Business of Sport

• Pablo Longoria, Marseille President: ‘Rebuilding a European Football Giant’ (Ep.90)

  Today, we’re delighted to welcome Pablo Longoria to the show. Pablo is President of french football giant Marseille, marking a welcome venture for us into European football! Make no mistake, this is a huge club steeped in history, the most passionate fans, and a global brand. Managing all of this from a business perspective is a serious job. Then of course add into it the need to create a winning team on the pitch to drive it all, and that is the challenge that faces Pablo.From scout and technical director to club President, his route to the top is unique in itself. The approach is absolutely ‘results first’. They have compiled a squad with a strong balance of youth and experience, including former Premier League players such as Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Pierre-Emile Hojbjurg, and of course Mason Greenwood, whose controversial transfer is covered in this chat as we look at how Marseille are approaching the transfer market. The broader challenges for the club extend into the chaotic media landscape of french football and the challenge with competing against the biggest and established leagues with less financial clout. Deep insight into top top level football is not abundant. This is a fascinating reveal of what is takes to run one European football’s most iconic organisations. Timestamps:00:00 Intro05:01 Pablo Longoria’s Path to Football Executive08:18 Joining Olympique de Marseille10:12 The State of Marseille When Pablo Arrived11:37 Revenues: Ticketing, Security, Food & Beverage20:19 How On-Pitch Success Drives Business Growth21:56 Pablo’s Role in Player Recruitment24:52 What People Get Wrong About Football Managers28:41 Football Director vs Manager: What’s the Difference?29:42 Managing Transfer Market Inflation39:33 How Fans Influence Transfer Strategy43:29 Learning from Transfer Mistakes45:45 Where Marseille Fits in the Football Pyramid49:22 Inside France’s Evolving Media Rights Landscape53:53 The Competitive Imbalance in French Football55:09 How CVC’s Investment Impacts French Clubs56:37 Winning vs Profitability Under U.S. Ownership01:01:26 The Concentration of Value in Top Leagues01:07:18 Underinvestment in Technology Across Sport01:10:49 Where Marseille Aims to Be in Five YearsOn today’s show we discuss: The Business of Modern Football:How Pablo is leading one of Europe’s biggest clubs through the most challenging media landscape in decades.Why Champions League qualification changes the balance sheet by up to 40%, and how to plan when your core revenue can fluctuate by €80 million.How Marseille balances community accessibility, with tickets as low as €12, against the commercial pressures of competing at Europe’s top tableBuilding for the Long Term:Why sporting performance is the engine behind every revenue stream.The psychology of team-building and Pablo’s “building-floor” theory explaining why some players succeed and others fail.How De Zerbi’s arrival marked a turning point for Marseille and what true alignment between coach, sporting director and CEO looks likeThe Media Rights Revolution:What the collapse of French TV rights means for clubs across Ligue 1.What leagues can learn from the Premier League’s ability to globalise its productTransfers & the Future of Football:Why Marseille’s recruitment strategy focuses on age profiles others overlook and how to find value.Why he believes football must evolve from a “sports industry” to an “entertainment industry” to survive the next decadeA huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: David Go and check out the amazing products revolutionising the protein bar at https://davidprotein.comStrydeBringing sports investment opportunities to your door. Visit http://www.gostryde.com to become part of the movement!

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• Richard Coleman, Tech3 Team Principal: ‘The $4.9bn Bet: Can Liberty Replicate F1 Success with MotoGP?’ (Ep.89)

  Today, we’re delighted to welcome Richard Coleman to the show. Alongside one of our favourite previous guests Mr Guenther Steiner, Richard is the new co-owner and Team Principal of MotoGP team Tech3. This sport has had some big headlines since Liberty’s $4.9bn acquisition went through earlier this year. As the infamous owners of F1 who have played a major role in re-inventing the sport and making it one of the most popular and marketable entertainment products on the planet, it’s not hard to understand why the buzz has now spread to asking what it is that Liberty can do with MotoGP; a hugely popular and successful motorsport, but one that doesn’t have the global reach or brand power F1 has enjoyed. In a world of massively inflating sports assets prices and the clamour for good deals and unique opportunities, do these racing teams present some of the most exciting sports business opportunities on the market? The parallels to F1 are obvious, but this is also very much a property with its own values, diehard fans, and a plan to capture the audience in a way that differentiates itself from four wheel racing. This a look at the big business of MotoGP and the big potential of Tech3. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro03:50 Liberty Media’s $4.9B MotoGP Takeover10:04 Why MotoGP Is Undervalued16:23 Can MotoGP Fix Its Competitive Imbalance?20:02 How to Run a MotoGP Team Sustainably22:38 How MotoGP Teams Make Money26:52 The New Wave of Sponsors in MotoGP29:12 How MotoGP Can Create Global Superstars35:10 Can MotoGP Grow Without Losing Its Core Fans?42:47 The Core Risks Behind Investing in MotoGP46:09 Inside The Media Rights Structure47:45 The Attention Economy & Youth in Motorsport51:56 What Makes The Best Riders?52:42 Why Riding a Bike Is Harder Than Driving an F1 Car54:00 Health & Safety in MotoGP01:00:29 Quick-Fire RoundOn today’s show we discuss: 1. The Business of MotoGP:How the $4.9bn Liberty Media acquisition has transformed the outlook for MotoGP and why the new owners are betting they can replicate the Formula One boom.What this means for valuations across the grid, and how teams like Tech3 are transitioning from racing outfits into full-scale businesses and global entertainment brands.Why Richard believes MotoGP is one of the most undervalued sports assets in the world today.2. Inside the Tech3 Acquisition:The story behind Richard and Guenther Steiner’s joint purchase of the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team.The financial realities of running a race team: from start-money payments to manufacturer support and sponsorship structures.Why the goal isn’t just to compete on track, but to build a sustainable commercial operation behind it3. Building Global Reach:Why the sport must expand beyond Southern Europe to truly go global and the opportunities and risks that come with it.How MotoGP can attract younger and more diverse audiences, develop riders from new regions, and create stars with global recognition.The importance of telling the human stories. The “gladiators of the modern age” risking everything on two wheels4. Safety, Technology & the Human Element:How MotoGP is balancing spectacle with safety through better circuits, tech innovations, and airbag suits.Why confidence, courage, and connection matter as much as engineering and how the sport can make its heroes household nameThe unseen dangers of racing at 230+ mph and the deep bond between riders and their crews.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: Stryde Bringing sports investment opportunities to your door. Visit http://www.gostryde.com to become part of the movement!

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• Graeme Le Saux, Fmr Chelsea & Blackburn Player: ‘Big Money Transfers Can Break Players’ (Ep.88)

  This week we’re delighted to welcome Graeme Le Saux to the show. A Chelsea, Blackburn and England icon, Graeme played over 500 club games, 327 of them in the Premier League, as well as 36 caps for England. There was more than enough in here to just enjoy some unparalleled sporting nostalgia, from Blackburn’s insane Premier League title to playing in the infamous David Beckham red card match at the 1998 World Cup. But you know that’s not our style; what Graeme brings to this conversation is both a reflection on his experiences handling the turbulent world of a footballer alongside the more macro issues facing the game. He did have a different background, different interests, and unique way of approaching the celebrity that comes with football. Having been a record transfer for a defender when he moved to Chelsea for £5.5m in 1997, he also gets what it is to play with expectation and pressure that can humanise players we fans often treat as emotionless machines.It touches on many of the key points we always look to build on, from asset inflation and club overspending to the responsibility of player education. A special player with a special outlook on both football and life as a top level athlete…and as you’ll no doubt lock onto he brought a big dose of humour to accompany it. Timestamps:00:00 Intro05:28 How the PL Has Changed Since Graeme Played09:25 The Reality of Changing Teams13:08 Is It the Club’s Fault When Talent Leaves for Free?14:36 Are Players Now More Valuable Than Clubs?16:33 How Signing-On Fees Change Transfers24:22 Are Football Clubs Passion Projects or Investments?26:47 How Big Was Abramovich’s Arrival in the Dressing Room?29:56 Thinking About Finances While Playing43:26 Why Many Players Struggle Financially After Football51:01 If I Could Change One Game54:43 The Added Pressure of Social Media on Players59:23 What It’s Like Covering the Premier League in America01:00:39 The Future of MLS01:05:15 Quick-Fire RoundIn Today's Episode We Discuss:1. Life at the Start of the Premier League:What it was like to play before and after the birth of the Premier League.How TV money and sponsorship transformed football into the global powerhouse it is today.The pressure of record transfer fees and why Graeme struggled at first to justify being Britain’s most expensive defender2. Transfers, Contracts & the Media:How moving clubs is about more than football, from dressing-room dynamics to family upheaval.The realities of modern contracts, signing-on fees, and bonuses.Why players today hold more power than ever, and what that means for clubs facing Bosman deals and free transfersHow social media has changed the scrutiny players face, both positively and negatively.3. Blackburn’s Title & Chelsea’s Rebirth:Inside the story of Blackburn’s Premier League win and why money alone wasn’t the reason for their success.What really happened in the final days before Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea and how one game against Liverpool effectively saved the club from administration.Why investment can change a club’s fortunes but only if combined with identity, culture, and the right management.4. Education, Identity & Life After Football:Why Graeme refused to conform in the dressing room and why he’s proud he stuck to his values even when it made life harder.The importance of education and broader interests for young players, and why football needs to do more to support life beyond the pitch.The shock of retirement, coping with irrelevance, and why building purpose and relationships off the field is essential.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show:Stryde Bringing sports investment opportunities to your door. Visit ⁠https://www.gostryde.com/ to become part of the movement!

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• James Vowles, Williams Team Principal: ‘The Plan to make Williams F1 World Champions…Again’ (Ep87)

  When we recorded this show the day before James flew out to Baku, we did not expect Williams to be up on the podium delivering in real life what James was theoretically describing to us on the show. Podiums are of course part of the development plan, but not yet. When James came to see us at Business of Sport HQ last week, we talked through both what he has done to position the team for future success, and what he still needs to do. In a sport that requires so many minds pulling together, utilising a vast array of talents, the prospect of building what is popularly termed as ‘winning culture’ could seem daunting; where do you even start? For James, it was recognising that even in a sport of technology and science, people and culture are what makes you win. This weekend’s result would place Williams ahead of where James has set expectations. But don’t get me wrong, this result in Baku will have been celebrated in the halls of Grove, because no matter how long term the strategy for success is, these wins you pick up on the way are integral to showing the team that what they’re doing is on the right path, and from James’ perspective (though he’d never look at it like this) that he’s the man to deliver for them. This is James Vowles on the business of Williams and F1…and a taste of what’s to come.Timestamps:00:00 Intro03:54 Rebuilding Williams Through Culture07:18 Balancing Past Success with a New Identity10:54 Williams’ Long-Term Plan for Success17:31 What Vowles Brings to Sainz & Albon22:35 Can Money Alone Deliver F1 Success?25:22 Does Losing Money Matter in F1 Ownership?28:23 Turning Heavy Investment Into Performance30:45 Williams’ New Revenue Streams34:25 How Teams Compete for the Same Sponsors37:37 Will Formula 1 Control Its Own Platform41:30 Overcoming Challenges as a New Team Principal46:10 The Mediafication of F1 Leadership47:30 Quick-Fire RoundIn Today's Episode We Discuss:1. Rebuilding Williams from the Ground Up:Why James left the comfort of Mercedes to take on the challenge of reviving one of Formula One’s most historic but struggling teams.How he discovered Williams was “a bankrupt organisation” on arrival and why he likens it to running a 50-year-old startup.The long-term plan to make Williams both competitive and profitable again by 2028, balancing heavy investment with financial disciplineHow James is instilling accountability, long-term thinking, and a “break everything” mindset to push the team beyond survival.2. The Culture of Performance:The importance of ego-free leadership from drivers like Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz in shaping a winning environmentThe real split between car and driver performance and why drivers remain the best “sensors” for development.What James learned from working with Schumacher, Rosberg, and Hamilton, and how those lessons are applied to Albon and Sainz today.Why humility, confidence, and resilience separate the very best drivers from the rest3. The Business of F1:The realities of cost caps, sponsorship, and commercial growth in modern F1.Why Williams’ sponsorship strategy is about authentic partnerships, not stickers on a car and how deals like Atlassian reflect the team’s values.James’ candid view on asset values, media rights, and how F1 must evolve its broadcasting model to engage younger fans4. The Future of the Sport:Why two-day race weekends could be the future, and how unpredictability makes F1 compelling.His view on an 11th team, the balance of tradition versus innovation, and how Netflix and Drive to Survive changed the sport’s global appeal.What excites him most about the years ahead: leaving a lasting legacy at Williams and returning the team to the front of the grid.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show:Stryde Bringing sports investment opportunities to your door. Visit www.gostryde.com to become part of the movement!

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• Patrick Mouratoglou: From Serena to Djokovic, What Makes the Best Players in the World? (Ep86)

  This week we’re delighted to welcome Patrick Mouratoglou to the show. Patrick is one of tennis' most successful coaches, working with Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Holger Rune, Grigor Dimitrov, Simona Halep to name a few. Perhaps most famous for his collaboration with Serena Williams where they won 10 Grand Slams together, it’s regarded as one of the most successful coach-player relationships in tennis history.Alongside this, Patrick is the founder of the world-renowned Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. The academy has nurtured hundreds of elite players including Coco Gauff, Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas through a personalized, high-performance training model. It combines cutting-edge facilities with academic programs, helping student-athletes from over 45 countries balance education and sport. The academy has become a global brand with satellite centers in China, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Dubai and the U.S.Patrick’s new book ‘Champion Mindset’ takes the position of transferring everything he has learned in tennis to apply to everyday life. Believe it or not, what makes Serena so successful won’t be too far away from what can work for you, in business, performance, or just general life. I have put the link in the bio (not an advert!) because it’s one of the best books I’ve read. This is an inspiring conversation that I know you will love, whether a big tennis fan or just interested in the philosophies of nurturing top talent.On today’s show we discuss: Coaching the Greats:Inside the 10-year partnership with Serena Williams that delivered 10 Grand Slams and is regarded as one of the greatest player–coach relationships in history.Why courage, honesty, and “never being afraid to get fired” are central to coaching elite athletes.Lessons from working with Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Holger Rune, Grigor Dimitrov and others and the unique challenges of guiding champions at different stages of their careers.The Philosophy of Confidence:Why success is built on stacking “little victories” and creating positive experiences every day.How champions like Murray, Djokovic, and Serena win even when they’re not playing well and how to transfer that mindset to business and everyday life.The art of knowing what to say, when to say it, and when to say nothing at all.The Mouratoglou Academy & Champion Mindset:How his academy became Europe’s biggest and now spans 14 global centers, producing players like Coco Gauff, Holger Rune, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.The importance of combining world-class training with education to make tennis accessible beyond the elite.Patrick’s new book Champion Mindset and why the same principles that drove Serena to greatness can apply to anyone in sport, business, or life.Champion Mindset by Patrick Mouratoglou (Yellow Kite: £20)A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show:StrydeBringing sports investment opportunities to your door. Visit www.gostryde.com to become part of the movement!

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