The Athletic FC Podcast

On this week's Business of Sport, Mark Chapman & Matt Slater are joined by Michael Kalt, who was part of the investment group that transformed the Tampa Bay Rays from one of baseball’s worst teams to one of the best and now leads consortiums investing in football across Europe.As well as comparing financial strategies in US & European sport, Kalt discusses how U.S. investors have been seeking out bargains in football, drawn by the game’s ever-increasing global reach and lower valuations.Then , Matt Slater is in conversation with Ipswich Town’s American co-owner Brett Johnson & CEO Mark Ashton to hear about their plans for the club following the US backed takeover. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes speak to Liam Twomey about the evolution of Thomas Tuchel into the right man for Chelsea at exactly the right time in his own career... How 'Tommy Tactics' has learned from past mistakes in Paris and Dortmund, organising up to 42 players at one time or another during preseason, Lukaku's return and their assault on Man City's Premier League crown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein, Adam Crafton & Jack Pitt- Brooke to bring you the very latest on the continuing saga of Harry Kane's future and the reasons why this transfer window is proving so problematic for all but the biggest Premier League clubs.We also hear details of a new contract for Liverpool's Jordan Henderson, discuss Paul Pogba's options and why Héctor Bellerín still can't leave Arsenal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth for the first weekend preview of the new Premier League season... Can newcomers Brentford upset the odds against Arsenal on opening night, who will outscore who as Leeds face Manchester United, will Harry Kane start for Spurs against Man City and just how good is Liverpool's Harvey Elliott? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Oliver Kay to look at how Lionel Messi's transfer to PSG plays against the backdrop of financial fair play, nearly ten years after it was first introduced by UEFA. With Man City and PSG spending as much as they ever have, can we really say that FFP has worked? Has it merely supressed the middle and allowed the elite to break free? Is this latest spending spree just a quirk of the post-covid landscape?We are also joined by Luis Garcia Alvarez - football investor and equity portfolio manager for MAPFRE - for a look at the deal La Liga have done with investment fund CVC Capital - selling a 10% stake for 2.7 billion - and whether it is a good deal for the Spanish clubs. Is it the way forward for European sports leagues to grow revenues sustainably? Or is it dangerous to put your destiny in the hands of profit-minded investors? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes speak to The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell about Manchester United and the big question marks over their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Laurie reveals some of the big surprises in writing the piece and he reflects on what the new season may hold for Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Dermot Corrigan and James Horncastle to take you inside Lionel Messi's extraordinary departure from Barcelona as he prepares to sign for PSG.Where does this move leave Barcelona on and off the pitch? Why has he chosen to join PSG? Is it about more than just the money? Can Pochettino handle the challenge of managing this squad of superstars? What does this say about the Qatari project after ten years in Paris? All this and more as we take you inside one of the most sensational transfers in football historyThe Athletic's Simon Johnson also joins us to look at Chelsea's £100m deal to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan - is this the final piece of the puzzle for Tuchel? And does it mean Premier League title or bust in the eyes of Abramovich? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater bring an Olympic theme to the Business of Sport and ask what is the value of chasing gold medals - £25 billion according to UK Sport - from a commercial social & political perspective.Guests include UK Sport CEO Sally Munday, Sport England's director of sport Phil Smith and British Cycling director Danielle Every to talk funding, the link between medals & participation, how sports make investment decisions, the value of the sports sector, bidding for major events & working under the huge shadow football casts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Sam Lee & Dom Fifield to bring you the latest on moves being made by Manchester City to sign both Harry Kane & Jack Grealish this summer.Plus how PSG could be about to test Manchester United's resolve to keep Paul Pogba & the latest on Chelsea's pursuit of their former striker Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater & Oli Kay discuss the horrendous scenes at Wembley stadium ahead of the EURO 2020 final that saw fans clash with stewards and police as they attempted to break through gates for Sunday's historic sporting occasion.As Uefa open disciplinary proceedings into security breaches & Chair of DCMS select committee, Julian Knight MP, writes to FA demanding answers could this scupper England's chances of hosting the World Cup in 2030? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.