1 00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:03,880 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, Welcome to a new special edition of the 2 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports show. We are calling Business of Soccer. 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: We are officially one year out from the twenty twenty 4 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: six FIFA World Cup and this weekend marks the start 5 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:16,640 Speaker 1: of the twenty twenty five FIFA Club World Cup as 6 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: well as the CONCA CAF Gold Cup. Now all three 7 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:21,919 Speaker 1: tournaments are being held in the US, so there's just 8 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:24,760 Speaker 1: so much soccer going on over the next year. We 9 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 1: knew we needed to do something special. There are going 10 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 1: to be countless things to talk about around the big 11 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:33,160 Speaker 1: money that surrounds both FIFA World Cups, the economic impact 12 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:36,280 Speaker 1: on host cities, and will this finally be the thing 13 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 1: that makes soccer as big here in the US as 14 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 1: it is around the world. So welcome to the Business 15 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 1: of Soccer. I am your host, Vanessa Perdomo. I am 16 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:48,160 Speaker 1: a former Division one soccer player, so I am so 17 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,520 Speaker 1: excited for this year to come. I want to set 18 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 1: the tone for anyone who's unaware of what the Club 19 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: World Cup is. Thirty two clubs from across North America, 20 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: South America, Europe, Asia and after are competing for title 21 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 1: of Club World Champions, but also competing for a prize 22 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 1: pot of a billion dollars. Yep, you heard that right, 23 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 1: one billion dollars with the B and the winner takes 24 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:13,520 Speaker 1: home one hundred and twenty. 25 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 2: Five million dollar prize. 26 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 1: A lot of soccer clubs operate in the red, so 27 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 1: one hundred and twenty five million dollars should be enough 28 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: of an incentive to get some real competition. Our first 29 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 1: guest is p Oliver, CEO of Growth Markets at di Zone. 30 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 1: The Zone has the exclusive global rights to broadcast the 31 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: Club World Cup and they are putting an out on 32 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: their platform for free. He explained why they chose to 33 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: put this out there for free instead of behind their 34 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 1: usual paywall and why are there confident that this is 35 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 1: going to be the most stream sporting event ever. Here's 36 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: my conversation with Pee Oliver, chief Executive Officer of Growth 37 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: Markets at DE Zone. So I am joined by Pete Oliver, 38 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: CEO of Growth Markets at Dizone. Pete, thanks for joining 39 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: the Bloomberg Business of Sports, Business of Soccer special. Thanks 40 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 1: so much to have you made so Club WORL Cup 41 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 1: is kicking off this weekend. Super excited for it. The 42 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 1: Zone has the global rights for it. Tell us all 43 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:12,920 Speaker 1: about how to find it, where where the games are, 44 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 1: because there's also TV partnerships as well, right there are. 45 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 3: I mean, this is quite a unique and a bit 46 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 3: of a first for a streaming platform. So the Zone 47 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 3: will be streaming every single game for free, and Dezgone 48 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 3: is a available worldwide, so whether you're in the US, Europe, 49 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 3: the Middle East, you'll be able to download the de 50 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,520 Speaker 3: Zone app and watch all sixty three games for free. 51 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 3: And it's the first time there's been a single streaming 52 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 3: platform running in a competition of the scale, and we 53 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 3: think it will actually become the most streamed sporting event 54 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:50,040 Speaker 3: yet because of the popularity of soccer internationally. But you're 55 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:54,520 Speaker 3: absolutely right. We've also worked with local broadcast partners. So 56 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:57,920 Speaker 3: here in the US we're working with T and T 57 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 3: and Univision, who have got a selection of games, not 58 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 3: all of the games, but selection of games, and that's 59 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 3: really helping, you know, extend the audience, make people aware 60 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:10,079 Speaker 3: of the tournament, and you know, promoting FIFA and the 61 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 3: Zone overall. So just over twenty games will be available 62 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 3: on those two broadcasters for US customers as well. 63 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 1: And the Zone is typically a subscription based platform, right, 64 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: so why make these games free for everyone. 65 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, we started ut We've traditionally been a PATV platform 66 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:31,320 Speaker 3: with subscription and pay per view, but around a year 67 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 3: ago we started experimenting with free content and in Europe 68 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 3: we've run a number of events for free and we 69 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,120 Speaker 3: think it's a very good model for an event like 70 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 3: this because we can bring in a huge new audience 71 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 3: to our platform and introduce our brand to a lot 72 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 3: of new sports fans. Obviously, we asked people to register, 73 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 3: so we do get some details, we get their email 74 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 3: address and in the future can sell them a paid subscription. 75 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 4: And for an event like this, we've had. 76 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 3: A very big opportunity on advertising and sponsorship, so by 77 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 3: making the event free, were able to really really increase the. 78 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 4: Reach for brands. 79 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 3: I should say we have got a paid version of 80 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 3: the products as well, so the free products is very good. 81 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 3: But if you want to have HDR picture quality less ads, 82 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 3: you can upgrade for a small fee and pay for 83 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:18,320 Speaker 3: a premium version of the Club World Cup. But we 84 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 3: do expect most people will watch it for free and 85 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:23,560 Speaker 3: that's really going to build the Dezone brand and the 86 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 3: Zone installed user base around the world. 87 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:29,839 Speaker 1: How does less ads work for a live sporting event. 88 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:33,679 Speaker 3: So it's a great question because obviously we have breaks 89 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 3: where there will be some ads. So for a soccer game, 90 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 3: actually you don't really have much break in play, so 91 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 3: you've got half time, but apart from that, it's a 92 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 3: pretty continuous match. And we will be removing sort of 93 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 3: in play advertising for people who pay a small fee. 94 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 3: So during the game there will be some in play advertising, 95 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 3: not a huge amount, but some, and if you pay 96 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:57,120 Speaker 3: you won't see that. You'll still get breaks, you know, 97 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 3: before and after the game, like regular ad breaks, but 98 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:02,840 Speaker 3: you won't see as much of the in game advertising. 99 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 2: Right. 100 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: Okay, And recently we were at an event together and 101 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:09,480 Speaker 1: you had talked about this being one of the catalysts 102 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:13,480 Speaker 1: for growing the brand in the US, specifically because here 103 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: known more as a boxing platform. Right, So why was 104 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 1: this the tournament? Why this tournament do you think is 105 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 1: going to help extend the brand reach overall for soccer 106 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:27,039 Speaker 1: and for overall for the brand. 107 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, And that's I mean, great question. 108 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 3: I mean, I think you know, first of all, for 109 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:34,720 Speaker 3: the US, we have historically here been a combat sports platform, 110 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 3: whereas if you look in Europe and Japan, we're very 111 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 3: well known as you know, a leading multi sport provider 112 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:43,839 Speaker 3: with a lot of soccer, baseball and so on in 113 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 3: those countries. I think the great thing about the Club 114 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:50,360 Speaker 3: World Cup is that it's happening in the US and 115 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:52,160 Speaker 3: when it kicks off next week, I think people are 116 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:55,480 Speaker 3: going to be very excited to see Real Madrid PSG, 117 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,160 Speaker 3: who just won the Champions League in Europe, River Plate, 118 00:05:58,279 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 3: Boca Juniors, you know, team from all over the world 119 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:03,720 Speaker 3: coming to play in a competition where there's a lot 120 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:07,159 Speaker 3: of money at stake. And so for US, having a 121 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 3: tournament that's hosted in the US, we think is very powerful. 122 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:14,040 Speaker 3: It's in the time zone, it will be you know, 123 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 3: across eleven different US cities. People are going to be 124 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 3: very aware it's happening. So for US, that's a good 125 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 3: tournament to grab brand in the States. And also we 126 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:26,799 Speaker 3: are soccer experts. We have all of the big leagues 127 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 3: in Europe, so you know in Italy we have Seriah, 128 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 3: the Bundesliga, in Germany, LaLiga and Spain, and so our 129 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,720 Speaker 3: production teams are very expert in that kind of coverage. 130 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 3: So we feel we can give a really great experience 131 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 3: for viewers. I should say, beyond the US soccer, or 132 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:44,600 Speaker 3: as I would call it. Living in the UK, football 133 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:48,040 Speaker 3: is the biggest sport in the world. You know, it's 134 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 3: loved in South America, It's loved across Europe, the Middle East. 135 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 3: You know, it is actually the most popular sport in 136 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:56,720 Speaker 3: the world. And as a result, we'll be able to 137 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 3: bring in a very very large global audience. 138 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:01,320 Speaker 1: Do you think that the global audience is going to 139 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:04,280 Speaker 1: outweigh the audience here in the US. 140 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 4: Well, that's an interesting question. 141 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 3: I think I think in the US we will get 142 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 3: a very significant audience, you know, in the tens of 143 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 3: millions of people I think we'll watch this tournament, But 144 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 3: if we take the sort of global footprints with we 145 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 3: think it will be much more in the hundreds of millions. 146 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 3: And that's because of the sheer scale of fans you 147 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 3: have in countries in South America, Europe, the Middle East 148 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 3: and so on. So we think it'll be very significant 149 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 3: for us in the US, but on a global scale 150 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 3: probably even bigger. 151 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:37,080 Speaker 1: So you mentioned hundreds of millions of viewers there, and 152 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 1: I know that one of the things that you guys 153 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 1: are looking at to be the most streamed sporting event, 154 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 1: you know, in the history of streaming. Is that because 155 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 1: you're looking at all sixty of those games global globally 156 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: that you think will reach that over one hundred million 157 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 1: mark that is held right now by what Jake Paul 158 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 1: and Mike Tyson fight. 159 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 3: Yes, I think, I mean, I think over the tournament 160 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 3: will easily see over one hundred million individual people watching 161 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 3: it or streaming it. To give you a sense, you know, 162 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 3: if I take a soccer club like Real Madrid, they've 163 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 3: got over half a billion fans worldwide, you know, huge 164 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 3: huge audience. The clubs in South America typically you know, 165 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 3: tens of millions of people following River Plate, Boca Juniors. 166 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 3: So these these teams have huge, huge followings and as 167 00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 3: a result, we think the cumulative number will be very 168 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 3: high in terms of you know, the single biggest stream 169 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,320 Speaker 3: match clearly that will be towards the end, the semi 170 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:35,920 Speaker 3: finals of the final, I would predict, depending on the teams, 171 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:38,520 Speaker 3: and we think that would be a very significant number. 172 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 3: But we'll have to see how we get on and 173 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 3: which teams make it. It'll be a bit dependent on 174 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 3: the teams that get there. 175 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:45,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely for sure. 176 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 1: I mean, if Miami makes it all the way that 177 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:50,800 Speaker 1: far them that'll be really good for the audience here 178 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:55,079 Speaker 1: in the US, I could imagine, right absolutely. One of 179 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: the things that I think is interesting that could be 180 00:08:57,440 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: you know, unique for you guys in this tournament is 181 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 1: being the global rights partners across everywhere. 182 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 2: Right, So how do you make sure. 183 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 1: That in those specific markets that you're speaking to those 184 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 1: fans directly here in the US, there in South America, 185 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 1: in Europe and all that. 186 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 3: It's a great question. So we are doing twenty seven 187 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 3: different feeds on the platform with localized commentary, localized presentation talent, 188 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,800 Speaker 3: and that even goes down to for English language, we'll 189 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 3: have a US team you know, who talk soccer and 190 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 3: you know more for the US audience, and we'll have 191 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 3: a British team who talk about as we would say 192 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 3: in the UK football. So we're even localizing within the languages. 193 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 3: You know, We've got a Latin American Spanish feed, and 194 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 3: we've got a Spanish feed for Spain and Europe, so 195 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 3: we are producing this in multiple languages with relevant talent. 196 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:51,440 Speaker 3: The talent we're using is a mixture of you know, 197 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 3: soccer experts, but also influencers ex players, and we will 198 00:09:56,440 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 3: be tailoring the experience in local language, So although it's platform, 199 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 3: the production will feel very localized. Depending where you are, 200 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 3: they'll be you know, in Europe French, German, Italian, in 201 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 3: South America Portuguese for Brazil, Latin, Spanish, and even in 202 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 3: the Middle East will be producing an Arabic feed. 203 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 4: So depending where you are in the world, you're going 204 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 4: to get a feed that's relevant to you. 205 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 1: So really really global on that different aspect, Yeah, for sure. 206 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:25,480 Speaker 1: So when we're looking at you know, the excitement and 207 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:27,560 Speaker 1: why you think that this will be so successful. Is 208 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: it because of this continuous cycle that we're going to 209 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 1: see in the US over the next year, you know, 210 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 1: on the on the heels of the World Cup coming 211 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:36,080 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty six. 212 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, there's a few factors. 213 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 3: I mean, first of all, for the Club World Cup itself, 214 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 3: there's a combination here of some of the best teams 215 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 3: in the world playing in a competition with real meaningful 216 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 3: prize money, but also the best players. You know, we've 217 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 3: got Messi obviously playing at Into Miami, but Harlan's come 218 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 3: in with Man City and Bape's come in with Real Madrid. 219 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:59,319 Speaker 3: You know, this will be very exciting in terms of 220 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 3: the top clubs the top players, and some of these 221 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 3: teams really have never competed before because they're coming from 222 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 3: all parts of the world. 223 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 4: But on top of that, you have a bit of 224 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 4: a movement in the US. 225 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 3: Now where we've got the World Cup for national teams 226 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:19,400 Speaker 3: coming next year. The MLS continues to sign increasingly strong players, 227 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:22,040 Speaker 3: and we see that soccer is one of the fastest 228 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 3: growing sports in the US, particularly with younger fans as well. 229 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 3: So it's really good timing and I think very very 230 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 3: you know, it's a good moment for the sport in 231 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 3: the United States. 232 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,840 Speaker 1: How do you continue that growth in the name of 233 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:42,040 Speaker 1: Disonne maybe in for soccer here in the US after 234 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:42,840 Speaker 1: the tournament's over. 235 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's a good question. 236 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:46,520 Speaker 3: So we're working on a few things at the moment, 237 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:49,560 Speaker 3: we can't quite say what they are yet, but we 238 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 3: will be shortly announcing some soccer rights and content that 239 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:57,600 Speaker 3: we'll have for next season, which typically starts in August 240 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:00,600 Speaker 3: for most leagues, and we'll be bringing some of our 241 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:03,880 Speaker 3: European expertise from the big leagues we have there. So 242 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:07,000 Speaker 3: after the Club World Cup we expect to have more 243 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:09,679 Speaker 3: live soccer. We also have a long term partnership with 244 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 3: FIFA for their FIFA Plus service, which will be available 245 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 3: on the zone. So we're hoping to have when we've 246 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:16,959 Speaker 3: practical planning to have a lot of extra content for 247 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 3: people to stay with us after the tournament finishes in July. 248 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 2: Yeah. Absolutely. 249 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:26,440 Speaker 1: And as we're talking about the global aspect of it all, 250 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: then how does that work, you know, in terms of 251 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 1: continuously growing that as well. I know you guys have 252 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 1: a partnership with Saudi Pro League. Is that going to 253 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 1: continue to extend as well. 254 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, We've got a number of big leagues we work 255 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 3: with and for instance, you know, having global highlights, having 256 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:49,840 Speaker 3: access to the big European leagues where we can get interviews, news, 257 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:52,160 Speaker 3: you know, on the ground footage, all of that will 258 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 3: kind of go into our global service. There are a 259 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 3: number of other things we're working on at the moment 260 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 3: of global rights beyond what we current we have. And 261 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:02,679 Speaker 3: again over the summer, I think you'll see a few 262 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:05,679 Speaker 3: more announcements from US about other soccer rights and other 263 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 3: sports rights that will be making available worldwide. 264 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:10,359 Speaker 2: Yeah. 265 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,880 Speaker 1: One of the things you know that has recently come 266 00:13:12,920 --> 00:13:15,880 Speaker 1: out about the Club World Cup is that ticket sales 267 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 1: aren't going as well as you know. Originally thought, does 268 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,839 Speaker 1: that give you any sort of concern for the viewership 269 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:23,480 Speaker 1: aspect of it? 270 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 4: Well, I think there's a few things. 271 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:27,800 Speaker 3: On ticket sales, the first thing I would say is 272 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 3: I would fully expect the very big teams to sell out. 273 00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 3: So if Chelsea come and do a preseason tour in 274 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 3: the US, not even in a competition like this, they sell. 275 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 4: Out all of the stadiums straight away. 276 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:42,160 Speaker 3: Real Madrid will sell out, you know, the big South 277 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:44,640 Speaker 3: American teams will sell out. So I think when we 278 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:46,839 Speaker 3: get to the stadiums, we're going to see them a 279 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 3: lot busier than maybe people are saying they will be. Clearly, 280 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:53,720 Speaker 3: some fixtures may may feature teams that are less famous, 281 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 3: less popular, and we'll see how they get on. But 282 00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 3: I think, first of all, I think, you know, we 283 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:01,440 Speaker 3: will see stadiums for up a lot more. And people 284 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 3: do often make late decisions on these things. But from 285 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 3: an audience point of view on streaming, we are very 286 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:10,719 Speaker 3: confident on it. We can see trends when we look 287 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 3: on Google and for how many people are searching for 288 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:16,480 Speaker 3: this tournament worldwide. You know that that is growing really 289 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:18,840 Speaker 3: really well. At the moment, we've already seen a very 290 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 3: large number of customers register for the de Zone app, 291 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,880 Speaker 3: so they're ready to watch it, and we're very confident 292 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 3: the audiences will be big because of the popularity of 293 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 3: soccer worldwide. 294 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 1: Is do you think that there's some sort of you know, 295 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: partnership between you and FIFA and the clubs themselves that 296 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 1: you know, you want to make extra content around maybe 297 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: those teams who aren't as popular. 298 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 2: Is their plans for that? Are you already doing that? 299 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, we're already on the case. 300 00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 3: So we've already made a short documentary for each team 301 00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 3: about who they are. 302 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:50,800 Speaker 4: You'll be seen as we go into the tournament. 303 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:52,720 Speaker 3: We'll be pushing that with FIFA on a lot of 304 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 3: our social media channels. And there are some really exciting teams, 305 00:14:57,560 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 3: you know, in the tournament that people may not be 306 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 3: fully familiar with. So you know, as an example, Al Halao, 307 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 3: who are coming from the Middle East, have been champions 308 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 3: out there for years and years and have some of 309 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 3: the best players in the world, particularly from South America, 310 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 3: playing for them. So I think I think fans are 311 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 3: going to discover a lot of new players and a 312 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:18,640 Speaker 3: bit like a national team World Cup, there will be 313 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 3: new stars that come out of this, players who score 314 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 3: a lot of goals, goalkeepers who make incredible saves, and 315 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 3: that's all part of the sort of intrigue of bringing 316 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 3: these teams together. 317 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, heck yeah, give it on for the goalkeepers there, 318 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 1: because I love that I as a goalkeeper, and we 319 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:34,120 Speaker 1: don't get enough love, I don't think. 320 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:35,600 Speaker 2: And our highlights are just good. 321 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: And you stalked there about you know a little bit 322 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 1: about social media and stuff, and recently announced a partnership 323 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 1: with TikTok. How does that work, you know in terms 324 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 1: of are people going to be able to share, you know, 325 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 1: because with rights on social media that's a little bit 326 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 1: tricky with sharing highlights and things like that. 327 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:56,160 Speaker 3: Well, I mean again, as part of making this you know, 328 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 3: widely available, we will be throughout our social media channels 329 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 3: machine highlights throughout the tournament. We're working with a number 330 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 3: of partners to distribute those and you drive awareness of them. 331 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:11,880 Speaker 3: So the big social media platforms, including TikTok, who recently 332 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 3: announced a bit of a strategic partnership with around this tournament, 333 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 3: but also more traditional publishing groups will be providing with 334 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 3: highlights and clips, you know, really to drive the excitement 335 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 3: and to drive people back to watch the live games 336 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 3: on the designed platform as well. So we're a very 337 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 3: digital company and we've always thought about sport both on 338 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 3: our platform, but it extended onto social platforms to reach 339 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 3: fans wherever they're consuming Pete. 340 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 1: As we wrap up here, is there any sort of 341 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:44,480 Speaker 1: bar or metrics you're looking at that you have now 342 00:16:44,760 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 1: for fans in the US, for you know that you 343 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 1: want to have growth at the end of this tournament 344 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: that you're looking at metric wise, Yes, for us, I. 345 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 3: Mean it's very important how many new registered customers we 346 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:02,120 Speaker 3: get who download our app and experience it the first time. Obviously, 347 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 3: the audience figures for the for the games themselves are important, 348 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:08,320 Speaker 3: and as you asked earlier, you know we will have 349 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:12,080 Speaker 3: follow on content. So for us, retaining people into the 350 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 3: app is important as well, and we just think this 351 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,680 Speaker 3: is a massive opportunity for de Zone to be installed 352 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:21,479 Speaker 3: on more smart TVs, more mobile phones, and for fans 353 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:24,000 Speaker 3: to see you know, what we can do because we're 354 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:27,840 Speaker 3: quite unique as the you know, a sports app that 355 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 3: is purely dedicated sorry, a streaming app that is purely 356 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 3: dedicated to sport. 357 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:33,440 Speaker 4: But yes, we'll look at. 358 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 3: The numbers at the end and hopefully we'll have significantly 359 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:41,400 Speaker 3: more customers registered with US than before when we started. 360 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 1: That was my conversation with Pete Oliver, CEO of Growth 361 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:48,359 Speaker 1: Markets at his zone. Now. Not only is the Club 362 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:50,320 Speaker 1: World Cup free to striam online, it's one of the 363 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:52,520 Speaker 1: cheapest major sporting events that's been held in the. 364 00:17:52,560 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 2: US over the last few years. 365 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:57,760 Speaker 1: Average ticket prices are about one hundred to two hundred dollars, 366 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:00,159 Speaker 1: whereas if you wanted to go to the Super Bowl 367 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:03,480 Speaker 1: this year, the average ticket prices were about two thousand 368 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 1: to six thousand dollars. 369 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:06,679 Speaker 2: This is a special edition of. 370 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 1: The Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast The Business of Soccer. 371 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:12,639 Speaker 1: Up next, we'll hear from the CEO and Secretary General 372 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:16,640 Speaker 1: of US Soccer Federation, JT. Batson. I'm Vanessa Prodemo. 373 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:17,960 Speaker 2: This is Bloomberg. 374 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:28,240 Speaker 1: You're listening to a special edition of the Bloomberg Business 375 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 1: of Sports podcast The Business of Soccer. I'm Vanessa Prodemo. 376 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:35,199 Speaker 1: My next guest is CEPO and Secretary General of the 377 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 1: US Soccer Federation JT. Batson. So, alongside the Club World 378 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: Cup happening right now is the Kunka CAAF Gold Club, 379 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 1: which is this huge tournament between national teams in North America, 380 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:48,040 Speaker 1: Central America and the Caribbean. This is one of the 381 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:50,439 Speaker 1: last big tournaments before the World Cup next year, and 382 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: the US men's national team needs to do well. The US, Canada, 383 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 1: and Mexico do have automatic bids into the World Cup 384 00:18:57,240 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: next year as the host nations, but the US has 385 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,199 Speaker 1: been struggling, so they need to make their mark on 386 00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 1: the international stage. Let's listen to my conversation with CEO 387 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 1: and Secretary General of US Soccer JT. 388 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:08,719 Speaker 2: Batson. 389 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 1: So we are one year out from the start of 390 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:14,400 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty six fee Foot World Cup. 391 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,760 Speaker 2: I am so excited. You know, how quickly has this 392 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:18,800 Speaker 2: come for you? Is it? 393 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:20,399 Speaker 1: Is it right around the corner for you? Do you 394 00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 1: feel or is it still a long way's a way. 395 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:25,680 Speaker 5: The way the soccer calendar works, there's always something right 396 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 5: on your doorstep, and of course the Men's World Cup 397 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:32,920 Speaker 5: being here in twenty twenty six is a huge moment. 398 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:37,640 Speaker 5: We're all incredibly excited about it. You know, we joke 399 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,239 Speaker 5: a lot that the soccer calendar never sleeps, and so 400 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:45,199 Speaker 5: you know, team's up for it, our organization's up for it, 401 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,040 Speaker 5: our fans are up for it, and we're certainly excited. 402 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:51,960 Speaker 1: It definitely is constantly populating the soccer calendar for sure. 403 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 2: So JT. 404 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:54,920 Speaker 1: You came in to the Federation just a few months 405 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:57,000 Speaker 1: ahead of the twenty twenty two World Cup and guitar 406 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:00,439 Speaker 1: and that must have been quite a busy first few months. 407 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:03,159 Speaker 1: But now you're you're in it. You know, you're in 408 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:05,520 Speaker 1: tune with the job and everything. So how is this 409 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:08,479 Speaker 1: year going to be for you different for you in 410 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 1: going into twenty twenty six than it was in twenty 411 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 1: twenty two. 412 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:15,840 Speaker 5: Well, the going into the twenty twenty two World Cup 413 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,960 Speaker 5: you I joined in September. Obviously the World Cup was 414 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 5: a few months after that. Those plans are long baked 415 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:25,760 Speaker 5: before before two months out, and so you know, as 416 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:28,479 Speaker 5: you think about the prep for next summer, you know, 417 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:32,399 Speaker 5: Matt Crocker a sporting director working with Mauricio Pochettino and 418 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:36,439 Speaker 5: staff planning out everything going into next summer. You know, 419 00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 5: so that that work is very actively going on, and 420 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 5: everything from where's the team based during the World Cup, 421 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:46,920 Speaker 5: to what are the games you're you're playing to prepare 422 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:51,119 Speaker 5: to all of the sort of logistics and everything we're doing, 423 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 5: you know, off the field as well to take full 424 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:55,560 Speaker 5: advantage of this unique moment. 425 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 4: So you know, I was, you know. 426 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 5: In guitar, I was able to be from all of 427 00:21:00,560 --> 00:21:03,520 Speaker 5: that work, whereas in this instance, obviously we're all knee 428 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:05,640 Speaker 5: deep in it, and with the World Cup being here 429 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:09,920 Speaker 5: presents all sorts of new opportunities for us to really 430 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:13,720 Speaker 5: seize the moment and help transform what soccer looks like 431 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 5: in this country. 432 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:18,200 Speaker 1: Right exactly, I mean there are so much This is 433 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:21,480 Speaker 1: gonna be the biggest moment for soccer really in the 434 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 1: US ever, right because the last time we hosted a 435 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:26,400 Speaker 1: World Cup, nineteen ninety four, we hosted a World Cup, 436 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:29,640 Speaker 1: the MLS was on the cusp of being created because 437 00:21:29,640 --> 00:21:32,040 Speaker 1: of that World Cup, right, So how is this going 438 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:35,680 Speaker 1: to be different because of everything that's on the line, 439 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:39,280 Speaker 1: MLS ANDWSL, everything that can benefit from this time. 440 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:43,200 Speaker 5: You know, in ninety four, we had aspirations of being 441 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:46,359 Speaker 5: a soccer country. You know, you mentioned Major League Soccer 442 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 5: was sort of born out of the ninety four World Cup. 443 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:53,400 Speaker 5: Nineteen ninety four World Cup is still the most attended 444 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 5: World Cup in history, even those only twenty four teams, 445 00:21:55,600 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 5: so you know, imagine forty eight teams in summer is 446 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:03,199 Speaker 5: going to shatter that record. But I think as you 447 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 5: think about where we are now, we are a soccer country. 448 00:22:06,320 --> 00:22:08,399 Speaker 5: They're over one hundred million fans of the men's and 449 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:12,000 Speaker 5: women's national team. There are more soccer games available to 450 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:14,959 Speaker 5: wash on television in the US than any other country 451 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:17,959 Speaker 5: in the world. You've got tens of millions of people playing, 452 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:21,480 Speaker 5: You've got an incredible amount of commercial investment success of 453 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:25,800 Speaker 5: Major League Soccer NWSL, USL and sort of all forms 454 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 5: of soccer in this country. So, you know, conceivably maybe 455 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:30,359 Speaker 5: twenty twenty six is when the rest of the world 456 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:34,239 Speaker 5: learns that we're a soccer country. And so, you know, 457 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:36,840 Speaker 5: for us, you know, the journey from ninety four to 458 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:41,160 Speaker 5: twenty twenty six has been one of incredible growth and 459 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 5: real maturity of the soccer market, and you know, it's 460 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:47,159 Speaker 5: around how do we take that to the next. 461 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:50,000 Speaker 1: Level, in your opinion, how do we show the rest 462 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:52,320 Speaker 1: of the world that we are a soccer country since 463 00:22:52,359 --> 00:22:53,800 Speaker 1: we are one of the hosts of the twenty twenty 464 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:54,400 Speaker 1: six World Cup. 465 00:22:54,760 --> 00:22:57,399 Speaker 5: Well, first and foremost, you know, we have to have 466 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:00,359 Speaker 5: a team that everyone believes in, and to have a 467 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 5: team that after every game you're proud of their fight, 468 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:10,119 Speaker 5: you're proud of their performance, and you're excited about the 469 00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:11,640 Speaker 5: next opportunity for them to go win. 470 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:12,439 Speaker 4: You know. 471 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:16,720 Speaker 5: The one of the things that was very true in 472 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 5: Qatar was colleagues from around the world kept coming up 473 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 5: to me and some of my colleagues at US Soccer 474 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:26,440 Speaker 5: is saying, wow, this US team, look at you know, 475 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:28,239 Speaker 5: look at you know, look at you guys, And they 476 00:23:28,240 --> 00:23:31,880 Speaker 5: weren't expecting that. I think, what, of course, we got 477 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:33,239 Speaker 5: to perform on the field, But I think where our 478 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:36,199 Speaker 5: big opportunity is is for the millions of people that 479 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:39,439 Speaker 5: come to America to experience the tens of millions of 480 00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:44,120 Speaker 5: fans UH here in America and their passion, their love, 481 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:48,400 Speaker 5: their knowledge for the game UH and helping them really 482 00:23:48,480 --> 00:23:52,359 Speaker 5: appreciate how deep and broad the sort of love of 483 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:55,520 Speaker 5: soccer is in this country, and of course benefiting from 484 00:23:55,600 --> 00:24:00,159 Speaker 5: the amazing facilities and infrastructure and restaurants and hotels and 485 00:24:00,160 --> 00:24:02,399 Speaker 5: and everything we have in the US that makes it 486 00:24:02,440 --> 00:24:05,960 Speaker 5: such an amazing place to witness a global sporting spectacle. 487 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:10,240 Speaker 1: Are there any metrics in terms of growing the game 488 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:15,080 Speaker 1: percentage wise by fans or viewership, or in terms of 489 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:18,800 Speaker 1: youth participation that you're looking at that it stands now 490 00:24:18,840 --> 00:24:20,840 Speaker 1: to where you want it to grow over the next year. 491 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 5: So overall, US Soccer believes that we exist in service 492 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:28,840 Speaker 5: to soccer. Our job is to support those who are 493 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:31,400 Speaker 5: bringing soccer to life in communities all across the country, 494 00:24:31,880 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 5: you know, and those folks have three shared ambitions. They 495 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 5: want soccer everywhere, so they want everyone in the country 496 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:39,440 Speaker 5: to be able to experience the joy of soccer. They 497 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 5: want our teams to win, so they of course want 498 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 5: our national teams, they want our pro clubs to win 499 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:47,200 Speaker 5: on the world stage, and they want to maximize investment 500 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 5: in the sport at all levels. So that's commercial investment, 501 00:24:49,359 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 5: philanthropic investment, government support, private capital coming in. And so 502 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 5: as we think about the opportunity of Club World Cup 503 00:24:58,040 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaker 5: in twenty five, Men's World Cup and twenty six Olympics 504 00:25:01,280 --> 00:25:03,439 Speaker 5: in twenty eight, and us being the sole bidders for 505 00:25:03,600 --> 00:25:06,399 Speaker 5: the Women's World Cup in twenty thirty one, there's a 506 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:09,360 Speaker 5: really unique opportunity for us to move the needle across 507 00:25:09,440 --> 00:25:12,360 Speaker 5: all three of those shared ambitions. And as we think 508 00:25:12,359 --> 00:25:18,200 Speaker 5: about what that means, we launch the Soccer Ford Foundation 509 00:25:19,359 --> 00:25:22,359 Speaker 5: to drive more access to soccer, to make it to 510 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:25,320 Speaker 5: where everyone in this country can walk, ride their bike, 511 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 5: or take public transit to a safe place to play soccer. 512 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:29,560 Speaker 5: To make it to where soccer is in every school 513 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 5: in this country. We've launched the US Way, which is 514 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:37,960 Speaker 5: our comprehensive strategy to ensure our teams win, to focus 515 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:40,840 Speaker 5: on all levels of the game, to set our teams 516 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:43,920 Speaker 5: up for success in these big moments. And of course, 517 00:25:43,960 --> 00:25:47,560 Speaker 5: from an investment standpoint, think about the investment that's going 518 00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:51,760 Speaker 5: on and all levels of our game, whether it's infrastructure, 519 00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:52,639 Speaker 5: building facilities. 520 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:53,440 Speaker 4: Our new Arthur M. 521 00:25:53,520 --> 00:25:56,119 Speaker 5: Blank US Soccer National Training Center in Atlanta, almost a 522 00:25:56,119 --> 00:25:59,159 Speaker 5: two hundred acre project, first ever national training center and 523 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:01,480 Speaker 5: headquarters for US Soccer, will be the best in the 524 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:06,720 Speaker 5: world when it opens next year. To the investments in 525 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:12,120 Speaker 5: the professional leagues, the investments in all of the infrastructure, 526 00:26:12,160 --> 00:26:15,320 Speaker 5: the digital infrastructure that US Soccer is doing around supporting 527 00:26:15,320 --> 00:26:18,280 Speaker 5: the rest of the soccer ecosystem. So this is a 528 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:21,320 Speaker 5: very very very important time for us to take advantage 529 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 5: of the growth of our sport, the momentum and the 530 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 5: focus and if anything, we are thinking about using twenty 531 00:26:28,119 --> 00:26:31,199 Speaker 5: six twenty eight thirty one sort of forcing functions to 532 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:34,359 Speaker 5: get people to take big, bold steps forward around transforming 533 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:35,399 Speaker 5: what the sport can look like. 534 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:41,040 Speaker 1: And is that looking to get investors and the stakeholders 535 00:26:41,040 --> 00:26:44,119 Speaker 1: in leagues and things like that. Those are those the 536 00:26:44,119 --> 00:26:46,919 Speaker 1: people you're looking at to take big, big swings and 537 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,400 Speaker 1: big you know things like you just said, Like I mean, 538 00:26:49,440 --> 00:26:51,320 Speaker 1: you guys obviously had a lot of investment this year. 539 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:55,199 Speaker 1: The Ken Griffin Donation made a lot of headlines this 540 00:26:55,280 --> 00:27:00,520 Speaker 1: year and helping with Merchu Po Chattino get hired as 541 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:03,000 Speaker 1: US men's national team coach and then obviously, like you mentioned, 542 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:06,919 Speaker 1: Arthur Blank in that training facility. Michelle Kang, big donations 543 00:27:07,400 --> 00:27:09,720 Speaker 1: talk to us a little bit about those specific people 544 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:13,160 Speaker 1: and investors that you're looking at to help grow and 545 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:16,520 Speaker 1: the role that philanthropy plays for US soccer. 546 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 5: So when you think about US soccer, one analogy for 547 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:25,040 Speaker 5: folks who are listening in terms of our sort of businesses, 548 00:27:25,040 --> 00:27:28,080 Speaker 5: we've got almost like a pro sports part of our business. 549 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:29,119 Speaker 4: Those are our national teams. 550 00:27:29,160 --> 00:27:31,639 Speaker 5: We have twenty seven national teams, most known for our 551 00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:33,760 Speaker 5: men's and women's national teams, but those sort of resemble 552 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:37,320 Speaker 5: a pro sports organization. We have a trade association type 553 00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:41,840 Speaker 5: of business, think of coaching, education, referee certification and licensing, 554 00:27:43,160 --> 00:27:46,959 Speaker 5: sort of promoting a health and safe and positive ecosystem 555 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:50,480 Speaker 5: type of work. And we have the Impact ARM Soccer 556 00:27:50,520 --> 00:27:53,560 Speaker 5: Ford Foundation, which is around accessibility and ensuring our game 557 00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:57,200 Speaker 5: can be everywhere for everyone. And so as you think 558 00:27:57,240 --> 00:28:01,720 Speaker 5: about investment, those coming different forms depending on which of 559 00:28:01,760 --> 00:28:05,679 Speaker 5: those businesses your your business lines you're you're talking about UH, 560 00:28:05,720 --> 00:28:09,480 Speaker 5: And as you think about US Soccer at the organization, 561 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:13,000 Speaker 5: you know, we've had incredible success over the last two 562 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:19,640 Speaker 5: years UH launching our commercial rights business. We have been 563 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:21,560 Speaker 5: able to partner with some of the great brands in 564 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:25,040 Speaker 5: the world, from Nike to Bank of America, to Coca Cola, 565 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:27,760 Speaker 5: to Visa to you know, and and and to where 566 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:33,359 Speaker 5: we have you know, grown revenue had a really impressive 567 00:28:33,359 --> 00:28:35,400 Speaker 5: clip over the last couple of years from people who 568 00:28:35,680 --> 00:28:38,600 Speaker 5: believe in our vision, believe in our mission, and believe 569 00:28:38,640 --> 00:28:42,680 Speaker 5: in in the opportunity UH to use soccer as a 570 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 5: force for good in their relationship with US Soccer to 571 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:47,920 Speaker 5: to bring that to life. We also have had incredible 572 00:28:47,920 --> 00:28:52,560 Speaker 5: success from a philanthropic standpoint. You know, you mentioned, you know, 573 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:55,280 Speaker 5: the support from Arthur and Blank, from Michelle Kang from 574 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 5: Ken Griffin and others who believe that, you know, US 575 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,360 Speaker 5: soccer can go do big things. You know, unlike our 576 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:05,720 Speaker 5: peers US soccer around the world, US soccer receives no 577 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 5: government support directly, and so, you know, philanthropic support is 578 00:29:11,960 --> 00:29:15,600 Speaker 5: a unique American thing and it's something that you know, 579 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:18,320 Speaker 5: we want to embrace as we are trying to go 580 00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:20,080 Speaker 5: be best in the world, and so why not use 581 00:29:20,160 --> 00:29:24,120 Speaker 5: what America's great at. And so we've been very fortunate 582 00:29:24,160 --> 00:29:27,280 Speaker 5: to have people who believe in our overall mission and 583 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:29,920 Speaker 5: believe in our ability to go do big things and 584 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:33,920 Speaker 5: being great stewards of their money. And so we're excited 585 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,680 Speaker 5: about about what it looks like. Then more broadly, we 586 00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:39,240 Speaker 5: care about what's the health of the soccer ecosystem in 587 00:29:39,280 --> 00:29:44,680 Speaker 5: this country. Our investors stepping up to invest in professional teams. Absolutely, 588 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:48,640 Speaker 5: you're seeing that every day on the MLS, NWSL and 589 00:29:48,960 --> 00:29:53,680 Speaker 5: USL side. Our governments investing in making soccer more accessible 590 00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:56,920 Speaker 5: in their communities. Every week, new communities across the country 591 00:29:57,040 --> 00:29:59,640 Speaker 5: opening up new soccer facilities, whether they're big you know, 592 00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:05,040 Speaker 5: soccer complexes or sort of small fields or spaces to 593 00:30:05,080 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 5: play in denser areas soccer and schools that are expanding rapidly, 594 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:14,280 Speaker 5: you know, thanks to school districts. Investing in soccer is 595 00:30:14,280 --> 00:30:18,920 Speaker 5: an incredibly accessible sport, very high ROI to achieve health 596 00:30:19,000 --> 00:30:22,200 Speaker 5: outcomes and positive community outcomes. So as we think about 597 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:25,040 Speaker 5: sort of investment, we take a very broad lens on 598 00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:28,000 Speaker 5: that and it's something that you know, across the board 599 00:30:28,040 --> 00:30:30,280 Speaker 5: we're seeing growth, growth, and more growth. 600 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:31,960 Speaker 2: That was JT. 601 00:30:32,080 --> 00:30:34,600 Speaker 1: Batson of US Soccer and that does it for this 602 00:30:34,800 --> 00:30:37,320 Speaker 1: edition of the Business of Soccer. It's part of our 603 00:30:37,360 --> 00:30:39,920 Speaker 1: new series we're starting on the Bloomberg Business of Sports 604 00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:42,200 Speaker 1: as we get ready for the FIFA Club World Cup 605 00:30:42,200 --> 00:30:46,360 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty six. I'm Vanessa Perdomo. Subscribe now so 606 00:30:46,360 --> 00:30:49,440 Speaker 1: you never miss an episode. You're listening to the Bloomberg 607 00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 1: Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around the world.