World Series. The NFL transformed the Pro Bowl into flag football and skills competitions. The NHL found success by introducing international rivalry through the 4 Nations Face-Off. MLS has tried several different formats. The league has staged East versus West matches, invited major European clubs and more recently created an MLS versus Liga MX rivalry. It has also introduced skills competitions, creator involvement and events designed to appeal to younger audiences. But does any of it matter when the league’s biggest stars do not want to participate? Michael and Asli discuss: Why Lionel Messi has never played in an MLS All-Star Game Whether MLS versus Liga MX creates a genuine rivalry Why All-Star events are valuable to sponsors, broadcasters and club owners How MLS could persuade its biggest players to participate Whether prize money would make the game more competitive Why the NWSL may be better positioned to benefit from the World Cup How MLS, NWSL and USL are trying to convert casual viewers into domestic soccer fans The 2026 World Cup brought millions of Americans into football. The challenge now is keeping them. Can MLS turn World Cup viewers into weekly supporters? Can the NWSL use its international stars to attract a new audience? And is the MLS All-Star Game really the right event to lead American soccer into its next era? Listen now to Finance of Football. --- For more, follow Asli and Michael on Instagram Asli - @brefootcontessa Michael - @michale.lore And follow the show… On Instagram - @financeoffootballpod On Facebook - /financeoffootball --- Finance of Football - Nations and Numbers, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is… Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé Editing and Sound Design by Ryan Hammond Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Ryan Hammond,  Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky --- Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports , a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #71

  MLS 3.0: Who Will Replace Don Garber?

  Jul 20, 202618 min

  Who will replace Don Garber as MLS commissioner? After leading Major League Soccer since 1999, Don Garber is preparing to pass control of the league to a successor. Whoever takes over will inherit an MLS that is more valuable, more ambitious and under more pressure than ever before. In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael and Asli break down the search for the next MLS commissioner and the leading candidates being considered for one of the biggest jobs in American soccer. The two reported frontrunners are LAFC co-owner Larry Berg and former Fox executive David Nathanson. Berg brings a background in private equity, finance and club ownership. Nathanson brings extensive experience in soccer broadcasting, media rights and sports investment, including roles with the Seattle Sounders and Angel City FC. But choosing Don Garber’s successor is about much more than choosing between two executives. The next MLS commissioner will have to guide the league through some of the most important decisions in its history: Who will broadcast MLS after its current Apple TV agreement? Can the league turn World Cup interest into lasting domestic growth? Will the new calendar help MLS compete globally? How will the league approach its next negotiations with the MLS Players Association? And can MLS continue attracting international stars while also building a stronger connection with American audiences? Garber helped take Major League Soccer from 12 clubs to 30, while overseeing rising attendance, record revenues, major expansion fees and a dramatic increase in team valuations. Now MLS is entering a new era. With its media strategy changing, its labor agreement approaching expiration and the league attempting to capitalize on the momentum created by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the choice of commissioner could define the future of soccer in the United States. So who should run MLS next? And what does the league need from its first new commissioner in almost 30 years? Listen now to Finance of Football. --- For more, follow Asli and Michael on Instagram Asli - @brefootcontessa Michael - @michale.lore And follow the show… On Instagram - @financeoffootballpod On Facebook - /financeoffootball --- Finance of Football - Nations and Numbers, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is… Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé Editing and Sound Design by Ryan Hammond Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Ryan Hammond,  Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky --- Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports , a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #70

  How David Beckham Won the 2026 World Cup Without Playing

  Jul 13, 202620 min

  How did David Beckham become one of the biggest winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup without kicking a ball? While one country will lift the trophy and receive $51 million in prize money, the financial impact of this World Cup extends far beyond the teams competing on the pitch. FIFA is expected to generate a record $11 billion from the tournament, participating nations are receiving unprecedented payouts and breakout players have gained millions of new followers. But perhaps nobody has benefited more than David Beckham. Throughout the tournament, Beckham has appeared in campaigns for brands including Bank of America, Home Depot, Stella Artois, McDonald’s, Lay’s, Adidas and Lenovo. When he is not appearing in commercials, he is being shown inside the stadium. In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael and Asli examine how Beckham became the unofficial face of the 2026 World Cup and why his influence over American soccer continues to grow more than a decade after his retirement. They discuss: How Beckham transformed his move to LA Galaxy into a long term business strategy Why his arrival helped reshape Major League Soccer How he recreated the Beckham model by bringing Lionel Messi to Inter Miami Why Inter Miami’s valuation has skyrocketed How his documentary helped reintroduce Beckham to a new generation Why American brands continue to choose Beckham over current USMNT players Whether Lionel Messi could eventually become the next David Beckham of American soccer David Beckham may not be one of the ten greatest footballers of all time, but when football, celebrity and business come together, very few people have built a more powerful brand. Listen now to Finance of Football. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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