The Athletic FC Podcast: Inside the World of Multi-Club Ownership

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Athletic FC Podcast
• Host: Ayo Akinwaleere
• Guests: Tim Bezbachenko (President of Black Knight Football), Larry Berg (Co-Managing Owner of Los Angeles Football Club)
• Release Date: March 25, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Inside the World of Multi-Club Ownership," host Ayo Akinwaleere delves into the intricate landscape of owning and managing multiple football clubs across different leagues and even sports. The discussion features insights from Tim Bezbachenko of Black Knight Football and Larry Berg from Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), exploring their unique approaches, challenges, and visions for the future of multi-club ownership.

Black Knight Football: Insights from Tim Bezbachenko

New Training Ground and Club Vision

Tim Bezbachenko begins by highlighting the recent developments at Bournemouth, one of Black Knight Football's key clubs. Speaking from Bournemouth's new training ground in Canford Magna, Tim emphasizes the state-of-the-art facilities as a cornerstone of Bill Foley's vision.

Tim Bezbachenko [02:35]: "The moment the players walk through the doors, they know that they have what they need around them to fulfill their potential."

This new facility is seen as the first step towards making Bournemouth a consistently competitive Premier League side, aspiring to compete on a global scale.

Ownership and Group Structure

Tim discusses the ownership dynamics within Black Knight Football, centered around Bill Foley's leadership and the collaborative efforts with partners like Ryan Caswell of Kanai.

Tim Bezbachenko [04:09]: "Bill is watching all the matches. We have consistent phone calls and team meetings across our clubs where Bill is involved."

This structure ensures strategic alignment and shared vision across all owned clubs, fostering a unified approach to management and growth.

Relegation and Club Performance

Addressing challenges, Tim touches upon Bournemouth's previous relegation and the group's strategy for a swift return to top-tier football.

Tim Bezbachenko [07:12]: "The club has done a really good job in the selection, developing talent like Junior Croupey and Arthur... helping them be promoted back up to the first Division."

The focus is on talent development and maintaining a competitive roster to ensure resilience against relegation.

Stadium Expansion and Financial Strategy

One significant area of development is the expansion of Bournemouth's stadium to increase capacity and revenue.

Tim Bezbachenko [08:34]: "The goal would be to expand capacity over three stages. The first one will take us to 16,000, then 20, and then up to 24,000-25,000 people."

This expansion is integral to generating more revenue, which in turn supports player acquisitions and overall club enhancement.

Entertainment and Fan Experience

Drawing parallels with the Vegas Golden Knights, Tim emphasizes the importance of creating an engaging matchday experience.

Tim Bezbachenko [11:20]: "It's about going beyond what's happening on the ice and to have the smells and the sounds be more than just a game."

At Bournemouth, similar strategies are being implemented to enhance the in-stadium experience, including the introduction of video boards to enrich fan engagement.

Multi-Club Operations and Player Management

Tim elaborates on how Black Knight Football manages player movements and optimizes performance across clubs.

Tim Bezbachenko [17:24]: "It's about controlling your supply and there's costs and risk mitigation... when you have within your own network, I can see how he interacts after a loss."

This internal network allows for seamless player transfers and development, ensuring each club benefits from shared resources and knowledge.

Future Plans and Growth

Looking ahead, Tim outlines Black Knight Football's growth trajectory, including potential new club acquisitions and strategic partnerships.

Tim Bezbachenko [24:30]: "We're in growth mode... potentially acquiring another club... hoping to see an increase in player movements and stronger pathways globally."

The aim is to create a robust multi-club network that supports both sporting success and financial sustainability.

LAFC's Multi-Club Model: Insights from Larry Berg

Introduction and Background

Larry Berg introduces himself, sharing his journey from a passionate soccer player to an investor in multiple clubs, including LAFC.

Larry Berg [27:31]: "I started playing eight years old in 1974... invested in AS Roma and then Swansea before LAFC."

His transition from a fan to an active investor underscores his dedication to the sport and the strategic expansion of his club network.

Network Structure and Club Acquisitions

Larry explains LAFC's multi-club strategy, in collaboration with Bayern Munich, focusing on talent development and global reach.

Larry Berg [27:45]: "We started with two rungs in the ladder... added Rossing Montevideo in Uruguay, Gambino Stars in Gambia, Grasshopper in Switzerland, and Innsbruck FC Wacker in Austria."

This network facilitates player discovery, development, and seamless movement across clubs, enhancing the overall quality and competitiveness.

Talent Development and Academies

Emphasizing the role of academies, Larry discusses the importance of nurturing young talent in regions like Africa and South America.

Larry Berg [35:50]: "There is definitely proof of concept of West African players in particular being successful at the highest levels in Europe... the upside on that talent is very significant."

The academies serve as vital pipelines for sourcing and developing future stars, aligning with LAFC's long-term vision.

Investment vs. Fun

When questioned about the balance between investment returns and personal passion, Larry acknowledges the dual motivations behind his involvement.

Larry Berg [33:00]: "It's some of both... clearly it was a lot about the fun... but it's a lot about the investment."

While financial returns are a consideration, the primary driver remains a deep passion for the sport and community engagement.

Challenges in Managing Globally

Larry addresses the complexities of managing clubs across different continents, including cultural and logistical hurdles.

Larry Berg [36:17]: "It's definitely hard... culturally, it's hard when the players move... but the upside's greater."

Despite the challenges, the potential rewards in talent acquisition and club success justify the efforts involved.

Support from Ownership Group

Highlighting the diverse and influential ownership team, Larry shares how personalities like Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm, and Will Ferrell contribute to the network.

Larry Berg [40:53]: "Magic is like the secret mayor of Los Angeles... Mia brings her expertise, and Will Ferrell adds immense value by engaging with fans and the community."

Their combined expertise and enthusiasm foster a vibrant and supportive environment across all clubs.

Future Vision for LAFC's Network

Looking to the future, Larry envisions expanding the network further into Asia and other regions, enhancing global reach and player development.

Larry Berg [37:38]: "We're just getting started, but so far so good. We have a lot of proof of concept... we're hoping to add more clubs over time."

The strategic partnerships and planned expansions aim to solidify LAFC's position as a leading multi-club ownership group.

Conclusion

The episode provides an in-depth exploration of multi-club ownership, showcasing how groups like Black Knight Football and LAFC navigate the complexities of managing multiple teams across continents. Through strategic investments, talent development, and a focus on enhancing fan experiences, these ownership groups aim to create sustainable success both on and off the pitch. Notable insights from Tim Bezbachenko and Larry Berg offer a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of modern football club ownership.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Bezbachenko [02:35]: "The moment the players walk through the doors, they know that they have what they need around them to fulfill their potential."

• Tim Bezbachenko [04:09]: "Bill is watching all the matches. We have consistent phone calls and team meetings across our clubs where Bill is involved."

• Larry Berg [27:31]: "I started playing eight years old in 1974... invested in AS Roma and then Swansea before LAFC."

• Larry Berg [33:00]: "It's some of both... clearly it was a lot about the fun... but it's a lot about the investment."

Timestamp Reference: All notable quotes are included with their respective timestamps in the transcript for easy reference.