Bloomberg Business of Sports – “Business of Soccer Ep. 4: Soccer’s Scapegoat or Heroic Champion; Dissecting Goalkeepers”

Date: November 3, 2025
Host: Vanessa Perdomo, with Michael Barr & Damian Sassower
Special Guests: Briana Scurry (legendary former USWNT goalkeeper), Martin Paas (MLS All-Star, FC Dallas)

Episode Overview

In this special “Business of Soccer” edition, host Vanessa Perdomo explores the business, perception, and personal stories of soccer goalkeepers—often seen as either scapegoats or heroes. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming, the episode highlights how goalkeepers shape not just games but also markets, brands, and cultural narratives. Interviews with legendary USWNT goalkeeper Briana Scurry and MLS All-Star Martin Paas detail their career arcs, challenges with marketability, trailblazing moments, and the evolving business opportunities for players at the least glamorous, but most vital, position on the field.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The 1999 Women’s World Cup and Its Legacy (w/ Briana Scurry)

• The Shift from Obscurity to Spotlight

  • Scurry recalls how the ‘99 Women’s World Cup was originally billed for small venues, but players and organizers pushed for NFL stadiums, effectively selling soccer “door to door.”
    “We literally went door to door for two years selling our game... and so we were educating and letting people know.” (Briana Scurry, 05:16)

• Olympic Games as a Springboard

  • The 1996 Olympics, though undershown by media, was “the year of the woman,” galvanizing attention and legitimacy for women's team sports. Momentum from that win fueled belief in the standalone World Cup’s potential.
    “That Olympic Games was the year of the woman. It truly was.” (Briana Scurry, 07:30)

• Becoming an Icon (and the Aftermath)

  • Scurry describes the instant transition to fame after the ‘99 PK shootout win.
  • Yet, the victory’s impact and her role didn’t translate equally in marketability or sponsorships.

2. Goalkeeper Marketability & Overlooked Heroes

• Why Aren’t Keepers Starred Like Scorers?

  • The conversation probes cultural and media biases against celebrating defensive feats. “America and I think the world likes goal scorers, and not too fond of those of us who try to stop goals.” (Scurry, 03:59)

• Race, Orientation, and Being “Before Her Time”

  • Scurry unpacks why her moment in the spotlight didn’t yield the same financial or branding opportunities as teammates. “I think the truth of the matter is…the media wasn’t ready for me. I was way before my time.” (Scurry, 16:06)
  • Points to intersectional challenges: being a Black, openly gay woman in the ‘90s spotlighted problems (and possibilities) of athlete marketability.

• Changing Tides

  • Scurry details how her story found new resonance and sponsorship, especially with shifts in cultural values around inclusion. “Now that has really changed the last few years... it’s actually now bigger for me now than it would have been back then.” (16:38)

3. The Business of Goalkeeping as a Brand

• Explaining Keeper Value to Brands

  • Scurry highlights her current brand conversations: “Goalkeeping is the foundation of a team... every single team that’s won a world championship or Olympic championship—at one point in time in that run, the goalkeeper had the team on their shoulders.” (Scurry, 23:49)

• Traits for Success—On Field & in the Boardroom

  • Leadership, communication, and reliability—all keeper strengths—are invaluable in both soccer and business. “All these steps of success, these attributes of success are all the same whether you’re on the pitch or in the boardroom.” (Scurry, 25:07)

4. Martin Paas: From Striker to Keeper, Athlete to Entrepreneur

• Late Bloomer: Striker to Goalkeeper

  • Paas didn’t become a full-time goalkeeper until age 15, after tiring of being a striker. “When offside came into the game around the age of 11, I found out that I was a bit lazy, to be honest… but once I put the gloves on...I really was very keen on learning the little details.” (Paas, 29:02)
  • Cites the thrill of watching Dutch legend Edwin van der Sar in penalty shootouts as his inspiration.

• The Unique Pressure and Allure of Penalty Kicks

  • Both guests and host bond over the adrenaline rush of PKs, where pressure uniquely flips in favor of keepers. “It’s the only moment in games where the pressure is on the kicker and not on a goalkeeper and we have everything to win.” (Paas, 32:36)

• Advice for Young Keepers

  • Paas recommends kids play multiple positions to embrace the game’s evolution: modern keepers must be deft with their feet and think like outfielders.
  • Stresses balancing exposure to social media pressures and focusing on internal growth. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself… stick to your own path, don’t get distracted and keep going.” (Paas, 33:15)

5. Marketability, Sponsorships, and Building a Keeper’s Brand

• Brand Disadvantage for Defenders and Keepers

  • Big brands have prioritized strikers and midfielders; defenders and keepers must be more proactive to create opportunities. “After three years...they only signed attackers and midfielders anymore and didn’t sign goalkeepers and defenders… because they weren’t marketable enough.” (Paas, 38:02)

• Paas’s Entrepreneurial Approach

  • Developed his own glove brand (Karma) with skin-in-the-game investment and input into design and sustainability, flipping the classic athlete endorsement script. “I want to have skin in the game and help grow the company… I could build my own signature glove, similar to how basketball players do it.” (Paas, 41:39)
  • Focused on ethical materials and customization.

6. The Goalkeeper Mindset in Business and Life

• Passion-Led Investments

  • Paas invests in business sectors (gloves, padel, golf, healthy food) where he has both passion and authenticity—mirroring how he chose goalkeeping. “What are you passionate about? If you’re passionate... it’s very easy to help and grow the market because you’re super passionate about it.” (Paas, 44:44)

• Translating Skills Off the Pitch

  • Good keeper skills—resilience, communication, composure—transform into business acumen and leadership.

7. MLS Growth, Adapting to the US Market, and the World Cup Effect

• Adjusting to MLS Culture and Demands

  • Paas shares how the travel, climate shifts, and intensity in Major League Soccer (MLS) make it an especially tough league. “If you’re not a professional here, you’re gonna struggle a lot… you really have to be adaptable to whatever climate you’re going into… or whatever fatigue you’re feeling.” (Paas, 47:39)

• MLS: From Retirement to Development League

  • Observes that the league’s evolution—bolstered by international attention and figures like Messi—has increased the caliber and youth investment. “Since I came here, from like a retirement league into development league... soccer becomes more and more one of the main sports here in the US.” (Paas, 50:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Briana Scurry on Cultural Readiness and Marketability

  “The media wasn’t ready for me. I was way before my time.” (16:06)

• Briana Scurry on Her PK Save’s Aftermath

  “My penalty kick save changed the course of the rules for goalkeepers of PK saves.” (13:12)

• Martin Paas on Modern Keeper’s Value

  “We have to be nearly perfect and you’re not going to be perfect all the time as a goalkeeper. For me, if nobody talks about me, probably I did a really good job.” (Paas, 35:09)

• Paas on the Business Mindset

  “I want to have skin in the game and help grow the company… similar to how basketball players do it with their Nike shoe deal.” (41:39)

• Scurry on Brand Suitability of Goalkeepers

  “Who better to have represent you? If you’re a company that wants to talk about strength or teamwork or camaraderie or leadership, goalkeepers are all those things wrapped into one.” (24:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Episode Theme – 02:14
• Briana Scurry Interview – 03:32 – 25:17
  • The ’99 World Cup legacy – 04:49 – 08:55
  • Marketability, sponsorship & social impact – 15:10 – 18:01
  • The evolution of women’s soccer and the NWSL – 18:01 – 19:30
  • Brand conversations & goalkeeping as a metaphor – 23:49 – 25:17
• Martin Paas Interview – 28:20 – 51:00
  • Becoming a keeper, inspiration – 28:20 – 32:12
  • Advice for young keepers – 33:15 – 34:27
  • Marketability gaps and building a brand – 38:02 – 43:16
  • Gloves business & athlete entrepreneurship – 41:17 – 44:44
  • MLS growth, investment, and World Cup impact – 47:39 – 51:00

Conclusion

This episode of “Business of Soccer” spotlights the overlooked yet essential role of goalkeepers—on the field and in the business landscape of modern soccer. From trailblazing players like Briana Scurry, who pushed the boundaries for visibility and inclusion, to entrepreneurial current stars like Martin Paas, listeners gain behind-the-scenes insight into the challenges, rewards, and untapped opportunities for goalkeepers. Soccer’s last line of defense is finally getting its due—not only as iconic athletes but as valuable, marketable assets in the multibillion-dollar global industry.