1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news. This is Bloomberg Business 2 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: at Sports from Bloomberg Radio, Ding Ding Ding. 3 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:17,880 Speaker 2: We have a bonus segment, just like the Price is 4 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:22,720 Speaker 2: right for you today. Bloomberg's Texas bureau chief Julie Fine 5 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 2: recently spoke with FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt. Julie joins 6 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 2: us to tell us about that interview. Julie, Welcome to 7 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 2: the Bloomberg Business of Sports. Now we're not going to 8 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 2: give it all away, but what is something that Dan 9 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 2: Hunt said that you're like, Oh wow? 10 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 3: I think that he said it was month one hundred 11 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 3: and seven of him working on getting these World Cup 12 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 3: games in Dallas that really struck out at me. That 13 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:51,160 Speaker 3: was month one hundred and seven, and then he went 14 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 3: through the he's been to pretty much every World Cup 15 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 3: since nineteen eighty six. 16 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:58,639 Speaker 4: That stuck out at me. I think the part. 17 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 3: That really hit me was the of this that his father, 18 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:06,040 Speaker 3: the late Lamar Hunt, was instrumental in a bringing Major 19 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 3: League Soccer to the United States, but b bringing the 20 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 3: World Cup. 21 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 4: To Dallas back in nineteen ninety four. 22 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 3: He's obviously very close with his dad, and you could 23 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:17,680 Speaker 3: really tell that coming through. 24 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean there. Yeah, like you said, their family 25 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 5: was really instrumental. His dad was really instrumental about creating 26 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:27,040 Speaker 5: the MLS. So did he tell you anything about, you know, 27 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:28,960 Speaker 5: how far they feel like the league has come, and 28 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 5: what they're planning to do about, you know, capitalizing on 29 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 5: this World Cup. 30 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:35,199 Speaker 4: Yes, both, because I asked him. 31 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 3: I said, you know, while MLS has been here for 32 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 3: some time, it hasn't caught up to the popularity of 33 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 3: the NFL, of basketball, of other sports. And he did 34 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 3: talk about how they haven't been around as long. And 35 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 3: he also said that he hopes that through this World 36 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:55,080 Speaker 3: Cup it gets more people interested. Now, what FC Dallas 37 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 3: has done is they have a very big youth sports program, 38 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:00,480 Speaker 3: but of course he hopes it generates more interest. 39 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:03,120 Speaker 4: And he's made no secret of the fact that he hopes. 40 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 3: That the Women's World Cup final is in Dallas in 41 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 3: twenty thirty one. 42 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 4: I know, I know what y'all are thinking, You're like, 43 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:12,920 Speaker 4: roa trip. 44 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 5: Well think and I will go to every single game 45 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 5: of the Women's World Cup in twenty three one. 46 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 6: And I just think that that just means for a 47 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 6: celebration for you, Julie. I think that you're just going 48 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:23,080 Speaker 6: to be celebrating right along with Dan. 49 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,519 Speaker 4: Well. As you all know, I love to be a host. 50 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 3: Randall has visited us in Dallas, I think many times, 51 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 3: but certainly not enough times. So as much as we 52 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 3: can have these events and bring all my colleagues. 53 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 4: In, I really enjoy it. 54 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 3: You know, I really enjoy having people here and showing 55 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:43,240 Speaker 3: off our great state. But honestly, I mean, they are 56 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 3: really thrilled about where this World Cup is. He's really 57 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:49,359 Speaker 3: optimistic that every game at at and T Well now 58 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:51,399 Speaker 3: Dallas Stadium is going to sell out. 59 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 4: So we explained that they. 60 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:55,320 Speaker 3: Have to raise the pitch here a little bit, so 61 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 3: it's over eighty thousand seats in each game. We've got 62 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:01,679 Speaker 3: nine game, so you're looking at seven hundred and twenty 63 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:05,600 Speaker 3: thousand ce's. He feels very comfortable that it's going to 64 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:08,079 Speaker 3: sell out here. Don't forget we have Houston as well. 65 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 3: Houston is super exciting. They start their games on Sunday 66 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 3: as well, So this is a great time to be 67 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:15,639 Speaker 3: a sports fan in Texas. 68 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 6: I do wonder from Dan's perspective, there is this notion 69 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 6: that this World Cup could be the revival of soccer 70 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 6: here in the US, that it could bring this wave 71 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 6: of popularity similar to that is in Europe and potentially 72 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 6: you know, Brazil and all these other countries North and 73 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 6: South America and overseas. I wonder from your perspective in 74 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 6: speaking with him, you said he hopes, but is there 75 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 6: an expectation for that to happen or do you think 76 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 6: it's connected to the Team USA success. 77 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 3: I think there's an expectation, you know, that with all 78 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 3: this attention on soccer, that it really fuels the fire 79 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 3: around the sport. I think there's hope, and I think 80 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 3: there's expectation that it will do so well. 81 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 2: Enough about me and listening to me, blah blah, blind, 82 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 2: Let's get to it. Bloomberg's Texas Bureau chief Julie Fine. 83 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 2: She interviewed FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt. Let's take it. 84 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 3: Let's Dan Hunt, president and co owner of FC Dallas. 85 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 3: Always great to have you back here. 86 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:16,799 Speaker 7: Yeah, great to see you, Julie. 87 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 3: Also, I want to talk to you being co chair 88 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:21,599 Speaker 3: of the organizing committee in North Texas. I know this 89 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 3: has been a long, long venture for you being involved 90 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 3: with this. 91 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:27,440 Speaker 4: How do you feel going in? 92 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:30,599 Speaker 8: Yeah, I'm excited. I'm about to enter month one hundred 93 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 8: and seven. Working on the World Cup and it has 94 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:35,800 Speaker 8: finally all come to fruition, and it's so great to 95 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 8: get that first kick coming up in a couple days. 96 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 3: Dallas Sports Commission has estimated more than a one point 97 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 3: five billion dollar economic boost to the area, up to 98 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:46,920 Speaker 3: over two billion dollars. 99 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 4: Does that come to fruition? 100 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 7: Yes, I believe it will come to fruition. 101 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:53,600 Speaker 8: If you think about Super Bowls, the average visitor comes 102 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 8: for less than three days, and we have nine Super 103 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 8: Bowls with nine games in Dallas. But visitors are in 104 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 8: a World Cup for just under ten days, and so 105 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,799 Speaker 8: they'll be staying in our hotels, spending at restaurants, buying gas, 106 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 8: going to retail. So I say, a huge economic boom 107 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 8: for our area. 108 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 4: Talk about now it's Dallas Stadium. 109 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:13,840 Speaker 3: We know it as AT and T Stadium, but it's 110 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 3: certainly Dallas Stadium. 111 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: Now. 112 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,359 Speaker 3: FIFA estimates that it will hold more than ninety thousand 113 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:20,839 Speaker 3: people for World Cup games. If you do the math there, 114 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,159 Speaker 3: that's more than eight hundred and forty five thousand for 115 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 3: the total nine matches. First of all, what do you 116 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 3: think of those numbers? 117 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 8: I mean, the scale of this is so massive and 118 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:30,839 Speaker 8: I don't know that we'll be in the nineties for 119 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:33,479 Speaker 8: World Cup games. We're raising the pitch at at and 120 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 8: T Stadium by four or five feet, which we'll have 121 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:37,280 Speaker 8: some seat kills. 122 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 7: Associated with that. 123 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:40,120 Speaker 8: But you know, if you even think about it, between 124 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:42,159 Speaker 8: seven hundred and eight hundred thousand. 125 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:43,480 Speaker 7: Tickets as a huge number. 126 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 8: Frankly, I need for there to be more tickets with 127 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 8: the number of ticket requests that I've had over the 128 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 8: last couple of months, and so it's great. In this 129 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 8: entire tournament there could be over seven million tickets available. 130 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 3: Do you think the games in Dallas will sell out? 131 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 3: There's been a lot of questions about sellouts period. 132 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 7: Yeah, I think the games in Dallas will sell it. 133 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 8: If you think about the matches that we have five 134 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 8: great group stage games with powerhouses like England, Croatia, Japan, Holland, 135 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:11,720 Speaker 8: Argentina with MESSI I. 136 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 7: Think those games will sell out. 137 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 8: When you get into the later games, the opponents aren't 138 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 8: defined right because those are elimination games and they're coming 139 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:20,440 Speaker 8: out of their different groups. 140 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 7: But this is a sports city. 141 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 8: It has a gigant sports appetite, so I think the 142 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 8: stadiums will be full. 143 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 3: I'm want to talk to you about the ticket prices, 144 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 3: and again I know those are set by FIFA. It 145 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:31,880 Speaker 3: does not go through the host committees. But there's a 146 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 3: lot of questions about the pricing, how many were available, 147 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 3: and the rollout. Do you think that affects attendance overall? 148 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 7: You know, it's hard to say. I don't think it 149 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:42,280 Speaker 7: will affect attendance. 150 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 8: The rollout is a little bit non traditional how we 151 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 8: would do it in American sports, but FIFA has their 152 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 8: way of doing it, and they've gotten some criticism over 153 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 8: the prices, and they went back and repriced some cheaper tickets. 154 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:55,600 Speaker 7: And what it would say, you. 155 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 8: Know, is there's a market demand for this, and the 156 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 8: revenue they generate from World Cup supports soccer globally. Their 157 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:05,880 Speaker 8: initiatives from grassroots to growing the men's game, growing the 158 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 8: women's game, all the money associated with prize money, player 159 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 8: money to clubs, and just in developing nations and helping 160 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 8: the game along. And this is really their pinnacle, you know, 161 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 8: tent pole moment that they have every four years. And 162 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 8: so I know there's a it's a delicate balance, right. 163 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 8: You want it affordable for fans because fans make the game, 164 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 8: but you also need to be able to have, you know, 165 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 8: the money to help support the game for the next 166 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 8: four years. 167 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 3: Soccer is obviously extremely important to you. You are actually 168 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 3: a sponsor in Dallas for the World Cup. You are 169 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 3: a personal sponsor. Let's talk a little bit about why 170 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 3: you decided. 171 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 4: To do that. 172 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 7: Yeah, I'm proud to be a hometown supporter for Dallas. 173 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 7: It was important to me. 174 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 8: I mean I can put my time and effort behind this, which, 175 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 8: like I said, has been almost one hundred and seven months, 176 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 8: and it also shows them my enthusiasm for it to 177 00:07:56,760 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 8: put financial support. I want this to leave a lasting legacy, 178 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 8: and that support will go to help creating mini pitches 179 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,560 Speaker 8: and communities around in areas that need field safe spaces 180 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 8: for kids to play soccer, and also help support our 181 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:12,400 Speaker 8: local organizing committee. I mean, putting on a World Cup 182 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 8: is incredibly expensive. And also we have this gigantic fan 183 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 8: fest at fair Park for those that aren't going to 184 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 8: World Cup matches. We'll have thirty five thousand people a 185 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 8: day at fair Park. 186 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 4: You've not specified how much you have put in personally. 187 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 4: Is it over a million? 188 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 8: It's a multimillion dollar investment and I'm proud to do it. 189 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 8: This is me supporting soccer and also supporting the game 190 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 8: I love so much. 191 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 4: I want to take a step back here. 192 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 3: Your father, when you look at it, just instrumental in 193 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 3: beginning Major League soccer in the United States. What's so 194 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:43,200 Speaker 3: interesting to me is he too served as a co 195 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:44,559 Speaker 3: chair of the Dallas host committee. 196 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:45,199 Speaker 7: That's back in. 197 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 3: Nineteen ninety four. Emotionally, what has this been like for you? 198 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 7: It's been an amazing journey, is what it's been like. 199 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:56,400 Speaker 8: So many of the similarities, the hard work that goes 200 00:08:56,440 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 8: into it, the countless meeting, speaking engagements, raised enthusiasm, fighting 201 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 8: for the International Broadcast Center. He was so proud of 202 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:07,320 Speaker 8: that in nineteen ninety four, having it at fair Park. 203 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:09,680 Speaker 8: We get to have it again here in Dallas at 204 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 8: the K. Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. This is where the 205 00:09:12,440 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 8: storytelling of World Cup twenty twenty six will take place, 206 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:18,720 Speaker 8: broadcasting back to almost two hundred countries. And that was 207 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 8: so important to him, and I see it now as 208 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 8: I'm more an older adult and experiencing this and being 209 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 8: able to share those commonalities. 210 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 7: It really is that connection. 211 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 8: My Dad's been gone for a long time now, but 212 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 8: it just touches the heart. It really brings you back 213 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 8: to so many happy memories. He was so proud to 214 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,839 Speaker 8: bring the World Cup to Dallas in nineteen ninety four. 215 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:44,679 Speaker 3: You were there, and you've been to every World Cup since. 216 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:46,920 Speaker 3: You just kind of went through a laundry list of 217 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 3: all the games you've been to in all the places. 218 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 4: Is there anything that specifically stuck out to you? 219 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:54,600 Speaker 7: Oh, I mean, there's so many memories. 220 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 8: I've been to every World Cup since nineteen eighty six, 221 00:09:57,320 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 8: seen over one hundred and thirty World Cup matches. 222 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 7: Here's what sticks out to me. 223 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 8: And this is my big hope for our visitors and 224 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:06,960 Speaker 8: guests and the locals going and games, that you create 225 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 8: lifetime memories with families and friends. There have been so 226 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 8: many great memories, so many great experiences, experiencing cultures. I 227 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:17,080 Speaker 8: hope our visitors get to experience this Texas hospitality. 228 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 7: We do it bigger and better than anyone else. 229 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 3: Your family's invested so much into Major League soccer over 230 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 3: the years. It's the most popular sport in the world, 231 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 3: but here in the United States it's not football, basketball, baseball. 232 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 3: Why do you think it's taking this long for soccer 233 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 3: to really make those inroads. 234 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,959 Speaker 8: Well, if you really think about Major League Soccer, we're only, 235 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 8: you know, thirty one plus years old. Now, if you 236 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:42,439 Speaker 8: think about the game in Europe, a lot of these 237 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 8: leagues and teams are over one hundred years, so they 238 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:49,880 Speaker 8: have this unbelievable history, much longer than anything we've seen 239 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:51,840 Speaker 8: so far in soccer. And if you look at where 240 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:55,920 Speaker 8: Major League Soccer has come from nineteen ninety six to today, 241 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 8: I mean, it's just a monumental shift. So I think 242 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:02,680 Speaker 8: we're on this un believable trajectory. Yet it's not the NFL, 243 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 8: it's not the NBA. But my father was a big 244 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 8: believer that in fifty years soccer could catch those leagues. 245 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 3: One area where soccer is growing exponentially, and you're very 246 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 3: involved with youth sports. 247 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:19,440 Speaker 8: Youth sports, it's right, that is the lifeblood of soccer. 248 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 8: The rest of the world develops a lot of their 249 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 8: own players, and those players go through to the professional teams. 250 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 8: We do it an amazing job at FC Dallas of 251 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 8: doing that. If you look at the US men's national team, 252 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 8: you'll have four FC Dallas players on the team, Ricardo Peppi, 253 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 8: Weston McKinney, Chris Richards and Alejandros and Dejas. All four 254 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:40,440 Speaker 8: of those players came from the FC Dallas youth system and. 255 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 7: That's how the game is blade globally. 256 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:45,479 Speaker 8: You develop your own talents and we lead that whole area. 257 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 3: On the business side of this, in terms of your 258 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 3: growing brands, broadcast rights, what are your thoughts on Leono 259 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,440 Speaker 3: Messi and revenue sharing ownership rights? 260 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 4: Is that the future here? 261 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 7: MLS was modeled after the NFL. 262 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:01,679 Speaker 8: My father was really the father of league soccer and 263 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:03,679 Speaker 8: he borrowed a lot of those revenue. 264 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:04,680 Speaker 7: Sharing models from the NFL. 265 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 8: And so yeah, having line Messi play in the league 266 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:10,920 Speaker 8: has been an unbelievable uptick there. But working with Apple too, 267 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 8: this is this amazing change we're about to have this year. 268 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:15,320 Speaker 8: We moved in front of the paywall, so you can 269 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:18,439 Speaker 8: watch ted Lasso and watch FC Dallas without having to 270 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:21,560 Speaker 8: pay extra. But we're also changing our schedule to a 271 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 8: traditional European calendar next year and I think that's going 272 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 8: to really be a boost for the league. 273 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:28,880 Speaker 4: What do you hope comes from this World Cup? 274 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:29,079 Speaker 7: Then? 275 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:31,959 Speaker 8: A couple of things, Like I said, lifetime memories for 276 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:35,680 Speaker 8: family and friends. I hope it inspires the American Messi Open, 277 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 8: it inspires a young person who wasn't going to pick 278 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 8: soccer to wind up picking Major League Soccer, picking FC 279 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:43,360 Speaker 8: Dallas developing here. 280 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:44,720 Speaker 7: I think that would be great for the game. 281 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 8: And look, they say one of the biggest statistics is 282 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:50,240 Speaker 8: hosting nations of World Cups. That their national team has 283 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:54,440 Speaker 8: a successful tournament, their average attendance increases by thirty percent 284 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 8: after the World Cup. So I hope that for all 285 00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:58,920 Speaker 8: professional soccer in America. 286 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:02,319 Speaker 3: Women's World Cup in the United States in twenty. 287 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 7: Thirty one, it's coming. We're going to start working on 288 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:06,000 Speaker 7: it in August. 289 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:09,320 Speaker 8: We've already started, but really going in August of this year. 290 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:12,199 Speaker 8: My stated goal is to bring the final to Dallas 291 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 8: in the Women's World Cup in twenty thirty one. I'm 292 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:16,959 Speaker 8: so excited for this. I have two young daughters that 293 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 8: are soccer players. I want to show them that anything 294 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 8: is possible and to get to share more of the 295 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 8: beautiful game with local citizens or my fellow Texs. And 296 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:28,319 Speaker 8: it's going to be an incredible honor and welcome more 297 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 8: global guests to Dallas. 298 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 3: I want to know what keeps you up at night 299 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 3: as you put this bid together. 300 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:37,360 Speaker 8: You know, honestly, it's the scale of it when you 301 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:39,080 Speaker 8: think about the number of people that are coming to 302 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 8: this market. 303 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 7: We are a spread out community. 304 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 8: And you know, I think my biggest surprise and all 305 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:47,480 Speaker 8: of it, and the thing I'm may be most proud 306 00:13:47,520 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 8: of is how our entire community has worked together. Dallas 307 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:52,840 Speaker 8: and all the suburbs have worked together in such a 308 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:55,960 Speaker 8: great fashion. Transportation is obviously a big issue that a 309 00:13:55,960 --> 00:13:58,440 Speaker 8: lot of people talk about safety and security, but we 310 00:13:58,520 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 8: have come together in a great way. 311 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 7: Uncle Paul has been an unbelievable leader for us. 312 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:05,840 Speaker 4: I mean, you have been everywhere in the past two years. 313 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 8: Really, Yeah, it's been quite a travel around talking about 314 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,960 Speaker 8: World Cup across the United States and specifically here in 315 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 8: the Metroplex. It's great to share the story, but it's 316 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:18,839 Speaker 8: different than nineteen ninety four. So few people knew the 317 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 8: World Cup was coming in ninety four. Everybody knows it's 318 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 8: coming in twenty twenty six. 319 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,800 Speaker 3: Speaking of looking past the World Cup, we do have 320 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 3: an inordinate amount of subscribers from Buffalo, New York. 321 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 4: To the Texas edition. 322 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 3: And what do you think about playing on Thanksgiving against 323 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:38,040 Speaker 3: the Bills in our new stadium, which I just do 324 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 3: want to let you know is supposed to be much 325 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:40,880 Speaker 3: better with Lake Effect wins. 326 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 7: Yeah, you know what, that. 327 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 8: Has turned into a fierce rivalry and the best it 328 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 8: really is. And you've got two top quarterbacks there and 329 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 8: two great teams. My brother recently toured the stadium before 330 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 8: it opened and he said it's going to be really 331 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 8: impressive there. So I'm hoping I have a happy Thanksgiving 332 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:05,080 Speaker 8: and maybe not the same for you, but you. 333 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 7: Know, it's going to be exciting football season. 334 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:09,400 Speaker 8: I mean, the NFL is an amazing product, right and 335 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 8: the way these quarterbacks are driving these teams. I can't 336 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 8: remember a generation in the NFL of having better quarterbacks 337 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 8: and that on field product is unreal. 338 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:22,720 Speaker 2: Our thanks to Bloomberg's Texas bureau chief Julie Fine for 339 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 2: that interesting conversation with FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt. My goodness. 340 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 2: That's it for today. Thank you for joining us. Tune 341 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:32,480 Speaker 2: in again next week for the latest on the stories 342 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 2: moving big old money. I'm not talking that small coin 343 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:37,920 Speaker 2: penny stuff. I'm talking big old money in the world 344 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 2: of sports. 345 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 5: And happy World Cup everyone. Don't forget to catch our 346 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 5: podcast on all your podcast platforms, and go to Bloomberg 347 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 5: dot com to subscribe to the Bloomberg Business of Sports newsletter. 348 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,840 Speaker 4: To stay up to date on all our juicy insights. 349 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,080 Speaker 2: You are listening to the Bloomberg Business of Sports from 350 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 2: Bloomberg Radio around the world.