PODCAST · sports
Because Football
by Andrew Baggaley
The Because Football Podcast is all about uncovering the heart of football through individual journeys and community histories shaped by the beautiful game. We talk with leaders, decision makers, and creatives in the football /soccer industry to discuss their paths and insights they've learned along the way.The Because Football Podcast is hosted by Andrew Baggaley. Since January 2024, Andrew has travelled the world to explore soccer cultures and communities in 20 countries. Originally from Philadelphia, he has had a lifelong fascination with the game as a player, coach, and fan.
Episodes
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Exploring the Heart of Soccer Fandom | Matthew Barry
What if the cure for one of the loneliest eras in American life is already happening every Saturday at 3pm - in a supporters section, a soccer bar, a tifo? Matthew Barry didn't grow up chasing this game. He grew up half-Italian, watching his uncles nearly come to blows over Italy vs. France in…
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bill nuttall
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jose swb
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How to Sell Soccer Tickets: Group Sales, Fan Experience & Club Identity in MLS
Most people think selling tickets is about getting fans to buy seats. Joe Medcalf will tell you it's about connecting people with a great game day experience they didn’t know they were missing. In Episode 112 of the Because Football Podcast, we delve into how to sell the game to non-soccer fans.…
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What Fans Don't See: Football Contracts, Image Rights & Legal Disputes in Pro Soccer
What happens when a club just stops paying a player and hopes they'll go away? How are multi-million dollar contracts and transfers done? In Episode 111 of the Because Football Podcast, we delve into the obscure world of professional sports law, intellectual property, and the inner workings of...
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How To Tell A Club's Story the RIGHT WAY | Tommy Hodul, Oakland Roots
Tommy Hodul has one job: tell Oakland's story. It just happens to be through the lens of soccer. In Episode 110 of the Because Football Podcast, we talk with Tommy Hodul, VP of Communications for Oakland Roots SC and Oakland Soul. He's a fan who became a club leader who's been doing it since day...
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The Non-League Club Reinventing Itself Through Design| Brislington FC
What happens when two artists show up at a ninth-tier English football club and say — we want to help, and we're not asking for money? In Episode 109 of the Because Football Podcast, we dive into one of the most uniques project in the world of football / soccer that is revitalizing a lower league...
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How to Grow a Pro Soccer League: Media Rights to Culture | Luiz Gomes
In Episode 108 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Luiz Gomes, a sports marketing executive with 10+ years of expertise leading sponsorship, media and event portfolios across global properties and agencies. He has managed multimillion dollar commercial programs, optimizing broadcast...
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Here's How You Can Monetize Your Sports Brand: Content Strategy and Actionable Framework | Ellie Wookey, Press Upload
How can you build your brand by creating better content through more engaging stories without feeling overwhelmed or stuck? Most clubs, athletes, and sports brands know they should be creating content. Few actually know how to do it well or why it matters other than “they probably should be doing...
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From Indoor Soccer to the Super Bowl: Lessons in Fan Experience | Mike Harmon
You might not think American soccer has contributed anything to the world of football - but this conversation will change your mind. In Episode 106 of the Because Football Podcast, we talk with seasoned sports marketer Mike Harmon, who created the logo and branding for Columbus Crew of MLS, and...
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Why I Needed to Write a Soccer Book for Children | Carlos Mojica
We are obsessed with soccer stories on this podcast - but we have been neglecting the youth! This episode changes that and focuses on how we can pass on our love of the game to the next generation of soccer fans. In Episode 105 of the Because Football Podcast, we talk with Carlos D. Mojica, who…
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Why Soccer Clubs Need to Invest in Philanthropy to Succeed as a Business | Noah Toumert, Cleveland Pro Soccer
How can investing in the local community develop talent, increase trust, and build revenue for a brand new soccer club? In Episode 104 of the Because Football Podcast, we talk with Noah Toumert, Director of Foundation for the newly announced Cleveland Pro Soccer of MLS Next Pro. As a community...
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Building a Soccer Club for People to Care About | Brad Stith, CEO of AC Boise
What does it take to build a professional soccer club from scratch in a market nobody expected? In Episode 103 of the Because Football Podcast, we learn from Brad Stith, Co-Founder and CEO of Athletic Club Boise, a new USL League One club. For more than a decade, Brad has believed professional...
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Working in Pro Football & Growing LALIGA in North America | Santiago Lucio
Every global soccer club, league, and brand wants a piece of the American market - but how can they actually grow in a competitive sports landscape? And importantly, how can that league convince American brands to partner with a "foreign sports property" most CMOs can barely explain? In Episode…
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Growing a Soccer Club with Influencer Marketing | Prerna Aneja, San Jose Earthquakes
How can professional soccer clubs connect to new potential fans, maintain relevance, and foster local community pride? San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS have an idea - influencer marketing deployed across their digital channels. In Episode 101 of the Because Football Podcast, we talk with Prerna...
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How MLS Marketers Define Their Club's Story | Sandra Moore, Sporting KC
What happens when you bring a CMO from Buick and Hanes into professional soccer? In Episode 100 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Sandra Moore, Chief Marketing Officer of Sporting Kansas City of MLS. After decades telling the story of automotive and fashion brands, Sandra pivoted to…
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Navigating Constant Change in Sports Tech Business | Paul Boanas
In Episode 99 of the Because Football Podcast, we discuss the rapid, massive change that has occurred in sports technology, particularly in the world of professional football, and the importance of relationship building to career success. Paul Boanas carries 25 years of experience across the…
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How Pro Soccer Clubs can Boost Attendance and Revenue | Jim McCarthy
What if the biggest thing holding your club back isn't the product on the pitch but the lack of a clear, open conversation with fans? In Episode 98 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Jim McCarthy about everything he's learned regarding building and serving fans over a 25 year career…
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Adding AI to Your Soccer Club's Content Strategy | Isabel Freedman
In Episode 97 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Isabel Freedman, Emerging Technology Partnerships Lead at Wasabi Technologies. Isabel shares how she leads go-to-market strategy for emerging technologies spanning AI, sports, media and entertainment. Wasabi Technologies is changing how...
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Winning in American Pro Soccer with Brand, Stories, and Trust | Greg Lalas
Professional soccer clubs often neglect storytelling because they lack the patience to trust an asset that doesn't always show an obvious ROI on the spreadsheet - but which is central to building trust and relationships and ensuring longterm financial sustainability. In Episode 96 of the Because...
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Why Soccer is the Sport of the Internet | Shawn Francis, COPA90
In Episode 95 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Shawn Francis, Executive Creative Director for North America at COPA90. Shawn Francis has spent over 15 years figuring out how culture actually connects people to the game - shaping stories and curating moments that make those…
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How to Become a Professional Football Agent: FIFA Exams to Personal Values | John Viola
In Episode 94 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome John Viola, experienced FIFA-licensed football agent and educator and founder of 451 Football Consultancy. 451 offers services for professional football clubs, players, and online educational courses and events that teach passionate…
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The Business of Soccer Media: Creators, Brands, and a Culture of Belonging | Simon Evans
In Episode 93 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Simon Evans, an experienced journalist, content consultant, and co-founder of the Soccer Business - a news, information, data and analysis company focused on the North American soccer industry. Simon has had quite a ride, from traveling…
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How to Get Your Soccer Club More Attention | Forrest Tucker
In Episode 92 of the Because Football Podcast, Forrest Tucker joins us to unpack how American soccer can grow not just by emphasizing results, but by amplifying personal and community stories. A veteran reporter and host of the “Cleared off the Line Podcast”, Forrest possess a knack for crafting...
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Covering Soccer Before America Cared: NASL, MLS, and 8 World Cups | Frank Dell’Apa
In Episode 91 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Frank Dell’Apa an American soccer reporter who has covered the game from the wild days of the NASL in the 1960s and 70s until the present day. There are few voices in the American game that can attest to the whirlwind transformation the...
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Helping Soccer Clubs (and Parents) Tell Their Story | Hanna Howard, CEO of Rematch US
In episode 90 of the Because Football Podcast, we invite Hanna Howard, CEO of Rematch, a French-founded sports tech platform that is revolutionizing the way parents and coaches share sports highlights. In a time when sharing the latest goal or big play is a necessity, Rematch helps parents and...
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Purpose & Passion on a Wild Journey in Football | Jason Heaton, Chairman of Kernow FA & CONIFA Global Ambassador
In episode 89 of the Because Football Podcast, we invite Jason Heaton, Chairman and Co-Founder of Kernow FA and Global Ambassador for CONIFA, for a conversation about the power of football to shape collective identity and spark joy. As Global Business Director and General Secretary of CONIFA—the...
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What I’ve Learned About North American Soccer in the Last 6 Months | Andrew Baggaley, Because Football Media Host
For Episode 88of the Because Football Podcast, we're trying a solo format. Rather than interviewing an amazing guest from the world of soccer, our host Andrew Baggaley will be sharing updates on our ”Road Trip to the World Cup Series” that has taken us to 8 of the 16 host cities thus far. He’ll...
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What truly is fan engagement in professional football? Transparency, Dialogue, and Governance | Kevin Rye, Think Fan Engagement
In Episode 87 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Kevin Rye, Founder of Think Fan Engagement. Kevin tells us how his early experiences as a fan of AFC Wimbledon made him aware of the importance of the formal relationship between clubs and their fans. This goes beyond matchday…
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Why This Soccer Club Owner WANTS Pro/Rel in the US | Brett Johnson, Rhode Island FC and Ipswich Town FC
Can promotion and relegation fundamentally change the landscape of soccer in the United States? Hardcore fans have been begging for it for decades and USL has answered the call, announcing the intention to adopt a more meritocratic, dramatic, and exciting soccer system in 2027. In Episode 86 of…
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Growing Soccer with Promotion / Relegation in the United States | Justin Papadakis, Chief Real Estate Officer at USL
In American Soccer, we’ve heard for decades that the game is finally catching on. Sometimes, it feels like groundhog day. But there is one indicator showing positive signs - the growth of soccer-specific stadiums, especially for clubs at the second and third tier of the professional pyramid. In...
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How to Set Records in Pro Soccer by Focusing on Community | Dan Rutstein, Orange County Soccer Club
In Episode 84 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Dan Rutstein, President of Business Operations at Orange County SC of the USL Championship. In 2023, he was formally appointed President of Orange County SC after serving as interim club president, during which time the club set new...
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The Power of Storytelling for Non-Profits | Catalina Dunn, Soccer in the Streets
In Episode 83 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Catalina Dunn, Marketing Manager at Soccer in the Streets. At Soccer in the Streets, Catalina plays a vital role in spreading awareness of the organization's mission to use soccer as a catalyst for positive change in underserved…
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A Life of Football Coaching (Almost) Everywhere in the World | Nicholas De-Long, Head of Football
In Episode 82 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Nicholas De-Long, Head of Academy for North Somerset Sports Foundation, a full-time 16-19 football education programme, in addition to his role as Head of Football for North Somerset Regional Talent Centre, which serves - 1100 boys and…
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Maximizing World Cup Impact | Jonathan Todd, Philadelphia 2026 World Cup Host Committee
In Episode 81 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Jonathan Todd, Director of Social Impact for Philadelphia World Cup 2026, the organization leading local efforts in the host city. Throughout his career, Jonathan has directed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion departments in multiple...
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Sunday League to USL 2 / WPSL Club | Sunflower State FC
Is it possible to start a semi-professional soccer club part-time? In Episode 80 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Joey Lipoff and Charles Salazar, co-founders of Sunflower State FC, a USL 2 and WPSL club serving the Kansas City area. After meeting and playing together at Rockhurst...
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Coaching for Excellence & Community in Iowa | Charlie Latshaw, Des Moines Menace
In Episode 79 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Charlie Latshaw III, current Head Coach for Des Moines Menace of USL 2, and regularly one of the league’s top performing clubs. The Menace made headlines in recent years with a US Open Cup run where they signed a handful of former…
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Building Community Soccer Programs and Sharing the Story | Rachel Jolley
Competition makes soccer enthralling - but at its best, this game offers more than wins and losses. In Episode 78 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Rachel Jolley, Program & Marketing Director for the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation. The foundation is the impact-driven arm of the Tampa Bay…
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Why Community Connection is Key to Club Success in American Soccer | Eleni Hitchcock, General Manager of USL 2 Club
Despite the booms and busts throughout history, American soccer has a lot to be proud of. From the bright lights of MLS and NWSL, to pre-professional teams in small town America, the game is alive and well. In Episode 77 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Eleni Hitchcock, General…
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Footy as a Reason to Explore the World | Colin Martin, The Footy Travelers
If you are an obsessive soccer fan, you know that the game isn’t just about what happens on the pitch - it’s about the journeys we take, the cultures we discover, and the wonderful people we meet because (of) football. It’s when we use footy as a vehicle for exploring the vast world around us…
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Founding and Running a USL 2 Club | Ira Jersey, Real Central NJ
Is there something missing in your local soccer community? Well - don’t pout about it - build it yourself! In Episode 75 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Ira Jersey, the Founder and Men’s General Manager at Real Central NJ Soccer of USL 2 and WPSL. In this episode, Ira tells us about...
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How American Soccer Clubs Live (or Don't!) on Marketing | Ryan Shaffer, VP of Marketing, Pittsburgh Riverhounds
American soccer has had its share of ups and downs - but there are many encouraging signs right now. A great example is an announcement by the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to expand their existing stadium - growing from a capacity of 5,000 to 15,000, in anticipation of a transformative era for the…
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Making Game Days the Best Days | Nick Manske, Philadelphia Union & Street FC
If you love the game of soccer - and want it to be a central part of your life - what’s stopping you? In Episode 73 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Nick Manske, a Fan Service Representative for the Philadelphia Union of MLS. In addition to his role in the soccer industry, Nick is…
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Pro/Rel in America - Utopia or Naive Hype? | Jeremy Alumbaugh, USL Championship President
It's been a rallying cry, a fiery debate, a humble plea for decades. American soccer fans have been calling for the implementation of promotion and relegation - just like the rest of the world. The USL is answering that call as it plans to implement pro/rel, plus a newly sanctioned Division One...
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Creating Community Through Pick Up Soccer | Monica Rojas
Recently, the game of soccer has been showing its importance in American culture in a variety of ways - especially in the growth of pickup soccer communities around the country. In Episode 71 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Monica Rojas, Head of Community and Communications at Plei, a...
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How Stories Shape American Soccer Community and Culture | Garret James Hokr of Gotham FC
The reality we see depends on the stories we tell ourselves. The stories we accept. The stories we reject. And when it comes to American soccer, stories are critical to understanding the opportunities and potential pitfalls of the current state of the game. In Episode 70 of the Because Football...
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How to Set Attendance Records in Lower League Soccer | Kaitlyn McComb, Director of Ticket Sales for the Annapolis Blues
In Episode 69 of the Because Football Podcast, we invite Kaitlyn McComb, Director of Ticket Sales and Ticket Operations for the Annapolis Blues, a pre-professional club in Annapolis, Maryland that offers a men’s team in USL 2 and women’s team in USL W League. In just 3 seasons as a club, the…
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A New Vision for the New York Cosmos | Erik Stover, CEO
The New York Cosmos are back... but many are asking the question... why?!?! In Episode 68 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Cosmos CEO Erik Stover about how the club is planning to do things differently (and better) in this third incarnation. The foundation of that plan is player...
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Courageous Leadership in Professional Football | Matt Hancock, CEO of Port Vale Football Club
Professional football is a hyper-competitive industry. It can be ruthless, cutthroat, and overwhelmingly results-driven. Where do qualities like courage and kindness come in amidst all that intensity? In Episode 67 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Matt Hancock, CEO of Port Vale…
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New Documentary Series Announcement, Club World Cup Review, and MORE! with Host Andrew Baggaley
For Episode 66 of the Because Football Podcast, we're trying a different format. Rather than interviewing an incredible guest from the world of soccer, our host Andrew Baggaley will be sharing updates on his round the world journey that took him to football communities in 17 countries in the past...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Because Football Podcast is all about uncovering the heart of football through individual journeys and community histories shaped by the beautiful game. We talk with leaders, decision makers, and creatives in the football /soccer industry to discuss their paths and insights they've learned along the way.The Because Football Podcast is hosted by Andrew Baggaley. Since January 2024, Andrew has travelled the world to explore soccer cultures and communities in 20 countries. Originally from Philadelphia, he has had a lifelong fascination with the game as a player, coach, and fan.
HOSTED BY
Andrew Baggaley
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Because Football have?
Because Football currently has 119 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Because Football about?
The Because Football Podcast is all about uncovering the heart of football through individual journeys and community histories shaped by the beautiful game. We talk with leaders, decision makers, and creatives in the football /soccer industry to discuss their paths and insights they've learned...
How often does Because Football release new episodes?
Because Football publishes regularly with 119 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Because Football?
You can listen to Because Football on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Because Football?
Because Football is created and hosted by Andrew Baggaley.
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