Finance of Football

Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé & Frequency Machine
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. Jul 27

    Does the MLS All-Star Game Matter Without Messi?

    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.

    Does the MLS All-Star Game Matter Without Messi?

  2. Jul 20

    MLS 3.0: Who Will Replace Don Garber?

    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.

    MLS 3.0: Who Will Replace Don Garber?

  3. Jul 13

    How David Beckham Won the 2026 World Cup Without Playing

    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.

    How David Beckham Won the 2026 World Cup Without Playing

  4. Jul 6

    Is This the Best World Cup Ever?

    Is the 2026 FIFA World Cup already one of the best tournaments ever? From Cabo Verde’s incredible Cinderella story to Norway shocking Brazil, this World Cup has already delivered drama, upsets, global stars, late winners, penalty shootouts and some of the best fan moments in recent memory. But off the pitch, the tournament has been just as intense. In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael and Asli break down the good, the bad and the ugly of the 2026 World Cup so far, including the expanded 48 team format, the rise of African football, expensive tickets, FIFA’s controversial hydration breaks, extra advertising inventory and the uncomfortable truth about modern football. Fans may hate the prices. They may hate the commercial breaks. They may hate how much FIFA is squeezing the tournament. But they are still watching, still paying and still showing up. So is this the best World Cup ever? Or just the most commercial World Cup ever? 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.

    Is This the Best World Cup Ever?

  5. Jun 29

    Why World Cup Tickets Are So Expensive — And Still Selling Out

    Why are World Cup tickets so expensive — and why are fans still paying? With the 2026 FIFA World Cup already delivering packed stadiums, record demand and eye-watering resale prices, FIFA’s ticketing strategy is under the spotlight. In this episode of Finance of Football, Asli Pelit is joined by Jim McCarthy, founder of Impresario Strategic Growth Services and co-founder and former CEO of Goldstar and Stellar Live, to break down the economics behind World Cup ticket prices. They discuss how FIFA has used dynamic pricing, secondary markets and huge global demand to maximise revenue — while still filling stadiums at extraordinary levels. The conversation looks at the biggest questions around World Cup ticketing right now: Why are World Cup tickets so expensive? Did FIFA get its pricing strategy right? Why are resale prices moving so quickly? How do team matchups affect ticket prices? What happens to prices if the USMNT keeps winning? Could this model work again at future World Cups in Europe or Saudi Arabia? And has the World Cup become a once-in-a-lifetime purchase for fans? Jim also explains why the North American ticket market is so different from Europe, how the secondary market helped FIFA find the right price level, and why clubs have to think very differently from FIFA when it comes to long-term fan loyalty. From dynamic pricing and resale demand to USMNT knockout games and future World Cups, this episode asks a simple question: has FIFA cracked the code on modern sports ticketing? --- 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.

    Why World Cup Tickets Are So Expensive — And Still Selling Out

  6. Jun 22

    The Man Who Built Modern Soccer in America | Alan Rothenberg

    With the 2026 FIFA World Cup underway across the United States, Canada and Mexico, there’s no better time to revisit one of the most important conversations we've ever had on Finance of Football. Long before MLS, packed soccer-specific stadiums, billion-dollar club valuations, and the arrival of global stars like David Beckham and Lionel Messi, there was Alan Rothenberg. As CEO of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, founder of Major League Soccer, former President of U.S. Soccer, and one of the key architects of modern soccer in America, Rothenberg helped transform the sport from a niche interest into one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. In this episode, Alan reflects on: • How the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics convinced FIFA that America could host the World Cup • The strategy behind the groundbreaking 1994 FIFA World Cup • Building MLS from scratch • The growth of women's soccer and the legacy of the 1999 Women's World Cup • Why he believes the World Cup should expand to 64 teams • What success looks like for the 2026 FIFA World Cup • The future of MLS, media rights, club valuations and soccer investment If you've ever wondered how soccer became a major force in the United States, this is the story from the man who helped make it happen. #WorldCup2026 #USSoccer #MLS #AlanRothenberg #FinanceOfFootball #FIFAWorldCup #SoccerBusiness #FootballBusiness --- 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.

    The Man Who Built Modern Soccer in America | Alan Rothenberg

  7. Jun 16

    Jozy Altidore: USMNT Can Win the 2026 World Cup

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here — and the USMNT has already made a statement. In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael is joined by Jozy Altidore, one of the top goal scorers in U.S. soccer history, to break down the pressure, opportunity and expectation around the U.S. men’s national team at a home World Cup. After a strong opening performance from the USA, Jozy explains why he believes this team has the talent to make a serious run, how home-field advantage can change a tournament, and why the real legacy of 2026 could be felt for the next 10 to 15 years. The conversation also looks at the business and human side of football. With the World Cup expanded to 48 teams and 104 matches, the Club World Cup growing, and the football calendar becoming more crowded than ever, Jozy discusses why player health has to remain central to the conversation. Jozy also reflects on representing the United States at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, preparing for life after football, investing across sports and business, and working as a World Cup analyst for Telemundo. From USMNT expectations to player burnout, this episode asks a simple question: how far can the United States really go at its own World Cup? --- 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.

    Jozy Altidore: USMNT Can Win the 2026 World Cup

  8. Jun 8

    Why Are 2026 World Cup Tickets So Expensive?

    Why are 2026 World Cup tickets so expensive? With the biggest World Cup in history just days away, FIFA is facing growing criticism over ticket prices, dynamic pricing, seat transparency and the overall fan experience. In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael and Asli break down FIFA’s controversial decision to introduce dynamic ticket pricing for the 2026 World Cup — the first time this model has ever been used at the tournament. They are joined by Jordy Leiser, co-founder and CEO of Jump, to explain how dynamic pricing actually works, why it has become common in American sports and live entertainment, and why FIFA’s version has created so much frustration among fans. The conversation looks at the biggest questions surrounding World Cup tickets right now: Why are prices so high? Will fans who waited get better deals? Why have some ticket categories and seat locations caused backlash? Is FIFA protecting itself from the secondary market? Could this model work again in Spain, Portugal and Morocco in 2030? Jordy also explains why transparency matters so much in ticketing — from hidden fees and unclear seat categories to the trust problem that comes when fans feel like prices are moving without warning. Then, in the weekly World Cup update, Michael and Asli discuss two more controversies around the tournament: FIFA’s changing water bottle policy for stadiums in the U.S. and Canada, and reports of World Cup officials, players and team staff facing immigration issues when entering the United States. From record FIFA revenue to fan frustration, this episode asks a simple question: has the 2026 World Cup become too expensive for the people it is supposed to bring together? --- 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.

    Why Are 2026 World Cup Tickets So Expensive?
See All (71)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé & Frequency Machine
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Asli Pelit & Michael LoRé 2025
  • Show Website
    Finance of Football

You Might Also Like