Podcast
Bloomberg Business of Sports
Hosted by Bloomberg · EN
Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Randall Williams follow the money in the world of sports, taking listeners inside decisions that power the multibillion dollar industry. From media and technology to finance and real estate, leagues and teams across the globe have matured into far more than just back-page entertainment. The show explains the money behind the games.
68episodes
Episodes
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The World Cup Is Officially Over: Reporting Live From MetLife Stadium
2d ago00:21:52Summary readyJoin hosts Vanessa Perdomo-Maglione and Randall Williams as they record minutes after the final whistle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, from MetLife Stadium. This was the end to the biggest World Cup in history and it ended in an epic way: Spain are World champions after winning in extra time which was bad news for the tens of thousands of Argentina fans in the audience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryWorld Cup Final Preview, Olympic cross country skier Jessie Diggins
4d ago00:37:23Summary readyJoin hosts Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Randall Williams for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. The 2026 World Cup final is set, capping off a tournament that’s delivered plenty of memorable moments for football fans around the globe. The tournament, which concludes on Sunday with the final between Argentina and Spain in New Jersey, has been a success by just about any measure. The expanded field of 48 teams has helped push ticket sales to a record of more than 6 million, without diluting the quality of the competition. TV viewership in the US has hit record highs for both Fox and Telemundo, with the US team’s loss to Belgium in the round of 16 bringing in 46 million viewers on the networks combined, making it the most-watched soccer telecast in the country’s history. This week's show features: Joe Lemiere, senior reporter for Sports Business Journal Jessie Diggins, four-time Olympic cross country skier See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryUS Loses in World Cup Match Marred by Controversy; KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer
2w ago00:37:38Summary readyJoin hosts Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Randall Williams for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. Team USA’s run in the World Cup came to an end on Monday as it failed to make the quarterfinals, while outrage over FIFA’s decision to allow striker Folarin Balogun to play continued to simmer. Belgium pounced early with a goal about nine minutes into the match in Seattle. The US tied it later in the first half, but Belgium quickly grabbed the lead back for good to win 4-1 and will face Spain in the next round. A total of 42 million viewers watched the men’s USA-Belgium World Cup match on US media outlets, setting records for the sport. About 30 million people tuned in to Monday night’s game on Fox Corp. channels, making it the most watched soccer telecast in US history, according to the network. This week's show features: Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026 World Cup host committee on building Kansas City into a soccer hub Mike McCabe, Esports Foundation deputy CEO and chief operating officer on the future of esports See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryLeBron's Exit, Tech-Driven Leagues, Rise of Pro Flag Football
3w ago00:38:57Summary readyJoin hosts Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Randall Williams for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports.Mike McCarley, founder and CEO of TMRW Sports, discusses the intersection of sports, media, and technology, detailing how the company is redefining the fan experience with high-tech ventures like the TGL golf league. McCarley talks about what it takes to build a new sports league from the ground up and how elite athlete investment is shaping the future of sports entertainment.This week's show also features:• A full sports roundup chat covering the major ripple effects of a massive week in sports, including the business impact of LeBron James leaving the Lakers, the commercial power of Serena Williams making a highly anticipated return, and a breakdown of the financial and cultural momentum behind the latest US national team win over Bosnia.• Ashley Klam, professional flag football player, discusses the rapid growth and commercialization of the sport ahead of its Olympic debut. She talks about what it means to compete at the professional level and the building blocks required to sustain a viable, long-term pro league for flag football athletes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryMLS Next Pro Tries to Build Off World Cup Momentum
4w ago00:38:35Summary readyJoin hosts Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Randall Williams for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports.Ali Curtis, President of MLS Next Pro, discusses how MLS Next pro is going to try to build off the momentum of the World Cup once it ends.Curtis talks about how MLS Next Pro will help get the next generation ready to compete at the highest level. This week's show also features:- Matthew Savage, Chairman of Dorilton Capital and Atlassian Williams F1 Team, discusses their philosophy for how to invest and where to invest in the team to get the best results. - Chad Bronstein, Co-Founder and CEO of Real American Freestyle, discusses how popular the wrestling community. He talks about how he wanted to give the athletes who compete in this sport their whole lives a place to do it at the professional level. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryBONUS: MLB Takes Over South Of France, With CC Sabathia, Jimmy Rollins & More
4w ago01:06:04Summary readyOn this special edition of the Bloomberg Business of Sports, host Vanessa Perdomo-Maglione is reporting from Cannes, France for the Cannes Lion festival. Over the last few years it has become a hotbed for athletes, teams and leagues to come and get some face time with brands in the hopes of increasing brand deals and partnerships to grow revenue. New to the scene this year was Major League Baseball, due to the fact they are one of the only leagues in season at the moment. Along with the league’s CMO Uzma Rawn Dowler, a handful of former players accompanied the league to get in front of as many brand executives as possible to help grow the game and business of baseball. We spoke with MLB legends CC Sabathia, Jimmy Rollins and Dexter Fowler about their role in representing the league in the front office while in Cannes as well as Major League Baseball Chief Marketing Officer Uzma Rawn Dowler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummarySpecial Edition: How Niche Sports Built The Culture That Mainstream Follows
4w ago00:28:39Summary readyOn this special bonus episode of the Bloomberg Business of Sports, host Vanessa Perdomo-Maglione ventured to Cannes, France for the Cannes Lion festival where she moderated a panel at Stagwell’s Sport Beach about how smaller sports build culture moments. The sports that shape taste, drive fashion, and influence what's cool rarely start at the center. They start at the edges, built by athletes who are as much creators and cultural figures as they are competitors. This panel explores how niche sports earn their way into the mainstream — and how the athletes who carry them there become the taste makers, style icons, and brand partners that marquee sports can only try to replicate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryKnicks Unite New York City in Finals Win, Draws Massive TV Audience
Jun 1900:37:31Summary readyJoin hosts Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Randall Williams for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports.The New York Knicks ended one of the longest championship droughts in the NBA, bringing relief to their long-suffering fans.Last Saturday night, the franchise won its first title since 1973, and third all-time, with a 94-90 win at the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5. The Knicks trailed for most of the game, staging yet another late comeback to take the lead with just minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.Jalen Brunson, who was named the Finals MVP after the game, scored 45 points to power New York to victory over San Antonio.The victory served as an exclamation point for one of the most dominant playoff runs in league history. The Knicks went 16-3, including a stretch of 13 consecutive wins and the largest comeback ever in the Finals.This week's show features: Ira Boudway, Bloomberg global business of sports reporter Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America on its iconic World Cup sticker albums Shawn Johnson East, Olympic gold medal gymnast and ambassador for the Special Olympics on her YouTube documentary, "Soaring See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryBONUS: FC Dallas President & Co-Chair Dan Hunt on Hosting World Cup Games
Jun 1400:15:59Summary readyOn this special bonus episode of the Bloomberg Business of Sports, we hear a conversation with Bloomberg News Texas bureau chief Julie Fine and Dallas FC president and co-owner Dan Hunt about how Texas is preparing to host nine FIFA World Cup matches, its economic impact and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryFIFA World Cup in North America Kicks Off
Jun 1200:38:59Summary readyJoin hosts Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Randall Williams for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports as the FIFA World Cup kicks off across America.This week's show features: Gonzalo Soto, Bloomberg's Mexico City bureau chief for a look at how Mexico is preparing to host games amid unrest. Alan Rothenberg, former US Soccer president, chairman and CEO of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, chairman of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and author of "The Big Bounce" Alexi Lalas, former soccer player and member of the US national team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and current FOX Sports soccer analyst See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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