With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Major League Baseball season is officially entering its final innings. So in this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly break down some of the latest headlines, including what is happening with the negotiations over a collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players, the trade that may have guaranteed the Los Angeles Dodgers another World Series win, and why Alex is still bullish on his New York Yankees. Plus, Alex previews a very special 50th anniversary celebration for the Seattle Mariners. 

With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Major League Baseball season is officially entering its final innings. So in this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly break down some of the latest headlines, including what is happening with the negotiations over a collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players, the trade that may have guaranteed the Los Angeles Dodgers another World Series win, and why Alex is still bullish on his New York Yankees. Plus, Alex previews a very special 50th anniversary celebration for the Seattle Mariners.&nbsp;

When sports, business and culture collide, there’s often a deal to be made. Join Alex Rodriguez and Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly as they get the inside track from corporate titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs on investing, strategy, reinvention and the ones that got away. The Deal is a Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals series that’s passionate, relaxed, insightful and inspirational. If you think you know these icons, prepare to be surprised.

Hosts:

Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball.

Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.

When sports, business and culture collide, there’s often a deal to be made. Join Alex Rodriguez and Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly as they get the inside track from corporate titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs on investing, strategy, reinvention and the ones that got away. The Deal is a Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals series that’s passionate, relaxed, insightful and inspirational. If you think you know these icons, prepare to be surprised.
Hosts:
Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball.
Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.

The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly

Alex Rodriguez on MLB’s CBA Negotiations

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6bd67dc5-4202-49fd-a983-b49c01269a77/transcript

Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly recently had the opportunity to sit down again with David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group, to chat about his new book, “Inside the Owner's Box: Conversations on Power and Leadership in Sports.” That conversation got us thinking back to an earlier episode of The Deal, recorded shortly after Rubenstein's purchase of the Baltimore Orioles. We revisit that conversation, with Rubenstein telling the hosts why he bought his hometown baseball team, how he assembled the ownership group, and what the Orioles mean for the city of Baltimore. 

Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly recently had the opportunity to sit down again with David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group, to chat about his new book, &ldquo;Inside the Owner's Box: Conversations on Power and Leadership in Sports.&rdquo; That conversation got us thinking back to an earlier episode of The Deal, recorded shortly after Rubenstein's purchase of the Baltimore Orioles. We revisit that conversation, with Rubenstein telling the hosts why he bought his hometown baseball team, how he assembled the ownership group, and what the Orioles mean for the city of Baltimore.&nbsp;

 Re-Run: Why Wall Street Giant David Rubenstein Bought the Baltimore Orioles

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8389cfe4-137b-4358-9210-b4a4012ee1d8/transcript

Investors have poured money into youth sports in recent years, with some reports saying the industry is worth as much as $40 billion. It’s no surprise, then, that renowned investors David Blitzer and Josh Harris partnered with The Chernin Group in 2024 to start Unrivaled Sports, a growing portfolio of youth sports investments across baseball, softball, flag football, and more. Unrivaled’s chairman and CEO Andy Campion says they’re only just getting started. 

In this episode of The Deal, Andy tells Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly why he left Nike to go all in on youth sports. From the sidelines of a youth baseball tournament at Cooperstown All-Star Village, he explains the business model making youth sports more accessible while also offering premier experiences. 

You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.

Investors have poured money into youth sports in recent years, with some reports saying the industry is worth as much as $40 billion. It&rsquo;s no surprise, then, that renowned investors <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-deal-with-alex-rodriguez-and-jason-kelly/how-blackstone-s-david-blitzer-invested-in-every-major-sport">David Blitzer</a> and <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-deal-with-alex-rodriguez-and-jason-kelly/inside-the-commanders-dc-deal-with-owner-josh-harris">Josh Harris</a> partnered with The <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-deal-with-alex-rodriguez-and-jason-kelly/the-investment-case-for-youth-sports-with-tcgs-jes">Chernin Group</a> in 2024 to start Unrivaled Sports, a growing portfolio of youth sports investments across baseball, softball, flag football, and more. Unrivaled&rsquo;s chairman and CEO Andy Campion says they&rsquo;re only just getting started.&nbsp;
In this episode of The Deal, Andy tells Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly why he left Nike to go all in on youth sports. From the sidelines of a youth baseball tournament at Cooperstown All-Star Village, he explains the business model making youth sports more accessible while also offering premier experiences.&nbsp;
You can also watch this interview on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe4PRejZgr0PsqvVJn02SqagGx5Bn3rZy">Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page</a>.

Andy Campion’s Unrivaled Approach to Youth Sports

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0befc532-8967-4c4f-9667-b496010e961c/transcript

The 2026 World Cup is done and the numbers are astounding. FIFA reportedly expects to bring in $15 billion in revenue, blowing past their original projection of $12 billion. This number isn’t surprising considering that almost 7 million people attended the tournament’s 104 games and 60 million people in North America tuned into Sunday’s final. 

In this episode of The Deal, we dig into the stories beyond these record-smashing numbers. First up, Jason talks to Fox Soccer broadcaster Melissa Ortiz about how this World Cup compared to the others she has covered as a broadcaster and played in as a member of the Colombian national team. She also explains what made the officiating so frustrating and why she is already looking forward to next summer’s women’s World Cup. 

Next, Jason is joined by Bloomberg News sports reporter and Business of Sports co-host Vanessa Perdomo about what makes this World Cup such an incredible business story and why FIFA will likely be eager to host another major tournament in the U.S. She also gives her take on how the World Cup’s momentum will impact the MLS and predicts the future of hydration breaks.

The 2026 World Cup is done and the numbers are astounding. FIFA reportedly expects to bring in $15 billion in revenue, blowing past their original projection of $12 billion. This number isn&rsquo;t surprising considering that almost 7 million people attended the tournament&rsquo;s 104 games and 60 million people in North America tuned into Sunday&rsquo;s final.&nbsp;
In this episode of The Deal, we dig into the stories beyond these record-smashing numbers. First up, Jason talks to Fox Soccer broadcaster Melissa Ortiz about how this World Cup compared to the others she has covered as a broadcaster and played in as a member of the Colombian national team. She also explains what made the officiating so frustrating and why she is already looking forward to next summer&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s World Cup.&nbsp;
Next, Jason is joined by Bloomberg News sports reporter and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/podcasts/series/business-of-sports">Business of Sports </a>co-host Vanessa Perdomo about what makes this World Cup such an incredible business story and why FIFA will likely be eager to host another major tournament in the U.S. She also gives her take on how the World Cup&rsquo;s momentum will impact the MLS and predicts the future of hydration breaks.

World Cup 2026 Recap

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ee3e7ee8-8fc4-4e68-adb7-b4900036e872/transcript

Alex Rodriguez on MLB’s CBA Negotiations

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