The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly
Bloomberg
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 25, 2026 • 33min
MLB Opening Day Preview with Alex Rodriguez
Today is Opening Day of the 2026 MLB season. The season kicks off with a coast-to-coast showdown (on Netflix!) between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. But it’s the off-the-diamond news that’s making the biggest waves. Beyond a streaming service partnership, baseball's also now in business with Polymarket, and facing labor strife that could lead to an offseason lockout going into 2027. So, yeah, there's a lot to talk about. In this special episode of The Deal, Alex breaks it all down for Jason, reflecting on his own participation in the 1995 MLB lockout and responds to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred saying off-season lockouts “should be the new norm.” He also explains what he sees as the MLBPA’s non-negotiables, his thoughts on the MLB having a salary cap and why now is the best time to invest in baseball. Finally, Alex shares the baseball storylines he is most looking forward to and his prediction of who will be facing off to win it all in October.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 19, 2026 • 26min
David Levy is the Reason You’re Watching March Madness
It’s brackets season! And you can watch all 67 games of both the women’s and men’s NCAA tournament on national TV, thanks to David Levy. Levy spent 33 years at Turner Broadcasting, eventually serving as its president, where he expanded the network’s NBA coverage. Levy is probably best known for brokering a $10.8 billion rights agreement that made every March Madness game available nationally across CBS and the Turner networks for the very first time. In this episode of The Deal, Alex and Jason talk to Levy about the ins and outs of the March Madness deal. He also tells the story of how he got Shaq to fill Inside the NBA’s fourth chair and why the key to that show’s success is letting Charles Barkley talk. Finally, Levy shares more about his current venture, Horizon Sports & Experiences, and why he’s betting big on women’s sports and pickleball. You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 17, 2026 • 16min
Reaction: Alex Rodriguez Says the MLB Needs to Act on the World Baseball Classic’s Momentum
Tonight, the United States and Venezuela face off in the finals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. And chances are, a lot of you will be watching. Based only on pool play, this year’s WBC viewership is up 142% from the 2023 tournament. 35,000 people have bought tickets to tonight’s final and over 100 million Japanese fans tuned in to watch Shohei Ohtani. Aaron Judge called the crowd at the U.S.-Mexico game on March 10th, “bigger and better than the World Series.” In this special episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez shares his reaction to the phenomenon that is the 2026 World Baseball Classic with his co-host Jason Kelly. Rodriguez talks about the national pride his fellow Dominicans felt over the past few weeks and explains why MLB commissioner Rob Manfred needs to capitalize on this momentum leading into what Rodriguez calls “the most important season in the history of the sport.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 12, 2026 • 27min
How NFL Star Bobby Wagner is Modeling his Career on Michael's and Magic's
Bobby Wagner is one of three NFL Linebackers to ever record 2,000 tackles. But his biggest goal is ownership, whether that’s of a team or his own contract negotiations. Following the lead of his mentors Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, Wagner has spent the last decade diversifying his business interests, including investments in tech start-ups and taking a minority stake in the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. In this episode of The Deal, Alex and Jason talk to Wagner about what he saw as an NFL rookie that motivated him to be his own agent and explains the ins and outs of how an NFL contract comes to be. Wagner also shares how Larry Johnson and a cartoon based on Magic shaped his views on athletes and ownership. He also explains why writing a check to the Seattle Storm was his easiest investment decision. You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 5, 2026 • 30min
Men in Blazers’ Roger Bennett Says America Already Loves Soccer
Can Americans really embrace the rest of the world's favorite sport? According to Roger Bennett, the founder and CEO of soccer media powerhouse Men in Blazers, we don't have to wait for this summer's World Cup -- the love affair with soccer is in full swing across the United States. In fact, Roger breaks the news to Alex that soccer has surpassed baseball as the country’s third most popular sport after (American) football and basketball. In this episode of The Deal, Alex and Jason talk to Bennett about soccer’s ascent into the hearts of American sports fans and into the portfolios of American investors. He also explains why the MLS will never be as popular as the Premier League, why soccer ownership is a great investment and why the World Cup is the pinnacle of athletic competition. Check out Roger’s new memoir We Are the World (Cup) You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 11, 2025 • 32min
Power Players: How F1's Pierre Gasly Built a Brand Outside of Racing
In this special episode, Jason Kelly speaks with Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly about how drivers aren't just racers in today's Formula 1 – they're global brand ambassadors, technical consultants, and brands unto themselves. Gasly discussed how he is building his empire through partnerships with fashion brands, an investment group, and an ownership stake in FC Versailles, on top of competing in 24 races every year around the world. This interview was part of the first episode of Bloomberg Originals' documentary mini-series, Power Players. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 4, 2025 • 27min
Power Players: How CEO Stefano Domenicali is Growing F1's Legacy
In this special episode, Jason Kelly speaks with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali about how F1 is bringing its booming business to Miami, why he's excited about the addition of Cadillac to the F1 grid, how he's pushing to bring more women into racing through F1 Academy, and why he teamed up with the folks behind the Brad Pitt movie "F1." This interview was part of the third episode of Bloomberg Originals' documentary mini-series, Power Players. Listen to previous episodes of The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly featuring Tom Garfinkel, CEO of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium, and Susie Wolff, managing director of F1 Academy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 6, 2025 • 26min
Why Willow Bay Invested in Angel City FC
Willow Bay, the Dean of USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and controlling owner of Angel City FC, shares her journey into sports ownership. She highlights how her role has shaped conversations on community impact and equity in women's sports. Reflecting on her time with "NBA Inside Stuff," she discusses the cultural shift in sports media. Bay dives into her commitment to social responsibility with Angel City, including investing in players and community programs while advocating for diverse representation in ownership roles.
Nov 4, 2025 • 21min
Reaction: Best World Series Ever? Plus, the "Alex vs. A-Rod" Premiere
In this special bonus episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly hop on the mic to talk about the thrilling seven-game World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. They discuss why it was the best World Series Rodriguez has ever seen, how Dodgers owner Mark Walter's vision and checkbook have fueled the team, and why they see potential for a Dodgers three-peat next year. The hosts also talk about the premiere of the new HBO documentary series, "Alex vs. A-Rod," and the lessons Rodriguez hopes younger athletes learn from his mistakes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 30, 2025 • 49min
Why Emmanuel Acho Left the NFL to Create a New Kind of Platform
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk to the former football player and award-winning producer Emmanuel Acho about why he rejected the NFL and rebranded as a media influencer. In this conversation, they discuss the business of the NFL, why Acho’s “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” video series became a viral success and how he’s revitalizing sports media with his new show “Speakeasy.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
