Why British Clubs Are Buying Up MLS Players - Tom Bogert

Why British Clubs Are Buying Up MLS Players - Tom Bogert

Author: Simon Evans August 28, 2026 Duration: 40:17
Zavier Gozo from Salt Lake to Premier League Crystal Palace, Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten to Middlesbrough, even two USL strikers moving to Scotland. Why are British and European clubs suddenly buying players from MLS and USL? And can MLS and USL grow by being 'selling leagues'? Tom Bogert of The Athletic, America's number one journalist on soccer's transfer market, joins The Soccer Business to take a look at what is going on? 

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
After World Cup Humbling - Is American Soccer Getting it All Wrong? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:17
Simon and André break down the USA's 4-1 collapse against Belgium in the Round of 16 — and why the manner of the exit, not the result itself, has triggered a wave of hot takes across social and sports media. They unpack…
New MLS club investors, MCO moves and Bruno Costa interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:13
A significant, first of a kind, new investment in an MLS club. LAFC sell their Swiss club and a USL purchase are among the issues discussed in our new review before Bruno Costa, head of the international office for the B…
World Cup Mania - 'Hydration Breaks', Fox and Soccer as Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:58
Simon and Andre dive into the opening two weeks of the World Cup - beyond the extraordinary attendances and record-breaking ratings, the tournament has captured the imagination in lots of unexpected ways. With the extra…
The $1.3 billion deals behind the USA team at the World Cup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:36
While the USMNT make their bid for glory at the FIFA World Cup. the U.S. Soccer Federation is breaking revenue records with over $1.3 billion in contracted revenue. Chief Commercial Officer Dave Wright reveals the busine…
Inside The Billions Spent on World Cup Brand Deals with Ricardo Fort [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:01
Former top Coca Cola and Visa sports sponsorship executive Ricardo Fort joins the pod to reveal the inner workings of the business, ambush marketing and why AI firms could be at the forefront of the next wave of mega-dea…
Another Relocation Threat in MLS? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:13
Don Garber visited Montreal on Thursday and made it very clear he wants to see changes to the stadium situation in the city. After Vancouver, is a second Canadian city facing the threat of relocation with Las Vegas waiti…
Is MLS's Apple Deal finally paying off? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:28
There was plenty of criticism of MLS's broadcast deal with Apple TV - from both fans and within the industry. But the latest numbers out of MLS suggest that real growth is happening. Seth Bacon EVP Media with MLS joins t…
Is Promotion and Relegation Really Going to Come to the USA? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:30
After a weekend of promotion and relegation drama in Europe - what is happening with USL's plans for pro/rel? How would a true pyramid work in the USA? Plus the latest news including Netflix eyeing World Cup rights.
Drake the Investor, Fanatics-FIFA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:18
Drake's deal for Venezia in Serie A. FIFA-Fanatics collectibles deal, New Man United training kit sponsor, Liga MX dominating MLS again. Plus does Messi's attitude to media dilute his impact? Can USL be a hipster brand?…