Simon and Andre dive into the opening two weeks of the World Cup - beyond the extraordinary attendances and record-breaking ratings, the tournament has captured the imagination in lots of unexpected ways. With the extra ad revenue generated, are hydration breaks here to stay? What's behind the hate campaign against Alexi Lalas and will the people who are spending thousands of dollars on the World Cup be persuaded to follow domestic soccer once the tournament is over?

While the USMNT make their bid for glory at the FIFA World Cup. the U.S. Soccer Federation is breaking revenue records with over $1.3 billion in contracted revenue. Chief Commercial Officer Dave Wright reveals the business behind the national team and why they say no to so many potential deals.

Former top Coca Cola and Visa sports sponsorship executive Ricardo Fort joins the pod to reveal the inner workings of the business, ambush marketing and why AI firms could be at the forefront of the next wave of mega-deals around the World Cup.

Don Garber visited Montreal on Thursday and made it very clear he wants to see changes to the stadium situation in the city. After Vancouver, is a second Canadian city facing the threat of relocation with Las Vegas waiting in the wings. What is going on with MLS and Canada? Journalist Manuel Veth joins us from Canada to go inside the issues.

There was plenty of criticism of MLS's broadcast deal with Apple TV - from both fans and within the industry. But the latest numbers out of MLS suggest that real growth is happening. Seth Bacon EVP Media with MLS joins the podcast to discuss the numbers. Plus we look ahead to the UEFA Champions League final.

After a weekend of promotion and relegation drama in Europe - what is happening with USL's plans for pro/rel? How would a true pyramid work in the USA? Plus the latest news including Netflix eyeing World Cup rights.

Drake's deal for Venezia in Serie A. FIFA-Fanatics collectibles deal, New Man United training kit sponsor, Liga MX dominating MLS again. Plus does Messi's attitude to media dilute his impact? Can USL be a hipster brand? And will MLS Next Pro's plans really work? All that and more in this week's Soccer Business News Review with Simon Evans and Andre Da Costa.

Tom Glick, CEO of Hometown Soccer Holdings, reveals how a groundbreaking partnership with Major League Soccer and private equity giant KKR is revolutionizing community football across the U. S. and creating a new model for sustainable soccer growth.

This is the story of how small-town clubs will become the beating heart of local communities and a catalyst for the sport’s nationwide boom. From strategic city-by-city deployments to innovative league structures, Glick shares the blueprint behind a visionary plan to support dozens of new teams, each fitting neatly into the fabric of their local areas.

You'll discover how targeted stadiums of 6,000-8,000 seats, detailed market analysis, and community-focused branding combine to unleash soccer's power in every corner of America. Plus, hear about the transformative role of the upcoming 2026 World Cup and how it amplifies this ambitious movement, creating tailwinds for decades to come.

We break down the technical and strategic aspects of this evolution, exploring: The unique partnership model between MLS clubs, MLS Next Pro, and hometown communities How private equity funds like KKR are not just investors, but strategic partners driving commercial and sporting success The potential for multiple teams within a single MLS club’s ecosystem, and the opportunities this unlocks

This episode is essential listening for soccer entrepreneurs, city planners, investors, and fans eager to see the sport thrive in America’s overlooked towns. Glick’s insights illuminate a future where every city, big or small, can have a professional team that sparks local pride, fuels grassroots growth, and elevates the sport’s cultural stature.