The United Soccer League (USL) is the largest professional soccer organization in North America - and it's ready to grow more. It's the first and only soccer organization in the US to build a youth-to-pro pathway for both women and men within one ecosystem. Hosts Michael Barr, Scarlet Fu and Damian Sassower speak to USL's COO and Chief Real Estate Officer Justin Papadakis on the soccer talent pipeline they're building, and how they plan to grow the USL with a focus on local communities. 

The United Soccer League (USL) is the largest professional soccer organization in North America - and it's ready to grow more. It's the first and only soccer organization in the US to build a youth-to-pro pathway for both women and men within one ecosystem. Hosts Michael Barr, Scarlet Fu and Damian Sassower speak to USL's COO and Chief Real Estate Officer Justin Papadakis on the soccer talent pipeline they're building, and how they plan to grow the USL with a focus on local communities.

Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Damian Sassower follow the money in the world of sports, taking listeners inside decisions that power the multibillion dollar industry. From media and technology to finance and real estate, leagues and teams across the globe have matured into far more than just back-page entertainment. The show explains the money behind the games.

Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Damian Sassower follow the money in the world of sports, taking listeners inside decisions that power the multibillion dollar industry. From media and technology to finance and real estate, leagues and teams across the globe have matured into far more than just back-page entertainment. The show explains the money behind the games.

Scarlet Fu, Michael Barr and Damian Sassower follow the money in the world of sports, taking listeners inside decisions that power the multibillion dollar industry.

Bloomberg Business of Sports

The United Soccer League's Soccer Talent Pipeline

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/16b058d2-fda1-4541-a11f-af49015fcd95/transcript

Join hosts Michael Barr and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports.

Kendall Coyne Schoenfeld, Minnesota Frost hockey player, discusses the growth of women’s hockey. Kendall is a professional women’s hockey player, and was part of the U.S Women’s hockey team that won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. She was also not only a player in the PWHL but she is essentially the reason it exists.  Kendall put in the call to Billie Jean King that put the league into motion.

On this episode, we also hear from:
Justin Marks, Founder and Owner of Trackhouse Entertainment Group, who discusses how he went from driver to team owner
Justin Giangrande, Founder and CEO of Network, who discusses the evolution of college sports, and  how Name, Image, and Likeness keeps changing the way schools pay their athletes

Join hosts Michael Barr and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports.
Kendall Coyne Schoenfeld, Minnesota Frost hockey player, discusses the growth of women&rsquo;s hockey.&nbsp;Kendall is a professional women&rsquo;s hockey player, and was part of the U.S Women&rsquo;s hockey team that won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.&nbsp;She was also not only a player in the PWHL but she is essentially the reason it exists. &nbsp;Kendall put in the call to Billie Jean King that put the league into motion.
On this episode, we also hear from:
<ul>
<li>Justin Marks, Founder and Owner of Trackhouse Entertainment Group, who discusses how he went from driver to team owner</li>
<li>Justin Giangrande, Founder and CEO of Network, who discusses the evolution of college sports, and &nbsp;how Name, Image, and Likeness keeps changing the way schools pay their athletes</li>
</ul>

Olympic Gold Medalist Kendall Coyne Schofield Talks Growth of Women’s Hockey

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/00cf25a9-cbc1-433b-a5e8-b40c01644387/transcript

Join hosts Michael Barr and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports.

Chicago Bulls legend and six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen has hired Sotheby’s auction house to sell a selection of his personal memorabilia, including the jersey he wore during the championship-clinching game of the 1998 NBA Finals.

Dubbed “The Scottie Pippen Collection,” the auction is set to begin in March and will feature items he personally wore during his 17-year NBA career.

The collection is expected to be worth more than $6 million, with items ranging from $30,000 to over $1 million. 

On this episode, hear from:
Scottie Pippen on his career, the current state of basketball and his trove of collectibles
Jeremiah Yolkut, senior vice president of global events for Major League Baseball on the league's preparations for the World Baseball Classic as it gets underway

Join hosts Michael Barr and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. Chicago Bulls legend and six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen has hired Sotheby&rsquo;s auction house to sell a selection of his personal memorabilia, including the jersey he wore during the championship-clinching game of the 1998 NBA Finals. Dubbed &ldquo;The Scottie Pippen Collection,&rdquo; the auction is set to begin in March and will feature items he personally wore during his 17-year NBA career. The collection is expected to be worth more than $6 million, with items ranging from $30,000 to over $1 million. On this episode, hear from:
<ul>
<li>Scottie Pippen on his career, the current state of basketball and his trove of collectibles</li>
<li>Jeremiah Yolkut, senior vice president of global events for Major League Baseball on the league's preparations for the World Baseball Classic as it gets underway</li>
</ul>

NBA Legend Scottie Pippen's Sotheby's Auction; MLB Preps for World Baseball Classic

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d11b3589-0626-42c5-b241-b4050167d451/transcript

The FIFA 2026 World Cup officially kicks off in 100 days across the US, Canada and Mexico. Host Vanessa Perdomo speaks to Amy Hopfinger, Chief Business and Strategy Officer at FIFA about how the 16 host cities are preparing for the tournament this summer. 
On this episode: 
How do cities get ready to host the World Cup and what needs to be done over the next 100 days 
How is the US-Israeli war with Iran affecting their participation in the tournament
How FIFA is addressing security concerns

The FIFA 2026 World Cup officially kicks off in 100 days across the US, Canada and Mexico. Host Vanessa Perdomo speaks to Amy Hopfinger, Chief Business and Strategy Officer at FIFA about how the 16 host cities are preparing for the tournament this summer.&nbsp; On this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>How do cities get ready to host the World Cup and what needs to be done over the next 100 days&nbsp;</li>
<li>How is the US-Israeli war with Iran affecting their participation in the tournament</li>
<li>How FIFA is addressing security concerns</li>
</ul>

The Business of Soccer: The FIFA 2026 World Cup Is Officially 100 Days Away 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7c2f487b-8232-4703-a2e0-b40201250b44/transcript

The United Soccer League's Soccer Talent Pipeline

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Bloomberg Business of Sports

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