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PODCAST

Because Football

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

sports soccer

All Episodes

00:58:16

From Indoor Soccer to the Super Bowl: Lessons in Fan...

Because Football ·

2026/04/01

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 whose career started in the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) days.In this conversation, Mike shares some great stories from the youthful days of pro soccer in the US, as well as his perspective on sports

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00:35:43

Why I Needed to Write a Soccer Book for Children |...

Because Football ·

2026/03/25

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 has recently published a children’s book about soccer facts called “Goal!”. Carlos is a bilingual communications and football media operations veteran who has worked at multiple levels of the sport including

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00:54:21

Why Soccer Clubs Need to Invest in Philanthropy to...

Because Football ·

2026/03/18

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 organizer, nonprofit leader, and strategist, Noah is driven to building equitable access to soccer in Cleveland by a desire to see the US men’s national team lift the World Cup one day.Noah's path to this

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00:36:26

Building a Soccer Club for People to Care About |...

Because Football ·

2026/03/11

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 soccer belonged in Boise and this club is already breaking USL records before kicking a single ball.Brad's resume is unique among leaders of third division soccer clubs - whether in the US or abroad. He

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00:57:20

Growing LALIGA in North America through Partnerships...

Because Football ·

2026/03/04

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 102 of the Because Football Podcast, Santiago Lucio shares how he has spent the last several years figuring that out at LALIGA North America. We talk with the league’s Head of Partnerships Sales in

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00:42:50

Growing a Soccer Club with Influencer Marketing |...

Because Football ·

2026/02/25

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 Aneja, the Bay Area club’s Digital and Influencer Marketing Coordinator. Her innovative approach plays a vital role in connecting the team with its supporters in dynamic and authentic ways.But the origin of

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00:48:36

How to Grow a Pro Soccer League: Media Rights to...

Because Football ·

2026/02/25

In Episode 101 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 rights value and collaborating with cross functional teams in high-stakes environments.In this conversation, we discuss the interplay between culture and branding, the ways leagues can grow in new markets, and

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00:41:13

How MLS Marketers Define Their Club's Story | Sandra...

Because Football ·

2026/02/18

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 the world of professional football to answer a question many MLS clubs neglect: Who are we, really?Sandra came into a club without a clear brand story. No consumer research. No data on what fans actually

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00:47:45

Navigating Constant Change in Sports Tech Business |...

Because Football ·

2026/02/11

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 Sports Performance and Technology industry, starting his career at a time when VHS tapes were the norm and he would log hundreds of miles driving all over the UK just to deliver game film. He has held leadership

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00:56:18

How Pro Soccer Clubs can Boost Attendance and Revenue...

Because Football ·

2026/02/04

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 that he has spent supporting over 2 million events for tens of millions of customers.As founder of Impresario Strategic Growth Services and former CEO of Goldstar, he's now focused on one thing:

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00:33:11

Adding AI to Your Soccer Club's Content Strategy |...

Because Football ·

2026/01/28

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 professional sports organizations can leverage AI-power intelligent media storage to quickly locate every highlight and moment across their media archives. Isabel shares how the company has helped their

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00:49:57

Winning in American Pro Soccer with Brand, Stories,...

Because Football ·

2026/01/21

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 Football Podcast, we chat with Greg Lalas, an experienced sports brand storyteller and digital strategist, and Director and Founder of Short Corner Media.Greg has been a mainstay in shaping American

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00:41:51

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Because Football ·

2026/01/21

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00:51:54

Why Soccer is the Sport of the Internet | Shawn...

Because Football ·

2026/01/14

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 connections mean something.His path started in music at MTV, where he helped build social media before most brands knew what that meant. Then he followed his curiosity to MLS, laying the league's early social

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00:45:27

How to Become a Professional Football Agent: FIFA...

Because Football ·

2026/01/08

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 football fans from a variety of career backgrounds how to transition into being a football agent.In this episode, John shares 34 years of insider experience across the global soccer industry, from player

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00:56:43

The Business of Soccer Media: Creators, Brands, and a...

Because Football ·

2025/12/31

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 on trains and sleeping on couches while covering football in every corner of Europe (an adventure that led to “The Rough Guide to European Football” book) to 8 years in Italy reporting for Reuters on the

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00:44:40

How to Get Your Soccer Club More Attention | Forrest...

Because Football ·

2025/12/23

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 engaging stories and has seen what works and what doesn’t in the US soccer landscape.From growing up unsure where soccer fit in his life to covering USL clubs like Charleston Battery, Forrest reflects on the

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00:49:54

Covering Soccer Before America Cared: NASL, MLS, and...

Because Football ·

2025/12/17

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 game of soccer has seen on every level. As a child growing up in Colorado, he hardly ever saw a soccer ball in a store or on a field. Yet somehow, thanks to the 1966 World Cup final broadcast in black and

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00:49:13

Helping Soccer Clubs (and Parents) Tell Their Story |...

Because Football ·

2025/12/10

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 clubs tell their story.Throughout our conversation, Hanna shares how her background playing soccer, coaching Division 1 college basketball, and currently being a sports mom has equipped her for the role of

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00:42:44

Purpose & Passion on a Wild Journey in Football |...

Because Football ·

2025/12/03

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 world’s second-biggest international football confederation— he helped bring opportunity and representation to millions worldwide by organizing the 2018 CONIFA World Cup in London, bringing together 16

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115 results

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