Finance of Football
Finance of Football
Podcast Description
Created and hosted by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé, Finance of Football is a podcast focused on The Business of the Beautiful Game.While football is the most popular sport on the planet, it hasn’t witnessed the same success in the United States … yet. But with the 2024 Copa América, 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics coming to the country and continent, the money and interest in the game is expected to reach unprecedented heights and could be the catalyst that brings football to the forefront in the U.S.Each 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
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores various themes including the financial dynamics of football in the U.S., women's soccer growth, and major legal controversies in the sport. Episodes like 'Mile High Momentum: Denver’s NWSL Debut' discuss the impact of NWSL expansion, while 'The Billionaire & The Burner Account' analyzes a significant antitrust lawsuit, highlighting the intersection of business and sports.
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
It’s officially a World Cup year — but the road to 2026 is already uneasy.
As the random ticket draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup closes, millions of fans are hoping for seats to what FIFA calls the biggest sporting event in history. At the same time, a growing number are calling for a boycott, driven by political fear, rising costs, and real concerns about safety and welcome in the United States under Donald Trump.
In this solo year-opening episode, Michael LoRé wrestles with the tension forming around a tournament meant to unite the world. Immigration enforcement, visa uncertainty, gun violence fears, and dynamic pricing are colliding with the promise of a joyful global celebration — leaving many fans asking whether it’s worth the risk to attend at all.
Michael places the moment in historical context, examining how major sporting events have been shaped — and sometimes overshadowed — by politics and power. The question facing 2026 is simple but urgent: can North America host a World Cup that actually feels safe, open, and welcoming for everyone wearing a different flag?
The episode then turns to a more hopeful storyline in women’s football. As the NWSL battles European leagues for elite talent, new rules designed to retain stars like Trinity Rodman signal a league entering a serious, global phase. The return of U.S. captain Lindsay Heaps adds momentum at a moment when investment and ambition in the women’s game are finally aligning.
The World Cup is coming. The demand is real. The stakes are enormous. Whether 2026 becomes a celebration or a cautionary tale is still being decided.
For more, follow Asli and Michael on Instagram
Asli – @brefootcontessa
Michael – @michale.lore
And follow the show…
On Instagram – @financeoffootballpod
On Facebook – /financeoffootball
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The Finance of Football, 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
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