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
Inter Miami has a new home. New York City FC is building its first true soccer-specific stadium. Chicago is spending $750 million on a new venue. Across MLS, clubs are no longer just building places to play — they are building long-term business assets.
This week, Michael and Asli break down why stadium ownership has become one of the biggest drivers of growth in American soccer.
Because this is not just about matchday anymore.
It is about naming rights, sponsorships, concerts, retail, restaurants, hotels and entertainment districts that create revenue all year round. When clubs own their own venue, they control the calendar, the fan experience and far more of the money.
That is why Inter Miami’s new stadium opening matters. It is why NYCFC’s Etihad Park project in Queens is such a big moment. And it is why Chicago Fire’s new stadium signals where the league is heading next.
Michael and Asli dig into what Michael calls “MLS 3.0” — a new era where soccer-specific stadiums are no longer a luxury. They are central to club value, fan culture and long-term growth.
The episode also looks at how these venues can become more than stadiums over time: cultural landmarks with shops, tours, traditions and year-round appeal far beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch.
Then the conversation shifts to 2026 World Cup ticket chaos.
Michael and Asli react to FIFA’s final ticket sales phase, the long wait times and the eye-watering prices fans are being asked to pay. As dynamic pricing pushes costs higher, they ask a bigger question: is the world’s most popular sport becoming an event only wealthier fans can afford?
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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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Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts – including Undercover Sports, a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.com
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