1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio News. This is the Business 2 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 1: of sports. 3 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:13,960 Speaker 2: Our aim is always to leverage the global appeal of football. 4 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 3: Having representation in college sports is even more important than crow. 5 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:21,119 Speaker 4: Ten percent of Americans now claimed sock up to be 6 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 4: the favorite sport. 7 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 1: We estimate the UTH sports audience has three trillion dollars 8 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: in spending power. 9 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 4: The nature of baseball is it is worldwide, it is floor. 10 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:34,600 Speaker 3: I'm very happy for the WNBA and how the NBA 11 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 3: has embraced them. 12 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 4: Sports books are not going anywhere, and sports betting is 13 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 4: only growing. 14 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:41,239 Speaker 2: We have a super team running this league, and this 15 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 2: league is here and it's here to stay. 16 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,920 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. 17 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:50,559 Speaker 5: Hello, this is the Bloomberg Business of Sports, where we 18 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 5: explore the big money issues in the world of sports. 19 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 5: I'm Michael Barr. 20 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:55,320 Speaker 2: I'm gonna se Pudomo Maglione. 21 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 6: I'm Randa Williams. 22 00:00:57,160 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 5: Man old man. It is finally here. The FIFA twenty 23 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 5: six World Cup kicks off this week. 24 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 2: I'm way too excited. We've been talking about this NonStop 25 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:10,039 Speaker 2: for the last year and the week is finally here. 26 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 2: I truly cannot believe it now. 27 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 6: I don't know if any of us are quite as 28 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 6: geeked as Vanessa, but it's a great time when everyone 29 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 6: on Earth is tuned into one event. The tournament is 30 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 6: kicking off across sixteen cities in the US, Canada and Mexico, 31 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,839 Speaker 6: and we are going to be checking on various host 32 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,760 Speaker 6: cities throughout the tournament to catch the vibes in different arenas. 33 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 5: Vanessa's hair is standing up and their nostrils are flirting. 34 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 5: I see it right here. Today we are starting off 35 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:41,559 Speaker 5: by speaking to Bloomberg's Gonzalo Soto out of Mexico City, 36 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 5: who is going to tell us everything we need to 37 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 5: know about Mexico preparing to host the tournament for a 38 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 5: record breaking third time. Gonzalo, welcome back to the Bloomberg 39 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 5: Business of Sports, and I can tell you how people 40 00:01:55,000 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 5: are excited already. President of Mexico, Claudia Schinbaum, she has 41 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 5: issued a decree ordering federal workers in the capital to 42 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 5: work from home. And oh she has suspended school classes 43 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 5: the ease traffic during the FIFA World Cup opening event. 44 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 4: Hey, thank you, thank you for having me here again. 45 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 4: And yes, basically President Shamba answered to millions of kids, 46 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:25,080 Speaker 4: prayers and best wishes to not having to go to 47 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 4: school during the first game of Mexico's participation in the 48 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 4: World Cup. Lots of excitement, lots of excitement going on 49 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 4: now that the tournament has begun. There was a lot 50 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 4: of tension on the days prior, lots of product here 51 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 4: in the city, lots of expectation of what was going 52 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 4: to happen with the teachers union that was disrupting the 53 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 4: city and disrupting with protest nationwide. But you know, finally 54 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 4: when the ball kicked in, when the referee began the 55 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 4: first match against South Africa, things started to you know, 56 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 4: change and people started to likes because, yes, as you said, 57 00:03:02,480 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 4: Mexican's hosting for the third time a World Cup, report 58 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 4: third time, and you know, out of the three countries. 59 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,360 Speaker 4: And I mean, I don't want to sound dismissive to 60 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:15,799 Speaker 4: the US and to Canadian fans, but definitely soccer has 61 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:19,519 Speaker 4: a much different feeling here in Mexico. This is a 62 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:23,919 Speaker 4: soccer math country. And now that the ball is actually 63 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 4: in play, I think there's a lot of expectation of 64 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:30,080 Speaker 4: what's going to happen with the Mexican national team going 65 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:33,799 Speaker 4: forward in the tournament. The brackets are very, very complicated 66 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 4: for every team, but I think there's a lot of 67 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 4: expectation for Mexican fans of how far can the team go. 68 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 2: Gonzal I've been trying everything in my power to get 69 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 2: down there for a game, but I haven't been able 70 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 2: to make it happen. But I just know. I mean, 71 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 2: you're right, Mexican fans are just so so passionate about soccer. 72 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,120 Speaker 2: But you didn't actually do a story recently about how 73 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 2: this World Cup is feeling a little bit different for 74 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 2: fans than previously. Tell us about that. 75 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, of course, I mean when I said 76 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 4: the thing here is prices were our prices are extremely 77 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 4: high for the average Mexican fan. I mean this. I 78 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 4: know this is being a discussion in the United States 79 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:18,720 Speaker 4: and in Canada, of course, but when you compare the 80 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 4: average income from Mexican worker to the rest of North America, 81 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:25,359 Speaker 4: there is a huge difference. And of course, uh, the 82 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 4: average Mexican fan, you know, believes that this is something 83 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 4: that's unpayable. I mean, in some cases, some tickets went 84 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 4: as far as three hundred thousand pesos, which is basically 85 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,719 Speaker 4: mortgage down payment money. I mean, for some fans, it 86 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 4: was the decision between buying a car or buying a 87 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:49,600 Speaker 4: World Cup ticket. One World Cup ticket, So that put 88 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,600 Speaker 4: off a lot of fans going into the World Cup. Also, 89 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:57,040 Speaker 4: there was this feeling that out of the one hundred 90 00:04:57,040 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 4: plus games that this World Cup's going to do, it's 91 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 4: going to have Mexico only has thirteen matches happening here 92 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 4: in Mexico City, Alata and in Monterrey, the whole cities. 93 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:11,160 Speaker 4: So that also put off a lot of people, you know, 94 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 4: thinking that well, maybe we're not really you know, official hosts, 95 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 4: maybe we're just you know, an ah, we're being treated 96 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:22,159 Speaker 4: as a I don't know, like a footnote inside this 97 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:26,920 Speaker 4: World Cup, which of course that started to change as 98 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,839 Speaker 4: the tournament was approaching, but you know, basically it was 99 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 4: prices and it was the amount of games that Mexico 100 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 4: was going to host that was you know, putting off 101 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 4: a lot of fans. Going back to the prices, I mean, 102 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:45,159 Speaker 4: I know, affordability is a conversation in the US, so 103 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:48,840 Speaker 4: is in Mexico, especially in cities like Mexico City, where 104 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:53,239 Speaker 4: gentrification has been an issue. We're rising prices for every 105 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 4: type of service and goods has been also on the rise. 106 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 4: And now when the World Cup came, things started to change. 107 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 4: And then public works. You know, every city when it 108 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 4: is hosting a tournament or an event of this size 109 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 4: and the scope begins doing a lot of you know, 110 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:17,840 Speaker 4: renovation and public works construction. But in Mexico's case, all 111 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:23,160 Speaker 4: these works were postponed to the very last minute and 112 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 4: people were just, you know, frustrated by it. Several weekends 113 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 4: before the World Cup, people couldn't use the subway, which 114 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 4: is a vile transportation form here in the city. So 115 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 4: that was very complicated, That complicated life of a lot 116 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 4: of a lot of fans and non fans here in 117 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:48,480 Speaker 4: the city, and you know, that grew frustrations. But now, 118 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:50,839 Speaker 4: I mean, I think things are starting to change. 119 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:54,280 Speaker 6: So let me ask you this. I wonder from Mexico's perspective, 120 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 6: in your perspective, do you expect any of these stadiums 121 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:01,279 Speaker 6: to be potentially half full because fans are being priced out. 122 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 6: We're having a lot of conversations in the US and 123 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 6: even from Canada's perspective about what are the countries who 124 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 6: may not be able to travel as much if they 125 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 6: will show up in these stadiums. Is that of the 126 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 6: same concern in Mexico. 127 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 4: Well, you know, Mexico's games, Mexican national teams games are 128 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 4: sold out. The rest of the games, although we don't 129 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 4: have like big marquee games with the exception of Spain 130 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 4: versus Rua, Juada, Agada, most of the games are not 131 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 4: really you know, that interesting or that exciting compared to 132 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 4: other type of Twitter matches. But since Mexico has so 133 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 4: few games, I mean, as I said, thirteen games, most 134 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 4: of the people have you know, try to find tickets 135 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 4: and just lived the experience of being in a World Cup. 136 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 4: So I think that unlike in the US, games in 137 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 4: Mexico are going to be you know, more packed. And 138 00:07:56,280 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 4: I mean also Mexico doesn't require visa for most countries. 139 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 4: Is uh they're going to play in the World Cup, 140 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 4: and therefore that could also be a boost for fans 141 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:07,640 Speaker 4: that you know, they're trying to look for a way 142 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:10,640 Speaker 4: to uh you know, follow their team. Mexico. I think 143 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 4: it's uh much easier to. 144 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 5: Travel to We are talking with Bloomberg's gun Zalo Soto 145 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 5: out of Mexico City, and when I read this, I 146 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 5: had no idea this was a controversy, and I know 147 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 5: I'm gonna mess this name up. It's the water Monster. 148 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 5: It's the for the World Cup. Uh, it is a 149 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:37,720 Speaker 5: salamander and it's pronounced asho loto and it's the I 150 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 5: guess you would call it the what the mascot for 151 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 5: the World Cup? But it has caused a bit of 152 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:46,079 Speaker 5: a problem. What is the controversy? 153 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:50,559 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, uh, your panization was kind of a spot on, 154 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 4: So no worries about that. In Spanish, it's you know, 155 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 4: I think it sounds nice for it's at and it's 156 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 4: and it's an endemic amphibious animal from Mexico. You should 157 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 4: just google. It's really beautiful, it's really interesting animal. But 158 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:10,199 Speaker 4: the controversy has been that Mexico City is major, it's 159 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:15,079 Speaker 4: obsessed with it, like absolutely obsessed and. 160 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 7: Major. 161 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 4: Claude Abrugada decided to paint the city purple out of 162 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:26,080 Speaker 4: you know, maybe it's her favorite color. And also she 163 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:30,840 Speaker 4: decided to paint that a lotus everywhere, and when I 164 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 4: say everywhere, I mean everywhere on the walls, on the streets, everywhere. 165 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:41,600 Speaker 4: And she also decided at some point to paint, for example, 166 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 4: some traffic signals, traffic signs that she decided to paint 167 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 4: those purple, which of course goes against traffic rules because 168 00:09:50,840 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 4: they have to be in a color that you can 169 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 4: actually see at night, whereas you know, purple you can 170 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:59,680 Speaker 4: see at night, and she had to repaint those yellow. 171 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:04,199 Speaker 4: There's this huge controversion. How where did the money come from, 172 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 4: how did they pay for it, Why did they decide 173 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:11,600 Speaker 4: to paint so many ahol lots everywhere in the city. 174 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:15,560 Speaker 4: There was this meme that you know, went viral, or 175 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:21,080 Speaker 4: this image that went viral. Mexico City has a flood 176 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 4: problem several when you know, it drains a lot here 177 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 4: during the summer, and there are some places, you know, 178 00:10:28,559 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 4: some underpasses particularly that tend to flood very frequently. And 179 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 4: there was this image that in an underpass that that 180 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 4: flooded and above you know, above the water level you know, 181 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:45,440 Speaker 4: that reached several several feet high, there was this ahol 182 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,080 Speaker 4: lot like trying to plunge into the water. And I 183 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:51,200 Speaker 4: think that was the perfect example of everything that was 184 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:56,000 Speaker 4: going bad for local government with the construction works, with 185 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 4: everything that they postponed, and everything that they didn't do 186 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 4: to get the city eddy on time. So yeah, I 187 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 4: mean that that was a big controversy and it will 188 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 4: continue to be controversy because the local opposition has filed 189 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 4: for a complainer for an investigation or approt into why 190 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 4: Mexico City's major decided to do all this and where 191 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 4: did the money come from? 192 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:25,960 Speaker 2: That's interesting. And speaking of money and speaking of how 193 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:31,679 Speaker 2: funds are you know, allocated throughout Mexico, how has security 194 00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 2: been handled in the different cities across I know a 195 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:39,760 Speaker 2: couple of you know, months ago, Guadalajara had some problems 196 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:42,800 Speaker 2: you know, with security, and it raised questions if they're 197 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 2: ready to host I know, you're going to be heading 198 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 2: there soon as well, right, So how is security being 199 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 2: handled on the different cities. 200 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 4: Well, Mexican government has really gone out of their way 201 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:57,559 Speaker 4: to make the city safe. Tens of thousands of police officers, 202 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:03,040 Speaker 4: navy personnel, army personnel have been deployed across you know, 203 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 4: hold the whole cities, and National Guard personnel also will 204 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 4: be protecting on guarding the areas around the stadiums, you know, 205 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:15,440 Speaker 4: in order to avoid in some of the scenes that 206 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 4: you know, basically went viral in late February when the 207 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:25,719 Speaker 4: Mexican security forces killed this notorious struggl lord you know, 208 00:12:25,840 --> 00:12:29,199 Speaker 4: nicknamed El Mancho and you know, so far everything has 209 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:32,720 Speaker 4: gone smoothly and just let's hope that that continues that way. 210 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 2: That was Bloomberg's Economic and government reporter Gonzalo Soto out 211 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:37,839 Speaker 2: of Mexico City. 212 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 5: Up next, we'll check in with a man who facilitated 213 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:45,840 Speaker 5: the US's first World Cup, Alan Rothenberg. That is straight 214 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 5: ahead on the Bloomberg Business of Sports for Vanessa Perdomo, 215 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 5: Magleon and Randa Williams. I'm Michael Barr. You are listening 216 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 5: to the Bloomberg Business of Sports Bloomberg Radio around the world. 217 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 1: This is Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. 218 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 5: This is the Bloomberg Business of Sports where we explore 219 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 5: the big money issues in the world of sports. 220 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 2: I'm Michael Barr, I'm Vanessa Pronomo Maglion, and. 221 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 5: I'm Randa Williams. Joining us now is Alan Rothenberg. He 222 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:20,079 Speaker 5: was the president of US Soccer during the nineteen ninety 223 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:23,480 Speaker 5: four World Cup and author of the Big Bounce. 224 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 2: At the time the US was given the World Cup 225 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 2: in nineteen ninety four, it came with a stipulation that 226 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 2: we had to create a domestic professional league because the 227 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 2: North American Soccer league had folded ten years prior. 228 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 6: Alan had a very hard task of helping owners set 229 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 6: up a viable professional league while also introducing the sport 230 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:43,320 Speaker 6: to soccer to Americans who didn't really know it on 231 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 6: a large scale yet. 232 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 2: Oh and let's not forget he also played a pivotal 233 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:49,440 Speaker 2: role in making the nineteen ninety nine Women's World Cup 234 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 2: become the major success that it was as the greatest 235 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:53,360 Speaker 2: US team in history. 236 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 5: Dog Gone Skippy. Let's welcome Alan to the show. Alan Rothenberg, 237 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:02,560 Speaker 5: former president of US Soccer and author of The Big Bounce, 238 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:06,079 Speaker 5: Welcome to the Bloomberg Business of Sports. And you know what, 239 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 5: I'm going to start with our own poll for Bloomberg 240 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:15,360 Speaker 5: that was taken in I think late May. Now, obviously 241 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 5: the World Cup people are excited about it, but if 242 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 5: you ask baby boomers like me, we have displayed the 243 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 5: least excitement. Three fourths of the cohorts said that we're 244 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 5: not into soccer. And now this is the part I 245 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:38,119 Speaker 5: don't get about. Half of them never heard of megastar 246 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 5: Lionel Messi. So Alan, I got to start. We both 247 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:45,040 Speaker 5: know leon O Messi. What are we going to do 248 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 5: to get the baby boomers like me more interested in soccer. 249 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:54,720 Speaker 7: Well, first of all, if you compare the percentage of 250 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 7: people that are interested in soccer in the United States 251 00:14:57,040 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 7: today to what it was back before we did the 252 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 7: night the ninety four World Cup, the number would be 253 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 7: exponentially higher. So it's a generational thing. It keeps growing. 254 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,720 Speaker 7: And I'm surprised that, frankly, the messy thing, because I 255 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 7: just saw a report that, granted it's worldwide, he has 256 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 7: five hundred million Instagram followers. 257 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 5: Yeah, and you're right, gen zers are the members that 258 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:28,680 Speaker 5: they have shown the most enthusiasm about it. 259 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:34,000 Speaker 7: Yeah, and Boomers came on the scene growing up, and 260 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:37,800 Speaker 7: that's really where you get your interest in passion for sports. 261 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 7: Growing up, there was very little soccer in the United States, 262 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 7: so you missed out, frankly, And each new generation is 263 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 7: growing up with the sport today is the number one 264 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:58,200 Speaker 7: participant sport today. There was a poll. I forgot who 265 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 7: did it, but it was a legitimate polster that added 266 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 7: as the third most popular sport in the country right now, 267 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:10,960 Speaker 7: after football and basketball. Average attendants at MLS matches last 268 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 7: year were greater than average attendants at NBA and NHL games. 269 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 7: And we're pretty ard close to baseball, So a lot 270 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:23,320 Speaker 7: of it I think is frankly your generation missed out 271 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:23,640 Speaker 7: on it. 272 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 2: I mean it is, like you said, a generational thing, 273 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:31,040 Speaker 2: and how different it is from even the thirty years 274 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 2: ago from the nineteen ninety four World Cup. Alan, can 275 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:37,640 Speaker 2: you set the scene for us then about how we 276 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 2: won the bid and how you at the time were 277 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:45,720 Speaker 2: educating people on really what the World Cup was for 278 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 2: the US. 279 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 7: Well, we won the bid in an uncontested competition, effectively 280 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 7: because I think the only other bidder was to hey Ron. 281 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 7: I ran at that time, and it was a time 282 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 7: when FIFA absolutely coveted coming to the rich US market. 283 00:17:08,359 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 7: What happened was in nineteen eighty four we had the 284 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 7: Olympics in La I was Commissioner of Soccer in eighty four. 285 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:21,880 Speaker 7: We blew past track and field with attendance. We led 286 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 7: the Olympics in attendance, sold out the Rose Bowl twice 287 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 7: for the semi final, in the final, and that's when 288 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:33,119 Speaker 7: FIFA felt that it would still be a risk, but 289 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 7: they could take the chance on bringing the World Cup 290 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 7: to the United States. When I took over running the 291 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 7: World Cup in nineteen ninety I did not assume there 292 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:46,040 Speaker 7: were enough core soccer fans that they could fully support 293 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:49,560 Speaker 7: the World Cup. But I knew that America loves a 294 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:52,720 Speaker 7: big event, and so what we did is we said 295 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 7: about making this a big event. We did things that 296 00:17:56,840 --> 00:18:01,120 Speaker 7: had never been done before. Lots of so librity activities, 297 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 7: lots of concerts and entertainment activities surrounding the World Cup. 298 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 7: You know, in all prior World Cups, they were in 299 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:12,879 Speaker 7: soccer mad countries, so they didn't do anything except okay, 300 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:18,679 Speaker 7: let's play soccer. We really revolutionized, and so many other 301 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:23,200 Speaker 7: things that we did have now been commonplace. For example, 302 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:27,560 Speaker 7: the Olympics always had a torch relay. We decided, well, 303 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:29,959 Speaker 7: we don't have a torch, but we do have a 304 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:33,720 Speaker 7: World Cup trophy. And so we did a World Cup 305 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:37,440 Speaker 7: Trophy tour and travel throughout the United States, going into 306 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:41,679 Speaker 7: city after city and creating an event around it. For 307 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 7: the final draw, which really matches up who's going to 308 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 7: play home and in the pastor really was just a 309 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:50,680 Speaker 7: technical operation, we had a big gallo of the night 310 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:56,920 Speaker 7: before with James Brown and Smoking Robinson and an unforgettable presentation. 311 00:18:57,119 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 7: Robin Williams was the MC at the draw. People still 312 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 7: go to YouTube to see his amazing performance, uh you 313 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:10,680 Speaker 7: know for the opening Uh. Previously they again there'd be 314 00:19:10,680 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 7: an announcement by the president of whatever country was hosting 315 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,720 Speaker 7: it and then start playing. Well, we did a pre 316 00:19:18,440 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 7: uh kickoff presentation with Oprah Winfrey m seeing it, John 317 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:30,160 Speaker 7: Scicata performing and Diana Ross performing, uh and and yeah, 318 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 7: on and on that. Those weren't the only ones, and 319 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:35,560 Speaker 7: we did tons of things. Uh so, so it was 320 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:39,359 Speaker 7: really to generate the feeling that this is an event 321 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 7: you've got to go see, which worked. Uh you know, 322 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:46,880 Speaker 7: we sold out basically hundred percent of the tournament, set 323 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:50,960 Speaker 7: all kinds of records for attendance for uh financial uh 324 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 7: net benefit. 325 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:57,120 Speaker 6: So I do wonder from from from your perspective. I'm 326 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:59,879 Speaker 6: at NFL League meetings all the time Whereussie Bob kra 327 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 6: Afton Clark hunt. But you go back thirty years, I 328 00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:05,640 Speaker 6: do wonder what the conversations were like with them back 329 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:08,600 Speaker 6: then Clark had not yet emerged as the owner of 330 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 6: the Kansas City Chiefs that he is today. So what 331 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 6: were the conversations like around these sports business titans now 332 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:16,119 Speaker 6: that weren't quite titans? 333 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:20,119 Speaker 7: Then, well, you start with this Labar Hunt Clark's father 334 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 7: probably was the biggest sports titan in many ways in 335 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:24,640 Speaker 7: modern hit. 336 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:26,159 Speaker 6: He named the Super Bowl history. 337 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:30,600 Speaker 7: But he has been a soccer fan from day one. 338 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:33,520 Speaker 7: He actually, when he was in his twenties, was the 339 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 7: owner of the Dallas Tornado of the original North American 340 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:45,040 Speaker 7: Soccer League, and when that league began to crumble for 341 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:49,320 Speaker 7: several years, he basically kept it alive financially. So he 342 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 7: was there from the beginning. He was on our world 343 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:56,439 Speaker 7: cup board. When I prepared the first draft of the 344 00:20:56,560 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 7: MLS business plan, the first person I showed it to 345 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:03,399 Speaker 7: was Lamar got his input, and so he was in 346 00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:07,040 Speaker 7: there from day one. The other two key people from 347 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:12,920 Speaker 7: the beginning were Phil Antshutz, and Phil got his introduction, 348 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:14,920 Speaker 7: and it's a great story. They have it in my book. 349 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 7: But he was a client of my law firm, and 350 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:24,440 Speaker 7: so the partner that was really closest to him sent 351 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:31,440 Speaker 7: him our investment book, and Phil took an interest in 352 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:36,199 Speaker 7: starting with MLS Soccer. But his real introduction was we 353 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:40,480 Speaker 7: had given him free tickets to the Brazil Italy Final 354 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:44,920 Speaker 7: in nineteen ninety four. When he ultimately built the first 355 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:48,520 Speaker 7: stadium for the Galaxy here in Los Angeles. He had 356 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:51,600 Speaker 7: a big party and he came to me and he said, Alan, 357 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 7: you know those free tickets you gave me to the 358 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:56,520 Speaker 7: World Cup Final. I said yes, He said, so fin 359 00:21:56,600 --> 00:22:00,719 Speaker 7: they have cost me three hundred million dollars. I believe 360 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:04,840 Speaker 7: I believe me even more. He put more behind that. Now. 361 00:22:04,880 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 7: Bob Kraft was interesting because he really didn't have the 362 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:15,679 Speaker 7: same involvement as Lamar and Phil, but he got taken 363 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:20,040 Speaker 7: because he you know, we played matches at Foxborough Stadium. 364 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:24,840 Speaker 7: Uh and that really was his introduction to international soccer. 365 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:28,840 Speaker 7: Uh and so uh he he he took a flyer 366 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:31,360 Speaker 7: on it, if you will. But again on that one, 367 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:37,719 Speaker 7: Lamar was crucial to him acting. You know, Lamar was 368 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:41,399 Speaker 7: so respected by these other people, you know, because of 369 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:45,919 Speaker 7: his long standing uh NFL as well as soccer background, 370 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:50,560 Speaker 7: that they really respected his views. So that's really how 371 00:22:50,600 --> 00:22:54,600 Speaker 7: that core group of owners came together and they're still 372 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:56,680 Speaker 7: with the league thirty some years later. 373 00:22:57,119 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 5: We're talking with Alan Rothenberg, former president of US Soccer 374 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:03,160 Speaker 5: and author of The Big Bounce, and you brought it up. 375 00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:06,359 Speaker 5: You were also part, as you said, of the North 376 00:23:06,359 --> 00:23:10,919 Speaker 5: American Soccer League folded in nineteen eighty four, I believe, 377 00:23:11,160 --> 00:23:14,240 Speaker 5: and I don't understand why, because I thought it was 378 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:19,240 Speaker 5: a great idea. What happened in that to where it ended. 379 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:22,000 Speaker 7: Well, first of all, there really still was a growing 380 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:26,240 Speaker 7: base of soccer support, so it was you know, growing 381 00:23:26,280 --> 00:23:30,760 Speaker 7: but still small if you will. In many ways, they 382 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 7: expanded too fast. They were so determined to get a 383 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 7: national television contract that felt they had to have a 384 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 7: national footprint, and they expanded too fast, which cost them 385 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:46,879 Speaker 7: two things. One is a delusion of talent that was incredible, 386 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:52,280 Speaker 7: and the other was a disparity of wealth of the owners. 387 00:23:53,080 --> 00:23:56,960 Speaker 7: And then in its heyday you had the New York 388 00:23:57,000 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 7: Cosmos and it was great. Eight They filled now MetLife Stadium. 389 00:24:02,840 --> 00:24:07,359 Speaker 7: They brought in Palley Beckenbauer, Carlis, Alberta, Canallia. Yeah. Really 390 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:10,120 Speaker 7: really caught the uh, the world on fire. 391 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:10,919 Speaker 5: Uh. 392 00:24:11,320 --> 00:24:13,639 Speaker 7: But the problem was they were owned by Warner Communication, 393 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:17,040 Speaker 7: and then throughout the league he didn't have people with 394 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:20,800 Speaker 7: anywhere near the kind of capital uh to spend on 395 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 7: it as as they did. Here in Los Angeles. A 396 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:27,200 Speaker 7: group of us put a partnership together and we brought 397 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 7: the la Astecs. We went in and got Johann Kraifu 398 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:33,880 Speaker 7: at that time was the best player in the world. 399 00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 2: Uh. 400 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 7: But we were a bunch of working stiffs and the 401 00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:40,640 Speaker 7: capitol calls kept coming, and we decided, you know, it's 402 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:43,080 Speaker 7: just over our heads, so we sold the team. The 403 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:46,760 Speaker 7: combination of all those things I think, uh uh. And 404 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:52,480 Speaker 7: then the killer really was a corporate transaction in Mourners. 405 00:24:53,320 --> 00:24:55,439 Speaker 7: They bought Atari. I don't know if you remember all 406 00:24:55,520 --> 00:25:01,360 Speaker 7: that first gaming, and they it was a financial disaster. 407 00:25:01,640 --> 00:25:04,840 Speaker 7: So suddenly they started taking a look at, you know, 408 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 7: the things that the company was doing that were outside 409 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 7: their core business, and obviously the soccer was one of those, 410 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:17,640 Speaker 7: and so suddenly they pulled back and so that big 411 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:22,400 Speaker 7: anchor for the league suddenly disappeared. So all those things 412 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 7: came together, and you know, the basic underlying factor was 413 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 7: their just weren't enough core soccer fans in the country 414 00:25:32,160 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 7: yet to sustain it. 415 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 6: That was former US Soccer president Alan Rothenberg. 416 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:39,920 Speaker 2: Up. Next, we were sticking with the history of the 417 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:42,639 Speaker 2: nineteen ninety four World Cup, where we are joined by 418 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:44,719 Speaker 2: one of the stars of the team, Alexi Lawless. 419 00:25:45,040 --> 00:25:47,800 Speaker 5: That is straight ahead on the Bloomberg Business of Sports. 420 00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 5: I'm Michael Barr with Vanessa Perdomo, mcleone and Randell Williams. 421 00:25:51,840 --> 00:25:54,920 Speaker 5: You are listening to the Bloomberg Business of Sports Bloomberg 422 00:25:55,040 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 5: Radio around the world. 423 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:03,720 Speaker 1: This is Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. 424 00:26:05,119 --> 00:26:07,399 Speaker 5: Thanks for joining us on the Bloomberg Business of Sports. 425 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:10,320 Speaker 5: We explore the big money issues in the world of sports. 426 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:12,840 Speaker 2: I'm Michael Barr, I'm Vanessa Protobo Maglione, and. 427 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:16,800 Speaker 5: I'm Randa Williams. The twenty six FIFA World Cup is 428 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:19,760 Speaker 5: upon us, the first time the US is hosting since 429 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 5: nineteen ninety four. Soccer was in a very different place 430 00:26:24,119 --> 00:26:26,600 Speaker 5: in the US at the time, without even a major 431 00:26:26,760 --> 00:26:28,200 Speaker 5: domestic league to play it. 432 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:31,040 Speaker 6: The nineteen ninety four World Cup team had the task 433 00:26:31,119 --> 00:26:33,600 Speaker 6: of trying to represent their country at a home World 434 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:37,119 Speaker 6: Cup without fans really knowing the tournament was happening. Vanessa, 435 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:39,720 Speaker 6: you recently spoke with Alexi Lalas, who was a member 436 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:41,400 Speaker 6: of that team, about his experience. 437 00:26:41,920 --> 00:26:44,159 Speaker 2: That's right, and Alexi and I spoke about the significance 438 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:46,399 Speaker 2: of playing in a home World Cup and just how 439 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:48,879 Speaker 2: much it can inspire change and growth for the sport. 440 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:51,640 Speaker 2: He's also now a broadcast analyst for Fox who will 441 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:54,560 Speaker 2: be broadcasting all one hundred and four matches of the tournament, 442 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:56,960 Speaker 2: so he gave insight on how he thinks the US 443 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:57,840 Speaker 2: will fare this year. 444 00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 5: Let's take a listen to Vanessa's converse with former US 445 00:27:01,480 --> 00:27:05,119 Speaker 5: men's national team player and Fox Soccer analyst Alexei Lawless. 446 00:27:06,119 --> 00:27:09,640 Speaker 2: Alexi, the World Cup is here, Like, it's genuinely here. 447 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:12,200 Speaker 2: How crazy I mean, it's been a lead up of 448 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:12,760 Speaker 2: eight years. 449 00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I am cocked, locked and ready to rock for 450 00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:18,840 Speaker 3: this thing. It's going to happen whether we're ready or not. 451 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 3: But I do think that we're ready a World Cup. 452 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 3: I've been to plenty of them. It never goes perfectly. 453 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:28,920 Speaker 3: It bobs and it weaves and zigs and it zags, 454 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,000 Speaker 3: and this summer will be no different. But ultimately, when 455 00:27:32,040 --> 00:27:34,480 Speaker 3: that final whistle blows in totality, I think what we're 456 00:27:34,480 --> 00:27:37,720 Speaker 3: all hoping is that everybody has a kick ass time, 457 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:41,320 Speaker 3: and that everybody is safe, and that it lives long 458 00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 3: in the memory and therefore creates a legacy for future 459 00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:46,600 Speaker 3: generations to hopefully look back to the summer of twenty 460 00:27:46,680 --> 00:27:49,360 Speaker 3: six and say, man, that was awesome what I saw 461 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:52,240 Speaker 3: on the field and the experiences that I had the 462 00:27:52,320 --> 00:27:54,600 Speaker 3: people that I met and the way that I felt 463 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 3: about my country. Oh, not for nothing on the two 464 00:27:57,680 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 3: hundred and fiftieth birthday. What I feel is the greatest 465 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:02,840 Speaker 3: country in the world. Is something that hopefully lives in 466 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:06,199 Speaker 3: the memories of you know, young kids now, but obviously 467 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:08,680 Speaker 3: they will grow up in generations hopefully look back at it. 468 00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:12,240 Speaker 2: Yeah. I mean, that's huge, right because obviously as ninety 469 00:28:12,280 --> 00:28:14,240 Speaker 2: four came around, when the last time we hosted the 470 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 2: World Cup, it inspired a whole generation of people to 471 00:28:17,800 --> 00:28:20,800 Speaker 2: play soccer, myself included. I can remember those times, you know, 472 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:26,000 Speaker 2: in ninety four and ninety nine just live in my brain, right, So, 473 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:32,400 Speaker 2: especially since you were alive back ninety nine. 474 00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:33,240 Speaker 7: Is my. 475 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:35,400 Speaker 2: Team there? 476 00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:36,560 Speaker 5: Oh well, listen, I. 477 00:28:36,560 --> 00:28:38,840 Speaker 3: Mean, you know, we talk a lot about nineteen ninety four, 478 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:41,960 Speaker 3: and you know how seminal it was. But when you're 479 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:44,960 Speaker 3: looking at those flagpole types of moments, obviously nineteen ninety 480 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:47,880 Speaker 3: four and nineteen ninety nine, you know, those those are 481 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:52,880 Speaker 3: moments when soccer changed forever and the perception of soccer 482 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:57,280 Speaker 3: changed forever. And so hopefully again this summer we have 483 00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:00,800 Speaker 3: that wonderful injection that we can use to to our 484 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:04,120 Speaker 3: benefit going forward, because you know, the reality is, as 485 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:06,320 Speaker 3: the saying goes, you've come a long way, baby, and 486 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:08,480 Speaker 3: we certainly have, both on and off the field. But 487 00:29:08,880 --> 00:29:11,719 Speaker 3: there is still this wonderful opportunity to bring a lot 488 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:13,400 Speaker 3: of people into the tent this summer, a lot of 489 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:15,840 Speaker 3: people that still aren't necessarily into soccer, don't watch it 490 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:17,520 Speaker 3: a lot, or even don't even watch it at all, 491 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:20,720 Speaker 3: and to hopefully, you know, spread the gospel and convert 492 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:24,280 Speaker 3: them and infect them in the most positive way. It's 493 00:29:24,400 --> 00:29:26,600 Speaker 3: very difficult to cure once you've been affected with soccer, 494 00:29:26,760 --> 00:29:28,720 Speaker 3: and so a lot of people will stay. They won't 495 00:29:28,760 --> 00:29:32,080 Speaker 3: all stay, but hopefully it's as welcoming as we possibly 496 00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:34,800 Speaker 3: can be, and that they have a wonderful time and 497 00:29:34,840 --> 00:29:36,440 Speaker 3: they see good stuff on the field and they have 498 00:29:36,520 --> 00:29:37,400 Speaker 3: a good time off the field. 499 00:29:37,640 --> 00:29:39,200 Speaker 2: I want to talk more about that in a little 500 00:29:39,200 --> 00:29:41,760 Speaker 2: bit like the legacy that this World Cup can have. 501 00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:45,040 Speaker 2: But I want to talk about, you know, the Fox broadcast. 502 00:29:45,120 --> 00:29:48,040 Speaker 2: You know what you're doing and leading and watching all 503 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:50,600 Speaker 2: one hundred and forty, all one hundred and four games 504 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:53,680 Speaker 2: as you can. How are you, you know, with the 505 00:29:53,760 --> 00:29:56,240 Speaker 2: Fox broadcast, can you bring in those new fans so 506 00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 2: that sometimes when sometimes when you turn on sports that 507 00:29:58,720 --> 00:30:01,040 Speaker 2: you don't know and you you just kind of tune in, 508 00:30:01,240 --> 00:30:03,240 Speaker 2: it's a little isolating because you don't know the players 509 00:30:03,240 --> 00:30:04,760 Speaker 2: and you don't really know what's going on. How can 510 00:30:04,800 --> 00:30:06,240 Speaker 2: you bring in those new fans so when they just 511 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:09,400 Speaker 2: tune in casually they want it states, we. 512 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:13,160 Speaker 3: Can be very precious and we and we can you know, 513 00:30:13,360 --> 00:30:16,880 Speaker 3: kind of you know, be kind of gatekeeping and in 514 00:30:16,960 --> 00:30:18,720 Speaker 3: the way that we go about it, and we can't 515 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:23,880 Speaker 3: have any of that. Soccer, by the way, is absolutely mainstream. 516 00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:27,240 Speaker 3: It's no longer underground or niche. But the reality is 517 00:30:27,600 --> 00:30:30,040 Speaker 3: that we need to make it as inviting as possible. 518 00:30:30,200 --> 00:30:32,280 Speaker 3: Now that doesn't mean that we're going to dumb it down. 519 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:34,320 Speaker 3: I mean, I don't know a tremendous amount about of 520 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:36,480 Speaker 3: American football, but I can and I can suss it out, 521 00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:38,720 Speaker 3: and I can tell what I'm being talked down to. 522 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:41,560 Speaker 3: It's it's a beautiful game, as they say, it's also 523 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:45,000 Speaker 3: a very simple game. People will will get it. But 524 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:48,920 Speaker 3: we also want to make it as accessible as possible 525 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:52,640 Speaker 3: and obviously as entertaining and as enjoyable. We want to 526 00:30:52,680 --> 00:30:56,680 Speaker 3: tell the stories about these teams, about these players. We 527 00:30:56,800 --> 00:30:59,400 Speaker 3: want to yes, get into x's and those like any 528 00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:02,480 Speaker 3: sport out there. But again, we want, we want to 529 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:06,720 Speaker 3: make sure that we're not doing anything to be exclusionary, 530 00:31:07,120 --> 00:31:09,400 Speaker 3: and that's the worst thing that we could possibly do. 531 00:31:09,680 --> 00:31:11,360 Speaker 3: And you know, like you know, when you have a 532 00:31:11,480 --> 00:31:14,200 Speaker 3: band that you followed and you saw them play in 533 00:31:14,240 --> 00:31:16,560 Speaker 3: front of two people in a dingy old club and 534 00:31:16,640 --> 00:31:20,400 Speaker 3: then they get big, you know, sometimes you feel like 535 00:31:21,120 --> 00:31:24,360 Speaker 3: you have some ownership and you kind of almost don't 536 00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:27,840 Speaker 3: want everybody else because in your mind, well, they weren't 537 00:31:27,840 --> 00:31:30,480 Speaker 3: there from the starter. They're not worthy. We cannot have 538 00:31:30,640 --> 00:31:33,040 Speaker 3: that attitude, and I don't think that we will because 539 00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:36,200 Speaker 3: we've been doing this long enough where I think soccer 540 00:31:36,480 --> 00:31:40,040 Speaker 3: and soccer people in general recognize that it is not 541 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:43,880 Speaker 3: just the opportunity but the responsibility to spread that gospel. 542 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:47,520 Speaker 3: And like I said once, once people get it, it's 543 00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:49,440 Speaker 3: very hard for them to go anyplace else. 544 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:51,959 Speaker 2: How do you feel about, you know, there being one 545 00:31:52,040 --> 00:31:54,320 Speaker 2: hundred and four matches, I mean it's it's double the 546 00:31:54,440 --> 00:31:57,640 Speaker 2: size of really the last World Cup. What are we 547 00:31:57,720 --> 00:31:59,960 Speaker 2: going to see some some bad games? Do you think? 548 00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:01,760 Speaker 2: Or how is it going to stack up? 549 00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:02,600 Speaker 5: Yeah? 550 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:04,959 Speaker 3: So one hundred and four games forty eight teams obviously 551 00:32:05,040 --> 00:32:07,320 Speaker 3: three countries, with our friends to the North canaon, our 552 00:32:07,360 --> 00:32:09,920 Speaker 3: friends to the South Mexico. I think when all is 553 00:32:09,960 --> 00:32:11,320 Speaker 3: sudden done, not only is it going to be the 554 00:32:11,360 --> 00:32:14,120 Speaker 3: biggest World Cup, it's going to be the biggest sporting event. 555 00:32:14,200 --> 00:32:15,320 Speaker 3: And I think it has a chance of being the 556 00:32:15,320 --> 00:32:19,760 Speaker 3: biggest cultural event in history. I think specific to the 557 00:32:19,960 --> 00:32:23,840 Speaker 3: United States, because of you know, our unique makeup and 558 00:32:23,920 --> 00:32:26,520 Speaker 3: our melting pot and a diaspora that we have maybe 559 00:32:26,560 --> 00:32:28,880 Speaker 3: better than any place in terms of hosting some of 560 00:32:28,960 --> 00:32:32,160 Speaker 3: these teams, you are going to get wonderful scenes. We 561 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:35,000 Speaker 3: have debutants because of this. You know, when you look 562 00:32:35,080 --> 00:32:39,080 Speaker 3: at Jordan and Uzbekistan and Cape Verity and Curissel. We 563 00:32:39,160 --> 00:32:43,640 Speaker 3: have teams coming back, you know after decades, Haiti for example, 564 00:32:43,720 --> 00:32:47,080 Speaker 3: back for the first time since seventy four. I think 565 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:49,400 Speaker 3: a lot of you know, these these communities in the 566 00:32:49,520 --> 00:32:54,200 Speaker 3: United States, this is their moment to through the lens 567 00:32:54,280 --> 00:32:57,000 Speaker 3: of the World Cup, to celebrate their country and culture 568 00:32:57,080 --> 00:32:59,560 Speaker 3: and show their pride in this moment. 569 00:32:59,640 --> 00:33:00,360 Speaker 1: In these games. 570 00:33:00,400 --> 00:33:02,080 Speaker 3: And I think one of the stories, and I think 571 00:33:02,160 --> 00:33:03,600 Speaker 3: one of the big stories that's going to come out 572 00:33:03,640 --> 00:33:07,520 Speaker 3: of this is those celebrations relative to some of these teams. 573 00:33:07,560 --> 00:33:10,680 Speaker 3: Now you mentioned about on the field, I think that 574 00:33:10,760 --> 00:33:14,840 Speaker 3: there will be at times some maybe lopsided games. 575 00:33:15,160 --> 00:33:15,840 Speaker 5: But I'll tell you this. 576 00:33:16,120 --> 00:33:17,920 Speaker 3: A couple of World Cups ago, Panama went to the 577 00:33:17,960 --> 00:33:20,360 Speaker 3: World Cup for the first time, and I'll never forget, 578 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:22,160 Speaker 3: you know, we have this wonderful moment where we panned 579 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:24,800 Speaker 3: down the faces of all the players during the national anthem, 580 00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:27,520 Speaker 3: and they started panning down and there's tears streaming down 581 00:33:27,560 --> 00:33:31,360 Speaker 3: the Panamanian players' faces, not because of goals that they 582 00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:32,920 Speaker 3: were going to score or games that they were going 583 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:34,200 Speaker 3: to win. By the way, they didn't go on to 584 00:33:34,240 --> 00:33:36,480 Speaker 3: win a whole lot of games, but in that moment, 585 00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:39,800 Speaker 3: that sense of pride that they were representing their country 586 00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:44,240 Speaker 3: in front of the world on a global scale, that's 587 00:33:44,360 --> 00:33:49,840 Speaker 3: incredibly moving. Okay, we don't want lopsided types of games, 588 00:33:49,880 --> 00:33:53,240 Speaker 3: and I actually think some of these teams are smart 589 00:33:53,360 --> 00:33:56,120 Speaker 3: in the way that they are approaching these games and 590 00:33:56,360 --> 00:33:58,680 Speaker 3: recognize that in soccer, maybe more so than any sport, 591 00:33:58,720 --> 00:34:01,400 Speaker 3: you can bend and not bring and still be competitive. 592 00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:03,480 Speaker 3: And so I think you're going to see some, you know, 593 00:34:04,120 --> 00:34:08,400 Speaker 3: teams that get very, very pragmatic and realistic, very very 594 00:34:08,480 --> 00:34:10,680 Speaker 3: quickly with who they are, who they are facing. But 595 00:34:11,160 --> 00:34:13,360 Speaker 3: you know, I'm talking to you today because of the 596 00:34:13,400 --> 00:34:15,400 Speaker 3: World Cup in nineteen ninety four. I'm talking to you 597 00:34:15,520 --> 00:34:18,239 Speaker 3: today because I played in a World Cup. Okay, why 598 00:34:18,280 --> 00:34:20,919 Speaker 3: would I ever stand in the way or pooh pooh 599 00:34:20,960 --> 00:34:24,560 Speaker 3: or grumpy old man the opportunity for players and for 600 00:34:24,760 --> 00:34:27,600 Speaker 3: teams to have that opportunity, whether it's the debutants or 601 00:34:27,640 --> 00:34:30,160 Speaker 3: teams coming back for the first for the first time. 602 00:34:30,560 --> 00:34:32,600 Speaker 3: You know, it's a World Cup and it's special and 603 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:36,040 Speaker 3: that specialness goes well beyond the actual kicking of the ball. 604 00:34:36,239 --> 00:34:38,319 Speaker 2: So you're saying, I mean, like, that's such a great 605 00:34:38,360 --> 00:34:42,080 Speaker 2: way of thinking about it. It's because of the World Cup. 606 00:34:42,239 --> 00:34:45,239 Speaker 2: Is this global event, and it's it's built to bring 607 00:34:45,400 --> 00:34:48,759 Speaker 2: the world together. Those sorts of moments of representation for 608 00:34:48,880 --> 00:34:52,440 Speaker 2: the countries is more important in a way than what 609 00:34:52,680 --> 00:34:53,800 Speaker 2: might happen it is. 610 00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:56,200 Speaker 3: I mean, I'm not saying that they're not competitive or 611 00:34:56,239 --> 00:34:59,319 Speaker 3: they don't want to win, but for some of these 612 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:03,720 Speaker 3: teams purely being there, they have already won. Yeah, okay, 613 00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:06,960 Speaker 3: and you know anything else is kind of gravy and 614 00:35:07,040 --> 00:35:10,239 Speaker 3: we will see potentially, you know, if they score a goal, 615 00:35:10,840 --> 00:35:13,200 Speaker 3: keep in mind that's the first World Cup goal ever 616 00:35:13,440 --> 00:35:16,960 Speaker 3: scored by a Cap Verdean at a World Cup or 617 00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:20,239 Speaker 3: something like that. That will live with you forever. That 618 00:35:20,280 --> 00:35:21,920 Speaker 3: will live with the players, certainly, but I think it 619 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:26,279 Speaker 3: also will translate to the viewers. And so again on Fox, 620 00:35:26,360 --> 00:35:28,600 Speaker 3: we're going to tell some of these stories and give people, 621 00:35:28,719 --> 00:35:31,120 Speaker 3: like I said, perspective on what they are seeing. 622 00:35:31,320 --> 00:35:33,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, I love that. So you talked about it. You 623 00:35:33,880 --> 00:35:36,080 Speaker 2: played in a World Cup, in a home World Cup 624 00:35:36,160 --> 00:35:39,400 Speaker 2: in nineteen ninety four, set us that scene of what 625 00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:40,880 Speaker 2: it was like. I mean, it was a very different 626 00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:45,120 Speaker 2: time right for soccer in the US. How impactful was 627 00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:45,759 Speaker 2: it even then? 628 00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:46,000 Speaker 7: Though? 629 00:35:46,200 --> 00:35:46,600 Speaker 2: Do you think? 630 00:35:47,239 --> 00:35:49,759 Speaker 3: I mean, like I said, it was a flag pole 631 00:35:49,880 --> 00:35:52,959 Speaker 3: type of moment and the world was never the same, 632 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:56,080 Speaker 3: The soccer world was never the same in our country now, 633 00:35:56,800 --> 00:35:58,479 Speaker 3: as a saying goes, we've come a long way, baby, 634 00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:01,120 Speaker 3: and we certainly have. We're not perfect by any stretch 635 00:36:01,160 --> 00:36:03,160 Speaker 3: of the imagination. But one of the things that I 636 00:36:03,360 --> 00:36:08,560 Speaker 3: that I hope happens this summer is a you know, 637 00:36:08,680 --> 00:36:12,279 Speaker 3: a recognition, a you know, a compare contrast, if you will, 638 00:36:12,360 --> 00:36:17,440 Speaker 3: and therefore, you know, an understanding of how far we 639 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:20,959 Speaker 3: have come, and what ultimately I hope happens is there's 640 00:36:20,960 --> 00:36:26,040 Speaker 3: a celebration of who we are. And you know, sometimes 641 00:36:26,080 --> 00:36:28,839 Speaker 3: in America, in an American soccer we like to kick 642 00:36:28,880 --> 00:36:31,240 Speaker 3: ourselves for what we haven't done or who we aren't 643 00:36:32,320 --> 00:36:35,359 Speaker 3: And I think this summer is an opportunity for us 644 00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:38,320 Speaker 3: to just take a moment and celebrate how far we 645 00:36:38,400 --> 00:36:41,040 Speaker 3: have come, because it really is unprecedented when you put 646 00:36:41,040 --> 00:36:44,480 Speaker 3: it up against any country culture out there, just you know, 647 00:36:44,560 --> 00:36:46,400 Speaker 3: in the last thirty years, what we have done. Is 648 00:36:46,440 --> 00:36:49,960 Speaker 3: it perfect? No, But don't let anybody tell you that 649 00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:51,960 Speaker 3: we're not a soccer playing nation. Don't let anybody tell 650 00:36:52,000 --> 00:36:54,960 Speaker 3: you that we're not a soccer culture. Okay, we are different, 651 00:36:55,080 --> 00:36:57,239 Speaker 3: we are unique, but we are as passionate, we are 652 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:59,160 Speaker 3: as discerning, we are as educated, and I weld even 653 00:36:59,239 --> 00:37:01,920 Speaker 3: argue at times even more out of necessity than anybody 654 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:05,400 Speaker 3: else out there. And I think that is something that 655 00:37:05,480 --> 00:37:09,880 Speaker 3: we can celebrate together this summer with everything that's going on, 656 00:37:10,040 --> 00:37:12,040 Speaker 3: not just through the US team, but what we were 657 00:37:12,120 --> 00:37:14,000 Speaker 3: about to do in terms of hosting this World Cup. 658 00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:17,399 Speaker 2: When you're talking about comparing contrasting, there a little bit 659 00:37:17,840 --> 00:37:20,440 Speaker 2: how would you think that the ninety four team stacks 660 00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:21,760 Speaker 2: up against this twenty sixteen. 661 00:37:22,800 --> 00:37:25,800 Speaker 3: I would hope we get our ass kicks. I mean, otherwise, 662 00:37:25,840 --> 00:37:26,359 Speaker 3: what are we doing? 663 00:37:26,360 --> 00:37:26,799 Speaker 5: They're better. 664 00:37:27,520 --> 00:37:32,080 Speaker 3: My ego won't allow me to necessarily say that I 665 00:37:32,120 --> 00:37:33,759 Speaker 3: think this summer or the other thing that I hope 666 00:37:34,000 --> 00:37:36,680 Speaker 3: is that we as a country, as we come together 667 00:37:36,840 --> 00:37:39,520 Speaker 3: through the lens of the World Cup, that we have 668 00:37:39,600 --> 00:37:43,160 Speaker 3: higher expectations for our US team this summer. And I 669 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:44,879 Speaker 3: wouldn't say that if I didn't believe that they could 670 00:37:44,920 --> 00:37:46,279 Speaker 3: live up to them. So I do think that it 671 00:37:46,400 --> 00:37:49,279 Speaker 3: is fair. But you should expect your US team, given 672 00:37:49,320 --> 00:37:51,480 Speaker 3: everything that I just said and the talent that they have, 673 00:37:52,000 --> 00:37:54,160 Speaker 3: to win this group and to get out of this group. 674 00:37:54,200 --> 00:37:55,719 Speaker 3: And now you're in the round of thirty two, this 675 00:37:55,880 --> 00:37:57,840 Speaker 3: new round of thirty two, and you're playing a knockout 676 00:37:57,920 --> 00:38:00,360 Speaker 3: game if you finished first in your group against a 677 00:38:00,400 --> 00:38:02,960 Speaker 3: team that you're better than. Now that's something that we've 678 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:05,120 Speaker 3: never had in a Men's World Cup where we're playing 679 00:38:05,160 --> 00:38:07,440 Speaker 3: against a team in a knockout stage where we are 680 00:38:07,480 --> 00:38:10,840 Speaker 3: better than them. So now all of that experience and 681 00:38:10,920 --> 00:38:13,040 Speaker 3: all that opportunity that we've given you has to come 682 00:38:13,080 --> 00:38:14,759 Speaker 3: to bear you win that game, and now we're back 683 00:38:14,760 --> 00:38:16,320 Speaker 3: to the old round of sixteen that we kind of 684 00:38:16,360 --> 00:38:18,120 Speaker 3: always have been, where you need a little bit of luck, 685 00:38:18,120 --> 00:38:19,960 Speaker 3: you need the soccer gods to smile upon you, and 686 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:22,719 Speaker 3: you need to harness the magic of a home World 687 00:38:22,719 --> 00:38:24,480 Speaker 3: Cup because there's nothing better than a World Cup except 688 00:38:24,520 --> 00:38:26,319 Speaker 3: for one thing, and that is a home World Cup. 689 00:38:26,480 --> 00:38:28,120 Speaker 3: And if they're able to harness that, they can do 690 00:38:28,239 --> 00:38:29,400 Speaker 3: things that we haven't seen before. 691 00:38:29,920 --> 00:38:32,680 Speaker 2: That was Fox Soccer analyst and US men's national team 692 00:38:32,680 --> 00:38:33,800 Speaker 2: player Alexi Lowless. 693 00:38:34,080 --> 00:38:36,239 Speaker 5: That's it for today. Thanks for joining us. Tune in 694 00:38:36,320 --> 00:38:38,479 Speaker 5: again next week for the latest arm the stories moving 695 00:38:38,680 --> 00:38:40,440 Speaker 5: big old money in the world of sports. 696 00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:43,120 Speaker 2: And don't forget to catch our podcast on all your 697 00:38:43,160 --> 00:38:46,000 Speaker 2: podcast platforms, and go to Bloomberg dot com to subscribe 698 00:38:46,040 --> 00:38:48,719 Speaker 2: to the Bloomberg Business of Sports newsletter to stay up 699 00:38:48,760 --> 00:38:50,440 Speaker 2: to date on all our juicy insights. 700 00:38:50,719 --> 00:38:54,040 Speaker 5: You are listening to the Bloomberg Business of Sports Bloomberg 701 00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:55,400 Speaker 5: Radio around the world.