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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

00:47:45

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

bio

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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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00:28:31

What I’ve Learned About North American Soccer in the...

Because Football ·

2025/11/26

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 also discuss what opportunities he sees for clubs and brands to take advantage of World Cup fever, some of the most poignant stories we’ve shared on the series, as well as insights gained into soccer media

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00:36:23

What truly is fan engagement in professional...

Because Football ·

2025/11/19

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 experiences and performance on the field, but creating structures, regulations, and formalized relationships between clubs and their supporters clubs.After a decade managing a network of over 200 football clubs &

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00:44:07

Why This Soccer Club Owner WANTS Pro/Rel in the US |...

Because Football ·

2025/11/12

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 the Because Football Podcast, we interview Brett Johnson, Chairman of Rhode Island FC and Centreville Bank Stadium and Director and Shareholder at Ipswich Town FC. This episode is a look inside the journey and

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00:48:02

Why Selling Soccer is Getting EASIER in the United...

Because Football ·

2025/11/05

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 Episode 85 of the Because Football Podcast, we interview Justin Papadakis, Deputy CEO & Chief Real Estate Officer at USL. In his role, Justin travels across the country meeting with local governments,

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00:48:47

How to Set Records in Pro Soccer by Focusing on...

Because Football ·

2025/10/31

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 records in ticket sales, sponsorship, and merchandise, and expanded charitable programming.In this episode, Dan shares his fascinating journey - from sports journalist to diplomat to football club president,

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00:37:07

The Power of Storytelling for Non-Profits | Catalina...

Because Football ·

2025/10/29

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 communities in the Atlanta region.Catalina shares what she has learned in her more than six years of experience across diverse industries—including sports, technology, local government, and entertainment— and how

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00:44:53

A Life of Football Coaching at ALL Levels (Almost)...

Because Football ·

2025/10/22

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 girls from ages 7-16. Nicholas has had an adventurous career, spending decades as a physical education instructor and coach in the UK Royal Air Force, to working on National Team staffs in Rwanda and India, to

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00:23:50

Maximizing World Cup Impact | Jonathan Todd,...

Because Football ·

2025/10/15

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 industries, in addition to time spent in non-profit and city government.In this episode, Jonathan shares the Philadelphia World Cup 2026’s vision for short-term and long-term impact in the local soccer

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