Africa Business of Sport Podcast

ASPN — Africa Sport Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Sports News
  • Updated Weekly

Africa Business of Sport Podcast is an award-winning sport business podcast that delivers expert analysis of business trends, stories and developments across the sport industry in Africa and globally. The podcast gathers and interrogates various global and local perspectives of the rapidly evolving sports business ecosystem. Co-hosted by African sport business experts Edem Spio and Jabu Mtwa. 🥇Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast.

  1. Jun 25

    E167: The Geopolitics of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

    This is an episode of our FIFA World Cup 2026 series. The FIFA World Cup has always been more than football—and in this episode of the Africa Business of Sport Podcast, Edem is joined by sports business professional Rick Cross to unpack the geopolitical dimensions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026. With the tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this conversation goes beyond the pitch to explore how football intersects with diplomacy, politics, economics, business, culture, and global influence. Together, Edem and Rick examine why this edition of the World Cup could become one of the most consequential in football history—from tournament expansion and representation to FIFA’s growing geopolitical power and the broader implications for international relations. The discussion also explores the role of football as a tool of soft power, how hosting shapes national identity and infrastructure, and whether the World Cup can still serve as a platform for global unity in an increasingly fragmented world. If you're interested in sport business, geopolitics, international affairs, football governance, or the future of mega-events, this episode offers an insightful look at the forces shaping the beautiful game. Key Topics Geopolitical implications of the 2026 World CupFIFA's influence on global politics and sportsThe growth of football in North AmericaSports diplomacy and international relationsFuture expansion of the World Cup and global representationThe role of social media and fan engagementThe impact of mega-events on national developmentThe intersection of sports, politics, and culture #WorldCup2026 #SportsDiplomacy #FootballBusiness #FIFA #SportsBusiness #InternationalRelations #AfricaBusinessOfSport #Geopolitics #GlobalFootball Rick and the Global Institute of Sport will be in South Africa this July/August to interact with sports clubs, administrators, fanatics, schools and potential student about how to better engage with the global sports business industry via an academic pathway. Get in touch with Jabu Mtwa, Edem Spio or Rick Cross on LinkedIn to find out more. ------------------- 📝 We value your input! Take our quick survey and help improve the podcast ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 Subscribe NOW to our brand new ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠  and turn on the notification🔔 to be the first to receive the latest releases from the podcast! 📲 Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠ 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast

  2. May 12

    E166: The BAL’s Media Rights Moment: A New Era - BAL #2

    This is an episode of our special BAL S6 Series, a 6-part deep dive into the business of the Basketball Africa League exploring its strategy, structure, growth, and investment landscape, featuring insights from basketball expert and Forbes SportsMoney contributor Sindiswa Mabunda, as we unpack how the league is shaping the future of sport and business across the continent. In this episode, Edem and Sindiswa take a deep dive into what may become one of the most important business stories in African sport: the BAL’s emerging media rights market. Using the league’s decision to move away from live YouTube streaming as the entry point, the duo unpack why this is less about reducing access and more about increasing long-term value. They break down the key markets that could define the BAL’s next media cycle, including Nigeria’s untapped commercial potential, Egypt’s rivalry-driven basketball culture, South Africa’s mature PayTV ecosystem, and Senegal’s growing sports media ambitions ahead of the Dakar Youth Olympics. ------------------- 📝 We value your input! Take our quick survey and help improve the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTsG-zRW35IsVMNXOE3U37WcabdM9rYnhbOiMJQwE1zQ0yAg/viewform?usp=send_form ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 Subscribe NOW to our brand new ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠  and turn on the notification🔔 to be the first to receive the latest releases from the podcast! 📲 Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠X⁠⁠ 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast

  3. Apr 8

    E165: Post-Kalahari Conference Review – BAL #1

    This is an episode of our special BAL S6 Series, a 6-part deep dive into the business of the Basketball Africa League exploring its strategy, structure, growth, and investment landscape, featuring insights from basketball expert and Forbes SportsMoney contributor Sindiswa Mabunda, as we unpack how the league is shaping the future of sport and business across the continent. In this episode, Edem and Sindiswa review the Kalahari Conference of Basketball Africa League Season 6, breaking down standout teams and players alongside key trends in attendance and fan engagement. The duo also explore the league’s imminent shift to a franchise model and the implications for its long-term growth and underlying economics. ------------------- 📝 We value your input! Take our quick survey and help improve the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTsG-zRW35IsVMNXOE3U37WcabdM9rYnhbOiMJQwE1zQ0yAg/viewform?usp=send_form ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 Subscribe NOW to our brand new ⁠YouTube⁠  and turn on the notification🔔 to be the first to receive the latest releases from the podcast! 📲 Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠X⁠ 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast

  4. Feb 19

    E164: Milano Cortina 2026 - Christian Klaue

    This is an episode of "The Business of the Winter Olympics", a series focused on the sports business aspects of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic & Paralympic Games featuring senior executives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In this episode, the Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Christian Klaue, joins Edem to discuss the Winter Olympic Games, focusing on its evolution, sustainability efforts, digital engagement strategies, innovations in broadcasting, and the role of top partners in shaping the Olympic movement. They explore how the Games are adapting to modern challenges while maintaining their core values and legacy. ------------------- 📝 We value your input! Take our quick survey and help improve the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTsG-zRW35IsVMNXOE3U37WcabdM9rYnhbOiMJQwE1zQ0yAg/viewform?usp=send_form ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 Subscribe NOW to our brand new YouTube  and turn on the notification🔔 to be the first to receive the latest releases from the podcast! 📲 Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram LinkedIn X 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast

  5. 12/10/2025

    SPECIAL EPISODE: Fast Tracks and Dark Deals – Michael Payne

    In this episode, Edem and Jabu welcome Michael Payne back to the podcast for a comprehensive discussion about his new book 'Fast Tracks and Dark Deals: How Sport Became Business and Business Became Sport'. The conversation explores Payne's upbringing, his experiences with the IOC during its crisis, the intricacies of Olympic bidding wars, and his transition to Formula One. They delve into the future of sports, the impact of technology, and the evolving landscape of leadership within sports organisations. To purchase a copy of Fast Tracks & Dark Deals: How Sport Became Business and Business Became Sport, visit www.amazon.com/Fast-Tracks-Dark-Deals-Business/dp/1916556752 ------------------- 📝 We value your input! Take our quick survey and help improve the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/KrQX9QTYjxmfpDHB7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 Subscribe NOW to our brand new ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and turn on the notification🔔 to be the first to receive the latest releases from the podcast! 📲 Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast

    SPECIAL EPISODE: Fast Tracks and Dark Deals – Michael Payne

  6. 11/10/2025

    E163: Inside MRM's African Sport Investment Strategy – Ian Briggs & Mokgatle Mokgatle

    How do you build a sustainable sport investment portfolio in a market where commercial structures are still emerging? In this episode, Edem and Jabu are joined by MRM Sport Capital Co-founders Ian Briggs and Mokgatle Mokgatle to explore the rise of private equity in African sport. The conversation covers the story behind MRM Sport Capital, the rationale for a dedicated sport investment firm, and the structure of its portfolio. The episode also dives into KickID’s rollout, product development approach, and how MRM identifies and acquires sport assets. The discussion closes with reflections on the future of sports finance and what will shape Africa’s sport investment landscape in the years ahead. ------------------- 📝 We value your input! Take our quick survey and help improve the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/KrQX9QTYjxmfpDHB7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 Subscribe NOW to our brand new ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and turn on the notification🔔 to be the first to receive the latest releases from the podcast! 📲 Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast

  7. 10/24/2025

    E162: Empowering the Next Generation Through Sport and Leadership – Champs for Change

    What does it take to turn sport into a movement for youth leadership and empowerment across Africa? How can young people shape the future of the continent through sport? In this episode, Edem and Jabu sit down with Champs for Change (C4C) co-founders Memuna Williams, Randy Soumahoro, and Clarisse Machanguana to explore how C4C is redefining youth empowerment through sport. They discuss the organisation’s collaboration with We Will Lead Africa, the story behind their contribution to the new book launch, and how sport is being used as a platform to build leaders, careers, and communities. The conversation also dives deep into C4C’s vision for youth employment in sport and what the next generation of African sport leaders will look like by 2030 and beyond. ------------------- ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Follow us: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast

  8. 10/15/2025

    E161: The Untapped Sponsorship Potential of African Women's Football - Shafeeqah Isaacs

    As women’s football continues to gain global momentum, Africa stands at a pivotal moment to redefine how brands, leagues, and communities invest in the women’s game. How can African women’s football unlock its full sponsorship potential? In this episode, Edem and Jabu are joined by sport marketing expert Shafeeqah Isaacs to unpack her journey into the sports industry, South Africa’s football sponsorship landscape, explore what makes impactful brand partnerships in sport, and discuss how African women’s football can drive long-term sponsorship deals that sustain its continued growth. ------------------- ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Follow us: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast

    E161: The Untapped Sponsorship Potential of African Women's Football - Shafeeqah Isaacs
See All (183)

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Africa Business of Sport Podcast is an award-winning sport business podcast that delivers expert analysis of business trends, stories and developments across the sport industry in Africa and globally. The podcast gathers and interrogates various global and local perspectives of the rapidly evolving sports business ecosystem. Co-hosted by African sport business experts Edem Spio and Jabu Mtwa. 🥇Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    ASPN — Africa Sport Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    183
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © ASPN — Africa Sport Podcast Network
  • Show Website
    Africa Business of Sport Podcast