KTVU Fox 2

KTVU Fox 2 (Bay Area)

The official podcast feed for KTVU Fox 2 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Catch up on the latest news and listen to other great content -- on the go!

  1. 12H AGO

    Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond - Tommy O'Hare: Getting San Jose Ready for the 2026 World Cup

    Offside in the Bay goes behind the scenes of the 2026 World Cup build-up with Tommy O'Hare-1998 U.S. Olympic short track speed skater and a longtime sports-media/technology executive. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan tapped Tommy to lead the city's big-event planning-everything from fan experiences to funding to safety. Tommy breaks down what it takes to create a true ‘fan fest' environment, why community sentiment is often the biggest hurdle, and how San Jose's diversity, culture, and downtown energy can turn major sporting moments into something the whole region feels proud of. 🎙 Guest • Tommy O'Hare is a 1998 U.S. Olympic short track speed skater and a sports business executive working at the intersection of media and technology. • Experience: Built major streaming and digital platforms (including Olympic and pro sports initiatives) and brings big-event perspective to city planning. • Role: Leading San Jose's preparations for major events including the World Cup-funding, programming, fan experiences, and coordination. ⏱ Episode Highlights • [00:00:48] Meet Tommy O'Hare: Olympian turned "World Cup czar" for San Jose. • [00:01:48] The "boulder": how perception and skepticism can be the first obstacle to hosting big moments. • [00:02:13] From athlete to exec: Tommy's path through sports media, tech, and the Olympic digital world. • [00:03:55] What athletes want fans to understand: love of sport, sacrifice, and the goal behind the goal. • [00:04:33] Olympics vs. World Cup: different energy, different loyalties, same global magic. • [00:06:08] Building a playbook from the Super Bowl: concerts, sponsorships, and raising $5M+. • [00:07:18] The learning points: security, logistics, and scaling up from one weekend to a month-long event. • [00:16:34] Why watch parties matter: sport as community, connection, and culture. • [00:21:51] Safety planning at scale: 72 agencies working together inside the emergency operations center. • [00:23:39] Best part of the job: seeing residents proud of what the city can pull off. • [00:25:52] The promise: a watch party for every single World Cup game in San Jose. • [00:26:34] Practical tips: microclimates, no humidity, and how visitors can enjoy the city. ⚽ Why This Conversation Matters Episode 24 is a rare look at what it takes to ‘host the world.' Tommy O'Hare explains the real work behind the headlines-funding, planning, security, and community buy-in-while keeping the focus on what sports are supposed to do best: bring people together and leave a city better than it found it. 🔗 Connect with Us • Claudine Wong - Facebook & Instagram: ClaudineWongKTVU | TikTok: ClaudineKTVU | YouTube: ClaudineWong • Alex Lobban - Instagram: @thealexlobban• San Jose World Cup / City initiatives - World Cup Santa Clara: FIFA World Cup 2026 at Levi Stadium Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    28 min
  2. 1D AGO

    Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond - Trailblazer: John Harkes on U.S. Soccer's Growth and the Road to 2026

    Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban welcome a true pioneer of American soccer: former U.S. Men's National Team captain John Harkes-MLS champion and the first American to play in the English Premier League. John reflects on breaking barriers overseas, the early ‘Wild West' years of the U.S. game, and why patience has always been part of the American soccer story. The conversation spans 1994's lasting impact, why TV and media mattered to MLS survival, what today's players need to thrive, and how parents and coaches can protect the fun-so the love of the game lasts long after the final whistle.   🎙 Guest ·         John Harkes is a former U.S. Men's National Team captain, MLS champion, and the first American to play in the English Premier League. ·         Coaching/Leadership: Former head coach of FC Cincinnati and Greenville Triumph; currently serves as Technical Director and U.S. Youth National Team (U-15) assistant coach (as referenced in the transcript intro). ·         Legacy: A trailblazer who helped open doors for generations of American players abroad.   ⏱ Episode Highlights ·         [00:00:26] Alex introduces John's groundbreaking career-and what it meant for American soccer. ·         [00:02:11] From ODP to the 1990 World Cup: punching through ceilings in the early days. ·         [00:05:15] "Go home and play baseball": what the reception was like in England-and how it's changed. ·         [00:06:41] Why TV exposure mattered: MLS nearly folding early on, and the turning point for visibility. ·         [00:08:02] Can this generation surpass 1994? John's optimism, reality checks, and what tournaments demand. ·         [00:13:41] Pathways today vs. then: what's improved-and why development still takes time. ·         [00:22:14] The fun factor: keeping joy central in development, even at the highest levels. ·         [00:25:25] Pickup soccer and street play: what we've lost, and why it matters. ·         [00:28:33] Promotion/relegation and system talk: what could push the game forward in the U.S. ·         [00:39:37] World Cup watch list: players to watch, staying healthy, and giving coaches time. ·         [00:41:44] Handling pressure: why every game is high stakes-and what separates teams who advance. ·         [00:43:48] Iconic memories: John relives the 40-yard screamer and other career highlights.   ⚽ Why This Conversation Matters Episode 23 connects the dots between where U.S. soccer came from and where it's headed. John Harkes offers perspective only a trailblazer can-on patience, pressure, pathways, and how we build a culture that helps players (and fans) stick with the sport for the long haul.   🔗 Connect with Us ·         Claudine Wong - Facebook & Instagram: ClaudineWongKTVU | TikTok: ClaudineKTVU | YouTube: ClaudineWong ·         Alex Lobban - Instagram: @thealexlobban Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    46 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The official podcast feed for KTVU Fox 2 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Catch up on the latest news and listen to other great content -- on the go!

You Might Also Like