Stadium Boom - USL working with over 70 cities on plans - Justin Papadakis

Stadium Boom - USL working with over 70 cities on plans - Justin Papadakis

Author: Simon Evans August 22, 2025 Duration: 51:05
USL Deputy CEO and Chief Real Estate Officer Justin Papadakis reveals how the league is in talks with over 70 cities in the USA about building new soccer stadiums and bringing new clubs to communities across the country. Takeaways There's real momentum in the USL.The USL's approach to stadium development is unique.City partnerships are crucial for stadium financing.Stadiums are seen as community assets by cities.The fan experience is central to stadium design.Financing stadiums involves complex political and economic factors.The scale of stadium projects varies across USL.New stadiums can significantly increase revenue for clubs.Media presentation is vital for attracting viewers.Investor interest in USL is growing rapidly. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to USL Stadium Developments02:48 The Unique USL Approach to Stadium Building05:51 City Partnerships and Economic Impact09:10 Fan Experience and Entertainment Districts12:00 Financing and Municipal Support for Stadiums14:51 The Scale of Stadium Projects in USL17:58 The Economics of Soccer Venues20:55 Revenue Streams and Future Growth24:00 Media Presentation and Broadcast Quality26:50 Regional Development and Market Trends30:06 Investor Interest in USL32:58 The Future of Soccer in America  

Simon Evans brings his deep knowledge of the sports industry to The Soccer Business Podcast, a series dedicated to the intricate and rapidly evolving commercial landscape of soccer in North America. Each episode features conversations with prominent personalities and key players who are shaping the game off the pitch. You'll hear candid discussions that go beyond the headlines, delving into the real-world strategies of club-building, league expansion, and major infrastructure projects like new stadiums. The dialogue consistently explores the critical financial engines of the sport: sponsorship deals, marketing innovations, and the flow of investment that determines which clubs thrive. This isn't just about scores and transfers; it's a clear-eyed examination of how business decisions made in boardrooms directly impact the sport we watch on the field. For anyone curious about the economic forces and ambitious personalities driving soccer's growth across the continent, this podcast offers essential listening. Evans guides these complex topics with a journalist's insight, making each interview both informative and engaging for fans and professionals alike.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Soccer Business Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Messi's True Miami Deal, Soccer Lifestyle and NWSL expansion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:20
This week Simon and Andre look at Lionel Messi's growing equity stake in Inter Miami, Carlos Velas's investment in LAFC, a new soccer lifestyle product and in our deep dive Pardeep Cattry of CSB Sports joins us to discus…
Inside LaLiga's North American Expansion Plans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:28
In this week's interview Nicolas Garcia Hemme, Managing Director of LaLiga North America, provides details on how the Spanish league has been sweeping up lucrative partnership deals with the likes of McDonalds and Walmar…
MLS Next Pro President Ali Curtis on league expansion and more [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:52
MLS Next Pro President Ali Curtis discusses the league's expansion plans, their new broadcast deal and role of the league in growing the game across the United States and much more in this week's Soccer Business intervie…
How Tottenham Maximize Revenue - with CRO Ryan Norys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:40
In this week's Soccer Business Podcast - Simon Evans and Andre Da Costa quickly go over the main talking points from the week in North American soccer business before our feature interview - a deep dive into the revenue…
The Return of The New York Cosmos & USL plans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:56
Simon Evans is joined by Erik Stover, CEO of the New York Cosmos, who are about to begin their new life in USL and soccer market analyst Andre Da Costa. As well as examining the return of the Cosmos brand and the work be…
USA 1994 World Cup - the story behind the scenes with Alan Rothenberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:15
Alan Rothenberg was the President of US Soccer and took charge of the hosting of the 1994 World Cup in the United States. He then helped set up Major League Soccer and has been an influential figure in taking the game fr…
Building OKC Pro Soccer: Court Jeske [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:32
Simon Evans interviews Court Jeske, a veteran soccer executive whose career spans MLS, USL and founding Nashville SC. They discuss his role leading the OKC Pro Soccer project, plans for a downtown, expandable 10,000–12,0…